SOCIETY AT ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS - Online Book

People, Society & Culture of Tunbridge Wells in the 18th Century & later.

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Appendix
The Apple flung him on his back,
So hard, it made his Shoulders crack;
No wonder such a trifling thing,
The Hero to the Ground should bring,
Since the Forbidden Fruit we find,
Was once the fall of all Mankind.
At this the Gentry ran to Guard,
The fallen Victim from the Sword;
For who knows how far Rage might carry,
A furious Conqu'ring Adversary,
If not to kill, perhaps to Wound,
The helpless Hero on the Ground :
But those that had the Action seen,
Like tender Christians stepping in,
Timely by their kind Aid prevented,
What Mischiefs both might have lamented.
Thus prudent men of Honour knew well,
A publick Place is best for Duel,
What's done in sight o' th' World does shew,
They're not asham'd of what they do :
Indeed 'tis fit in such a Fray,
Some Standers-by should see fair play,
That neither after a foul manner,
Should rob his Foe of Life or Honour :
Besides we cannot but confess,
It makes the Danger somewhat less,
And what brave Hero would be willing,
To barely Fight for sake of Killing ?
When both their Courage thus had try'd,
And each himself had Justify'd,
Saving their Honour, and their Blood,
As Christian Adversaries shou'd,
Some Friends with fair prevailing Words,
Engag'd them both to sheath their Swords,
299
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