Butler possessed a real gift of humour, and an astonishing fertility of invention.  To us there seems to be still too much indelicacy in his writings, though less than heretofore, and there is a considerable amount of bear-fighting, both in the literal and metaphorical sense.  This rough and cruel pastime was very common in that day.  We read of bear-baiting at Kenilworth to amuse Queen Elizabeth, and Alleyn, the munificent founder of Dulwich College, was not only a dramatic author and manager, but “Master of the bears and dogs,” which seems to have been a post of honour.  To the present day, a ring for such sports is to be seen outside the principal gate of Battle Abbey.

We have already observed that the drama of Spain became the model for that of modern Europe, and we are not therefore surprised to find that the main design in Sir Hudibras is to produce an English Don Quixote.  All the accessories of the work point to this imitation; there is a long account of his arms, his Squire, and horse.  But beyond this, he aimed at several well-known rogues of his day, especially those pretending to necromancy and prophetic powers, who seem to have been numerous.[59] This gave the poem an interest at that day which it cannot have now, and it was increased by the amusing hits he makes at the Puritans, who had lately convulsed the State, and whom he had been able to gauge when he was employed by Sir Samuel Luke.[60] The lines are well known in which he speaks of the time:—­

  “When pulpit, drum, ecclesiastic,
   Was beat with fist, instead of a stick;”

and the general outcry against dignitaries is thus represented:—­

  “The oyster women locked their fish up
   And trudged away to cry ‘No Bishop’;
   Botchers left old clothes in the lurch,
   And fell to turn and patch the church;
   Some cry’d the Covenant, instead
   Of pudding, pies, and gingerbread!”

Sir Hudibras is a Presbyterian “true blue.”

  “Such as do build their faith upon
   The holy test of pike and gun;
   Decide all controversies by
   Infallible artillery: 
   And prove their doctrine orthodox
   By apostolic blows and knocks.

  “Rather than fail, they will defy
   That which they love most tenderly;
   Quarrel with minced pies, and disparage. 
   Their best and dearest friend, plum porridge;
   Fat pig and goose itself oppose,
   And blaspheme custard through the nose.”

Sir Hudibras was learned in controversy:—­

“For he a rope of sand could twist
As tough as learned Sorbonist
And weave fine cobwebs fit for skull
That’s empty when the moon is full,
Such as take lodgings in a head
That’s to be let unfurnished.”

He had been at the siege of “Bullen,” by Henry VIII., and his breeches were lined

            “With many a piece
   Of ammunition, bread and cheese,
   And fat black puddings, proper food
   For warriors that delight in blood. 
   For as he said he always chose
   To carry victual in his hose,
   That often tempted rats and mice
   The ammunition to surprise.”