The Gamesters
Pre-1930 Wrestling
Some perhaps may object, that Wrestling is no use, but apt to make a Man more Contentious and Quarrelsome, and fit only to break Men's Bones; to which I answer, that you seldom find a Gamester indeed, but is superlatively passive, and will put up with what another shall call and resent as an affront; neither do find that a true Gamester does, or receives any Harm, but when highly provoked. Instead of a true Gamester being Contentious and Quarrelsome, he'll laugh at small Indignities, and as with the Mastiff Dog, rather than bite, lift up his Leg and only piss upon the little wafling yelping Curs in Contempt.
-Sir Thomas Parkyns. The Inn-Play or Cornish Hugg Wrestler. 1727
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