The Squire advanced with greater speed
Than could b' expected from his steed;[1] 100
But far more in returning made;
For now the foe he had survey'd,[2]
Ranged, as to him they did appear,
With van, main battle, wings, and rear.
I' th' head of all this warlike rabble, 105
Crowdero march'd, expert and able.[3]
Instead of trumpet, and of drum,
That makes the warrior's stomach come,
Whose noise whets valour sharp, like beer
By thunder turn'd to vinegar; 110
For if a trumpet sound, or drum beat,
Who has not a month's mind[4] to combat?
A squeaking engine he applied
Unto his neck, on north-east side,[5]
Just where the hangman does dispose, 115
To special friends, the fatal noose:[6]
For 'tis great grace, when statesmen straight
Despatch a friend, let others wait.
His warped ear hung o'er the strings,
Which was but souse to chitterlings:[7] 120
- ↑ In the original edition, these two lines were:—Hugo was scout-master to Gondibert, and was sent in advance to reconnoitre.
Ralpho rode on with no less speed
Than Hugo in the forest did. - ↑ The first two editions read:—
But with a great deal more return'd.
For now the foe he had discern'd. - ↑ A nick-name, taken from the instrument he used: Crowde, a fiddle, from the Welsh crwth. The original of this character is supposed to be one Jackson a milliner, who lived in the New Exchange, in the Strand. He had lost a leg in the service of the Roundheads, and was reduced to the necessity of fiddling from one ale-house to another for his bread.
- ↑ Used ironically, for no very strong desire. It has been ingeniously conjectured that the term 'a month's mind' is derived from a woman's longing in her first month of gestation.
- ↑ It is difficult to say, why Butler calls the left the north-east side. Possibly it is a conceit suggested by the card of a mariner's compass; the north point, with its Fleur-de-lis representing Crowdero's head; and then the fiddle would be placed at the north-east, when played.
- ↑ The noose is usually placed under the left ear.
- ↑ Souse is the pig's ear, and chitterlings are the pig's guts; the former
