[3400]Then, quart'ring them, did take the virgin's hand,
And bade her with unshaken courage stand.
'Thou must not be surpris'd with shivering fear,
Though Cerberus, the janitor of Hell,
Though seven-headed Hydra, panther, bear,
The lion, tiger, or the dragon yell;
Although a monster spits forth flashing powder,
Though clouds and winds strive which should bellow louder.'
This said, with cruse of holy water he
Besprinkled o'er himself, besprinkled her,