Page:The battle of the books - Guthkelch - 1908.djvu/109

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BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
35

short of its mark, struck deep in the earth. Then Lucan threw a lance, but Æsculapius came unseen and turned off the point. "Brave Modern," said Lucan, "I perceive some god protects you, for never did my arm so deceive me before: but what mortal can contend with a god? Therefore let us fight no longer, but present gifts to each other." Lucan then bestowed on the Modern a pair of spurs, and Bl-ckm-re gave Lucan a bridle.

Pauca desunt.

Creech, but the goddess Dullness took a cloud, formed into the shape of Horace, armed and mounted, and placed in a flying posture before him. Glad was the cavalier to begin a combat with a flying foe, and pursued the image, threatening loud, till at last it led him to the peaceful bower of his father Ogleby, by whom he was disarmed and assigned to his repose.

Then Pindar slew ———, and ———, and Oldham, and ———, and Afra the Amazon, light of foot; never advancing in a direct line, but wheeling with incredible agility and force, he made a terrible slaughter among the enemy's light-horse. Him when Cowley observed,