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because the greatest nomber doe thinke that to geve evell
wordes in prescence or in absence vnfreindlie reporte, is not
to be mainteined but wth skowldinge, there are fewe that
feare to speake evell, supposing it is a manlie parte, to
raile at others, lie, or offer occasion of anger. Manie
wordes but fewe blowes, manie fraies, but fewe hurte.
I wish they fought more seldome and wth more perill, for
then I think they wolde fight more seldome in deede.
But suche Combatte be more commonlie vsed amonge men
of base condicion, then gentilmen or souldiers. Besides the
order of thease private quarrells, yowe shall by readinge
this booke perceive, what channces doe happen in other try:
alls of Armes, aswell on horsback as on foote, amonge
manie, as feawe, wth suche opinions and iudgemente as in
doubtfull cases have heretofore happened. Who is to be
challenged & when, who muste be defender, & what pri:
viledge he hath: who gaineth in fighte, & who loseth the
victorie: who is of degrie & estate to be challenged, &
who maye not be called to combatt. To be short, though
as erst I saide Princes at this daye doe seldome suffer
publique Combatte: Yet to behave them selues in all diffe:
rance and quarrels, either private or publique in Armes
or disarmed, in peace or warre, in towne or feilde. A
thinge meete for all gentilmen, and cheiflie those that
make speciall profession of armes. Thease booke
doe not (as manie vniustlie suppose) provoke men to
sodene quarrell, but rather aduizeth them to aduoyde
offence, wth discreation to revenge, & not in haste or
vnaduisedlie to adventure Reputation or Lyfe.