What Glory Is There In A Man's
Vanquishing An Adversary Over Whom He Has A Manifest Advantage?
To abide the issue of a combat in this case, does not even
require that moderate share of resolution which nature has
indulged to her common children.
Accordingly, we have seen many
instances of a coward's provoking a man of honour to battle. In
the reign of our second Charles, when duels flourished in all
their absurdity, and the seconds fought while their principals
were engaged, Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, not content with
having debauched the countess of Shrewsbury and publishing her
shame, took all opportunities of provoking the earl to single
combat, hoping he should have an easy conquest, his lordship
being a puny little creature, quiet, inoffensive, and every way
unfit for such personal contests. He ridiculed him on all
occasions; and at last declared in public company, that there was
no glory in cuckolding Shrewsbury, who had not spirit to resent
the injury. This was an insult which could not be overlooked. The
earl sent him a challenge; and they agreed to fight, at Barns-Elms,
in presence of two gentlemen, whom they chose for their
seconds. All the four engaged at the same time; the first thrust
was fatal to the earl of Shrewsbury; and his friend killed the
duke's second at the same instant. Buckingham, elated with his
exploit, set out immediately for the earl's seat at Cliefden,
where he lay with his wife, after having boasted of the murder of
her husband, whose blood he shewed her upon his sword, as a
trophy of his prowess.
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