Classic Poem

The Twelfth Couple.

Master [J OHN ] N EDHAM ,

Master R ICHARD A CTON .

The next came Nedham in on lusty horse,
That, angry with delay, at trumpet's sound
Would snort, and stamp, and stand upon no ground,
Unwilling of his master's tarriance:
Yet tarry must his master, and with him
His prancing steed; till trumpets sounding shrill
Made Acton spur apace, that, with applause
Of all beholders, hied him lustily,
As who would say, " Now go I to the goal: "
And then they ride, and run, and take their chance,
As death were fix'd at point of either's lance.