CHARGE AGAINST DUELS. 1 13 



upon every vain occasion, nor no more it is fortitude 

 to make effusion of blood, except the cause be of 

 worth. And thus much for the causes of this 

 evil. 



For the remedies, I hope some great and noble 

 person will put his hand to this plough, and I wish 

 that my labours of this day may be but forerunners 

 to the work of a higher and better hand. But yet 

 to deliver my opinion as may be proper for this time 

 and place, there be four things that I have thought 

 on, as the most effectual for the repressing of this 

 depraved custom of particular combats. 



The first is, that there do appear and be declared 

 a constant and settled resolution in the state to 

 abolish it. For this is a thing, my lords, must go 

 down at once, or not at all ; for then every parti 

 cular man will think himself acquitted in his repu 

 tation, when he sees that the state takes it to heart, 

 as an insult against the king s power and authority, 

 and thereupon hath absolutely resolved to master it; 

 like unto that which was set down in express words 

 in the edict of Charles IX. of France touching duels, 

 that the king himself took upon him the honour of 

 all that took themselves grieved or interested for 

 not having performed the combat. So must the 

 state do in this business : and in my conscience 

 there is none that is but of a reasonable sober dis 

 position, be he never so valiant, except it be some 

 furious person that is like a firework, but will be 

 glad of it, when he shall see the law and rule 



VOL. vi. i 



