being a bullying and swaggering custom, tending to bloodshed and
public disorder), commanded that on a particular day therein named,
certain grave citizens should repair to the city gates, and there,
in public, break all rapiers worn or carried by persons claiming
admission, that exceeded, though it were only by a quarter of an
inch, three standard feet in length.

Royal Proclamations usually take their course, let the public
wonder never so much. On the appointed day two citizens of high
repute took up their stations at each of the gates, attended by a
party of the city guard, the main body to enforce the Queen's will,
and take custody of all such rebels (if any) as might have the
temerity to dispute it: and a few to bear the standard measures
and instruments for reducing all unlawful sword-blades to the
prescribed dimensions. In pursuance of these arrangements, Master
Graham and another were posted at Lud Gate, on the hill before St.
Paul's.

A pretty numerous company were gathered together at this spot, for,
besides the officers in attendance to enforce the proclamation,
there was a motley crowd of lookers-on of various degrees, who
raised from time to time such shouts and cries as the circumstances
called forth. A spruce young courtier was the first who
approached: he unsheathed a weapon of burnished steel that shone
and glistened in the sun, and handed it with the newest air to the
officer, who, finding it exactly three feet long, returned it with
a bow. Thereupon the gallant raised his hat and crying, 'God save
the Queen!' passed on amidst the plaudits of the mob. Then came
another - a better courtier still - who wore a blade but two feet
long, whereat the people laughed, much to the disparagement of his