CANTO I.]
HUDIBRAS.
307
His fortitude began to rally,And out he cry'd aloud, to sally;But she besought him to conveyHis courage rather out o' th' way, 1090And lodge in ambush out of the floor,Or fortified behind a door,That, if the enemy should enter,He might relieve her in th' adventure.Meanwhile they knock'd against the door 1095As fierce as at the gate before; Which made the renegado Knight Relapse again t' his former fright. He thought it desperate to stayTill the enemy had forc'd his way, 1100But rather post himself to serve The lady for a fresh reserve. His duty was not to dispute, But what she'd order'd execute; Which he resolv'd in haste t' obey, 1105And therefore stoutly march'd away, And all h' encounter'd fell upon, Tho' in the dark, and all alone: Till fear, that braver feats performs Than ever courage dar'd in arms, 1110Had drawn him up before a pass,To stand upon his guard, and face: This he courageously invaded,And, having enter'd, barricado'd; Ensconc'd himself as formidable 1115As could be underneath a table; Where he lay down in ambush close, T' expect th' arrival of his foes. Few minutes he had lain perdue,To guard his desp'rate avenue, 1120Before he heard a dreadful shout,As loud as putting to the rout, With which impatiently alarm'd, He fancied th' enemy had storm'd, And after ent'ring, Sidrophel 1125Was fall'n upon the guards pell-mell;
