Notes and Queries, Number 12, January 19, 1850

The often-quoted lines—
For he that fights and runs away
May live to fight another day,
generally supposed to form a part of Hudibras , are to be found (as Mr. Cunningham points out, at p. 602. of his Handbook for London ), in the Musarum Deliciæ , 12mo. 1656; a clever collection of witty trifles, by Sir John Mennis and Dr. James Smith.
The passage, as it really stands in Hudibras (book iii. canto iii. verse 243.), is as follows:—
For those that fly may fight again,
Which he can never do that's slain.
But there is a much earlier authority for these lines than the Musarum Deliciæ; a fact which I learn from a volume now open before me, the great rarity of which will excuse my transcribing the title-page in full:—
Apophthegmes, that is to saie, prompte, quicke, wittie, and sentencious saiynges, of certain Emperours, Kynges, Capitaines, Philosophiers, and Oratours, as well Grekes as Romaines, bothe veraye pleasaunt and profitable to reade, partely for all maner of persones, and especially Gentlemen. First gathered and compiled in Latine by the right famous clerke, Maister Erasmus, of Roteradame. And now translated into Englyshe by Nicolas Udall. Excusam typis Ricardi Grafton , 1542. 8vo.
A second edition was printed by John Kingston, in 1564, with no other variation, I believe, than in the orthography. Haslewood, in a note on the fly-leaf of my copy, says:—