The division of the Art

Efore I come to a more perticuler declaration of this Art, it is requiſite I uſe ſome generall diviſion. Wherefore it is to be underſtood, that as in all other arts, ſo likewiſe in this (men forſaking the true ſcience thereof, in hope peradventure to overcome rather by diſceit then true manhood) have found out a new maner of ſkirmiſhing ful of falſes and ſlips. The which becauſe it ſomewhat and ſome times prevaleth againſt thoſe who are either fearfull or ignorant of their groundes and principals, I am conſtrayned to divide this Art into two Arts of Sciences, callinge thone the True, the other, the Falſe art: But withall giving everie man to underſtand, that falſehood hath no advauntage againſt true Art, but rather is moſt hurtfull and deadlie to him that uſeth it.

Therefore caſting away deceit for this preſent, which ſhal hereafter be handled in his proper place and reſtraining my ſelfe to the truth, which is the true and principall deſier of my hart, preſuppoſing that Iuſtice (which in everie occaſion approcheth neereſt unto truth) obteineth allwaies the ſuperioritie, I ſay whoſoever mindeth to exerciſe hemſelfe in this true and honorable Art or Science, it is requiſite that he be indued with deep Iudgement, a valiant hart and great activitie, In which thre qualities this exerciſe doth as it were delight, live and floriſh.

Of the Sword.

Lbeit Wepons aſwel offenſive as defenſive be infinite, becauſe all that whatſoever a man may handle to offend an other or defend hemſelfe, either by flinging or kepinge faſt in his hand may in my opinion be tearmed Weapon. Yet notwithſtading, becauſe, as I have before ſaid, they be innumerable ſo that if I ſhold perticularly handle everie one, beſides the great toile and travaile I ſhould ſuſtaine, it would alſo doubtles be unprofitable, becauſe the principels and grounds which are laid downe in this Art, ſerve only for ſuch weapons as are commonlye practiſed, or for ſuch as happely men will uſe: and ſo leaving al thoſe which at this preſent make not for my purpoſe, I affirme, that amongſt al the wepons uſed in theſe daies, there is none more honorable, more uſual or more ſafe then the ſword.

Comming therefore firſt to this weapon, as unto that on which is grounded the true knowledge of this Art, beeinge of reaſonable length, and having edges and point, wherein it ſeemeth to reſemble everie other weapon, It is to be conſidered, that foraſmuch as it hath no more the two edges and one point, a man may not ſtrike with anie other then with theſe, nether defend himſelf with anie other then with theſe. Further all edg blowes, be they right or reverſed, frame either a circle or part of a circle: Of the which the hand is the center, and the length of the ſworde, the Diameter.

Whereupon he that would give either an edg blow in a great compaſſe, either thruſt with the point of the ſword, muſt not onely be nimble of hand, but alſo muſt obſerve the time of advatag, which is, to know when his own ſword is more nere and readie to ſtrik then his enemies. For when the enemie fetcheth a compaſſe with his ſword, in delivering his ſtroke, at the length of the arme: if he them perceive himſelfe to be nerer by halfe an arme, he ought not to care to defend himſelfe, but with all celeritie to ſtrike. For as he hitteth home firſt, ſo he preventeth the fal of his enemies ſword. But if he be forced to defend him ſelfe from anie edge blow, he muſt for his greater ſafetie and eaſe of doinge it, go and incounter it on the halfe ſword that is hindermoſt: in which place as the enemies ſword carrieth leſſe force, ſo is he more nere at hand to offend him.

Concerning thruſting, or the moſt perilous blowes of the point, he muſt provide ſo to ſtand with his bodie, feet and armes, that he be not forced, when he wold ſtrik, to loſe time: The which he ſhal do, if he ſtand either with his arme ſo forward, either with his feete ſo backward, either with his bodie ſo diſorderly, that before he trhuſt he muſt needs draw back his arme, helpe himſelf with his feet, or uſe ſome daungerous motion of the bodie, the which when the enemie perceyveth, he may firſt ſtrik before he be ſtroken. But when a man ſtandeth in due order (which ſhall hereafter be declared) and perceiveth that there is leſſe diſtance from the point of his ſword, unto his enemie, then there is from his enemies ſword unto him, In that caſe he muſt nimbly force on a ſtrong thruſt to the end he may hitt home firſt.