All the two Coventrys their
generals
chose.
Marvell - Poems
Or, in his absence, him that first it laid.
Then came the thrifty troop of privateers.
Whose horses each with other interferes :
Before them Higgins rides with brow compact,
Mourning his countess, anxious for his act
Sir Frederick and Sir Solomon draw lots.
For the command of politics and Scots ;
Thence fell to words ; but quarrels to adjourn,
Their friends agreed they should command by turn.
Carteret the rich did the accountants guide.
And in ill English all the world defied.
The papists (but of those the house had none,
Else) Talbot offered to have led them on.
Bold Duncotob next, of the projectors chief,
And old Fitz Harding of tlie eaters beef.
Late and disordered out tlie drunkards drew,
Scarce them their leaders, \\wy their leaders knew.
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OF MARVELL. 2l7
Before them entered, equal in command,
Apslej and Brotherick marching hand in hand.
Last then but one, Powel, that could not ride
Left the French standard weltering in his stride ;
He, to excuse his slowness, truth confessed,
That 'twas so long before he could be dressed.
The lords' sons last all these did reenforcc,
Cornburj before them managed hobby-horse.
Never before nor since an host so steeled
Trooped on to muster in the Tuttle-field.
Not the first cock-horse that with cork was
shod
To rescue Albemarle from the sea-cod :
Nor the late feather-man, whom Tomkins fierce
Shall with one breath like thistle down disperse.
All the two Coventrys their generals chose.
For one had much, the other nought to lose.
Not better choice all accidents could hit.
While hector Harry steere by Will the wit.
They both accept the charge with merry glee.
To fight a battle from all gunshot free.
Pleased with their numbers, yet in valour wise.
They feigned a parley, better to surprise,
They who ere long shall the rude Dutch
upbraid,
Who in a time of treaty dare invade.
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218 THE POEMS
Thick was the morning, and the house was
thin,
The speaker early, when they all fell in.
Propitious heavens I had not you them crossed,
Excise had got the day, and all been lost :
For t'other side all in close quarters lay
Without intelligence, command or pay ;
A scattered body, which the foe ne'er tried,
But often did among themselves divide.
And some run o'er each night, while others
sleep.
And undescried returned 'fore morning peep.
But Strangeways, who all night still walked the
round.
For vigilance and courage both renowned,
First spied the enemy, and gave the alarm,
Fighting it single till the rest might arm ;
Such Roman Cocles stood before the foe,
The falling bridge behind, the streams below. *
Each ran as chance him guides to several i)ost.
And all to pattern his example, boast ;
Their former trophies they recall to mind,
And now, to edge their anger, courage grind.
