1 Gent.
Faith my Lord I believe it was some Lover that brought up that fashion, who was loath to affright his Mistriss, with so dangerous a weapon.
2 Gent.
Some Carpet Knight upon my life my Lord.
Nobilissimo.
It was no true Lover; for certainly he would be sure to pro∣vide a safeguard, lest his Mistriss might be taken from him, or lest he should be affronted in her sight, which a Man of Honour, and a true Lover, will ra∣ther dy than part or suffer; and as for my part, I commend the Man that would neither eat, drink, nor sleep, without his Sword were by him, and made it his Bedfellow, and Bord Companion; as a friend that held to his side, and would sight in his quarrell.
2 Gent.
My Lord, if a man should do so in these times, his Neighbours would say it was out of fear, not courage.
Nobilissimo.
O no, for a Coward is affraid to use a Sword, and a Valiant man is affraid to be without the use, otherwise a strong sturdy Clown, might cuff him down, and kick him like a Football on the ground, which a Sword, and skill to use it, will prevent; for a Clown hath not skill to defend, or assault a Sword, having no practice therewith, nor ought they to have; for the use of this kind of Arms makes a Clown a Gentleman, and the want of skill makes a Gentleman a Clown; for a Right bred Gentleman, is to know the use of the Sword, and it is more manly to assault, than to defend; also to know how to mannage Horses, whereby we know how to assault our Enemy as well as to defend our selves; for it is not playing with a Fidle, and dancing a Measure, makes a Gentleman; for then Princes should dub Knighthood with a Fidle, and give the stick, and a pair of Pumps, insteed of a Sword, and a pair of Spurs.
1 Gent.
My Lord, we are so far from wearing our Swords our selves now a dayes, as we give them our Footmen to carry, as if it were a disgrace to carry a Sword our selves.
Nobilissimo.
Tis true, and we are well beaten for our follies, for disarm∣ing our selves, and arming our Slaves; for now a Groom is made a Gentle∣mans equal, nay his Superior sometimes; for if a Groom kills a Gentle∣man, the Gentleman dyes in disgrace, and the Groom lives with Honour, and gets the Fame of a gallant Person; for that is the phrase to all those that have fought, although they were forced thereto as Slaves, not distinguishing true valor, which is voluntary, temperate and just.
2 Gent.
Why then there should be a Decree, of Law, that none should wear Swords but Gentlemen, nor Arms allowed, but to those of approved merit.
Nobilissimo.
You say right, unless in time of Forein Wars, and then there should be a difference in their Arms; for if there be no difference of Arms, no difference of persons, and if there be no difference of persons, there will be no Supremacy of Power, if no Supremacy, no Royal Govern∣ment; for as the Sword maintains the Prerogative of the Crown, so it doth the Honour of a Gentleman; and as the Sword keeps up the dignity of the Crown, so a Sword keeps up the Heraldry of a Gentleman; and no man ought to be accounted a Gentleman, that knows not how to use his Sword, and manage his Horse; for the one defends himself, and kills his Enemies; the other, doth front and charge his Enemy, and pursues him if need require.
Exeunt.