'The Bronze Bow' author Elizabeth George --

Usage examples of speare.

And because it was necessary that I should likewise be a minister unto Osiris, there was no long delay: for in the night after, appeared unto me one of that order, covered with linnen robes, holding in his hands speares wrapped in Ivie, and other things not convenient to declare, which then he left in my chamber, and sitting in my seate, recited to me such things as were necessary for the sumptuous banket of mine entrie.

The other two brethren perceiving so great a murther, and neglecting their owne lives, like desperate persons dressed themselves against the tyrant, and threw a great number of stones at him, but the bloudy theefe exercised in such and like mischiefes, tooke a speare and thrust it cleane through the body : howbeit he fell not downe to the ground.

And by and by, there approached a faire and comely mayden, not much unlike to Juno, for she had a Diademe of gold upon her head, and in her hand she bare a regall scepter : then followed another resembling Pallas, for she had on her head a shining sallet, whereon was bound a garland of Olive branches, having in one hand a target or shield : and in the other a speare as though she would fight : then came another which passed the other in beauty, and presented the Goddesse Venus, with the color of Ambrosia, when she was a maiden, and to the end she would shew her perfect beauty, shee appeared all naked, saving that her fine and dainty skin was covered with a thin smocke, which the wind blew hither and thither to testifie the youth and flowre of the age of the dame.

There was another ware legge-harnesse, and bare a target, a sallet, and a speare like a martial souldier : after him marched one attired in purple with vergers before him like a magistrate !

He maketh warres to cease unto the end of the earth: hee breaketh the bow, and cutteth the sword SPEARE in sunder, he burneth the chariot in the fire.

She caught in hand an huge great yron mace,Wherewith she many had of life depriued,But ere the stroke could seize his aymed place,His speare amids her sun-broad shield arriued.

With that his balefull speare, he fiercely bentAgainst the Pagans brest, and therewith thoughtHis cursed life out of her lodge haue rent:But ere the point arriued, where it ought,That seuen-fold shield, which he from Guyon broughtHe cast betwene to ward the bitter stound:Through all those foldes the steelehead passage wroughtAnd through his shoulder pierst.

So as they gazed after her a while,Lo where a griesly Foster forth did rush,Breathing out beastly lust her to defile:His tyreling iade he fiercely forth did push,Through thicke and thin, both ouer banke and bushIn hope her to attaine by hooke or crooke,That from his gorie sides the bloud did gush:Large were his limbes, and terrible his looke,And in his clownish hand a sharp bore speare he shooke.

And because it was necessary that I should likewise be a minister unto Osiris, there was no long delay: for in the night after, appeared unto me one of that order, covered with linnen robes, holding in his hands speares wrapped in Ivie, and other things not convenient to declare, which then he left in my chamber, and sitting in my seate, recited to me such things as were necessary for the sumptuous banket of mine entrie.

Whom so dismayd when Cambell had espide,Againe he droue at him with double might,That nought mote stay the steele, till in his sideThe mortall point most cruelly empight:Where fast infixed, whilest he sought by slightIt forth to wrest, the staffe a sunder brake,And left the head behind: with which despightHe all enrag'd, his shiuering speare did shake,And charging him a fresh thus felly him bespake.

Stout Priamond, but not so strong to strike,Strong Diamond, but not so stout a knight,But Triamond was stout and strong alike:On horsebacke vsed Triamond to fight,And Priamond on foote had more delight,But horse and foote knew Diamond to wield:With curtaxe vsed Diamond to smite,And Triamond to handle speare and shield,But speare and curtaxe both vsd Priamond in field.

Which th'other seeing, gan his course relent,And vaunted speare eftsoones to disaduaunce,As if he naught but peace and pleasure ment,Now falne into their fellowship by chance,Whereat they shewed curteous countenaunce.

By this the other came in place likewise,And couching close his speare and all his powre,As bent to some malicious enterprise,He bad him stand, t'abide the bitter stoureOf his sore vengeaunce, or to make auoureOf the lewd words and deedes, which he had done:With that ran at him, as he would deuoureHis life attonce.

He so disseized of his gryping grosse,The knight his thrillant speare againe assaydIn his bras-plated body to embosse,And three mens strength vnto the stroke he layd.

Which when I red, my heart did inly earne,And pant with hope of that aduentures hap:Ne stayed further newes thereof to learne,But with my speare vpon the shield did rap,That all the castle ringed with the clap.