appointed; if his Courage do not forſake him. When the Aſſembly is met, and the Combatants arrived, every body being ſilent and attentive to hear, what End the Combat will take; The Champion or Challenger begins, and when he has done the Challenged takes up the Cudgel and ſings next.the Challenger firſt enters the Liſts, and begins to ſing, accompanying it with the Beat of his Drum. The Challenged riſes alſo, and in Silence liſtens, until his Champion or Adverſary has done ſinging. Then he likewiſe enters the Liſts, armed with the ſame Weapons, and lays about his Party, the beſt he can. And thus they alternately ſing as long as their Stock of Ditties laſts. He that firſt gives over, is reckoned overcome and conquered. In this ſort of Taunting-Ditties they reproach and upbraid one another with their Failings. And this is their common Way of taking Vengeance.
There is not to be expected great Ingenuity, or Sallies and Points of Wit in their Poeſies, yet there is ſome Cadence and Number in their Verſes, and ſome kind of Rhime in them. For an Inſtance of whichI
