_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._
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.