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(From Poly-Olbion)
Corineus and Gogmagog
ALL doubtful to which part the victory would go | |
| Upon that lofty place at Plymouth called the Hoe, | |
| Those mighty wrestlers met; with many an ireful look | |
| Who threatened, as the one hold of the other took: | |
| But, grappled, glowing fire shines in their sparkling eyes. | 5 |
| And whilst at length of arm one from the other lies, | |
| Their lusty sinews swell like cables, as they strive: | |
| Their feet such trampling make, as though they forced to drive | |
| A thunder out of earth, which staggered with the weight: | |
| Thus either’s utmost force urged to the greatest height, | 10 |
| Whilst one upon his hip the other seeks to lift, | |
| And the adverse (by a turn) doth from his cunning shift, | |
| Their short-fetched troubled breath a hollow noise doth make | |
| Like bellows of a forge. Then Corin up doth take | |
| The giant ’twixt the grains; and voiding of his hold | 15 |
| (Before his cumberous feet he well recover could) | |
| Pitched headlong from the hill; as when a man doth throw | |
| An axtree, that with slight delivered from the toe | |
| Roots up the yielding earth; so that his violent fall | |
| Strook Neptune with such strength, as shouldered him withal; | 20 |
| That where the monstrous waves like mountains late did stand, | |
| They leaped out of the place, and left the bared sand | |
| To gaze upon wide Heaven: so great a blow it gave. | |
| For which the conquering brute on Corineus brave | |
| This horn of land bestowed, and marked it with his name; | 25 |
| Of Corin, Cornwal called, to his immortal fame. * * * * * | |
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