A Fair Quarrel

Fair Quarrel, A,
a comedy by J. Middleton and W. Rowley , published 1617 .

Captain Ager receives from a fellow officer an insult which reflects on his mother's virtue. A duel is arranged, but Ager is too conscientious to fight unless he is satisfied that his cause is a just one. He tells his mother of the accusation, which she at first indignantly denies, but presently, in order to prevent the duel, admits to be true. Ager then declines to fight, and is branded by his adversary as a coward. Having now what he considers an adequate reason, he fights and defeats his enemy. They are reconciled and all ends well.