1-192-417 - © London Museum/Heritage-Images

'Hudibras beats Sidrophel and his man Whacum', 18th century. Hudibras is about to draw his sword. Sidrophel and Whacum shrink back with fright. They are at a table with maps and a globe on it. In the left corner is another globe, a map, scientific instruments, and a small child in a bottle. A skeleton hangs in the cupboard. Above their heads and on the walls are snakes, fish, bats, and a crocodile. In the right corner a cat arches its back in fright. Plate VIII from the story Hudibras, written by Samuel Butler. Hudibras is a colonel in the Cromwellian army. The story shows him getting involved in various misadventures, where he shows himself to be stupid, greedy and dishonest.