Scan 496
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1909
36 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. Printed page 418. See the scan on archive.org.
1. . . The Knight began to rouse,
2And by degrees grew valorous;
3He stared about, and seeing none
4Of all his foes remain, but one,
5He snatch'd his weapon that lay near him,
6And from the ground began to rear him,
7Vowing to make Crowdero pay
8For all the rest that ran away.
9But Ralpho now, in colder blood,
10His fury mildly thus withstood.
11'Great sir,' quoth he, 'your mighty spirit
12Is raised too high; this slave doth merit
13To be the hangman's business sooner
14Than from your hand to have the honour
15Of his destruction; I, that am
16A nothingness in deed and name,
17Did scorn to hurt his forfeit carcase,
18Or ill entreat his Fiddle or case;
20Will you employ your conq'ring sword
21To break a Fiddle, and your word?
23. . . I think it better far
24To keep him prisoner of war.'
26He liked the squire's advice, and soon
27Resolved to see the business done.
29Ralpho dispatched with speedy haste,
30And having ty'd Crowdero fast,
31He gave Sir Knight the end of cord,
32To lead the captive of his sword.
34The Squire in state rode on before,
35And on his nut-brown whinyard bore
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