The shouting is too much for his poor tortured throat, and he breaks into a coughing fit. Not to worry about the Time Cops -- they don't want his germs anymore than he does.

Just to be certain, just to be sure, he looses his rapier in its scabbard and draws it out about six centimeters. Suddenly the joint is filled with the most wonderful song, song that would make the zephyrs that ply the forests or the very angels in heaven envious --

I was layin' round town in a house of ill fame,
Laid up with a rough, tough hustlin' dame,
When a hop-headed pimp with his nose full of coke
Beat me outta that woman and left me stone broke....

And the realization bursts on everyone that this, THIS, is the famous Bawdy Ballad Blade, the Legendary Singing Steel of Lusty Lyrics, and they need have no fear of the Time Cops, none at all.