Chapter I: Part 1

THE _ROYAL PASTIME_ OF Cock-fighting,

OR

The Art of Breeding, Feeding, Fighting,
and Curing Cocks of the Game.

Published purely for the good, and benefit of all such
as take Delight in that Royal, and Warlike Sport.

To which is Prefixed,

A short Treatise, wherein Cocking is proved not only
Ancient and Honourable, but also Useful, and Profitable.

By _R. H._ a Lover of the Sport,
And a Friend to such as delight in Military Discipline.

_Quem recitas meus est, O Fidentine Libellus,
Sed male cum recitas incipit esse tuus_.

_LONDON_: Printed for _D. Brown_, at the Black Swan
without _Temple-bar_, and _T. Ballard_, at the
Rising-Sun in _Little-britain_. 1709.

To the Right Worshipful Sir _T. V._ Knight.

_Worthy Sir_,

I Presume I need not here insist upon the long acquaintance, and friendship that has passed betwixt us, to press you to the Patronage of this little BOOK, when there are so many other considerations that in a manner force it upon you, as having a certain right to it; _Cocking_ being not only to you a hereditary Divertisment, which for many Ages together has by your Valiant Ancestors been carefully handed down to their Posterity, with marks of the greatest love and Honour imaginable, as when your loyal Grand-father lay Bleeding and Dying on his Turfey Beed, was thus (like a good Subject) heard to say, _My King and a good Cock I ever loved, and like a good Cock in my dread Sovereign’s service I shall now expire._

Also your Prudent Father and both your Uncles from their Infancy were great admirers of the Noble _Science_ of Cocking.

And you your self in the Morning of your Days, took to the Royal Sport, and closely followed it for many Years: even till mighty _William_ call’d you forth to signalize your Vallor in the Bloody Irish Fields of _Athlone_, and _Cannough_, where you cut through the Squadrons of the affrighted French, and made the Howling _Teagues_ fly to the Boggs for shelter.

And after this, you in the very depth of Winter, crost those dangerous _Atlantic_ Seas, came home, and with your Friends and Tenants your good Neighbours, and old Acquaintance that flocked about you to your Mannor-house, where you a noble Christmas kept, the Rich you highly treated, and the Poor were daily at your Gates relieved: each Rank according to their Quality you kindly entertained; till Spring approaching, and the rude allarms of War once more required you to take up Arms and fit your self for _Flanders_.

A Fatal Pit to many a Gallant Cock, a Bloody Spot of Ireful Ground, on which the fierce _Bellona’s_ Shambles stands: Hither you early came prepared for Fight, and first at _Charleroy_ you dy’d your Sword in Gallic Blood, and with your Flaming Blade, cut your own way straight to _Gemblours_, from whence to _Charlemont_ you forced the _French_ to Fly.

And last of all before _Namure_; what mighty Vallour did you there display? a Limb you lost, yet limping still Fought on, and charged as unconcern’d as if you had had no Wound upon you, untill his Majesty was Pleased to give particuler orders to have you brought off, and sent to _Bredah_, where long you lay under the Surgeon’s Hands e’er you obtained a Cure: after which Winter coming on, the Camp broke up, and the Armies on both sides were sent to their Winter-quarters, and his Majesty King _William_ returned to the _Hague_ where you at last also arrived with Crutches, and there laid down your Arms, kiss’d the King’s Hand, and had a good Place at Court conferred upon you in the room of your Commission.

So that now you only wait at certain times, for which you are well rewarded, and have the Liberty of retiring to your Pleasant Country Seat, where now you spend most of your time amongst your Friends, and old Acquaintance, and reap the Comforts of a rural life, amidst two or three Loyal toping Souls, many good Cocks, and rich _October_ Liquor: with which you oft times guild the good old Doctor’s Nose, and raise the Pious Preachers Voice six Notes higher in the Afternoon, than in the Morning.

For though you daily take your Bottle, and Cock, as long as the Season lasts, yet you ne’er fail to attend the Man of God, when Sunday comes, early you to the Temple Ride, and there before the Alter offer up your Orizons with all the fervency immaginable, and in the Afternoon, when by the Sexton call’d, you bring the Priest back in your Coach well refreshed by a good Dinner, and a cheerful grace-cup after it, which enables him to perform Evening service briskly, and with a Laudable Voice pronounce a Blessing on you when the Vesper’s over.

Nor do your Tennants and poor Neighbours fail to pray for your long Life, and good success in Cocking, the only Sport you take delight in: And to speak Truth, you may really be said to be the only person of this present Age, that Practises _Cocking_ rightly, and follows it purely for the end it was at first intended.

And therefore it was truly that I thought there was no Person so fit as you, to be the Patron of this ensuing Treatise; wherein I have not only made common to the World the many and different ways of _Breeding_, _Feeding_, and _Fighting_ both of the great, or Game Cock (as we call them) and of the little Match-Cock also, with the several Diseases incident to them, and the most approved Medicines that are now made use of, both to prevent, and cure each Mallady, and that by the ablest Cock-masters at this Day in the known World.

I have also proved Cocking to be both Ancient and Honourable, and to the present Age (if rightly made use of) greatly profitable, and have plainly laid open the Malice and Ignorance of all such as endeavour to villify, and bespatter it, shewing the Weakness of their Arguments, and the true Motives that engage them to speak against Cocking.

And though some may think me too Copious in Etimologizing upon the right end, and use of this most Ancient and Honourable Exercise of Cocking, whilst others no less blame me for exposing to Plebeian view, those Misteries in Breeding, and Dieting, which commonly cost young Gamsters so dear, e’er they arrive at the true knowledge of.

But to pass by such as these, and give the World to understand that I have no other end in Publishing this ensuing Treatise, but meerly, and purely to promote the Noble and most Heroic Exercise of Cocking: And at the same time to acknowledge my self, most Worthy Sir, your Worship’s most Real, and most faithful Friend, and Fellow Cocker

_R. H._

THE PREFACE.

_How happy were those Sons of Men, who in times past were reputed Persons indued with that noble Gift_, aut facere scribenda, aut scribere legenda, _that is, either to do such things as deserved to be writ, or to write that which was worth the reading: Now that this ensuing Treatise is worth the reading, and practising too, notwithstanding the little Esteem and Value, that the present Age affords it, I shall endeavour to prove both from the great Antiquity, and Usefulness of this noble Sport of Cocking: A thing esteem’d so Sacred, and held in such high Veneration amongst the Antients, that, as_ Diodorus Siculus _testifies, the Fighting-Cock was reckon’d one of the principal Gods worshiped by the_ Syrians.

[Sidenote: Diodor. Sicul. _lib._ 1. 18. R. Da. non diffentit.]

[Sidenote: Athenæ. Diosco. _lib._ 4.]

_And_ Rabby David, _a learned Hebrew Doctor, interpreting the_ 2 _of_ Kings ch. 17. v. 30, 31. _where_ Nergal _is spoken, of which is (as he says) a Cock of the Field, a Champion Cock, a Cock for War, or a Fighting Cock, and by them there Worshiped as a God in_ Samaria. _Which at once denotes the high Esteem and Value, with the great Antiquity also, of these Warlike Birds. And_ Athenæus _and_ Dioscorides, _both of them acknowledge the Fighting-Cock to be one of the Deities which the antient_ Greeks _did greatly Adore. And that in their time there was an Altar found in a Vault far under Ground, whereon had been engraven’d a Cock, and inscribed thus_

DEO MOUNO.

[Sidenote: Macro. _lib._ 1. c. 31.]

_Which, as_ Macrobius _also affirms, signifies One, or Only; and this Attribute they gave to the Cock, because he was the greatest, and almost the only Deity they Ador’d, the rest being accounted but his Assistants, and Coadjutors._

_And_ Pliny _in the tenth Book of his Natural History, sufficiently sets forth at large, the high and mighty Value and Respect that the antient Romans bore towards Fighting-Cocks, says he there_:

[Sidenote: Plin. _chap._ 21.]

These Birds about our Houses are our Centinels by Night, Nature has Created them to awaken and call Men up to do their Work; they have also a Sence and Understanding of Glory: Moreover, they are Astronomers, and know the Course of the Stars, they divide the Day by their Crowing, from three Hours to three Hours; when the Sun goes to Rest, they go to Roost: And like Centinels, they keep the Relief of the Fourth Watch; in the Camp they call Men up to their careful Labour and Travel: They will not suffer the Sun to rise and steal upon us, but they give us warning of it: By their Crowing, they tell us the Day is coming, and they foretel their Crowing likewise, by clapping their Sides with their Wings. Ye shall see them to march Stately, carrying their Neck bolt upright, with a Comb on their Heads, like the Crest of a Soldiers Helmet; and there is not a Bird besides himself that so oft looketh aloft to the Sun and Sky; and hereupon it is that marching thus Proudly as they do, the very Lyons (which of all wild Beasts be most Couragious) stand in Fear and Awe of them, and will not abide the sight of them.

_So that hence may be inferred the great Use and Benefit that the Romans made of these vigilant Astronomical Monitors; Experience plainly taught them, what would be difficult to make some now-a-days to believe, Namely, that the Fighting-Cock is a Bird in himself both useful and profitable, as I shall prove more fully anon, to the silencing of all those whom Ignorance prompts to say any thing against it, for you know the abuse of a thing should not take away the right use of it; and if so, I don’t doubt but to clear the Point, against any one that shall oppose me herein; but before I leave this famous Philosopher, see here what_ Plinie _yet farther says of Fighting-Cocks_: —They are great Commanders, _says he_, and Rulers, and are made for War and Fighting; and the Countries from whence they first came, are grown into Name, being much renowned for their Breed, as namely, _Tenagra_ and _Rhodus_ in the first and highest Degree: in a second rank and place, be those of _Melos_ and _Chalcis_. And unto these Birds (for their Worth and Dignity) the Purple Robe at _Rome_, and all Magistrates of State disdain not to give Honour. These rule our great Rulers every Day: And there is not a mighty Lord or State of _Rome_, that dare open or shut the Door of his House, before he knows the good Pleasure of these Fowles: And that which is more, the Soveraign Magistrate in his Majestie of the Roman Empire, with the regal Ensigns of Rods and Axes, carried before him, neither sets he forward, nor reculeth back, without Direction from these Birds; they give order to whole Armies to Advance forth to Battle, and again command them to stay and keep within the Camp.

These were they (_says_ Plinie) that gave the Signal, and foretold the issue of all those Famous Foughten Fields, whereby we have Atchieved all our Victories throughout the whole World: In one Word, these Birds command those Great Commanders of all Nations upon the Earth.

Their Crowing out of Order too soon before their Hour, or too late, portendeth also, and presageth something remarkable, for well known it is, that by their Crowing at one time all Night long, they foresignified to the _Bœotians_, that noble Victory of theirs atchieved over the _Lacedemonians_. For this Interpretation, and Conjecture was given thereupon of a Fortunate Day (_says_ Plinie) because that Bird never Croweth if he be Beaten or Overcome.

And at _Pergamus_ every Year there is a solemn shew, exhibited openly to the People, of Cock-Fighting, as if Sword-Fencers were brought within the Lists to Fight at Outterance.

[Sidenote: Vid. Pur. Pil. cap. 16. pag. 329.]

_And_ Strabo, _in_ Purchases _Pilgrimage, extolling the Great and Royal exercise of Cocking, whence so many Benefits accrue to Mankind, if well observed, says also, that at_ Pergamus _there was yearly Spectacles of Cock-Fighting offered where the Princes, Nobles and Gentlemen both old and young were sure to be, for as much as from hence they gathered not only and barely Courage and Audacity: But also did see the great necessity of a firm unshaken Resolution, with Perseverance and Stability of mind, even to the last Minute: So that by the Example of these unparallel’d Birds, the People in those Days were extimulated and spurred on to Great and Generous Enterprizes._

[Sidenote: Vid. Melon. lib. 2. cap. 9.]

_Nor did the_ Roman Empire _shrink so long as Cocking was esteem’d in_ Rome. _And ’tis reported of that Subtle, and most Victorious Emperor_ Severus, _that when he was determin’d to Conquer_ (_if possible_) Great Britain, _that to draw off his two Sons_ Antonine _and_ Geta, _from the Bewitching Vanities of the Theatre, and to prepare them in Mind the better to bear the many difficulties and hardships, that they must of Necessity undergo in the Prosecution of so great and bloody an Enterprize, as the subduing even_ Thule _itself, which was then deemed the utmost Region of the_ North; _he commands the Sport of Cock-Fighting, to be exhibited Dayly before his Sons, and the principal Officers of his Army, and that not only to make them emulous of Glory through the Performance of great Atchievements, but also to be firm and unshaken in the midst of Dangers, nay in Death itself._

_And really were Cocking now-a-days exhibited to the People of this present Age wherein we live, by the supream Powers and Potentates of the World, for political ends. And certain Orators appointed at the same time to Comment thereupon, and in florid Speeches, Ductarious to War, and Marshal Exercises, and insinuating into the People the great magnanimous Temper and Disposition of these Heroic Birds, with variety of Inferences drawn from particular Passages and the great Essays that they discover to a judicious Eye, in their way and manner of Fighting. I Question not but Cocking would now produce as good Effects as then it did, and influence the_ British _Valour to greater Things, than ever_ Roman _Courage yet dared to Attempt._

_Some Instances of this Practice, the Ingenious_ Nocoli-di-Conti _has given in his History of_ Sumatra. _This Kingdom is not only one of the greatest, but is also the most esteemed of all the Eastern Islands, insomuch that the Indians call it_ Tenarisem, _or the delicious Land._

_And for the Inhabitants, if we may credit, not only_ Di-Conti, _but also Sir_ Ed. Michelborne _and Sir_ James Lancaster, _Men of Renown in Queen_ Elizabeth_’s Days, and Famed for their Valour and great Integrity; these Knights, both of them, averr the_ Sumatrans _to be a People truly Valiant and Magnanimous, and not only more Subtle and Politic, but also much more Just and Honest than any other of the_ Indians _whatsoever._

_None so much loved and courted, none so much by Enemies feared and dreaded, throughout all the_ East, _as_ Sumatrans: _where particular care is taken for the promotion of Cocking; for they annex stately Buildings to their Fanes and Temples, where they keep at public Charge, divers Fighting Cocks, which are brought forth, as the People come to Worship, and are fought in a spacious Court Eastward, on the Right-Hand of the Door of the House of their Gods: after which a certain Priest skilled in Cocking, and approved for his great Ability in Astronomy, and all natural Philosophy, having a voluble ready way of speaking, first takes up the conquering Cock, after the Battle is over, and presents him to their Deities, and then comes and takes up the slain Cock, and puts him into a Golden Cauldron, where he bathes his bloody Limbs in Sankereen; and then, with rich Gums and Spices, burns his Body upon an Altar made for that purpose; after which his Ashes are put carefully up in a Golden Pot, or Urn, there to remain for ever: And then the_ Brammen, _or Priest makes a long Speech to the People, shewing the Excellency of Cocking, and the great Use and Benefit of it to all such as know how rightly to apply it, and Expatiates much upon the present Combate, drawing divers Inferences from the various passages and Transactions made use of by the late Foughten Cocks, shewing also the great Magnanimity, Courage, Skill, and Constancy of these Warriours._

_And lastly, he applies it so Pertinently to all that are present, in Terms so fit and suitable, that it conduces greatly to their Edification, grounding in them a firm and stable temper of Mind, with an unshaken Valour, whereby they are now truly said to be a People Invincible; And verily I am of Opinion, that from hence at first came that Saying so common amongst us still_, viz. He is gone to Church to see a Cock-Fight: _And at this Day there are divers Places up in the_ East _where Cocking is accounted a thing Sacred, and in great Use amongst them, as_ Magellan _assures us._

[Sidenote: Isac. Pontac. _see_.]

_For, says he, both in_ Borneo, Calegan, _and_ Pulaoan, _Cocks for the Game are kept, and are of Sacred use amongst them, but eat not of their Flesh, that being forbidden by the_ Bramens, _or Priests._

* * * * *

[Sidenote: Vid. Sele. _in_ Golch.]

_That great Man, the highly Celebrated_ Selden _observes Cocking to be a thing of great Use, and much admir’d by rising Marshal Men, who with keen Swords cut out good Fortune to themselves, from the doubtful Loyns of Fate. And there is not a surer sign of a Nations or Peoples degenerating into effeminacy, and so consequently falling into Poverty and utter Ruin, than when they totally change the Warlike Exercise of Cocking for mimical Plays, silly Dancing, and such like Fopperies._ Rome _itself was a sad Instance of the Truth of this, when the proud_ Eagle _stripd off all her Gaudy Plumes, lay naked and expos’d to the Rage, and Fury of the depopulating_ Goths _and_ Vandals.

Gustavus Adolphus, _when he came to rescue the then King of_ Denmark, _out of the_ Tallons _of_ German _Power, told the distressed Prince, that he had now nothing to fear, since he was well assured that the Imperialists had given up the Gantlet, and had nothing left but a fringed Glove for their Guard, for instead of Cock-Fighting (says he) and Martial Exercise, they seem wholly to be devoted, and given up to Effeminate Dancing, and inervating Drunkenness, two Infallible Signs of a sinking People, as that Warlike King full well observed and after with his Sword made good what he then said, which wrought so upon the distressed_ Danes _at that time, that they have been Noted ever since to be very great Cockers._

_And Sir_ William Corly, _who for some Years together was Resident in the Danish Court, assures his Country-men that a right bred English Cock, was at that Day accounted a Bird of Impreciable value in the Court of_ Denmark, _and that not only the young Princes, but the then present King_ Christian _himself was a great Admirer of the royal Sport of Cocking, insomuch that they not only appoint set times (says he) but do also hang out costly Ensigns, and Rich Flags, whereon is portrayed both the place, and also the very Gesture of the Cocks, as they at_ Rome, _to which we find_ Horace _alludeth;_

—-—-— Velut si
Revera pugnent, feriant, vitentq; moventes
Arma viri. _Horat. lib. 2. Stat, 7._

_Their Cockings also are attended with variety of Martial Aires, and loud_ Bellonian Notes, _with preparatory Sounds of War, which first usher in the Cocks unarmed into the Pit, where both they and the Weapons with which they are to fight, are exposed to the view of all the Spectators that are present, after which they are taken up, and immediately heeled, and then set down to Fight._

[Sidenote: Vid. Virg Æn. 5.]

_For when a Cock of the Game is first brought into the Pit, to be shown, he only makes a Flourish, and takes a lofty turn, or two. But when he is heeled, and put in for the Battle, they then compose their Bodies according to the rules of Art, for the better warding of themselves, and the readier wounding of their Adversaries. And this the late King_ Christian _the First, of_ Denmark, _was pleased to take Notice of at public Cocking, where he professed that the Royal Sport, so sweetly Sung by the_ Mantuan _Swan, upon_ Ascanius _Son to_ Æneas, _who first brought it out of_ Troy, _was only an imitation of Cock-Fighting.—Thus the Poet._

Hunc morem, cursus, atq; hæc certamina primus
Ascanius, longam muris cum cingeret Albam,
Rotulit & priscos docuit celebrare Latinos.

See here, _says the King_, how the Cocks Advance now one against another, sometimes retiring, sometimes pursuing, sometimes in one Form, and sometimes in another, what variety of Strokes, what Diversity of Fight is here shown in this one Battle; were I to lead an Army against the Grand Infidel of _Constantinople_, I would chuse none but Cockers for my Commanders; nor should any common Soldiers be utterly Ignorant of this useful Exercise of Cocking.

_So great an Esteem had his Majesty the late King of_ Denmark _for Cocking. And that famed Hero, the young_ Swedeland _King, at the Head of a Handful of Men, cuts through the frozen_ Muscovites, _and makes the Haughty_ Czar, _amidst his mighty Numbers tremble, and beg for Peace, resolving never hereafter to draw his Cimiter against a professed Cocker, as his_ Swedeish _Majesty is notoriously known to be, and has been from his very Cradle almost._

_And the great Hector of_ Europe, _the most Christian King_, Lewis _the Fourteenth of_ France, _is said to complain of nothing so much as the want of Cocking in his Country, where the Climate is such, that a Cock of the Game cannot bear the serenity, or rather the over Sharpness of the Air, which penetrates the otherwise hardy Bodies of these Martial Birds, to such a degree, that in a few days time they become so dull, heavy, and heartless, that they have no mind to Fight, and quickly after fall into some incurable Disease, such as the_ Black-Sickness, _the_ Roop-evil, _and the like, of which they soon die._

_Yet in the hottest Climates in the World, in the most Burning Regions, such as_ Frying-pan Bay, _and also in the Frigid Zone, where everlasting Winter seems to dwell, are Cocks of the Game frequently known both to Live, Breed, and Fight, and that as well as in any of the most Mild and Temperate Climates of the World, where they are kept_, France _and one part of_ Spain _only excepted, which is a Wonder, and the natural cause a Secret as yet undiscover’d._

_In_ Holland _they are common, and Cocking is there greatly practised, and much encouraged by the States: And really it were to be wished that our own Nation were but as much inclined to countenance and encourage so innocent an Exercise as Cocking; and how great would the benefit be, if in nothing else, the good effects of it would soon be seen in this, that it would divert the English Gentry from effeminate Dancing, Whoring, and Drinking, which are three Evils grown now almost Epidimical._

_For want of Cudgel-playing, and Cocking, Men take to Drinking, and Dancing, and now wear Swords more for shew than Service: a Basket-hilt, with a Blade three Inches broad, such as our Valiant Ancestors had wont to wear, is now derided by the effeminate Fops of our Days, who chuse to hazzard their Lives and Fortunes in the fatal Arms of a diseased Mistress, rather than venture a push at single Rapier, or take a turn at Back-sword with a skilful Antagonist, where with their flaming Blades they might hew bright Honour from the Errors of their Adversary, and gild their memories with Applause in immortal Date._

_And verily a better expedient to rouse the drowsy Courage, and thaw the frozen Vallour of a People lull’d with soft Ease, and degenerated into base and servile Effeminacy, there cannot be found out than Cocking._

_Next to which Sword-play, and Wrestling are the most Laudable and Masculine Recreations, and after these Hunting, provided it be a Chace that has somewhat of Audacity in it, as the_ Lion, Bear, Wolf, or Boar, _all which are Bold and Noble Chases._

_But to run Whooting after a poor timmérous_ Hare, _or ride mading over Hedge and Ditch in pursuit of a_ Fox, _that perhaps has pinched two or three_ Geese, _or snap’d a_ Lamb _from some unwary Shepherd, and is therefore by_ Diana _doomed to Die and briskly followed by her rural Maids, dressed up each in her Cap and Feather, but for the Sons of_ Mars, _to be drawn forth after so feeble a Chase, is really a very mean, and but little better than a base ignoble Divertisment, that spends a Man’s Time, wasts his Treasure, and profits him nothing: whereas Cocking fits a Man either for Peace, or War, and creates both Courage, and Constancy, with Good-nature, and ingenuity all glued together, according to the Poet, where he says thus;_

————and some more Martial are,
But Cocking fits a Man for Peace, or War;
It makes Men bold and forward for the Field,
And learns them there rather to die than yield.
Cocking does also Constancy create,
And arms a Man to Wrestle with his Fate;
Be it more happy, or severe, his Mind,
Is still the same to a brave end Inclin’d.

_And_ Cleveland _in one of the sweetest Poems that ever was Pen’d, tells us_,

Heaven-born-boys that in Cocking delight,
Are ever true-hearted and constant in Fight.

_And verily in all my life, I never knew that Man yet that was a Perfidious Man, or a real Coward, and yet loved Cocking intirely, so dissonant is Cocking, and Cowardice, nay so inconsistent they are with each other, that it is Morally impossible for a Coward unfeignedly to love Cocking, and therefore some timerous Souls to avoid the odium of Cowardice, have feigned a liking to Cocking._

_And how any one can prove Cocking to be unlawful or wicked, I cannot imagine, seeing God Almighty has no where declared against it, neither has any Nation under Heaven ever made any Law against it, but divers have been made for it._

_If not for Combate, why was the Fighting-Cock created? why has he that extraordinary hardness and vallour peculiar to him alone given him? and for what other end was this Stout and Daring Champion made, if not to Fight? the common Dunghill Cock eats as well, and breeds as well, or better, and is as good about a house, and as useful in all other respects (Fighting only excepted;) so that if they were not made for that end, they had this excellency bestowed upon them in vain, and the Royal Bird that in valour so far excells all other penigerous Creatures must be but a useless thing at best._

_But ’tis plain Nature intended the Fighting-Cock to be a Bird of great use, and benefit to Mankind in several respects, as has already been sufficiently noted: for this Bird by his Fighting teaches Man Skill, and prompts him to be Stout and truely Valiant._

_And though perhaps some few that understand not the right use of Cocking, may follow it for ill ends._

_But what’s all this to the purpose? I would fain know, shall an innocent practice be forbidden to all, because some particular Persons make ill use of it? what think you, did that sober King do well, when he commanded all the Vines in his Dominions to be cut down, and by that means starved all his Subjects, because some few of his Slaves were Drunk?_

_But must Cocking therefore be laid aside, because some do abuse the greatest Blessings? no, by no means, but rather where we have one Pit now, let us have two for the time to come; and as we ought, let us improve this Exercise for the general good of Mankind, to which end it was undoubtedly intended._

_Thus I think I have fully proved this Sport to be very honourable, and of ancient standing, and a thing in itself both Useful and Profitable._

THE _ROYAL SPORT_ OF COCKING.

Amongst all the Pleasures and Delights this lower Sphere affords to Mortals here on Earth, there is nothing more taking with the Heroic, and truely generous Soul, than the Noble and most Princely Pastime of Cock-fighting, which really is in itself a Recreation becoming the greatest Potentate, and surely most suitable to all such whose natural Genius prompts them on to signalize their Valour in the Field of Honour, where like the Cock fitted for Battle, with their bright Arms they move their Fortune, and so raise themselves to the highest pitch of Glory.

So lively an Emblem of true Valour is the well bred-Cock, that he is not to be parall’d amongst the many Creatures which the Wise Creator of all things has been pleased to make Man the Lord and Master of.

_No Bird can with the well-bred Cock compare,
No Creature less than Man shall with him share;
The Honour bravely won by dint of Sword,
From fiercest Foes in open Field where Blood,
Flowing from dying Warriours fatal Wounds.
Breeds richest Rubies in_ Bellona _’s Grounds._

Observable it is, that the best and bravest Men have ever had a high Esteem and Value for the Fighting Cock, by reason of the Warlike Pleasure which he affords to Couragious Men, who joy in nothing more then to see him hew it out in Blood to the last drop: And though reduced to the lowest Ebb of Fortune, yet even then to struggle with Fate itself, upon the very brinks of Death, for Victory.

But having in the foregoing Preface fully treated of the great Antiquity, Innocency, and Excellency of the Fighting Cock, I shall now as briefly as I can, set down such necessary Rules, and Observations, as are most requisite to be understood by all that practise the Royal Sport of Cocking: and that I may prove the more successful in the ensuing discourse, I shall endeavour to observe such a Method as may be most agreeable to the end at which I aim.

Now my design herein, is not barely to illuminate the understanding of such, whose want of Experience in the Art of Cocking has made them mindless of the admirable Creature, and, possibly out of pure ignorance, to speak ill of they know not what, for _Nemo scientiæ Inimicus nisi ignorans_. Nor do we find any more apt to inveigh against Cocking, than those that least understand Cocks.

And therefore I have also here extracted such choice and rare Secrets from the best and greatest Cock Masters, both Ancient and Modern, as may serve to fortify, and improve the skill and knowledge of those Gamesters which are already arrived at, and come up to a considerable pitch of understanding in Cocking, insomuch that I am apt to think the most skilful Master will not grudge at the Mony laid out upon this Book, and if so? then surely the unexperienced will have no cause to complain, who hitherto for want of good Instructions in this Art has been deprived of the greatest delight, and the most solid Pleasure that this lower Sphere affords to Men of Valour.

_Of the Qualifications of a Game Cock._

Now for the Election of these Royal Warlike Birds, for that is the first step in Cocking, you must note that there are four things chiefly to be observed in your choice of Cocks, _viz. Courage, Close-heels, Shape, and Size_.

1. _Of the Courage of a Game Cock._

And first I shall begin with Courage, which is a thing so absolutely necessary in a Cock of the Game that without it he can be nothing worth; and therefore be sure in your Election of Cocks to secure to your self such as have good Blood in their Veins, that is, such as are really and truly hard, Cocks that will carry on a Battle to the very last, and utmost extremity, against all the disadvantages imaginable, and though cut down and choaked in their own Blood, yet even then will rise and strike, or peck at least, till they expire, and die: For truly I am of opinion that these Cocks that happen to be worsted in their Fight so far as to be disabled, and put past striking, and do then stand like stocks without pecking, or making any resistance whilst their Antagonist hews them down (though they die upon the spot) yet are they nothing worth, seeing they want the true Valour, and innate Courage, which does indeed peculiarly belong to the right bred Cock, who never fails to strike, or peck whilst he has either Blood or breath left in him.

But here methinks I meet with some green Gamesters that will tell you that they can with impunity pass by the Cowardice of a quick or close stricken Cock, and that I am too curious in exacting so much Courage from a Creature which is disabled, and put past the hopes of Victory in all probability; for their parts, all that they desire of a Cock is to cut betime, and to convert his heels _Argent_ into _Gules_, by which they oft get the field _Or_, and that is as much as they desire; but as for hewing it out to the last drop of Blood, and striking or pecking when they are past standing, is a piece of such Gallantry (display’d by a dying Animal) that they do not understand the bravery of, moreover they will perhaps farther tell ye, that the Author of the Compleat Gamester is altogether of another opinion.

But to silence such noises as these in a few Words, for no man that’s veterane in Cocking will be of this Opinion, seeing experience daily teaches us the contrary, and for that Gentleman that writ the Compleat Gamester, speaking of Cocks, does indeed give the preheminence to close heels, that is close striking, but when that’s done he requires true Courage, and absolute hardness in a Cock, without which he tells ye that he is not worth one Peny.

But however, I must needs tell you, that Author is no great Conjurer in the Art of Cocking, nor is he much to be regarded where he tells you that a sharp heeler that is soft, is to be preferred before a Cock that is hard but flat heeled, seeing both are to be rejected, in my Opinion he might as well have said nothing: but he had been yet more shallow, had he maintained or set forth, any thing that had but looked like the want of Courage in a Cock of the Game, for how many Hundred Guinys has there been won by Cocks cut and mangled Blind, Lame, and laid down for dead, when from their dying sprunts they have borrowed an unexpected blow, which has so far wrought upon their Adversary, as to give the seemingly vanquished Cock the Victory, and on the other hand, who has not seen divers deep heeling Cocks at a few blows cut thro’ more than three parts of the Battle, and then meeting with some slight Wound which has caused them basely to skut, and run away, loosing at once their Master’s Coin, and Credit too, and all for want of being hard, and true-bred at the bottom, wherefore I advise all such as are desirous to be compleat Cock-masters, in the first place to have respect unto the true Valour and hardness of a Cock.

2. _Of a good Heeler._

And Secondly, Sharp Heels claim your Care, and Regard, for should you have a Cock as hard as Steel, and one that will strike as many blows as there are Stars, or single Sands betwixt _Dover_ and _Calis_, yet if he fall too short, or strike too wide, and so fail to Point; what avails his vigorous Holds and many Stroaks, when there no Execution follows? such a Cock at first indeed may make a fair Show, and Fight a while with as much Grace, and seeming Gallantry, as if he Pointed true, and so fool the forward Better out of his Mony, who sees him act at present as if he scorned to be conquered by any thing but himself.

————_Vt nemo Ajacem possit superare nisi Ajax._

But alass a little time will shew how vain such a Cock’s endeavours are, and withall discover to the Judicious Eye, the mighty difference betwixt a right Heeler and a Cock that cannot Point: And therefore I say, that next unto Hardness, and Valour, you must have respect unto Close-heeling, that is true Pointing, not but there are many ways to help a Cock and make him Point well, that otherwise would do it but indifferently (as I shall hereafter shew) yet if he be not naturally a Sharpheeler, and Point tolerably true of himself, you can never confide in him as otherwise you might, neither is he worth your keeping in my opinion, wherefore ’tis my advice, that in your Election of Cocks, you be very curious in examining their Lineage; and if you find their Progenitors were dull heel’d, wide, or short stricken, by no means be prevailed upon to except of such a Breed, but on the other hand, if you find they are descended from sure Heelers, such as have ever been noted to Point true, and Point well in the Battles, then boldly venture upon such a Bird, and doubtless you will find the good effects of his generous nature, in the well discharging of his Battle, let him either Winn, or lose: And as your Credit is hereby secured, so (if a right Cock-master) you are content, and better pleased to see your Cock die hard, and be handsomely beat, rather than basely, or by meer chance, or the like to win his Battle.

For so sometimes I confess it falls out, and tho’ it be very rare, yet I have seen a false-bred, foul foughten Cock matched against a true Heeler, which has carried the Battle, broad Gold to grey Groats, till on a sudden by a meer chance, or as the vulgar Cocker terms it, by an unlucky Blow, the delicate Heeler has been Killed, and the worthless Warriour has won the Day, tho’ little to his own, or his Master’s Honour, for the Victory is wholly attributed to a meer Chance, and in such a case nothing of Praise can redound to the conquering Cock. So that you see if you have an ill-natur’d Bird that to a wonder winns a Battle against a good Cock (which really is a thing that rarely happens) yet you no Credit gain thereby, and therefore you had better commit such a Cock to the Pot, than to the Pit, and more Profit you will find in stewing him for the Table, than in stiving him for the Battle, when once you discover him to be a Bird defective in his Heeling.

[Sidenote: Vid. Bradbury _and_ Willis.]

But now notwithstanding this that I have said, yet is not every Flat-Heeler always to be rejected, for the most Eminent Cock-masters of our Days are of opinion that if a Cock come of a good Race, and has true blood in him, and is not only fresh and full Feather’d, but also Sound and well shaped, that such a Bird with a good Hen, will breed as good Chickens as need to strike betwixt a pair of Wings, notwithstanding that he himself hath not the knack of Pointing true in his Fight: wherefore he ought (tho’ not for the Pit) yet for breed sake to be preserved, and wholly set apart for Procreation; seeing his Progeny ever proves good, and fit for the Field of War, if the Strain be crossed in breeding.

[Sidenote: Vid. Aristotle.]

And who then (say they) would Pot so fine a Bird, whose Sire was a rare Heeler, and perhaps a Brother or two of the same hatch, were as good as ever struck, and for a need they’ll undertake to find you Forty Cockers that shall swear it down upon any Pit in _Europe_, that what the great _Stagerite_ maintained concerning Men, holds good in Fighting-Cocks also, for (say they) you shall seldom observe a Chicken take after his Sire, when as nothing is more common than to see them in all respects imitate an Uncle, a Grandsire or some such near Relation.

Now I confess this is a point of Philosophy which some of our greatest Cock-masters maintain to that degree, that ’tis hard to argue them out of it: And therefore that I may not appear absolutely repugnant to them herein, I shall only say this (and leave them to enjoy their opinion) that if a Flat Heeling Cock that is well descended, and come of a good race (according to the Maxim they maintain) ought to be prised, and set apart for breeding; I am sure it ought to pass currant and unquestioned, as an Axiom in Cocking beyond dispute, that a Bird that is right bred, and in himself a true Heeler also, is best and safest, if not the only Bird to breed on; for I must allow room it seems for the Flat Heeler (if he be well descended) but when that’s done, the best Pointer is the best to breed of, in my opinion.

3. _Of the Shape of a Game Cock._

Now having furnished your self with a breed that is stout and sure stricken; see then to the Shape, and know that here you ought to be very nice and circumspect, strictly examining every Part, and if by the severest scrutiny you find your Cock to be foul Grown, or disproportioned, reject him as a Bird unhandsome to look on, uneasy to Match, unwealdy in his Fight, oft times unfortunate in his Battle, and for these reasons ever unfit for breed, and consequently unworthy of your care, or least regard, notwithstanding the Stock be never so good from whence he is derived.

And therefore I shall here delineate and set forth to you the true Shapes pertaining to a compleat Cock in all respects, whereby you may be able with all the ease and facility imaginable, to discover the defects and imperfections of these Birds, and give a right definition of a Cock exactly Shaped, when need requires it.

And first I shall begin with the Head, which must be adorned with a lofty tow’ring Frontlet, or Comb, smoothly cut into the exact Shape of a Half Moon, so that rising in the Middle, it serves both for a Guard, and an Ornament to the Royal Bird; his Beak, or Bill, ought to be crooked, strong, and firm, of a middle size, and well jointed in his Head, with large Nostrils therein: his Eyes should imitate the Sparrow-Hawks, appearing quick, clear, and large; his Head ought to be round, smooth and small; his Neck short, strong, and well cemented, with a full set of Feathers for his Mane, that are strong and glittering Plumes, the better to set off his Crest, which ought to rise a little in the middle: his Back strong, crook’d, and big at the setting on: his Breast broad and large; his Body in all respects strongly made, round, close and well built, penipotent, fresh, and full Feather’d; his Legs strong, clear, and impennous, and if a little crooked ’tis so much the better, for that always denotes a deadly Heeler; his Feet with a Frog flat, and small therein; his Claws almost straight, strong and sharp: and for his Spurs (so he have any) it matters not what they be, seeing they are now of no use, save only to set to the Weapons with which they Fight in pitched Battles. And as for the Colour of your Cock, that is the best which you fancy most, be it Black or White, Red or Dun, Grey or Piled, or any other Colour whatever: For though Captain _Markham_ makes a great difference in the Colour of Cocks, preferring the Grey before the White or Dun, yet is there nothing in it, for the World affords no better Birds for the Game than many of your Duns, and Whites prove, both for Hardness and good Heeling, as we daily see and experience.

_The Scarlet colour’d Cock my Lord likes best,
And next to him, the Grey with Tresle-breast,
This Knight is for the Pile, or else the Black:
A third cries no Cock like Dun Yellow-back:
The Milk-white Cock with Golden Legs and Bill,
Or else the Cuckoo, chuse you which you will:
Don Magnus _swears (of all) these are the best,
They heel (says he) more sure than all the rest:
But this is all meer fancy and no more,
The Colour’s nothing, as I said before._

And therefore without taking any notice of the Colour, I shall only hold you close, to the afore-mentioned shape as being the all, and only parts necessary to make up a compleat Cock.

4. _Of the right Size of a Game Cock._

Lastly, having obtained a Cock that is hard, Sharp-Heel’d, and handsome shaped, it remains then that you pitch upon a fit Size for your purpose, for otherwise you will still be at a loss: Now tho’ there be almost as many different Sizes, as there are several Cocks, yet are these Birds commonly reduced into two sorts only, and distinguished by these two general terms, that is to say, the great Game Cock, or Shake-bag, and the little Match, or Battle-Cock.

First then of the Giant, or Herculean Cock called a Shake-bag by the _English_, and _Dutch_, but by the _Indians_ they are called _Mag Chantille Champone_, and by the _Scotch_, who much esteem these gude Birds, _Mag-Gal-And_, as _Baden_ assures us; (says he) the word _Mag_ signifies Great, or Mighty, both to the _Scotch_, and the _Indians_, and is derived from the Latin Word _Magnus_, and by _Gal_ may be understood _Gallus_ the Cock, and for the Word _And_, the Patron of their Country St. _Andrew_ is meant, who was (as he tells you) not only a great and a gude Man, but also a mighty admirer of these Royal Birds, wherefore they call them _Mag-Gal-And_, that is, Mighty Cocks of St. _Andrew_, or, St. _Andrew’s_ great Cocks: Birds Powerful in Battle, _&c._ And the _Indians_ from _Chanticleer_, draw the Word _Chantile_, and from _Champion_ take the Word _Champone_, so that whereas they call them _Mag-Cantille-Champone_, they might more properly and with more Conciseness call them only great, or Champion Cocks, which is all that is comprehended in their long jingle of Words.

[Sidenote: Why great Cocks are called _Shake-bags_.]

And Dr. _Wilde_ gives this Reason, why these sort of Cocks are called _Shake-bags_; here in _England_ (says he) they are so termed from a Scottish Custom that the Drunken _Dutchmen_ have who are great admirers of large Cocks, because they may be Fought at a venture, without the trouble of Matching, and their way is (as he tells ye) to steep their own Brains in Brandy, till they are not only past judging of a Cock’s Size, but also past handling of him too, wherefore they neither see the Cock they are to Fight with before hand, nor lay a hand upon their own, after he is brought into the Pit, but take the Bag by the bottom, and shake the Cock out at the Mouth upon the Pit, and so let him go against his adversary, from which Custom they are called _Shake-bags_ here in _England_.

[Sidenote: The Shake-bag Cock able to fight any thing.]

But this Etimology perhaps may appear impertinent to some who have not so great a regard to Cocks of the Game, as they deserve, but for the more ingenious sort of Men, such I mean as are true lovers of Cocking, I know will think nothing too much that tends to the promotion of these Warlike Birds. And if so? seeing then the _Shake-bag_ is a Cock judged able to fight with any thing, and has this Excellency attending him above the little Match-Cock, that you are never put to the trouble of matching, which oft proves both difficult and dangerous too, unless you are very skilful in handling: Also the great Game Cock is the more profitable Bird in that he carries away the Prizes given by Public Houses for their Custom, which serves not only to defray the Charge of Dieting of them, but also pays for their Walk the Year following; And therefore it is, that these _Shake-bags_, or great Game Cocks are by some Men much preferred before the small battle Cock, or little match Cock, call him which you will, and those think themselves the most happy (for the most part) that can gain a Bird of the largest Size, but in this they greatly err, who aim so much at Magnitude, for of _Shake-bags_ the largest rarely proves the best, and a wonderful great Cock, seldom proves a Winning Cock; for they generally strike over, and seldom, or never come to Point until they are so weakened with their Wounds, that they can do no good, wherefore I advise them, who ever they be, that delights in Shake-bags, to make choice of a cock that is neither above Eight, nor yet under Six Pounds weight, when first he is brought up from his Walk and put to Feed (for afterwards he will weigh lighter if rightly managed) and with such a Bird, if right bred and well Shaped, you may boldly venture to Fight the biggest Cock that ever trod upon a Turf; for ’tis two to one upon the lesser Cock’s side, because he not only lies under the great Cock, by which means he is secured from almost all his blows, which for the most part are stricken quite over, but he also has the advantage of under holds, and having Strength withall to strike Home, and Close, he seldom fails to win, nor is there any thing more common than to see the unwieldy Lubbers over wrestled, and by far less Cocks cut down and conquered, wherefore in my opinion, the Cock that weighs nine or ten Pounds, or more, and measures six or eight and Thirty, or perhaps nigh Forty Inches long, is by no means a fit Bird to Fight, for a well turned Cock of six Pound weight, shall with ease overcome such a useless Rumbo.

[Sidenote: Match not to be allowed in little Cocks.]

But by the way, you must note, that this Rule in lesser Cocks is not observeable, for altho’ a Cock of six or seven Pound weight, have Strength and ability sufficient to conquer a Cock of nine or ten Pound, yet it is almost impossible for a Cock that weighs but three Pound, to beat a Bird that weighs five or more, for, observe it, and you will find, that from a Cock of seven or eight Pound weight, down to the smallest match, or battle Cock that you can meet with, and he will with all the ease imaginable (when need requires it) bend himself in his Fight, and proportion his blows suitable to the size of the Cock with whom he contends, so that in short he takes him in the rising, and commonly Rucks him at the first coming in: And if meer chance prevent it not, a hold or two, serves to lay the little Cock dead upon the spot.

But to speak no more of the Shake-bag, for truly notwithstanding all that has been spoken in his commendation, yet is the little Battle Cock much to be preferred before him, and that amongst others, for these Reasons.

[Sidenote: Why little Cocks are better than great ones.]

First he is easily reared, and far cheaper kept all along afterwards, for the little Cock requires no more nor better maintainance than the common Dunghill Cock, whereas the great Game Cock must be choicely nursed and plentifully fed all his Life long, he knows not how to Labour nor will he ever learn to get his living, your hand must still sustain him or he comes to nothing, want quickly brings upon him the _Black-Sickness_, and the lazy lubber dies.