They scarcely touch the ground before they gain Their feet, and now the fierce assault renew, With cut and thrust; which now with shield the twain Or blade ward off, and now by leaps eschew.
Whether the foes strike home, or smite in vain, Blows ring, and echo parted aether through.
More force those shields, those helms, those breast-plates show Than anvils underneath the sounding blow.
