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come to combatt for cause of honnor. ffor infamie is of such na:
ture as maketh the infamous to die daylie, but those that die
gloriouslie do still liue emonge gent wth honnor & reputacion
Two gentlemen doe come to combat & are
made frendes by their Prince. Yf the one of
them dooth for the same thank his Prince
whether for so doinge he ought be reputed as
a denier & Uanquished.
Ca. 34.
Twoe gent, the Subiects of one crowned kinge
beinge at defiaunce & determined to fight for life, doe
by humble suite desire of his Matie a place for combat. This
suite beinge made by the Challinger, that Prince commanndeth
that both the parties sholde be brought to his presence, wch
done, he moste gratiouslie perswaded, that a peace or truse
might be taken betwene them, wherin although great diffi:
cultie weare, yet in the ende commanndement was geven that
the parties sholde rest wthout offendinge one the other.
That order beinge by the Prince resolued, the Challinger
kneled downe before the kinge kissing his hande, & thanking
him for the favour he had done in denienge the combat. ffor
wch so doinge the saide Challinger was by manie other gent
pfessinge armes, reputed a Cowarde & base minded. And
for diuers good reasons then offred to prove, that the thanks
gevinge to the kinge was as it were half a deniall mixed
wth infamie. So as the honnor of that defiaunce was
wholie geven to the defendr, because he continued ever in
his intente, shonning the kings request, wch the challingr
accepted as a favour & was so doinge reputed a Coward