Much was the man encumbered with his hold,
  In fear to lose his weapon in his paw,
  Nor wist yet, how his talons to unfold;
  Nor harder was from Cerberus's greedy jaw
  To pluck a bone, then from his cruel claw
  To reave by strength the gripped gage away:
  Thrice he assayed it from his foot to draw,
  And thrice in vain to draw it did assay,
It booted nought to think, to rob him of his prey.

Though when he saw no power might prevail,
  His trusty sword he called to his last aid,
  Wherewith he fiercely did his foe assail,
  And double blows about him stoutly laid,
  That glancing fire out of the iron plaid;
  As sparkles from the Anvil use to fly,
  When heavy hammers on the wedge are swayed;
  Therewith at last he forced him to untie
One of his grasping feet, him to defend thereby.

Book I, Canto XI