Chapter. I.

IT is written in the first Chapter of the first Booke of Moses, cal­led Genesis: that God gaue vn­to man, Soueraigntie, Rule, & Dominiō ouer the fishes in the sea; ouer the fowles of the aire; and ouer euery liuing thing that he had made: and behold, it was excéeding good, and was appointed vnto man for to doe him homage, and to serue him in all places, and times, in his seuerall and necessary vses and not one­ly for clothing and sustenance for his bodie; but also for recreation and pastime, to delight his minde: as with Cocke-fighting, Hawking, Hunting, and such like. For honest recreation is not prohibited by the word of God: but rather tollerated and allowed.

The Kingly Prophet Dauid, rehearsing the miracu­lous workes of the Almighty, in the 104 Psalme, saith, speaking of the sea; there goe the ships, and there is that Leuiathan, whom thou hast made to take his pa­stime therein. Now if the fish be admitted to take their [Page] pastime in the sea, and the foules to sport them in the aire? How much more may man (which is the king of Creatures) take his pleasure vpon the earth? for our Sauiour Christ saith, you are of more worth, then ma­ny Sparrowes. And the wise Salomon verifieth, that this is the portion of a man vnder the sunne, to eate, and to drinke, and to make his heart merrie with the moderate vse of the good creatures of God.

Diuers other places in the Holy Scriptures, tending to this effect, might be alleaged, to proue and main­taine the lawfulnesse of mirth and modest pastime: which in all ages, and in all places whatsoeuer, hath al­waies bene both tollerated, and commended: but I will omit the recitall of them, and proceede in my pre­tended description of Cockes, and Cocke-fighting: which pleasant, and delightfull sport, is so excellent of it selfe, that it meriteth much praise; and so auncient, that it may easily be prooued: it was vsed long time be­fore our Sauiour Christs peregrination: for doe but looke into Plutarchs Bookes, called the liues of the Ro­manes, and you shall find in the story of M. Antonius, that the Soothsayers counselled him to beware & take héede of Caesar, because his Cockes did alwayes loose the day, when they fought with Caesars. And I also reade, that Themistocles, that worthy, valiant and time-eternized Conqueror, when he besieged the fa­mous and great Countrey Dalmatia, did vse Cocke-fighting: for at his beginning, and first entrance into that enterprize, before he gaue any assault, or made any offer of batterie against the countrey: he commanded that two Cockes of the kind, should bee brought vnto him, and be set downe to fight before him, in the open view of all his valiant souldiers, whom he earnestly re­quested most seriously to behold and marke the battell, which was performed on both parts, with such stout [Page] courage, and magnanimitie, that all the spectators did admire, and wonder to behold the dreadfulnesse of their fight, the deepe indented woundes that each of them had, and in the end with what excéeding great resolu­tion, both of thē died: which bloody battell was no soo­ner ended, but Themistocles commanding silence, be­gan this Oration.

RIght worthy Gentlemen, couragious Compani­ons, and my most valiant and louing Souldiers, it is oftentimes seene, that he which is least able to beare, shall haue the greatest burthen layd vpon his backe, as appeareth most apparantly by me at this in­stant, who being ordained & appointed to be your Go­uernor, and the chiefe Generall of the field; whereas many of you are more worthie, and better able to haue supplyed my place, and discharged my office, than my selfe am. But since it is my Princes pleasure, to pre­ferre me to this high preheminence and great dignity, although I cannot performe all that is requisite to be done, by a man of so great a commaund, in such abso­lute manner as I gladly would: yet will I not faile to shew my vttermost endeauor to accomplish, and at­chieue whatsoeuer I can. Now the occasion of this our present warlike preparation, is not vnknowne to you all, but y ^e means how we shal bring to passe our in­tended purposes, is vnknowne to any, and remayneth doubtfull both to you, and to me: and therefore the better to effect what we doe intend, I thought it not a­misse, but rather most necessarie, to present vnto your publicke view the fierce fight, and cruell combate of these two (late vndaunted, but now dead) Cockes, that the sight of the courage which they shewed in this quarrell, might pierce into your hearts, and make a déepe impression in your discréet considerations, that [Page] thereby you might be the more enboldened and encou­raged, than you could haue béene by all the words of comfort that I can relate, or by all the examples of for­mer accidents that may be repeated. I might here take occasion to vnfold, and shew vnto you the sundrie shifts, and subtill euasions, which they vsed in their fight, for the eschewing of each dangerous blowe in­terchangeably passing betwixt them; but for your selues could not but perceiue it, I will let passe as a thing not materiall to be any more recyted And now only as your Director I aduise you, as your Captaine I councell you, and as your friend & fellow souldier I instantly exhort you, to call to mind the inuincible cou­rage of these vnreasonable creatures: what cruelty they indured in this conflict, how many bléeding woundes they susteined, neuer shewing so much as any signe of yéelding, no not at the very last gaspe of their liues: when being not able to strike, stand, or sée each other, yet euen then they manifested their incredible valour, vntill the one was left dead with the blowes of his ad­uersary, & the other not able to liue, hauing obtained so doubtfull a victorie: and all this doubtles for no other cause so farre as I can coniecture) then for the loue of their Hens Now therfore most heroicall minded Gen­men, and couragious Souldiers, if these creatures wanting the vse of reason, who are only guided by na­ture, haue shewed such stout, vndaunted and admira­ble courage for the loue of their phéeres: let not vs which are men, indued with wisedome and vnderstan­ding, and with farre greater prerogatiues of nature, then any other inferiour creatures, they being subiect vnto vs, and made for our vse: but we hauing our na­tures much indéered, and bettered by art, Let not vs I say, shew more cowardize and faint hearted timorous­nesse, then these silly fowles of the aire haue done.

I read of many men in former times, which to dis­port their Princes, haue entred into doubtful fraies, and most daungerous combats insomuch, that some of them in those actions, haue ended their liues by the dint of their déerest companions swordes. Some haue con­sumed their dayes in trauell, and vndergone death in most tyrannicall maner, with great miserie, and much extremitie for the good of their countrey, sacking no­thing, but fame for themselues, yet desirous to procure profit to their natiue soiles. Other some haue suffered death for the intire affection which they did beare vnto their friends: diuers haue plunged themselues into ma­nifest and mighty perils for the defence of their wiues and children: and very many haue béene more willing to loose their liues, then to loose their lands and tempo­rall liuings: but neuer any (I thinke) hath béene so much subiect to cowardize, that they would not fight to saueguard their owne liues. Yet this is our cause now, nay our cause is more then so, to animate vs vnto this conflict: for we are commanded by our Prince (whom of necessitie wee must obey) and challenged by our mortall enemies, who séeke the death of our Prince: the speedy subuersion, and vtter ouerthrow of our na­tiue Countrey, the ransacking of our substance, the vio­lating of our virgins, the rauishing of our wiues, and lastly, the most bloody Massacre of all our children and friends: reseruing our selues, to indure some extreame and intollerable tortures. Therefore (I beséech you) arme your selues with courage correspondent for such a conflict: and let vs choose and resolue rather to die valiantly with honour, then to yéeld our selues coward­ly to the mercie of our mercilesse enemies, who haue made preparation for our generall destruction. These words Themistocles vttered with such vehemencie of spirit, and with such a shew of vndoubted valour, that [Page] al the whole army (which before was somewhat daun­ted and discouraged with the force and multitude of their enemies) had now (by this instigation) so farre abandoned and chased away all former feare, that nothing could discourage them, for now they séemed to disdaine and contemne all occasions, which might in any sort dismay them: euery one thinking so well, and conceiuing such a good opinion of their Generall, that they thought thēselues happie to be vnder his gouern­ment, and déemed euery houre to be a day long, vntill they might buckle with their boasting aduersaries.

Whereupon they hauing made fit preparation for all their warlike prouision, they strooke vp an Alarme, sounded their trumpets, cornets, clarions, phifes, and other musicall instruments vsed in warres, with such a triumphant noyse, as was able to haue animated an effeminate minded Souldier. And in this manner they marched couragiously towards their enemies, whom they assailed so fiercely with such vnspeakeable valour, that the bloody Massacre which they made a­mongst them, (whom they slaughtered in great aboun­dance) was a sufficient witnesse to warrant their cou­ragious resolutions, they charging them on euery side so valiantly, that the fame of that famous and heroicall acte of Chiualrie and Princely prowesse performed in that péece of seruice, will neuer bee buried in obliuion so long as the Annalls of the Grecians remaine, or a Gréeke is liuing to record the same.

Chapter. II.

LYcurgus y ^e law giuer of Lacedemonia, counselled the Lacedemonians to bee both as constant, & as couragious as a Cocke is: for this is certaine, that he is so constant to his Hennes, that he will rather die, then depart from them: and so couragious, that he will neuer yeeld vnto his aduersarie, vntill death inforce him. And Plinie that famous writer saith, That the Cocke loueth his Hens so entirely, that he will take the meat out of his owne mouth, and then clucking them about him, he will bestow it most liberally and kindly among them. And moreouer, if any other Cocke doe chaunce to come within his regiment, precinct, or libertie, to tread any of his Hennes, hée will straight wayes encounter with his intruding aduersarie, and valiantly aduenture his life with him, be he neuer so strong, or stout, ra­ther then yéeld him any iot or part of his pleasure.

Héere may all men take occasion by this example of the Cocke, to weigh and consider with themselues, how louing and kinde they ought to bée vnto their wiues, and how vigilant and carefull they should bée ouer them which are so néerely, and deerely bound vnto them by the Law of God, as to bée one flesh, one minde, one faith, and one troth: as though both they were but one body: in which course, they are comman­ded by the Almightie, to continue vnto the end of their liues.

Now this being performed (as it ought to bee) what would it doe, but worke this effect? that as in our Cockes, our wiues sée and know, wée take exée­ding [Page] great pleasure and delight: so it would also in­cite, and cause them to say vnto themselues, wée are induced and perswaded, nay, in a manner we are euen compelled, and as it were inforced to loue our hus­bands Cockes, and to make much of them, because they doe shew vnto them a good and a perswasiue ex­ample, how they should loue, regard, defend, and che­rish vs: for they perceiuing such constant, faithfull, and vnfained loue, to be and remaine in vnreasonable creatures which are onely guided and gouerned by nature, will surely be mooued thereby, and stirred vp to a farre greater loue towards vs, hauing more wise­dome, reason, and vnderstanding in themselues, then all other kindes of liuing creatures. Now therefore, for our owne parts, we will doe this from hencefoorth, we will rather want meate our selues, then the Cockes shall: and by this meanes, we shall allure our husbands to manifest their loue towards vs, and procure them to continue it to vs.

Thus would our wiues say among themselues; but to passe ouer that point, we read, that rash Isadas the Lacedemon Lord, going out naked with an host of men against the Theban powers, in which desperate attempted fight, he preuailed and got a great victorie. Afterwards, he being asked why he went foorth in that maner, made this answers; The crauen Cock (saith he) had rather be couered in a roope, thē come forth to fight, or if of necessitie he be inforced, he will sooner run out of daunger, then endure it: but the Cocke of the Game will alwayes be forward to the fight, and neuer leaue it, for any daunger that is in it: neither will he desire any other engine, either to defend himselfe, or to offend his enemy, more then [...]ame Nature hath indowed him with; and shall not I be as valourous as a Coeke is? Thus did Isadas (by example of the Cocke) answere to [Page] their obiection.

Now there are some men which will say, that not­withstanding all the courage that is in our fighting Cockes, yet they are crowned but with a combe: but Plinie saith, that nature did crowne him with a Dia­dem: and that his combe was giuen him (as indéede who can denie it) to bee an ornament to adorne him, and not (as some fooles thinke) to be a note of disgrace, and scandall to him. Heliodorus in his Ethiopian Hi­storie reporteth, that Cockes were had in such great estimation amongst the Egiptians, (whither Cha [...]iclea the daughter of Astyages the King of the Ethiops was by théeues violently carried) that both the Priests in Memphis, and most of the people which inhabited néere to the Riuer Nilus, did kéepe Cockes in their lodging-chambers, to be as an Allarum bell vnto them, to make them to be vigilant and watchfull: the one for that be­ing often wakened, they might call vpon their Idols Osiris, and Isis, (whom they worship as their God, and their Goddesse) and the other that they might thereby be moued to make all things sure, and be stirred vp to defend themselues against robbers, and theeues, by whom (in those parts) they were mightily oppressed.

Thus you may sée that euen amongst the heathens, Cockes were highly respected, and much valued, many hundreth yéeres agoe; and no doubt but they are so still at this instant: and in my opinion, they deserue, and merite more to be estéemed of all men, then any other fowle doth, for what fowle this day liuing in the ayre, or vpon the face of the earth, is so pleasurable, and so profitable as the Cocke is? I confesse that the Arabian Phaenix is both rarer, and chaster; but for the vse and behoofe of man, the Cocke is farre better. In both of them hath Dame Nature done her best, and (to expresse great wonders in small creatures) hath made them [Page] both more excellent, and more admirable, then any o­ther feathered foules.

The Phoenix is much prized of many, but not more praysed of all then the Cocke is, for the one is not so worthy of commendations for her rarenesse and chasti­tie (which commeth of necessity, because there is no more of that kind) as the other is for his courage and constancie, who (though he hath great societie) will rather die, then derogate from any of his company,

Master Michaell Drayton, an excellent Poet, now li­uing in London, in a Booke of his called Englands He­roicall Epistles, speaking of the Phoenix, saith thus.

Now, what doth the Doue, but by his billing beget others, or the Sparrow, (but as the Cocke doth) by treading, ingender, bréede, and increase his own kind. And had the Phoenix a Phéere doe so with, she would (in short time) grow to this passe, to be neither so chast, nor so rare, as she now is.

Ioues armour bearer, the Eagle is euery way grea­ter, but no way so good as the Cocke is: for though he be the king of Birds, and therefore feared of all, yet he is a gréedy and a deuouring cormorant that prayes vpon them, and therefore beloued of none. Our Faul­kons, and other swift winged Hawkes will sore hye, and sometimes delight vs a little: but the pleasure and pastime which they make vs is nothing in comparison of that which our Cockes yéeld vs. And yet Hawking is a sport of many great Personages, and braue spiri­ted gentlemen, much vsed, and mightily accounted of, [Page] and to speake as I thinke: it is a thing that deserueth both to be loued, and commended: yet Cockes afford vs farre more pleasure, than Hawkes can, though Hawkes be ten times more chargeable, and trouble­some, and require ten times more attendance, than our Cockes doe.

Then séeing our fighting Cockes are no whit inferi­our to the Phoenix for vertue, to the Eagle in goodnesse, (though farre lesse in greatnesse) nor to Hawkes for mans commoditie, profit, and delectable pleasure: but rather lesse chargeable, and ten times more comforta­ble. Surely we haue speciall cause, both to be mighti­ly addicted to them, and also to make exceeding much of them.

Chapter. III.

THe Apostle Saint Peter, with a vaine ostentation, boasting of his owne strength, told our Sauiour Christ in the Gospel, that though all men for­sooke him, yet he would not leaue him, but rather die with him: so proud was hée of his faith, and so prodigall of his loue. But Christ (who as he saith himselfe, knew what was in man, and to how many infirmities fraile flesh is subiect) said vnto him; this night before the Cocke crow, thou shalt denie me thrise; and as he said it came to passe: for before the cocke crew, he both denied him, and fore­sware him, saying, he knew not the man: but so soone as the Cocke did crow, it came immediatly into his mind, what his master had said, and then instantly (as the text sayth) he went out and wept betterly. Thus you may sée it verified out of our Sauiours owne [Page] mouth, that the crowing of Cockes was seriously no­ted, and duely obserued in his time, and also that the voice of the Cocke was (by Christs institution) ordai­ned (like the voice of a Preacher) to call Peter to repen­tance, and to induce him to powre forth teares out of his eyes, to pacifie the wrath of God, for his haynous offence..

What an vnspeakable comfort was that Cocke vn­to Noah, which in the time of the deluge, suruiued with him in the Arke, whose shril-tongued farre re­sounding voice (when he crowed) was heard by all the people in the world, at one instant. And what an in­comparable comfort are Cockes continually vnto vs, for in all Countreys they are the Farmers clocks, who duely and truely declare vnto them, how the night pas­seth, and when the day light appeareth: and for this cause did the Swath-rutters make great account of Cockes, for when they were enticed, and procured to come into England in the cōmotion time, their wiues came with them, and brought their Cockes at their backes, which manifested an intire affection that they bare vnto them, when they choose rather to bring them with them, than any other thing which they enioyed: if you read the Chronicles, you shall finde this to be most true. But what néede I to recite, or alleage any circumstance of such antiquitie, for approbation of my argument, when we our selues, by dayly experience, cannot choose but see and perceiue what excéeding great comfort and consolation all men haue, or may haue by them.

I remember that in my young time, I being in bed with an Vncle of mine a learned Minister and a zea­lous Professor of the word of God, how that after mid­night, the Cocke crowed, whereat my Vncle awaked, and told me that the voice of the Cocke did put him in [Page] mind of the passion of our Sauiour Christ, and then in­stantly hee fell to most earnest praying. Likewise a man of good worship credibly informed me, that hée knew a Gentleman, that had many good Cockes of the game which he loued maruailously well, and wherein he tooke great felicitie and delight all his life time; and at the last falling into a gréeuous sicknesse, and lying vpon his death-bed, he requested his kinred and friends which were about him, to place his Cockes with their Coopes so néere vnto his beds head as possibly they could doe, which being performed according to his re­quest, he heard them crowe; whereat he sayd, now haue I obtained that which I desired; for these dele­ctable voices shalbe my swéete-sounding trumpets, to admonish and put me in minde of my immortall, and celestiall Iudge, before whome all flesh must appeare, to receiue recompence according to their demerits, whether they be good or euill.

Also our late Prince of famous memorie King Hen­rie the Eight, did take such pleasure and wonderfull delight in the Cocks of the game, that he caused a most sumptuous, and stately Cock-pit to be erected in West-minster, wherein his Maiestie might disport himselfe with Cocke-fighting, among his most noble and louing subiects, who in like manner did affect that pastime so well, and conceiued so good an opinion of it, not onely because the King was so addicted to it, but also in re­gard of the great valor and incomparable courage that the Cockes shewed in their battels; the which did in­flame their hearts, that they caused Cocke-pits to be made in many Citties, Boroughes, and Townes throughout the whole Realme. To which Cocke-pits resorted, both Dukes, Earles, Lords, Knights, Gen­tlemen, and Yeomen, there to recreate and delight themselues with Cocke-fighting,

Now this is to be noted that in this pleasant exer­cise there is no collusion, deceit, fraude, or cozening tol­lerated, nor any vsed (as in most other games, and pas­times customarily there is,) neither is there any braw­lings, or quarrels suffered in those places: but all men, must there vse ciuile and good behauiour, what degrée or calling soeuer he be of. And also it is there decréed vpon, and set downe as an irreuocable order, that no man by cursing banning, or swearing, shall blaspheme God, or take his name in vaine, but that all of them shall speake modestly, and deale according to truth and whosoeuer shall discent from it, or do otherwise than is appointed, must vndergoe the punishmēt prescribed by the Nobilitie aforesaid: which lawes then instituted & ordayned, are yet to be séen extant, both in Suffolke and Norffolke, and I hope wil still remaine and continue to the end of the world; which good obseruation, hath in­duced many to keepe Cockes of the game, and I doubt not but that in time, it will incite a number more, both to bréede them, and bring them vp, to the intent, that they may haue sport with them to content and delight themselues: for this is most certaine, that if euer any thing in the world were delectable, and pleasant to the heart of man, and did beget in him any mirthfull [...] ­sance and consolation, it was, and is the excellent sport of Cocke fighting (as Themistocles hath sufficiently de­clared.) And this propertie or hidden misterie, it hath in it; that whosoeuer doth affect it, or (as diuers good men are) be much addicted to it, and then afterwards, either of his owne accord, or by any other mans insti­gation, or perswasion, doe neglect it, and refraine it, let him expect and looke for no other thing, but alwayes to be melancholy, sad, and disconsolate, and desirous to wander alone, euer musing on the worst things, and not of the best: but rather imagining euill, than good. [Page] And this I know by experience, prooued by many men of good account, to their hinderance and griefe, and to my excéeding great sorrow: and therefore I would ad­monish, aduise, and counsell all men, that take delight and pleasure, in that delicious and pleasant pastime, neuer to forsake or leaue it, or to alienate themselues from it, so long as it shall please the almightie to blesse and prosper them; for that which I haue here rehear­sed is neither fable, nor fiction, but an vndoubted truth and a thing that is most certaine: wherefore I for mine owne part, am thus resolued so long as life and health last, and God lend my limbes abilitie, and strength to beare me. I will neuer abstaine from it, when con­ueniently I may be at it, nor neuer consent to giue o­uer that heart-pleasing pastime.

Chapter. IIII.

WHen Flammius the Grecian in a set bat­tell, had ouerthrowne and spoyled a huge army, which the world-subduing Macedon brought thether: It is recor­ded for a most certaine truth, that hée and his company for ioy of that vnex­pected Victorie, showted so loude, and so long together, that the clamorous noise of their exclamation séemed to shake the foundations of the earth, and so deasened the eares of all creatures that came within the sound ther­of, that the fowles of the ayre, were thereby inforced to fall downe to the earth, and there lay (as it were in a traunce) being amazed, and astonied at the noyse of their ayre-filling clamors. At which instant, euen in the middest of their excéeding great out-cry: It is said that their Cockes (whereof they had aboundance) clap­ped [Page] their winges, and crowed so often and so chéere­fully, with such alacritie of spirite, as if they had par­ticipated, or had a fellow-féeling of that soule-rauishing ioy, which was in their Maisters: wherevpon Caly­machus sayd, that he had rather heare Cockes crowe, than musicke sound: for (saith he) the one cannot so much content my minde, as the other doth comfort my heart.

Who would thinke that the crowing of a Cocke should make a Lion quake? and yet it doth so, which is a most strange & a miraculous thing, that he, which is the King of beasts, of whome it is said, that the roa­ring of his voice, will ingender feare in all the beasts in the Forrest, and make them tremble at the terrour of it, should himselfe tremble and be terrified (like a faint-hearted and a timorous-flying hare) with the sound of a silly Cockes voice, yet of a truth it is, for of all thinges in the world, he cannot abide to heare a Cocke crowe; whereey we may most apparantly per­ceiue, the omnipotent power of the Almightie, who by the smallest creatures, can curbe, and controule the greatest: as he did Pharaoh by lice, and by the weak­est confound the strongest, as he did Holofernes by the hand of Iudith; Sisera, by Iaell; and great Goliah by lit­tle Dauid. We may read in the 48 Chapter of the Pro­phecie of Esay, that the Lord God, in that place com­maundeth the Prophet to cry aloude, and spare not to lift vp his voyce like a Trumpet, and for this cause on­ly, to tell the house of Iacob their sinnes, and Israell their offences.

Now what is it for a Preacher to eleuate, and lift vp his voice, but (as the Cocke doth) to rowze vp him­selfe, and clap his wings, that is, to shake of all igno­rance, sloath, and negligence in himselfe, and then to cry aloude vnto others chéerefully, to vtter his voice [Page] with vehemencie of spirite, and to deliuer his message manfully, boldly, and with a good courage; as the Cocke did, when hée crowed néere to Caiphas house. Thus you sée that of Cockes wee may learne many good lessons, whereof we might make profitable vses if we would rightly apply them vnto our selues: As first, to be constant and louing to our wiues, as they are to their Hens. Secondly, to be valorous and to fight cou­ragiously against our enemies, and (as they doe) ne­uer giue ouer, but either get the victorie, or else die va­liantly. Thirdly, to be vigilant, and watchfull (as they are) and to auoide slouthfulnesse, which generally raignes too much in vs. And lastly, to stretch forth our selues, and to straine our voyces in the vttering of Gods affaires.

The blessed Apostle Saint Paule in the first Epistle to Timothy, the 6 Chapter, and the 12 verse, chargeth Timothie to fight, the good fight of Faith, (and conse­quently in him exhorteth all Christians to do the same) whereupon one (interpreting the same text) saith thus: as the Cocke of the game, hauing receiued a hurt, or a wound from his aduersarie, doth straight wayes close, and fight with him, vntill he hath ouercome him, or els be killed by him: so we being often stricken, and se­cretly wounded by the slye insinuating blowes of Sa­than (our old and continuall aduersarie) should with the sword of the spirit fight couragiously against all his assaults and temptations, vntill (by faith and prayers) we haue ouercome them, or by the power and proui­dence of God be deliuered from them.

Another thing now commeth into my minde, which I noted in the disputation, betweene Maister Bannes and Stephen Gardiner, Maister Barnes preaching in London at Paules Crosse, compared himselfe to a Cocke of the game, and Stephen Gardiner to another; but [Page] (quoth he) Stephen hath no spurres, signifying thereby, that (in his opinion) Gardiner was not so well armed at all points, to endanger and offend his aduersarie as himselfe was. Furthermore, it is growne to be a cus­tome here amongst vs in this Realme of England, that when we haue any troubles, suits in law, or causes of weight in hand, our especiall friend demanding of vs, if we haue not solicited and made means to such a man to be a Mediator for vs, or to be friend vs in y ^e matter, we most commonly will make them this answere, I haue made that Cocke-sure; so rare, singuler, and so excellent a creature is y ^e Cocke, that diuers good things haue relation vnto him, and euen a multitude of things might be spoken of him.

I remember I once heard a Yorke-shire man (that dwelleth néere to the borders of Scotland) say, that he would not giue a Cocke of the game, which he had in his Coope at home, for halfe the Cowes the best man in their Towne had in his milking-yard. Many more things I could repeat, and alleage for the credite and commendation of the Cockes of the game: but those that are alreadie rehearsed, may serue for a sufficient probabilitie of their vertues, courage, and excellent qualities, without any further recitals, or more testi­monies; wherefore I will now proceede, and explaine vnto you the distinction, and difference, which is be­twixt them & other Cockes: and withall make a briefe repetition of some strange and most admirable battels, which my selfe haue seene, in diuers and sundry places at Cocke-fightings, to the great contentation, both of my selfe and many others: and therewithall conclude, and knit vp this little Treatise.

Chapter. V.

THere bée some men which will com­mune with themselues and say: we ad­mire and maruaile much, why these people bée so zealously affected, and so much in loue with the Cockes of the game, more thā with any other Cocks, imagining with themselues, yea, and perswading their owne hearts, that their Cockes of the Dung-hill, are as good in euerie degrée, as they are, and make them as much pastime as they can. But beléeue me, my ho­nest friends, it is neither so, nor so; for there be diuers and sundry kindes and sorts of Cockes, but for breui­tie sake, I will onely intreat but of thrée sorts, or se­uerall kinds: that is, the Cockes of the game, the halfe­bred Cockes, and the Dung-hill, or crauen Cockes. The Cockes of the game are so called, because they carrie the credite away from all other Cockes in bat­tell, which is the onely cause they are so highly estée­med, and so much valued as they be; for it is generally and commonly séene, that the most heroycall and noble hearted men, take greatest delight in those thinges which are of most courage, and greatest valour, and that of all others (in my opinion) is the Cockes of the game: as already I haue sufficiently declared. But as for your crauen Cockes, the best and chiefest pa­stime, that they will or can make you is, when they are well boyled, or stewed, and layde in a platter with good store of plumbes about them, and then you may assure your selues they will not shrinke for a blow, but otherwise let them be well matched, and close coupled to Cockes of the game, and I dare assure you, they wil [Page] quickely take their leaue of them, and in most coward­ly and base manner runne away from them, to your great griefe and discontentment. Yet notwithstanding all this, there be some simple men, which will report and say thus of them, they serue our turnes wel inough to crow, and to tread our Hens. Well, I graunt, and beleeue they doe so, and that is the greatest valour or vertue that is in them; but to compare them with the Cockes of the game, you mistake your marke, and are more than much deceiued, for there is no comparison to be made of or betwixt them, nor any indifferent equa­litie in them: for Moses sayth in the Booke of Genesis, that God in the creation made all thinges perfect, abso­solutely good, and in their right kinde, but most of your Cockes (by grosse and irregular bréeding) are become imperfect, and so consequently prooue crauins, and cowardly minded fowles: and in that manner will re­maine, and continue in dispight of you, doe what you can to helpe it, which causeth all men that breed Cocks. (if either they loue them, or desire to haue any pastime with them) to eschew and auoide them, as much as possibly in them lyeth: for what man amongst a thou­sand (if he haue any sparke of wisedome knowledge, or vnderstanding in him) that doth bréed, kéepe, or nou­rish vp any creature whatsoeuer, but will desire to bring vp that which of it selfe is most absolute, and of the perfectest kinde, and best breede that can or may be gotten, or procured? Now lastly, as concerning your halfe-bred cockes, which are ingendred by the cocke of the game, and of the crauen Hen, or by the right bred, and best qualified Hen, and of the Dung-hill and degenerate cocke: what will they doe but euen when you expect, and hope for best of them, and (séeing them fight) thinke the battell to bee surely wonne on their sides, deceiue your expectation, and frustrate your [Page] hopes, for if one of them, doe but chance to loose an eie, or receiues any hurt, or damage that seemes to be pre­iudiciall to him, then God be with your game, for he is gone, the house is too hot, the fight too fierce, and the danger too great for him to endure it. Therefore I doe stil magnifie, and extoll the cockes of the game, because their courage can neuer be quayled, nor their hearts daunted by any wound, or hurt, how déepe soeuer it be indented. For confirmation and proofe whereof, I will shew you an instance.

There was a cocke about Shroue-tide last, which in the cocke-pit in the citie of Norwich, fought with a stronge, and a stout aduersarie, vntill such time as both his eyes were beaten out, his head sore wounded, and shrewdly battered, and all his bodie most pitifully bru­sed, and then with the sudden astonishment of a sound blow, which from his cruell aduersarie he receiued, be­ing beaten downe, and lying for dead, not stirring any whit, nor séeming otherwise (to the beholders) thā to be starke dead, he suddenly started vp, contrary to all their expectations, (when there was offered twenty shil­lings, yea, twenty pounds to be layd to one, that there was no breath remayning in his bodie and closed with his aduersarie, at whom he stroke most violent blowes, and neuer gaue ouer, vntill (to the amazement of all the spectators) hee had most valiantly slaine him. Oh strange action oh stout heart, and vndaunted minde, who would imagine such great courage should bee in so small a creature, or almost beléeue (but that their eies may dayly behold, and see it) that such dreadlesse feare, scorning valour, should remaine in a cocke. Tell me (I pray) you that make as much account of a sqeaking Castrell, or a scuruie Hobbie, as you doe of a good Hawke? you that thinke euerie Dunghill crauen, to be as good as a cocke of the game; tell me (I say) when [Page] did you euer sée any of your base-bred Cockes shewe such courage, or doe such an admirable action? surely neuer, neither shall you euer knowe any of them per­forme the like. Thus you may sée by this one instance, that they are not so good, as the other are, but farre in­feriour to them: and therefore who (but rough hewen clownes, and rusticke Corridons) would bréede and bring vp crauens, when he may haue of the right kinde.

Chapter. VI.

AMongst many other Battels fought, and diuers great exployts done by Cockes of the game in sundry places, giue me a little leaue (I pray) to re­port vnto you, what credite a Cocke of mine owne bréeding (whome I called Iipsey) wonne at Saint Edmunds-Burie in Suf­folke, where he plaid his prize so excellently, and fought so couragiously, that after many admirable, and almost incredible acts atchieued by him, diuers Gentlemen & my verie good friends, in commendation of him caused his picture to be drawn & painted vpon a cloth. Where­vpon these, or the like words were written.

So soone as the painted cloth was thus finished, the cocke was put into a prettie fine cage, which two men carried betwixt them, the cloth being borne a good di­stance [Page] before them, and in this manner hauing the waights of the Towne with vs, the trayned Souldi­ers, the Cocke-masters, and diuers others: we marched too and fro, throughout the whole towne: which be­ing done, we returned to the Cocke-pit againe, where the Cocke was no sooner set downe, but all the Souldi­ers discharged their péeces ouer him, which we thought would haue daunted & discoraged him for euer: yet not­withstanding all the noyse they made, he was nothing dismaide, but in the verie middle of the volley of shot, he clapped his wings and crowned, which was as much valour, as I, or I thinke any of the companie euer saw in a Cocke. I doe assure you this is most certaine, and the said Towne and Countie will auouch the same.

Also no longer agoe, than the 4 day of May 1602, at a Cocke-fighting in the Citie of Norwich aforesayd, a Cocke called Tarlecon (who was so intituled, because he alwayes came to the fight like a Drummer, making a thundering noyse with his winges) which Cocke ha­uing there fought many battels, with mighty and fierce Aduersaries: and being both wearied with long figh­ting, and also verie hardly matched, at the length he had his eyes both of them beaten out of his head, his spurres broken off, and his bill brused, and rigorously rent from off his face, so that their remained no hope of him, but that he should bee instantly killed, and so of necessitie loose all the wagers that he fought for, yet be­hold a rare and miraculous wonder, a most admirable seldome or neuer seene accident; for all this he fought still most stoutly with his Aduersary, and would neuer shrinke from him, or giue him ouer, vntil he had (which to all men there present séemed to be an impossibilitie) most couragiously slaine him. Oh inestimable stout­nesse! oh inuincible valour! oh miraculous magnani­mitie! oh more than Lion-hearted fowles! who doth great [Page] not admire at their vndaunted and naught-dreading mindes: or who hath euer séene, or heard, or read of so great courage in any liuing creatures in the world, as is in them. Whhat is he, or where liues he (that beares the true minde of a man, that would not loue them, feed them, cherish them, and make much of them, if they did vnderstand, and know the manifold vertues, and excéeding great valor that is in them? man neuer kept, the world neuer bred, the earth neuer bare more exqui­site and worthy to be beloued creatures, than Cockes are. Many more commendations, than I haue re­hearsed may be giuen vnto them, and many farre more excellent things might be spoken of them, both in re­gard of their nature, nurture, vertues, qualities, and courage, than either I haue expressed, or am any way able to expresse sufficiently: Wherefore I am resolued to leaue that Herculean taske, for some more blessed brain to take in hand: and onely content my selfe with that, which I haue already done, not doubting, but that in time, this illiterate and imperfect Embrion, will in­timate and allure some of Apolloes sacred heires, some of Thamisis swéet singing Swans, some heauen-inspi­red soule-enchanting Poet, to carroll forth at full, in high and heart-pleasing straines, their due and well deserued praises: which thing I would be most glad of, and will hartily pray for.