Of divers-languag’d men. The one did nuptials celebrate, Observing at them solemn feasts, the brides from forth their bow’rs With torches usher’d through the streets, a world of paramours Excited by them; youths and maids in lovely circles danc’d, To whom the merry pipe and harp their spritely sounds advanc’d, The matrons standing in their doors admiring. Other where A solemn court of law was kept, where throngs of people were. The case in question was a fine, impos’d on one that slew The friend of him that follow’d it, and for the fine did sue; Which th’ other pleaded he had paid. The adverse part denied, And openly affirm’d he had no penny satisfied. Both put it to arbitrement. The people cried ’twas best For both parts, and th’ assistants too gave their dooms like the rest. The heralds made the people peace. The seniors then did bear The voiceful heralds’ sceptres, sat within a sacred sphere, On polish’d stones, and gave by turns their sentence. In the court Two talents’ gold were cast, for him that judg’d in justest sort. The other city other wars employ’d as busily; Two armies glittering in arms, of one confed’racy, Besieg’d it; and a parlè had with those within the town. Two ways they stood resolv’d; to see the city overthrown, Or that the citizens should heap in two parts all their wealth, And give them half. They neither lik’d, but arm’d themselves by stealth, Left all their old men, wives, and boys, behind to man their walls, And stole out to their enemy’s town. The Queen of martials, And Mars himself, conducted them; both which, being forg’d of gold, Must needs have golden furniture, and men might so behold They were presented Deities. The people, Vulcan forg’d Of meaner metal. When they came, where that was to be urg’d For which they went, within a vale close to a flood, whose stream Us’d to give all their cattle drink, they there enambush’d them, And sent two scouts out to descry, when th’ enemy’s herds and sheep Were setting out. They straight came forth, with two that us’d to keep Their passage always; both which pip’d, and went on merrily, Nor dream’d of ambuscadoes there. The ambush then let fly, Slew all their white-fleec’d sheep, and neat, and by them laid their guard. When those in siege before the town so strange an uproar heard, Behind, amongst their flocks and herds (being then in council set) They then start up, took horse, and soon their subtle enemy met, Fought with them on the river’s shore, where both gave mutual blows With well-pil’d darts. Amongst them all perverse Contention rose, Amongst them Tumult was enrag’d, amongst them ruinous Fate Had her red-finger; some they took in an unhurt estate, Some hurt yet living, some quite slain, and those they tugg’d to them By both the feet, stripp’d off and took their weeds, with all the stream Of blood upon them that their steels had manfully let out. They far’d as men alive indeed drew dead indeed about. To these the fi’ry Artizan did add a new-ear’d field,