No More Learning

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.

First entered forward Temple, conqueror
Of Irish cattle, and solicitor.

* Codes, a noble Romaiif maintained a pass alone, and
kcpl back a whole army, till the bridge behind Jiim was
broke down, and then throw himself into the Tihci, ;uid
swam to laud.



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• OP MARVELL. .
219

Then daring S — ^r, that with spear and shield
Had stretched the monster patent on the field.
Keen Whoorwood next in aid of damsel frail,
That pierced the giant Mordaunt through his

mail:
And surly Williams the accountant's bane,
And Lovelace young of chimney-men the cane.
Old Waller, trumpet general, swore he'd write
This combat truer than the naval fight.
Of birth, state, wit, strength, courage, Howaitl

presumes,
And in his breast wears many Montezumes. *
These, with some more, with single valour stay
The adverse troops, and hold them all at bay.
Each thinks his person represents the whole,
And with that thought does multiply his soul ;
Believes himself an army ; there's one man,
As easily conquered ; and believing, can
With heart of bees so full and head of mites,
That each, though duelling, a battle fights.
So once Orlando, famous in romance.
Broached whole brigades like larks upon liis

lance.

But strength at last still under number bows,
And the faint sweat trickling down Temple's
brows;



* Montezuma is the hero of the Indian Queen, n tr:i<;cMiy
written by Mr. Dryden and Sir Robert Howard.



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220 THE P0EM3

Even iron Strange way chasing yet gave back,
Spent with fatigue to breathe a while tobac.
When marching in; a seasonable recruit
Of citizens and merchants held dispute,
And charging all their pipes, a sullen band
Of Presbyterian Switzers made a stand.

Nor could all these the field have long main*
tained.
But for the unknown reserve that still re-
mained ;
A gross of English gentry, nobly bom,
Of clear estiUes, and to no faction sworn.
Dear lovers of their king, and death to meet
For country's cause, that glorious thing and

sweet ;
To speak not forward, but in action brave,
In giving generous, but in council grave;
Candidly credulous for once, nay twice ;
But sure the devil ciinnot cheat them thrice.
The van in battle, though retiring, falls
Without disorder in their intervals.