MEN.

We must take a stand and keep to it,

840

For if we yield the smallest bit

To their importunity.

Then nowhere from their inroads will be left to us immunity.

But they'll be building ships and soon their navies will attack us,

As Artemisia did, and seek to fight us and to sack us.

845

And if they mount, the Knights they'll rob

Of a job,

For everyone knows how talented they all are in the saddle,

Having long practised how to straddle;

No matter how they're jogged there up and down, they're never thrown.

850

Then think of Myron's painting, and each horse-backed Amazon

In combat hand-to-hand with men.... Come, on these women fall,

And in pierced wood-collars let's stick

quick

The necks of one and all.

855