Dick caught it out of his hand , and broke across his knee as fine a driver as ever came from Robertson 's shop at St. Andrew 's . `` The quarrels of princes are not settled with clubs , sir ! Draw and defend yourself ! '' he said , kicking off his boots and standing in his socks on the grass . Think of the horror of poor Jaqueline , who witnessed this terrible scene of passion from a fold in Prince Ricardo 's dress ! What could the girl do to save the life of two princes , the hopes of one nation , and of a respectable minority in another ? In a moment Prince Charles 's rapier was shining in the sunlight , and he fell on guard in the most elegant attitude , his left hand gracefully raised and curved . Dick drew his sword , but , as suddenly , threw it down again . `` Hang it ! '' he exclaimed , `` I ca n't hit you with this ! This is the Sword of Sharpness ; it would cut through your steel and your neck at a touch . '' He paused , and thought . `` Let me beseech your Royal Highness , '' he said to the Duke of York , who was in a terrible taking , `` to lend your blade to a hand not less royal than your own . '' `` Give him it , Hal ! '' said Prince Charles , who was standing with the point of his sword on the ground , and the blade bent . `` He seems to believe in his own nonsense . '' The duke yielded his sword ; Dick took it , made a nourish , and rushed at Prince Charles . Now Ricardo had always neglected his fencing lessons . `` Where 's the good of it , '' he used to ask , `` all that stamping , and posture-making , and ha - haing ? The Sword of Sharpness is enough for me . ''
But now he could not , XXXXX honour , use the Sword of Sharpness ; so on he came , waving the rapier like a claymore , and made a slice at Prince Charles 's head .
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