Page:Batrachomyomachia, or, the wonderfull and bloudy Battell betweene Frogs and Mice.djvu/24

In these approved souldiers of stern Mars,
Manhood, or Mars himselfe, may seeme to dwell:
For with such valour they endur'd the warres,
That horrid death their courage could not quell.
 Stout resolution in their foreheads stood,
 Fighting like valiant hearts amid their blood.
 And this, alas, did cause the mortall strife,
 Whereby so many gallants lost their life.

The Kings owne sonne, a Mouce of royall state,
Next heire by birth apparent to the Crowne,
Toyled with travell, flying from the Cat,
Vnto a pleasant brooke to drinke came downe,
 Where couching low his body on the bank,
 With great delight, cold water there he dranke.
 "For though that gorged stomacks lothe strong drinke,
 "Thirst makes the King cold water wine to thinke.

But while the gentle and debonayre Mouce,
Bathed his lips within the chanell cleare,
Quaffing most neatly many a sweet carouse,
Along the gliding current did appeare
 ^[1]A gallant Frog, whose port and mounting pace,
 Show'd him to be chiefe ruler in that place.
 "For as quicke sparkes disclose the fire to be,
 So doth mans gesture show his majestie.

1. This was the King of Frogs.

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