Therefore there needs no more be said here, We unto them refer our reader; For brevity is very good, When w' are, or are not understood. 670 To this town people did repair On days of market, or of fair ; And to crack'd fiddle, and hoarse tabor, In merriment did drudge and labor : 675 But now a sport more formidable Had rak'd together village-rabble; 'Twas an old way of recreating, 'Tis hard to keep out of harm's way,) Thither the Knight his course did steer, To keep the peace 'twixt dog and bear; 710 As he believ'd h' was bound to do In conscience and commission too; And therefore thus bespoke the squire. Than constables in curule wit, Like speculators should foresee, From Pharos of authority, 751 Portended mischiefs farther than Low Protelarian tything-men. 720 And therefore being inform'd by bruit, That dog and bear are to dispute; For so of late men fighting name, Quantum in nobis, have thought good, Of treaty and accommodation, Can end the quarrel, and compose The bloody duel without blows. To this, quoth Ralpho, verily, The point seems very plain to me. 725 730 801 Unlawful both in thing and name. First for the name, the word bear-baiting 805 For now the field is not far off, Where we must give the world a proof Of deeds, not words, and such as suit A controversy that affords Actions for arguments, not words: Nor will we fail in th' execution, With brisk attempt and putting on, With ent❜ring manfully and urging, This said as yerst the Phrygian knight, So ours with rusty steel did smite 870 911 915. 920 And angry answer'd from behind, With brandish'd tail and blast of wind. So have I seen, with armed heel, 925 A wight bestride a common-weal: While still the more he kick'd and spurr'd, CANTO II. THE ARGUMENT. The catalogue and character Conveys him to inchanted castle, There shuts him fast in wooden bastile. THERE was an ancient sage philosopher, Just so romances are, for what else Is in them all but love and battles? O' th' first of these we've no great matter To treat of, but a world o' th' latter. And as for our part, we shall tell The naked truth of what befel; 5 35 |