as bite my lip against, but with an enforced patient ear stood still, and let them run on in their revilings.
At the length, amongst many other reproaches and spiteful names; one of the Spaniards called Englishmen, Gallinas (hens). At which the great Lords fell a laughing. Hereupon one of the Dukes, pointing to the Spanish soldiers; bade me note how their King kept them—and indeed they were all wondrously brave in apparel; hats, bands, cuffs, garters, &c.: and some of them in chains of gold—and asked further, "If I thought these would prove such hens as our English; when next year they should come into England? " I said, "No." But being somewhat emboldened by his merry countenance, I told him as merrily, " I thought they would be within one degree of hens." "What meanest thou by that?" said a Conde. I replied, "They would prove pullets or chickens." "Darest thou then," quoth the Duke of Medina, with a brow half angry, "fight with one of these Spanish pullets?"
"O my Lord!" said I, "I am a prisoner and my life at stake; and therefore dare not to be so bold as to adventure upon any such action. There were here of us English, some fourteen thousand; in which number, there were above twelve thousand better and stouter men than ever I shall be: yet with the license of this princely assembly, I dare hazard the breaking of a rapier." And withal told him, "He is unworthy of the name of an Englishman, that should refuse to fight with one man of any nation whatsoever." Hereupon my shackles were knocked off; and my iron ring and chain taken from my neck.
Room was made for the combatants; rapier and dagger were the weapons. A Spanish champion presented himself, named Signior TIAGO: when, after we had played some reasonable good time, I disarmed him, as thus. I caught his rapier betwixt the bars of my poniard and there held it, till I closed with him; and tripping up his heels, I took his weapons out of his hands and delivered them to the Dukes.
I could wish that all you, my dear Countrymen! who read this relation had either been there, without danger, to have beheld us: or that he with whom I fought were here in prison, to justify the issue of that combat.
I was then demanded, "If I durst fight against another?"
