University of Virginia Library

At length the sword of Argalus (that neuer
Thirsted so long in vaine till now; nor euer
Made victory doubtfull for so long a space)
Fastned a wound on the disarmed face
Of stout Amphialus, who now does feele
The equall temper of his enemies steele,
Yet was not daunted, by the blow receiu'd,
Nor of his wonted courage so breau'd,
As by the saucy daring of one thrust
To faint or yeeld: rather a braue distrust
Of his old worth, call'd a new anger on,
And fir'd him to a sudden talion:
When as directed by some fate-blest charme
He made a second stroake that pierc'd the arme
Of haughty Argalus, and made him know
Amphialus would rather dye then owe.
Argalus blush't for want of blood. Expecting
A quicke reuenge, which was not long effecting;
For whilst Amphialus (whose hopes inflam'd
His tyrannous thoughts with conquest, & proclaim'd
Vndoubted victory) heapt his strokes so fast,
As if each blow had scorn'd to be the last.
The watchfull Argalus (whose nimble eye
Dispos'd his time, in onely putting by)
Put home a thrust, (his right foot comming in)
And pierc'd his Nauell; that the wound had bin
No lesse then death, if Fortune, (that can turne
A mischiefe to aduantage) had forborne
To show a miracle; for with that blow,
Amphialus last made, his arme had so
Orestrucke it selfe; that sideward to the ground
He fell; and falling, he receiu'd that wound
Which (had he stood) had enter'd in, point blancke,
But, falling, only graz'd vpon his flancke.
Being downe; braue Argalus his threatning sword
Bids yeeld; Amphialus answering not a word,
(As one, whose mighty spirit did disdaine
A life of almes) but striuing to regaine
His legs, and honour, Argalus let driue,
With all the strength, a wounded arme could giue,
Vpon his head; but his hurt arme (not able
To doe him present seruice, answerable
To his desires) let his weapon fall;
With that, Amphialus (though daz'd withall)
Arose; but Argalus ran in, and graspt
(Being clos'd together) with him; where, both claspt
And grip'd each in th'unfriendly armes of either;
A while they grappled; grappling, fell together,
And on the ground, with equall fortune stroue;
Sometime Amphialus was got aboue,
And sometimes Argalus; Both ioyntly vow'd
Reuenge; Both wallowed in their mingled blood,
Both bleeding fresh: Now, Argalus bids yeeld.
And now, Amphialus: Both would win the field,
Yet neither could; At last, by free consent,
They rose; and to their breathed swords they went,
The Combat's now renew'd, both laying on,
As if the fight had beene but new begon.
New wounds asswage the smarting of the old,
And warme blood entermingles with the cold.
But Argalus (whose wounded arme had lost
More blood, then all his body could almost
Supply; and like an vnthrift, that expends
So long as he hath either stocke, or friends)
Bled more then his spent Fountains could make good
His spirit could giue courage, but not blood.