Was it not true?
Was not this fellow a truer servant of her Majesty than I, who for months had done naught but break her laws, assault her mayors, fire on her flag, and slay her soldiers?
Yet, how could I help it?
The fellow's gibe made me so miserable that instead of fetching him a sword, I gave him mine, and bade him do to me as I deserved.
He laughed.
"By my soul, no!" said he.

"If you be a servant of her Majesty, 'tis not for me to touch you.

If you be not, the sword belongs to you, and I call it no shame to die by it.

Yet, if you are minded to fetch me a weapon, I warrant you I shall not run away till you come again." So I went and fetched him a sword.

And we fought there a half-hour by the clock, till our breath failed us, and never a blow could we get home on one another.