410
HUDIBRAS.
[PART III.
But since those times and feats are over, 385They are not for a modern lover,When mistresses are too cross-grain'd,By such addresses to be gain'd;And if they were, would have it outWith many another kind of bout. 390Therefore I hold no course s' infeasible,As this of force, to win the Jezebel,To storm her heart by th' antic charmsOf ladies errant, force of arms;But rather strive by law to win her, 395And try the title you have in her.Your case is clear, you have her word,And me to witness the accord;[1]Besides two more of her retinueTo testify what pass'd between you; 400More probable, and like to hold,Than hand, or seal, or breaking gold,[2]For which so many that renounc'dTheir plighted contracts have been trounc'd,And bills upon record been found, 405That forc'd the ladies to compound;And that, unless I miss the matter,Is all the bus'ness you look after.Besides, encounters at the barAre braver now than those in war, 410In which the law does executionWith less disorder and confusion;Has more of honour in 't, some hold,Not like the new way, but the old,[3]When those the pen had drawn together, 415Decided quarrels with the feather,And winged arrows kill'd as dead,And more than bullets now of lead:So all their combats now, as then,Are manag'd chiefly by the pen; 420
- ↑ Ralpho, no doubt, was ready to witness anything that would serve his turn; and hoped the widow's two attendants would do the same.
- ↑ The breaking of a piece of gold between lovers was formerly much practised, and looked upon as a firm marriage contract.
- ↑ Ralpho persuades the Knight to gain the widow, at least her fortune, not by the use of fire-arms, but by the feathered quill of the lawyer.
