ΒΑΤΡΑΧΟΜΥΟΜΑΧΙΑ.
9
Thus answer'd (rising.) Friends? I did not bringPsycharpax to his end; He, wantoningVpon our waters, practising to swimme,[1]Ap'te vs, and drown'd; without my sight of him.And yet these worst of Vermine, accuse meThough no way guiltie. Come, consider weHow we may ruine these deceiptfull Mise.For my part; I giue voice to this aduise;As seeming fittest to direct our deeds.Our bodies decking with our arming weeds;Let all our Powr's stand rais'd in steep'st reposeOf all our shore; that when they charge vs close;We may the helms snatch off, from all so deckt,Daring our onset; and them all directDowne to our waters. Who not knowing the sleightTo diue our soft deeps, may be strangl'd streight;And we triumphing, may a Trophey rere,Of all the Mise, that we haue slaughter'd here.These words put all in armes; and mallow leauesThey drew vpon their leggs, for arming [2]Greaues.Their Curets; broad greene Beetes; their bucklers wereGood thick-leau'd Cabbadge; proofe gainst any spe're.Their speares, sharpe Bullrushes; of which, were allFitted with long ones. Their parts CapitallThey hid in subtle Cockleshels from blowes.And thus, all arm'd; the steepest shores they chose,T'encamp themselues; where lance with lance, they lin'd;And brandisht brauelie; each Frogg full of Minde.
