Manchester.
_Lines attributed to Hudibras_ (Vol. i., p. 211.).--
"For he that fights and runs away,
May live to fight another day."
In so far as I can understand from the various articles in "N. & Q."
regarding the above quotation, it _is_ to be found in the _Musarum
Deliciæ_, 12mo., 1656. There is a copy of this volume now lying before me,
the title-page of which runs thus:
"Musarum Deliciæ, or the Muses' Recreation; containing severall pieces
of Poetique Wit. The second edition, by S^r J. M. and Ja. S. London:
Printed by J. G. for Henry Herringman, and are to be sold at his Shop,
at the Signe of the Anchor in the New Exchange, 1656."
This copy seems to have at one time belonged to Longmans, as it is
described in the _Bib. An. Poetica_, having the signatures of "Orator
Henly," "Ritson," and "J. Park." I have read this volume over carefully
twice, and I must confess my inability to find any such two lines as the
above noted, there. As I do not think Mr. Cunningham, in his _Handbook of
London_, or DR. RIMBAULT, would mislead any one, I am afraid my copy, being
a second edition, may be incomplete; and as I certainly did not get the
volume for _nothing_, will either of these gentlemen, or any other of the
readers of "N. & Q.," who have seen other editions, let me know this?
There is a question asked by MELANION regarding the _entire_ quotation,
which I have not yet seen answered, which is,--
"For he that fights and runs away,
May live to fight another day;
But he that is in battle slain,
Can never hope to fight again."
Are these last two lines in the _Musarum Deliciæ_? or are these four lines
to be found anywhere in conjunction? If this could be found, it would in my
opinion settle the question.