Varieties: or, A surveigh of rare and excellent matters necessary and delectable for all sorts of persons. Wherein the principall heads of diverse sciences are illustrated, rare secrets of naturall things unfoulded, &c. Digested into five bookes, whose severall chapters with their contents are to be seene in the table after the epistle dedicatory. By David Person, of Loghlands in Scotland, Gentleman.

Section 9.

A Combat appointed by two French Barons, the one of Gasconie, the other of Poictou, which was taken up of their own accord in the field: The end of this Title.

NOw to end this discourse: Exemplum alios for∣tasse nepotes instruet.

In my time I remember at the Court of France an ancient Gascon Baron and Poictouvin 2 man of his owne coate, but younger, falling to con∣tradictory termes for a naughty matter, because in the Kings house they durst not put hand to their swords, did agree to meet elsewhere: time place and armes are designed; the Gascon that same morning be∣times calling on his page, commands him to provide a bottle of Wine and to have it in readinesse at the place appointed, before hee came: where he himselfe following and presently espying his adversary, both being demounted, and in their shirts, before they be∣gan to lye at their guard, in these or the like termes the Elder bespake the younger.

That I as the Elder doe take upon me to speake first, impute it not to any presumption I have of my worth, but to the priority of my yeares. Wee reade in the Roman History, that two of their Consulls who be∣fore had bin at mortall enmity and variance, going to∣gether with their Armies against the enemy,* 1.1 being a pretty way from the City, the elder should say to the younger, Camerad, seeing we goe together on a pub∣like

charge, in conjunct offices, let us lay downe all former grudges under this stone, now if thou please, at our returne, lift thou it up againe and reassume them: you may advise; but for the present I thinke this best, which was agreed unto to the great content∣ment of the younger.

So say I to thee, if it please thee for so petty and frivolous a quarrell, that wee expose our lives and estates to the hazard of a doubtfull fight and of a va∣riable fortune, I will not decline it: For as none doub∣teth of your courage; So I trust, that none dare call mine in question; so then if you list Cavalier, with the worthy Roman, let us bury in this Boule of wine our yesternights rash words: so we shal procure Gods bles∣sing upon our soules and bodies, and our Prince his fa∣vour by our good examples to his quarrelling cour∣tiers; and withall indissolubly tye our loves together for ever, without any disparagement of our credit or reputation; which being accepted by the younger, and related to the King, they were by him in presence of the whole Court condignely praysed, as most due∣ly they deserved.

Now albeit it be not of those or the like voluntary duels I treat of here, but of these which are tolerated by permission of the Prince or Magistrate for the es∣chewing of murther & greater bloud-shed in the com∣mon-wealth, upon apparent conject res of wrongs received, yet I thought it not altogether imperinent to insert this story. Now for the other. Although some have permitted them, as of old Fraton King of Denmarke, and are yet tolerated in Muscovia: yet we finde that Rhotaris King of Lombardy, absolutely dis∣charged

them: and although his successor for the inconvenience which thereafter ensued licensed them againe, yet hee protested that it was against his will and conscience: and as these good Kings inhibited them; so, many of the French Kings, as Philip le bel, Lewis the 9^th. Charles the 9^th. King Henries 3^d. and 4^th. and many moe of the best governed Common∣wealths have done the like. Which maketh mee ad∣mire why Bodin in his 7. Chapter of his 4. Booke of Republick, giveth way to their toleration; they being both repugnant to the Law of God, and contrary to the Civill and Canon Lawes, and the constitutions of best governed Kingdomes. Indeed, the said Bodin, admits them onely to be permissible, when legall proofes are wanting, provided, that they be only for matter of honor, not wealth; and consequently among persons honourable, for the preventing of further bloud-shed, averting of kinsfolkes murthers, and such like evils w^ch might ensue: to which if he had subjoy∣ned Charles the 5^th. his condition of fighting armed, I thinke his reasons might have beene more passable.

But however in elder times, duels were tolerated by certaine Kings, which by appearance, the necessi∣ty of those times required; as common Stewes were for eschewing of greater inconveniencies; yet they being practises so ill-grounded, so unnaturall, and so farre both against the Lawes of God, and Man; Suc∣ceeding Kings (in every Nation almost) have enacted most strict Lawes against them, with most exempla∣ry punishments, to be executed on the rash infringers of them: all which, being well knowne every where, were superfluous to be inserted in this small Treatise.

Notes

• * 1.1

  An Exemplary Combat be∣twixt two French Barons.