While Sphinx, though great, gigantic, seemed instinctive base and cowardly, and at the sight of storming gingerbread, and powers, Magog and Gog, and Quixote, all against her, started fierce, o’erturning boat, balloons, and all; loud roared the bulls, hideous, and the crash of wheels, and chaos of confusion drear, resounded far from earth to heaven.  And still more fierce in charge the great Lord Whittington, from poke of ermine his famed Grimalkin took.  She screamed, and harsh attacked my bulls confounded; lightning-like she darted, and from half the troop their eyes devouring tore.  Nor could the riders, crickets throned sublime, escape from rage, from fury less averse than cannons murder o’er the stormy sea.  The great Mowmowsky roared amain and plunged in anguish, shunning every dart of fire-eyed fierce Grimalkin.  Dire the rage of warfare and contending crickets, Quixote and great Magog; when Whittington advancing—­“Good, my friends and warriors, headlong on the foe bear down impetuous.”  He spoke, and waving high the mighty rod, tipped wonderful each bull, at which more fierce the creatures bellowed, while enchantment drear devoured their vitals.  And all had gone to wreck in more than mortal strife, unless, like Neptune orient from the stormy deep, I rose, e’en towering o’er the ruins of my fighting troops.  Serene and calm I stood, and gazed around undaunted; nor did aught oppose against my foes impetuous.  But sudden from chariot purses plentiful of fudge poured forth, and scattered it amain o’er all the crowd contending.  As when old Catherine or the careful Joan doth scatter to the chickens bits of bread and crumbs fragmented, while rejoiced they gobble fast the proffered scraps in general plenty and fraternal peace, and “hush,” she cries, “hush! hush!”

CHAPTER XXX

The Baron arrives in England—­the Colossus of Rhodes comes to congratulate him—­Great rejoicings on the Baron’s return, and a tremendous concert—­The Baron’s discourse with Fragrantia, and her opinion of the Tour to the Hebrides.

Having arrived in England once more, the greatest rejoicings were made for my return; the whole city seemed one general blaze of illumination, and the Colossus of Rhodes, hearing of my astonishing feats, came on purpose to England to congratulate me on such unparalleled achievements.  But above all other rejoicings on my return, the musical oratorio and song of triumph were magnificent in the extreme.  Gog and Magog were ordered to take the maiden tower of Windsor, and make a tambourine or great drum of it.  For this purpose they extended an elephant’s hide, tanned and prepared for the design, across the summit of the tower, from parapet to parapet, so that in proportion this extended elephant’s hide was to the whole of the castle what the parchment is to a drum, in such a manner that the whole became one great instrument of war.