And hands the pen that wield
Were cheering on the Champions
Upon that morning's field.
We pass over the details of the fight—how Sayers was floored nine times, and had his right arm crippled; how Heenan had both eyes put in mourning—to come to the last stage:—
Two hours and more the fight had sped,
Near unto ten it drew,
But still opposed—one-armed to blind—
They stood, the dauntless two.
Ah me! that I have lived to hear
Such men as ruffians scorned,