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Of two knightes agreed to fighte for Lyfe
wth maces of yron. One of them bringeth
a hollowe mace full of pestiferous powder
wherby he became Victorious.

Ca. 10.

Two gent beinge at deffiaunce and agreed
to fight for lyffe & deathe wth maces of yron, doe enter into the
lists, the one of them havinge wthin the handle of his mace cer:
teine pestiferous poulder, and strikinge his ennemie vppon his
viserue did so sodenlie amaze him as he lost his sighte & was
forced for sounde, by wch subtletie he gained the feilde. Neverthe:
lesse it was called in question whether this manner of fight were
lawfull or not, and whether victorie might in this sorte be gained.
The auntient lawe of Lombardie saith that no man oughte
to come to the feilde & bringe wth him any poyson pestiferous
herbe or other poulder havinge force to offende thennemie wthout
his owne virtue, and thoughe no prouise or othe were to the contr:
arie, yet sholde he not in anye wise doe it, also the saide lawe
willeth, that no privie weapon shalbe vsed, wch wthout the vio:
lence of man might offende, because a man ought to be victorious
thorough magnanimitie and force, and not theffect of vile venom
or pestilent poysons, victorie sholde be soughte wth weapon meete
for a gent & not wth poyson or such like pestiferous deuises
not mencioned in the arte of Chevalrie. Whosoever at daye
of battle weareth abowte him any venemous thinge (as the lawe
affirmeth) committeth a kinde of treason. Tullio saith that in
contendinge with an ennemie, a man ought to vse the nobilitie
of minde, & force of bodie & not by malicious meanes to prevaile
Isodoro writeth that victorie gotten thorough crafte is vile disho:
norable & ought not to be commended Stieronimo saith that
a Certeine skolemaster to the Children of Falentia ennemies
to the Romaines Empire, thorough fravde & cullour of his
aucthoritie brought the [?] infants to the pnce of the Romaine
Capteine, & in hope of great rewarde for his treason did offer
to deliuer them to his hande. To whome the noble & virtuous
Capteine gave this golden answere worthie to be registered in