Page:The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia (IA b30323241).pdf/37

But ere that could bee accompliſhed, the Helots had gotten new heart, and with diuers ſortes of ſhot from corners of ſtreetes, and houſe windowes, galled them; which courage was come vnto them by the returne of their Captaine, who though he brought not many with him (hauing diſperſt moſt of his companies to other of his holds) yet meeting a great number running out of the gate, not yet poſſeſt by the Arcadians, he made them turne face, and with banners diſplayed, his Trumpet giue the lowdeſt teſtimonie he could of his returne; which once heard, the reſt of the Helots which were otherwiſe ſcattered, bent thitherward, with a new life of reſolution: as if their Captaine had been a roote, out of which (as into branches) their courage had ſprong. Then began the fight to grow moſt ſharpe, & the encounters of more cruell obſtinacie, The Arcadians fighting to keepe that they had wonne; the Helots to recouer what they had loſt. The Arcadians, as in an vnknowne place, hauing no ſuccour but in their hands; the Halots, as in their owne place fighting for their liuings, wiues & children. There was victorie and courage againſt reuenge & diſpaire: ſafety of both ſides being no otherwiſe to be gotten, but by deſtruction.

At length, the left wing of the Arcadians began to looſe ground; which Palladius ſeeing, he ſtraight thruſt himſelfe with his choiſe band againſt the throng that oppreſſed them, with ſuch an ouerflowing of valour, that the Captaine of the Helots (whoſe eies ſoone iudged of that wherewith themſelues were gouerned) ſawe that he alone was worth al the reſt of the Arcadians. Which he ſo wondred at, that it was hard to ſay, whether he more liked his doings, or miſliked the effects of his doings: but determining that vpon that caſt the game lay, and diſdaining to fight with any other, ſought only to ioyne with him: which minde was no leſſe in Palladius, hauing eaſily marked, that he was at the firſt mouer of all the other hands. And ſo their thoughts meeting in one point, they conſented (though not agreed) to trie each others fortune: and ſo drawing themſelues to be the vttermoſt of the one ſide, they began a combat, which was ſo much inferior to the battaile in noiſe and number, as it was ſurpaſſing it in brauerie of fighting, & (as it were) delightful terriblenes. Their courage was guided with skill, and their skill was armed with courage; neither did their hardineſſe darken their wit, nor their wit coole their hardineſſe: both valiant, as men deſpiſing death; both confident, as vnwonted to be ouercome; yet doubtful by their preſent feeling, and reſpectfull by what they had alreadie ſeene. Their feete ſtedie, their hands diligent, their eyes watchfull, and their harts reſolute. The partes either not armed, or weakly armed, were well knowne, and according to the knowledge ſhould haue bene ſharply viſited, but that the anſwere was as quick as the obiection. Yet ſome lightning; the ſmart bred rage, and the rage bred ſmart againe: till both ſides beginning to wax faint, and rather deſirous to die accompanied, then hopefull to liue victorious, the Captaine of the Helots with a blow, whoſe violence grew of furie, not of ſtrength, or of ſtrength proceeding of furie, ſtrake Palladius vpō the ſide of the head, that he reeled aſtonied: and withall the helmet fell off, he remaining bare headed: but other of the Arcadians were readie to ſhield him from any harme might riſe of that nakedneſſe.

But little needed it, for his chiefe enemie in ſteed of purſuing that aduantage, kneeled down, offering to deliuer the pommel of his sword, in tokē of yelding, withal ſpeaking alowd vnto him, that he thought it more liberty to be his priſoner, then any others General. Palladius ſtāding vpō himſelf, & miſdoubting ſome craft, & the Helots (that were next their captain) wauering between looking for ſome ſtratagem, or fearing treſō; what, ſaid the captain, hath Palladius forgotē the voice of Daiphātus?