Page:Batrachomyomachia, or, the wonderfull and bloudy Battell betweene Frogs and Mice.djvu/52

^[1]Meane while both armies mustred on the plaine,
And place their wings and squadrons in aray,
From either part a Herald doth againe
Give signe for battell and the bloudy day.
The buzzing Flies, because they were of skill
To blow alowd their hornes and trumpets shrill,
A harsh tantarra sound unto the fight,
Which lends more courage to their wonted might.

Heaven and earth doth thunder with the cry,
When front to front these noble armies meet,
Loose waving in the winde their ensignes flie,
With wounds and fatall blowes each other greet.
The Mice assaile, the Frogs the fight accept,
In combat close each host to other stept:
For now the wings had skirmish hot begun,
And with their battels forth like Lyons run.

But who was first amid this bloudy fight,
That gave the onset first, first wanne renowne?
Croaking Hypsiboas, first like a knight,
Lick-taile Lichenor bravely tumbled downe,
Into his paunch so strong he thrust his speare,
That forth his backe behinde it did appeare,
Groveling the Mouce fell on the sandy plaine,
By this audacious Frog with valour slaine.

1. The battell.

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