That Argument's Demonftrative 5
Ralpho, bear witnefs, and go fetch us
A Conftable to feize the Wretches;

For tho' th' are both falfe Knaves and Cheats,

Impoftors, Fuglers, Counterfeits,

I'll make them ferve for Perpendic❜lars,
As true as e'er were us'd by Bricklayers;
They're guilty by their own Confeffions,
Of Felony, and at the Seffions
Upon the Bench I will fo handle 'emn,
That the Vibration of this Pendulum,
Shall make all Taylor's Yards of one
Unanimous Opinion:"

A thing he long has vapour'd of,
But now shall make it out by Proof.

Quoth Sidrophiel, I do not doubt
To find Friends that will bear me out :
Nor have I hazarded my Art,

And Neck, fo long on the State's Part.

To be expos'd i' th' End to fuffer,

By fuch a Braggadocio Huffer.

Huffer!

Huffer! quoth Hudibras, This Sword

Shall down thy falfe Throat cram that Word;
Ralpho, make haft, and call an Officer,
To apprehend this Stygian Sophifter ;
Mean while I'll hold 'em at a Bay,
Left he and Whachum run away.
But Sidrophel, who from th' Afped
Of Hudibras did now erect

A Figure worfe portending far,
Than that of most malignant Star,
Believ'd it now the fittest Moment

To fhun the Danger that might come on't,
While Hudibras was all alone,

And he and Whachum, two to one;

This b'ing refolv'd, He spy'd by chance

Behind the Door an Iron Lance,

That many a sturdy Limb had gor'd,

And Legs, and Loins, and Shoulders bor'd; He snatch'd it up, and made a Pafs,

To make his way through Hudibras ;

But Hudibras was well prepar'd,

And ftoutly ftood upon his Guard: put by Sidrophelo's Thruft,

He

And in right manfully he rusht;
The Weapon from his Gripe he wrung,
And laid him on the Earth along.
Whachum, his Sea-coal-Prong threw by,
And bafely turn'd his Back to flie;
But Hudibras gave him a Twitch
As quick as Lightning, in the Breech,
Juft in the place where Honour's Lodg'd,
As wife Philofophers hav'd judg'd;

Becaufe a Kick in that Part, more
Hurts Honour, than deep Wounds before,
Quoth Hudibras, the Stars determine
You are my Prifoners; base Vermine
Could they not tell you fo, as well;
As what I came to know foretel?
By this what Cheats you are we find,
That in your own Concerns are blind;
Your Lives are now at my Difpofe,

To be redeem'd by Fine, or Blows:

But

part 2, page 136.