This poet, who has made this part of the legend familiar to all English readers, then describes the vanguard of the army, the paladins, the clergy, all in full panoply, and the gradually increasing terror of the Lombard king, who, long before the emperor's approach, would fain have hidden himself underground.

King Bocus took a sword, and discomfited the two paladins.

He lined up his disreputable paladins in the darkness, and spoke "Sergeant M'Nab, how many men are present?" "Eighteen, sirr."

"But we shall!" remarked that single-minded paladin, Bobby Little.

The good emperor was too happy, and oftentimes fairly groaned for joy at seeing all his Paladins together.