Chap. I.
Treateth of things that must be known before we proceede to the subject it selfe.

1. First of all we are to know that the Rapier is divided into two parts, namely into the Prime and the Secunde.

2. The Prime is measured from the Hilt to the midst of the Rapier, and being the strongest part, is consequently to be made onely use of in putting by thrusts or blowes.

3. The Secunde is taken from the midst of the Rapier to the point, and being the weakest of the Rapier is therefore onely to be used in offending or making of thrusts.

4. As for the posture or the carriage of the body and for making of thy thrusts at thine adversary, observe with mee these rules following.

5. Thy Rapier thou must hold with a bended arme, so that the point of thy Rapier bee lineally answerable to thine elbow.

6. Thy left hand thou art to hold over thy left eye to put by a suddain thrust withal which by chance at eyther of thine eyes might be directed.

7. Thou art only to shew thy right side, yet if thou dost consider with thy selfe, then wilt thou find it only advantagious to thee when thou standest upon thy defence, for it will be something hard for thine adversary to hit thee I must needs confesse, but if thou meanest to offend thine adversary it is a small advantage or none at all, for first of all, thy thrust thou canst not make with such a force when thou standest altogether with a halfe body, as when thou shewest something of thy breast, and then besides, when thou makest a thrust at thine adversary stepping forwards with thy right leg towards him thou commest to stand with a halfe body, and then if hee did ayme at that part of thy breast which thou didst shew he will misse it, if thou dost but thrust at the selfe same instant his thrust approacheth, therefore every discreete Teacher and judicious Master ought to leave that free to his Schollers, being that it is a thing of no great moment.

8. Thy left legge must be something bended, and thy right legge too, but not altogether so much as thy left legge, upon which all the weight of thy body must lie.

9. Thy feete they must be placed not very farre from one another, that thou mayst make a long thrust upon any occasion, and they must bee placed like a great Roman L upwards, or an L turned backword, just as in dauncing, that thou mayst have the greater strength in thy left thigh to recall thy body suddenly when thou hast performed thy thrust.

10. When thou wilt make a thrust, then reach out thy right arme, and step forward with thy right foot and let them both goe together at one and the selfe same time and when thou steppest forward with thy right foote, but doe not stirre thy left foote; the weight of thy body must wholly lye upon thy right thigh, as soone as thou hast performed thy thrust, instantly recall thy body againe, so that the weight of thy body come to rest upon they left thigh againe (as it did before thou made thy thrust) not recalling thy right legge, with which thou didst formerly step forwards, but, in the meane while thou bindest him after thy thrust remove by little and little thy left legge towards thy right legge, for thus doing thou canst thrust home at thine adversary againe as soone as thou hast occasion.

11. Thy thrust thou must make close to thine adversaries Rapier, as if thou wouldest strike fire out of his weapon, which if thou dost not doe, you will both be hurt if neither of you have skill; if one of you have but skill, and knoweth to observe this then hee onely will bee endangered that doth not thrust close to his adversaries Rapier.

12. Yet this is not all, but thou must like wise thust close to the Secunde or weakest part of his Rapier, with thy Prime or strongest part of thy Rapier, for if thou canst doe that, he cannot put thee by.

13. When thou dost thrust at thine adversary without, over his right arme, thou must do it with a Secunde . When thou makest a thrust at thine adversary within, thou art to doe it with a Quarte.

14. Ever when thou hast made a thrust at thine adversary, stringere him on the same side thou didest thrust, in the recalling of thy body, not removing thy point from his; for else he may wound thee too upon thy comming off.

Chap. II.
The forreigne termes of Art, that doe occurre in this Treatise, are unfolded

1. Stringering is the touching of thine adversaries point with thy point, which thou art to doe upon any occasion, that thou mayst secure thy selfe on eyther side from a thrust, which commonly is termed binding.

2. To Cavere , is to turne thy point under thine adversaries Rapier on the other side, when thou art bound, or he doth thrust at thee.

3. Tempo is, that thou takest heed never to make a thrust or blow at thine adversaie, without thou hast a faire opportunity to hit, or requisite measure, that he be within thy reach.

4. Mensure is the distance betwixt thee and thine adversary, whereof thou art to judge (if thou canst reach him or no) before thou thrustest, that thou mayst not offend in vaine.

5. To Parere, is to decline, to put by, and to turne off a thrust or blow.

6. Finda is called in the Italian tongue a deceit or cousnage, and metaphorically brought into fencing, when I doe as if I would thrust into one part of thy body and seeing that thou dost catch after my thrust to put me by, I then recalling my point doe thrust somewhere else, at which place I in the beginning did not ayme, before thou strovest to put me by.

7. To Passere is when thou doest thrust at thine adversary without or within towards his brest, and hee doth put by the thrust upwards, and thou in the meane while hee lifteth up his arme, bowest thy body, and letting thy point sinke downe into a Secunde under his right arme doe passe behind him.

8. To thrust Contratempo , is to thrust the selfe same time thine adversary do thrust.

9. To Battere , is to beat or knocke eyther with the Rapier or foote.

10. To Voltere is, when thine adversary doth thrust at thee, and thou first parering his thrust, doest just upon the approaching of his thrust turne thy body round about towards thy left side out upon thy right leg, so that thy back commeth towards thine adversary, and thy left legge betweene thy right, and thine adversaries right legge, and thrusteth him with a Quarte at his right breast: But this is a trick altogether full of danger, unlesse it be used to avoyd the Passade withall.

Chap. III.
Concerning the Guards

1. There are but foure guards according to the foure wayes thou canst turne thy hand, viz. Prime, Secunde, Tertz, and Quarte.

2. The Prime is when thou houldest thy Rapier in such a manner that the outside side of thy hand doth looke towards thy left side out, and the inside of thy hand looke towards thy right side out. This is subdivided into a straight Prime , when thy point looketh straight forwards, and into a hanging Prime , when thy point doth looke towards the ground.

3. The Secunde is, when thou holdest thy Rapier in such a sort that the outside of thy hand looketh upwards, and the inside of thy hand towards the ground. This is likewise subdivided into a straight Secunde when thy point looketh straight forwards; into a handing Secunde , when thy point looketh downewards towards the ground, and finally into the middle Secunde, when thou holdest thy Rapier with a Secunde and a bowed arme, so that the point of thy Rapier looks sheere out towards thy left side.

3. The Tertz is when thou dost holde thy Rapier in such fashion that the outside of thy hand looks towards thy right side out, and the inside of thy hand towards thy left side out.

This again is subdivided into the High Tertz when thou holdest thy point upwards yet with bended arme, so that thy hilt equallize thy Right breast in height; into a middle Tertz , when thou holdest thy weapon with a bent arme that the point lookes straight out forwards, so that the Hilt in height equalize thy waste: And lastly into a lowTertz , when thou holdest thy weapon with a straight arme downewards, so that thy Hilt bee equall to thy knee in height, or a little below.

4. The Quarte is when thou holdest thy Rapier in such a manner with a bended arme, that the outside of thy hand looke downe towards the ground, but the inside upwards. This is likewise subdivided into a straight Quarte when thy point lookes forwards, and into a hanging Quarte when thou holdest thy Rapier with a Quarte and let the point sinke downe.

Chap. IV.
How to make use of all the foure guards, and upon what occasion each of them may bee used, as being different from one another

1. The Prima is only to be thrusted at the outside of thine adversaries Rapier over his right arme, and is never to be used within, and is the weakest of all the guards.

An example how thou shalt use the Prime

2. If thine adversary lie open within, then stringere him within as soone as he maketh a thrust at thee without, and turneth his point under thy Rapier, instantly thrust at him with a Tertz over his right arme close to the weake of his Rapier, if then hee doth strive to put by thy thrust towards his right side, then turning thy Tertz into Prime thrust at his right breast.

3. The Secunde is used without over the right arme in a long thrust, and in a Passade , then likewise under the arme in a Passade without, and againe within in a long thrust and in a Passade.

4. If thine adversary bee open within then stringere him within, as soone as hee maketh a thrust at thee without, over the Prime on the strongest part of thy Rapier, then put it by with a Quarte towards thy right side out, and at the same instant thou dost put by, change the Quarte into a Secunde and thrust over his right arme at his right breast, or Passere.

How to Passere with the Secunde without

5. If thine adversary lie open without, then thrust him over his right arme without, if he then should parere thy thrust upwards, then while he is parering upwards, bow thy body and let the point sinke downe into a Secunde under his right arme, and Passere him, but passing behind him clap thy left hand upon his Hilt, for feare he should knocke thee passing, with the Hilt.

How to use the Secunde within

6. If thine adversary lye open within, then thrust him within with a Quarte as soone as hee doth put by thy trust towards his left side out, yet so that the point of his Rapier looketh towards thy body, then change thy Quarte into a Secunde close to his Rapier, and make a long thrust at his right breast: But if hee doth parere towards his left side, that the point of his Rapier likewise doth looke towards his left side out, then change likewise thy Quarte into a Secunde and Passere him: And if hee doth parere thy thrust upwards let thy point sinke in under his arme within and doe the same.

7. The Tertz is only used without, over the arme, never in the making of a Passada.

An example how to use the Tertz without

9. If thine adversary lye open within, then stringere him within, as soone as hee makes a thrust at thee without, then thrust him over the Secunde or weakest part of his Rapier with a Tertz , and with thy Hilt goe low.

8. The Quarte is for the most part used at the inside of the Rapier, yet sometimes without over the right arme, and then the Quarte is called Riversa , as having changed her nature and propertie, because shee onely ought to be used within.

An example how to use the Quarte within

10. If thine adversary lie open without, then Stringere him without, as soone as he doth make a thrust at thee within, then thrust with the Quarte close to the Secunde or the weakest part of his Rapier betweene his right arme and his right breast, and when thou hast performed thy thrust, then presently stringere within.

11. Another manner

Let thine adversarie stringere thee without, then make a finde at him within, as soon as he doth catch after thy finde towards his left side out, then let thy point sinke downe under his right arme, and thrust him with a Quarte under his right arme at his right side.

12. An example how to use the Quarte without

If thine adversary be open without, thrust him with a Secunde or Tertz over his right arme, close to the Secunde or weakest part of his Rapier, if hee then doth put by thy thrust with a Quarte towards his right side out, then at an instant turne thy Secunde or Tertz into a Quarte , and thrust home at his right breast, or Voltere if thou please: And if thou wilt thou mayst clappe thy left hand upon his Rapier within, when thou dost touch him with thy Quarte , not catching hold of it, but onely turne his blade away towards the left side, and thou wilt easily turn his weapon out of his hand.

Chap. V.
Treateth how to stringere right, and of other things that are to be observed here in stringering.

1. When thou art to play with thine adversary, and dost intend to offend him, thou must eyther assault him with stringering, or with a contra-posture (whereof wee will heare in the ninth Chapter following) besides these two wayes there is none other. Yet stringering is the chiefest, which if thou wilt use, it behooveth thee to be very wary that thou mayst not incurre any hazard; marke therefore these following Rules.

2. On what side thine adversarie lieth open there thou art to stringere him, not lying too hard upon his Rapier, because he may let his point suddenly sinke downe, and then thou following his point downewards dost open thy body too much, that hee may easily turne over his point, and thrust thee without over thy right arme, or within, before thou canst recover thy weapon.

3. If thine adversary lie open without, thou must stringere him without, if hee lie open within, thou must stringere him within.

3. Towards that side where thou wilt stringere him, thou must steppe: And if thou meanest to stringere him without, then step with thy right legge towards thy right side, and let thy point looke towards thy right side over his Rapier: If thou makest account to stringere thine adversary within, then thou must step with thy left legge towards thy left side, and let the point of thy Rapier looke over his point towards thy left side out.

4. If he holdeth his weapon so that hee is open on both sides, it is all one, on which side thou dost stringere him.

If thine adversary will not suffer himself to be stringer’d , what thou art to do

5. If thine adversary shakes the point of his Rapier from one side to another, because thou shalt not stringere him, make a halfe thrust at him as it were a Finda or falsifying, thus thou doest force him to come to thy Rapier and put by thy thrust; when he now hath parered thy thrust and is come to thy Rapier, then cavere instantly to the other side of his Rapier where he is open, and stringere him; when thou hast attained to thy purpose, then follow his Rapier close, according to the 13. Chapter following.

How to avoid thine adversary’s stringering

6. If thine adversary doth meane to stringere thee eyther without or within, then before he doth touch thy Rapier, lift the point of thy Rapier over his, and thrust him either with a Quarte if he doth prosecute thy Rapier without, or without over his arm with a Secunde, if he doth prosecute thy Rapier within.

As for Example

7. If thine adversary doth make account to stringere thee without, then lift the point of thy Rapier towards thy right side over his point, and thrust him with a Quarte at the inside of thy Rapier close to the Secunde or weakest part of his weapon.

8. If he make a count to stringere thee within, then before he doth touch thy point with his weapon, lift the point of thy Rapier over his point towards thy left side, and thrust him at the outside of his Rapier with a Secunde at his right breast.

9. Thou canst likewise avoid stringering with Cavering; namely, when thine adversary will stringere thee without, then before he doth touch thy point, cavere or turne thy point from thy left side towards thy right side under his Rapier, and thrust him with a Quarte within at his right breast close to his Secunde or weakest part of his Rapier.

10. When he will stringere thee within, then turne the point of thy Rapier from thy right side towards thy left side under his Rapier, before he doth touch thy point, and thrust with a Secunde at the outside of his weapon at his right breast.

11. Else canst thou avoid stringering likewise with making of Finda’s, namely, when he will stringere thee without, then before hee doth touch thy Rapier, make a Finda at him within, as if thou didst meane to thrust at him within with a Quarte , as soone as he doth catch after thy thrust towards his left side with his Rapier, then recalling thy point thrust him at the outside of his Rapier over his right arme with a Secunde, at his right breast.

12. When he will stringere thee within, then before hee doth touch thy Rapier within, make a Finda at him without, as if thou didst intend to thrust over his right arme; as soone as he doth catch after that, thrust towards his right side, then turne thy point under his Rapier, and thrust him at the inside of his weapon with a Quarte at his right breast.

How thou shalt make thy selfe loose again when thou art stringered

13. If thine adversary hath stringered thee without, then let the point of thy Rapier by degrees sinke downewards, if he then doth follow thy point with his point, Cavere instantly from thy left side towards thy right side under his Rapier, and battiering him first at the inside of his Rapier, thrust with a Quarte at his right breast at the inside of his Rapier.

14. Or when he followeth th Rapier without, when thou dost let thy point sinke, then lift the point of thy Rapier from thy left side towards thy right side, over the point of his Rapier, and thrust him with a Quarte at the inside of his Rapier at his right breast.

15. But if hee will not follow thy Rapier downwards when thou lettest thy point sinke, but makes a thrust at thee, then thrust Secunde Contra-tempo , or at the comming of his thrust at one and the selfesame time, at the outside of his Rapier at his right breast, or else Quarte contra-tempo at the inside of his weapon at his right breast.

16. If thine adversary hath stringered thee without, then cavere from thy left side towards thy right side under his Rapier, but slowly, and cavering turne thy hand into a Secunde , then thou art open within yet loose from his Rapier, if he then maketh a thrust at thee within, then battiering him first at the inside of his Rapier, thrust him a Quarte within at his right breast.

17. But if he doth follow thy Rapier within towards his left side out, then cavere from thy right side towards thy left side under his Rapier, and thrust him with a Secunde without over his right arme, at his right breast.

18. Or when he doth follow thy point towards his left side with the point of his Rapier, so that thou art not in danger of his point, then let thy point sinke downe under his Rapier, and stepping in Passere him with a Secunde at the inside of his weapon.

19. If thine adversary hath stringered thee without, then retire, stepping only backward with thy left legge, in so much that the weight of thy body come wholly to lie upon thy left thigh, and when thou steppest backe with thy left legge, draw thine arme to thee in a Secunde bowed, that the point of thy Rapier look quite out towards thy left side, as soone as hee commeth to stringere thee againe, then cavere from thy left side towards thy right side under his Rapier, and thrust him with a Quarte within at his right breast.

Or when thou hast thus retired, and he commeth to stringere thee againe without, then thrust him over the Secunde or weakest part of his Rapier, with thy Prime or strongest part of thy weapon at the outside of his weapon, over his right arme at his right breast.

Chap. VI.
Treateth how and upon what occasion thou art to Cavere

Cavere tooke its beginning from a Cock fight; for Camillo Agrippa , a reverend M^r of defense at Rome fifty yeares ago (who was the inventor of the Dagger) seeing two Cockes combat together, and observing, how when one of the Cocks leaped up to strike the other with his claw, the other seeing him come leaping at him went quite under him on the other side, conceived that he might make use of this in his Art, and comming home made tryall of it, and found it a very usefull and remarkeable observation.

1. Cavereing is therefore onely to be made use of, when thine adversary doth thrust at thee over the Secunde or weakest part of thy Rapier, because thou canst not parere his thrust, thy point being unable to resist.

2. And if thine adversary doth thrust thee on eyther side of thy Rapier, over the Prime near thy Hilt, then thou art to Parere and put by his thrust, for if thou dost Cavere then, thou wilt surely bee wounded, because before thou canst end thy Cavereing , his point will be upon thy breast, by reason of the Circular motion of thy Cavereing which is slow, his thrust being both swift and streight: yet here is a remedy for it, namely if thine adversary maketh a thrust at thee over the Prime or the strongest part of thy Rapier (viz . neare thy Hilt) and thou wilt cavere, then just when thou dost cavere , stepping back with thy left legge, so that the weight of thy body come wholly to rest upon thy left thigh, break him the Mensure , that is, come out of his reach. Examples how to use Cavereing I will specify in the following Chapter.

Chap. VII.
Treateth of divers wayes, how thou shall put by all sorts of thrusts that are made at thee, at the outside of thy Rapier

1. If thine adversary bee open within, then stringere him within, thus doing thou wilt compell him to make a thrust at thee without over thy right arme, as soone as hee thrusteth at thee over thy right arme, and it bee over the Prime or strongest part of thy Rapier neare thy hilt, then parere his thrust towards thy right side with a Quarte not stirring thine arme but only turning the wrest, so that the point of thy Rapier look towards thy right side out, having parered and turned off his thrust, speedily change thy Quarte into a Secunde , and make a long thrust at the outside of his Rapier at his right breast.

2. Or stringere thine adversary with a Tertz at the inside of his Rapier as soone as his thrust approacheth towards thy right breast over thy right arme, and over the Prime or strongest part of thy Rapier, then not turning thy Tertz into a Quarte as before, but onely with a stayed arme turne thy point in a Tertz towards thy right side, so that thy Rapier doth slide along his blade towards his point, at the outside of his Rapier; when thou hast parered his thrust with thy Tertz, then change thy Tertz into a Secunde, and thrust at his right breast over his right arme.

3. Hold thy Rapier with a Tertz , so that the point of thy Rapier stands upwards a little, and let thy right arme bee something bended that thou be open without over thy right arme, then only stretch thy bended arme, and his thrust will bee deluded; when thou hast pareret his thrust, then turne thy hand into a Secunde and thrust him over his right Arme at his right breast.

4. If thine adversary makes a long thrust at thee without, then as soone as thou seest him make at thee, make a long step in upon him with thy right foote, and then with thy left foote, and put by his Rapier with a Quarte downewards towards thy right side, comming so suddenly in upon him, thou dost, as it were, disarme him, thrust then at an instant with a Secunde over his right arme at his breast.

5. If thou dost Stringere thine adversary at the outside of his Rapier, and hee doth make a thrust at thy thigh outwardly, then let the point of thy Rapier sinke downe into a hanging Secunde and parere it, this done, instantly Passere under his Rapier, or when thou hast parered, then thrust with a Secunde home, over his right arme.

6. But if he doth thrust over the Secunde or weakest part of thy Rapier over thy right Arme, being that the Secunde is too weake to resist, then cavere from thy left hand towards thy right hand under his Rapier, and first battiering at the inside of his weapon thrust the Quarte close to his Rapier at his right breast.

7. If thine adversary doth thrust againe at the outside of thy Rapier, over the Secunde or the weakest part neare the point, then let thy point sinke downe into a hanging Quarte, lifting up the hilt behind, thus thou dost touch his Secunde or the weakest part with thy Prime or the strongest part of thy Rapier, thrust then with the Quarte at th inside of his Rapier at his right thigh.

Chap. VIII.
How to decline those thrusts that are made within

1. If thine adverary doth make a thrust at thee within close to the Prime of thy Rapier, then parere it with a Secunde downe towards thy left side, and at the same instant thou parerest change thy Secunde into a Quarte close to thy adversary’s Rapier, and thrust at his right breast, at the inside of his weapon.

2. Thou mayst likewise battiere him within upon his Rapier when his thrust commeth, and in the same moment thrust the Quarte at his right breast.

3. But if he when he makes his thrust, doth thrust close to the Secunde or weakest part of thy Rapier, then cavere from thy right hand towards thy left hand under his Rapier, and thrust with the Secunde over the weakest part of his Rapier, at the outside of his Rapier at his right breast.

4. Or when his thrust approacheth, cavere towards thy left side under his Rapier, and Passere under his weapon, or under his right arme with a Secunde.

5. Or else when his thrust commeth, let the point of thy Rapier sinke downe into a Secunde at the outside of his Rapier, and parere it towards thy right side out, and having parered, passere with a Secunde without at his right thigh; or when thou thus hast parered, then thrust a long thrust with a Secunde over his right arme, at his right breast.

6. If thine adversary doth thrust at thee within close to the Secunde of thy Rapier, then stepping backe with thy left legge so that the weight of thy body come wholly to rest upon thy left thigh, draw thy Rapier to thee, letting it slide along his Rapier within towards his point, thus doing thou commest with the strongest part of thy Rapier close to his weaker part, and having this advantage make a long thrust at him within close to his Rapier with a Quarte at his right breast.

7. But if thine adversary doth thrust lowly at thee, then let thy point sinke downe into a Quarte, and thrust him with a Quarte at the inside of his weapon at his right thigh.

Chap. IX.
How thou art to demeane thy selfe against many sorts of guards

Against the Secunde

1. If thine adversary doth lie in a high Secunde with a stretched arme and is open within, then stringere him within; as soone as he will thrust at thee without over thy right arme, then thrust the Tertz at the same time his thrust approacheth, over the Secunde of his Rapier without, at his right breast, and with thy hilt goe something low, when thy thrust is now arrived at his breast, that he may not be able to cavere.

2. If he doth lie againe in a high Secunde as before, and is open within, then Stringere him within, in the midst of his Rapier with a bended Arme in a Tertz , so that the point of thy Rapier stands upwards and thy hilt low; as soone as hee will thrust at thee without, over thine arme, then changing thy Tertz into a Secunde Passere under his right arme, not touching his Rapier.

3. But if hee lie open without then stringere him without, as soone as he doth thrust at thee within, then let the point of thy Rapier sinke downe into a Secunde , close to the outside of thy adversaries Rapier, and Passere him with the Secunde at his right thigh.

4. If he lie againe in a high Secunde with a straight arme, but doth open himselfe on both sides of his Rapier, then goe with the Tertz just under his Rapier, that the point of thy Rapier bee directed towards his hilt, whether soever he doth thrust at thee, thrust Secunde contra-tempo at the outside of his Rapier over his right arme, and at his right breast.

5. If he doth lie in the middle Secunde , and the point of his Rapier doth look quite towards his right side out, then Stringere him at the outside of his Rapier, and stingering goe towards thy right side about like in a Circle, thus thou wilt force thine adversary to make a thrust at thee within, when his thrust approacheth, then Voltere with the Quarte at the inside of his Rapier at his right breast.

6. If he doth lie in a middle Secunde againe, then stringere him at the outside of his Rapier, and suddenly make a finda at his face upwards with a Tertz , if he lifteth up his arme to defend his face, then passere him under his right arme: but if he doth put it by with a Quarte towards his right side, let him not touch thy Rapier, but lift thy point over his point, and thrust him with a Quarte within, at his right breast: Or if he will put it by with a Quarte towards his right side, then let him not touch thy Rapier, but cavere towards thy right side under his Rapier, and thrust the Quarte at the inside of his Rapier at his right breast.

Against the Tertz

7. If thine adversary doth lie in a high Tertz with a bended arme, so that the point of his Rapier doth stand upright, then make a finda at him within; when he doth intend to put by thy feigned thrust towards his left side, let him not touch thy Rapier but cavere towards thy left side under his Rapier and thrust with the Quarte without over his right arme, at his right breast: If he will not regard thy finda, then thrust with the Quarte at his right breast within: when hee doth parere thy thrust, then turne thy Quarte into a Secunde and passere him. In the interim observe (that if thou meanest to stringere him within) if he doth towards his left side life the point of his Rapier over thine to thrust thee over thy right arme; thou then caverest towards thy right side under his Rapier and thrustest a Quarte at him within.

8. If thine adversary doth hold his weapon in the Tertz and with a streight arme, then stringere him within, and stringering him step towards thy left side, and goe about as it were in a circle, then he will bee forced to thrust at thee without; as soone as his thrust approacheth, bow thy body, and not touching his Rapier, passe behind him under his right arme.

9. Or when thou dost stringere him within, make a finda at his face with a Quarte upwards as soone as hee lifteth up his arme, then let thy point sinke downe under his right arme, and passe behind him.

10. Or stringere him within, and make thy finda downewards at his belly, when hee doth catch after it downewards, then cavere towards thy left side under his Rapier and thrust with a Secunde over his right arme.

Against the Quarte

11. If thine adversary doth hold his Rapier in a Quarte , so that the point of his Rapier doth looke towards his right side out, that he be open within, then hold thy Rapier in a Secunde , and direct the point of thy Rapier towards his Hilt within, as soone as he doth thrust at thee within, then Voltere with thy Quarte at his right breast within.

Against one that lies with a stretcht arme, and the point upwards

12. If thine adversary doth lie with a stretcht arme, so that his point standeth upright, as it were in a Triangle, then goe with a high Secunde and a stretched arme at the inside of his Rapier, and make him a finda at the outside of his Rapier, as if thou didst meane to thrust him at his right breast, over his arme; as soone as hee will put it by towards his right side out, then recall thy point towards thy right side under his Rapier, and changing thy Secunde into a Quarte, thrust with a Quarte at the inside of his Rapier, at his right breast.

13. Or when thou art at the inside of his Rapier with thy Secunde , then make a Finda within at his face, as soone as he doth catch after thy Finda towards thy left side, then cavere towards thy left side under his Rapier and thrust him with a Secunde , or with a reverse (a Quarte so called because thrusted without, view the fourth Chapter, the ninth number) at the outside of his Rapier over his right arme.

14. Or if he lieth again as formerly he did, then goe with the high Secunde and a stretched arme at the outside of his Rapier about as in a circle, and thy point hold towards his right eye, doing thus thou shalt compell him to put by thy point upwards; when thou seest him lifting up his arme, then let thy point sinke in under his right arme, and bowing thy body passe behind him under his right arme.

If thine adversary holdeth his left hand behind his hilt for to parere thy thrusts, how thou art to deceive his left hand

15. Make a thrust at thine adversary close to the outside of his Rapier over his right arm, when thine adversary doth endeavor to parere thy thrust towards his right side over his right arm with his left hand, then let him not touch thy Rapier with his hand, but just as he is comming towards thy weapon with his hand, lift the point of thy Rapier over his left hand towards thy right side out, and thrust him with a Secunde over his left hand, and his right arme.

16. Or when he doth catch after thy Rapier towards his right side, over his right arme with his left hand, then let him misse thy Rapier, letting thy point sink in under his left arme, and thrusting him with a Secunde at his breast as before, and over his right arme.

17. Thrust at him at the inside of his Rapier with a Quarte , as soone as hee holding his left hand behind his hilt, doth meane to parere thy thrust with his left hand towards his left side out, then lift the point of thy Rapier towards thy left side over his left hand, and thrust him with a Quarte at the inside of his Rapier at his right breast.

18. Or when he doth catch after thy thrust towards his left side, then cavere from thy right side towards thy left side under his left hand, and thrust him with a Quarte at the inside of his Rapier at his right breast.

19. But if he doth strive to put by thy inward thrust with his left hand, towards his right side, under his right arme, then let him misse thy Rapier and cavere towards thy right side under his left hand and thrust him with a Quarte over his left arme.

20. Or when he doth meane to put by thy thrust under his right arme towards his left side out, then let thy point sinke in under his left arme, and thrust with the Quarte at his belly.

Chp. X.
How thou mayst escape the Passada

1. The best way to avoyd the Passade that thine adversary shall not be able to use the same against thee without, is to parere all thrusts that are made without with a Quarte (according to the first rule of the seventh Chapter). As for the inward Passade to elude, is to make use of the second rule of the eighth Chapter.

2. But if thou wilt (of purpose to elude him) give him occasion to make a Passade upon thee without, lift up thy arme and put his thrust by upwards, and as soone as hee lets his point sinke downe under thy right arme, then Voltere with a Quarte at his right breast, thus doing thou wilt escape his Passade, for his point doth passe in the turning of thy body about.

3. Or when thou puttest by his thrust upwards, and he lets his point sinke downe into a Secunde under thy Rapier for to Passiere thee, then let thou likewise sinke thy point downewards into a Secunde , and first parering his Rapier towards thy right side make a Passade upon him without, under his Rapier.

4. Or when hee will Passere , then step back onely with thy left foote, so that thou commest out of his Mensure and reach, and the weight of thy body come wholly to rest upon thy left thigh, and stepping backe with thy left legge, cavere under his thrust towards thy left side, and Passere him without under his Weapon.

5. Or else when he will Passere thee without under thy right arme, then step backe, (not with thy left leg as before) but with thy right legge behind thy left legge, which thou art not to stirre, so that thy left side be onely seene, and parering his thrust towards thy right side out with thy left hand, thrust with a Secunde at his right breast.

Chap. XI.
Remedies for the Volte

1. The best way to shunne the Volte is, that thou alwayes thrustest with a Secunde over his right arme at his right side, then hee can neither Voltere thee within, nor without with a reverse over thy right arme, without danger of his life.

2. But if thine adversary doth Voltiere at thee of his owne accord, then let thy point sinke downe into a hanging Quarte , and make a long thrust at him at the inside of his Rapier, at his right thigh.

3. Or Voltiere with him contra-tempo, and thrust at his right breast.

4. Else when he turneth himselfe about and will make a Volte at thee within, then let the hilt of thy Rapier sinke downe close to the weakest part of his Rapier, and holding thy point upright, thrust him with the point into his back.

Chap. XII.
How thou art to behave thee against thine adversaries Finda’s or falsifying

1. If thine adversary by falsefying doth strive to make thee doubtfull of his thrust, and where thou shalt looke for his thrust, then let him not deceive thee, but goe straight in upon him, and thy right arme or Rapier doe not stirre, holding thy point streight forwards in a right line, then will thine adversary, when thou commest too neare him, be contrained to make a thrust at thee, or to put by thy Rapier’s point; whither soever he then doth thrust, within or without, parere it according to the rules prescirbed in the seveuth and eighth Chapters precedent; and if he puts by thy point towards what side soever it be, then cavere instantly under his Rapier, and thrust either with a Secunde without, or with a Quarte within, according as he puts by thy thrust towards his right or left side.

2. Or else hold thy Rapier in a low Tertz with a streight arm downewards neare thy knee, then hee can doe thee no hurt with his findes , as soone as hee doth make a thrust at thee, then thrust Secunde contra-tempo at the outside of his Rapier over his right arme.

Chap. XIII.
How thou must prosecute thine adversaryies Rapier when thou hast stringered him

1. Stringere thine adversary within, as soone as he doth cavere under thy Rapier towards his left side and makes a thrust at the outside of thy Rapier over thy right arme, then stepping in with thy right legge, put by his thrust downewards towards thy right side, when thou hast put by his thrust without, then let thy Rapier rest at the outside of his Rapier and stringere him without, as soone as hee steppes back and will make a thrust at thee within, then steppe in towards him with thy left legge before thy right leg and put that thrust by towards thy left side resting likewise with thy weapon at the inside of his Rapier till that hee be in thy mensure or reach , and then thrust where thou pleasest, ever looking and observing his point, neither would I wish thee to regard or listen to those who speaking against all reason and knowne experience will make thee beleeve that thou art onely to observe his eye, which may easily deceive thee (as if he be squint-eyed) by observing thine adversaryies point thou art lesse endangered; for the Rapier is guided by the eye, not the eye by the Rapier, and being so that thou canst not for certaine know by the eye where hee will thrust I hence doe conclude that it is better and safer to regard and watch the point which doth endanger thee, than the eye which is deceiving.

Chap. XIV.
Containing observations against the seventh preceding Chapter

1. Make a thrust at thine adversary without, over the Prime or strongest part of his Rapier neare the hilt, as soone as hee doth parere it with a Quarte towards his right side out, then let the point of thy Rapier sinke downe into a hanging Quarte lifting up the Hilt behind, thus doing thou dost touch the weakest part of his Rapier with the strongest part of thine, thrust then with the Quarte at his right thigh.

2. Or when he doth put by thy thrust with a Quarte , let thy point sinke downe into a hanging Secunde , and thrust at the inside of his Rapier, at his right thigh.

3. Or if he doth put by thy thrust with his Quarte towards his right side downewards, then stepping towards thy left side with thy left foote, lift the Hilt of thy Rapier over the weakest part of his weapon, though close to it, and let thy Hilt sinke downe at the outside of his Rapier and stringere him, or thrust if thou pleasest: This may likewise be used in the fifth Chap.

4. Make a thrust at thine adversary without over the Secunde or weakest part of his Rapier, if he then cavere towards his right side under thy Rapier for to thrust a Quarte at thee within, then let the point of thy Rapier sinke downe into a hanging Secunde at the outside of his Rapier, and breake his Cavereing , and then at an instant Passere him at the outside under his Rapier.

5. Thrust at thine adversary with the Secunde , over the weakest part of his Rapier, without, as soone as hee doth cavere under thine approaching thrust with the Quarte towards his right side out, for to thrust at thee within, then seeing him cavere change thy Secunde into a hanging Quarte , and letting thy point sinke downe at the inside of his Rapier thrust him with the sayd Quarte at his right thigh.

6. Or when thou dost thrust at him without over his Secunde or the weakest part of his Rapier, and he doth cavere towards his right side under thy thrust with a Quarte , of an intent to thrust Quarte contra-tempo with thee, then stay thy intended thrust, and battiere him at the inside of his Rapier with thy Rapier, and thrust him at the same instant thou battierest with a Quarte at the inside of his weapon, at his right breast.

7. Or when he cavereth againe towards his right side under thy thrust, then cavere thou at the selfe same time towards thy left side under his Rapier when hee doth cavere, and thrust him with a Secunde at the outside of his Rapier at this right breast.

Chapter XV
Containing observations against the eighth precedent Chapter

1. Thrust at thine adversary within close to the Prime or strongest part of his Rapier neare his hilt, as soone as hee parereth thy thrust towards his left side out with a Secunde , then change thy Quarte into Secunde , and passing behind him thrust at his right thigh.

2. Or when he parereth thy Quarte with a Secunde towards his left side, then step with thy right foote towards thy right side, and letting the point of thy Rapier sinke downewards, lift the Hilt of thy Rapier close to his weapon towards thy right side, over the Secunde of his Rapier, and stringere him within, and as soone as thou hast stringered him battiere him at the inside of his weapon, and presently upon it thrust with the Quarte at the inside of his weapon at his right breast.

3. Or when he parereth thy thrust with a Secunde towards his left side, then step with thy left legge towards thy left side, and thrust him with a Quarte under his right arme at his belly.

4. Thrust at thine adversary within, over the Secunde of his Rapier with a Quarte, when thou seest him cavere towards his left side under thy thrust, of an intent to thrust thee without over thy right arme with a Secunde contra-tempo, then change thy Quarte into a Secunde , and thrust him over his right arme, at the outside of his Rapier, at his right breast.

5. Thrust at thine adversary againe within close to the Secunde of his Rapier with a Quarte, as soone as hee doth cavere towards his left side under his thrust, for to thrust Secundecontra -tempo over thy right arme without, then cavere thou likewise, but towards thy right side under his cavering with the Quarte , and battiering him first at the inside of his Rapier thrust instantly upon it with the Quarte at the inside of his Rapier at his right breast.

Here endeth the first part of the first Book, treating how to use a single Rapier against a Right-handed man.