I mean all such as can, for some
This hand hath sent to their long home;730
And some lie sprawling on the ground,
With many a gash and bloody wound.
Cæsar himself could never say,
He got two vict'ries in a day,
As I have done, that can say, twice I, 735
In one day, Veni, vidi, vici.[1]
The foe's so numerous, that we
Cannot so often vincere,[2]
And they perire, and yet enow
Be left to strike an after-blow. 740
Then, lest they rally, and once more
Put us to fight the bus'ness o'er,
Get up, and mount thy steed; dispatch,
And let us both their motions watch.
Quoth Ralph, I should not, if I were 745
In case for action, now be here;
Nor have I turn'd my back, or hang'd
An arse, for fear of being bang'd.
It was for you I got these harms,
Advent'ring to fetch off your arms. 750
The blows and drubs I have receiv'd
Have bruis'd my body, and bereav'd
My limbs of strength: unless you stoop,
And reach your hand to pull me up,
I shall lie here, and be a prey 755
To those who now are run away.
That thou shalt not, quoth Hudibras:
We read, the ancients held it was
More honourable far servare
Civem, than slay an adversary; 760
The one we oft to-day have done,
The other shall dispatch anon:
- ↑ I came, I saw, I overcame: the words in which Cæsar announced to the Senate his victory over Pharnaces. In his consequent triumph at Rome they were inscribed on a tablet, and carried before him.
- ↑ A great general, being informed that his enemies were very numerous, replied, then there are enough to be killed, enough to be taken prisoners, and enough to run away.
