Page:The battle of the books - Guthkelch - 1908.djvu/120

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
46
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

W-tt-n, he furiously rushed on against this new approacher. Fain would he be revenged on both, but both now fled different ways, and as a woman in a little house that gets a painful livelihood by spinning,[1] if chance her geese be scattered o'er the common, she courses round the plain from side to side, compelling here and there the stragglers to the flock; they cackle loud, and flutter o'er the champain: so Boyle pursued, so fled this pair of friends. Finding at length their flight was vain, they bravely joined, and drew themselves in phalanx. First B-ntl-y threw a spear with all his force, hoping to pierce the enemy's breast, but Pallas came unseen, and in the air took off the point and clapped on one of lead, which after a dead bang against the enemy's shield, fell blunted to the ground. Then Boyle, observing well his time, took up a lance of wondrous length and sharpness, and as this pair of friends compacted, stood close, side by side, he wheeled him to the right, and with unusual force darted the weapon. B-ntl-y saw his fate approach, and flanking down his arms close to his ribs, hoping to save his body, in went the point, passing through arm and side,

  1. Vid. Homer.