The closest ballad I can think of is Little Musgrave. While in some versions, it does appear that the Lord, who has caught his wife in the act of cheating on him, reacts 'in the heat of passion', in most versions he at least has somewhat of a dialogue with Musgrave about the choice of weapons and the concept of an honourable fight (or duel) is touched on: "Get up, get up," Lord Donald cried, "Get up as quick as you can; It'll never be said in fair England I slew a naked man." "I can't get up, I won't get up, I can't get up for my life, For you have two long beaten swords, And me, not a pocket knife." "It's true, I have two beaten swords - They cost me deep in the purse, But you will take the better of them And I will take the worse. And you will strike the very first blow And strike it like a man, I will strike the very next blow And kill you if I can." and so on. Moira
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