Then each his hand stretched forth to grasp, His foemen’s fives in friendly clasp; Each felt his balance trim and true,―― Each up to square his mauleys threw; Each tried his best to draw his man―― The feint, the dodge, the opening plan, Till left and right SAYERIUS tried; HEENANUS’ grin proclaimed him wide; He shook his nut, a lead essayed, Nor reached SAYERIUS’ watchful head. At length each left is sudden flung, We heard the ponderous thud, And from each tongue the news was rung, SAYERIUS hath “First blood!” Adown HEENANUS’ Roman nose Freely the tell-tale claret flows, While stern SAYERIUS’ forehead shows That in the interchange of blows HEENANUS’ aim was good! Again each iron mauley swung, And loud the counter-hitting rung, Till breathless all and wild with blows, Fiercely they grappled, for a close; A moment in close hug they swing Hither and thither, round the ring, Then from HEENANUS’ clinch of brass SAYERIUS, smiling, slips to grass! I trow mine ancient breath would fail To follow through the fight, Each gallant round’s still changing tale, Each feat of left and right. How nine times in that desperate Mill HEENANUS, in his strength, Knocked stout SAYERIUS off his pins, And laid him all at length; But how in each succeeding round SAYERIUS smiling came, With head as cool, and wind as sound, As his first moment on the ground, Still confident, and game. How from HEENANUS’ sledge-like fist, Striving a smasher to resist, SAYERIUS’ stout right arm gave way, Yet the maim’d hero still made play, And when in-fighting threatened ill, Was nimble in out-fighting still, Did still his own maintain―― In mourning put HEENANUS’ glims, Till blinded eyes and helpless limbs, The chances squared again. How blind HEENANUS in despite Of bleeding mug and waning sight So gallantly kept up the fight, That not a man could say Which of the two ’twere wise to back, Or on which side some random crack Might not decide the day: And leave us――whoso won the prize,―― Victor and vanquished, in all eyes, An equal meed to pay.