SIR HUDIBRAS AND HIS SQUIRE
SIR HUDIBRAS AND HIS SQUIRE
(From Hudibras]
WHEN civil dudgeon first grew high.
And men fell out they knew not why;
When hard words, jealousies, and fears
Set folks together by the ears ;
When Gospel trumpeter, surrounded
With long-ear'd rout, to battle sounded ;
And pulpit, drum ecclesiastic,
Was beat with fist instead of a stick ;
Then did Sir Knight abandon dwelling.
And out he rode a-colonelling. 10
A wight he was, whose very sight would
Entitle him Mirror of Knighthood,
That never bow'd his stubborn knee
To anything but chivalry,
Nor put up blow but that which laid
Right worshipful on shoulder blade ;
Chief of domestic knights and errant,
Either for cartel or for warrant ;
Great on the bench, great in the saddle
That could as well bind o'er as swaddle ; 20
Mighty he was in both of these,
And styFd of war, as well as peace :
(So some rats of amphibious nature,
Are either for the land or water).
But here our authors make a doubt
Whether he were more wise or stout :
Some hold the one and some the other,
But, howsoe'er they make a pother,
The difference was so small, his brain
Out-weigh'd his rage but half a grain ; 30
Which made some take him for a tool
That knaves do work with, call'd a Fool,