_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;_