For what cause the Pike maketh greater passage with the point than any other shorter weapon.

I

T is moſt manifeſt, that the Pike maketh greater paſsage with his point than any other weapon: and the twohand ſworde, more then the ordinarie ſword: & the ſword more then the dagger. And among al weapons, this is generally true, that the longer the weapon, the greater paſsage it maketh with the point, and the greater blow with the edge. Neither doeth this ſo chaunce, becauſe the weapon is more heavie, neither becauſe there is applyed more force unto it in action, as moſt men ſuppoſe, but rather through a naturall cauſe which is as followeth.

If there be two circles, the one greater then the other, and are moved by one manner of motion, the greater ſhall be more ſwift then the leſse: for being greater in circumference & turning round, in the ſame time that the leſse turneth it muſt needes be, that it goeth more ſwiftly. So it commeth to paſse, that one ſelfe-ſame hand may deliver a greater blow with the two hande ſworde than with a ſingle ſworde, and with a long ſworde, then one that is ſhorter, and with that, then with the dagger: And with a Bill, a greater blowe, then with the two hand ſworde, and ſo likewiſe in all other weapons. Wherefore it is moſt cleere, that of edgeblowes that maketh the greater ſtroke, which is delivered with the longer weapon. It remaineth now to be conſidered, how this falleth out in the blowes of the point. I ſaie therefore, if the blowes of the point are alſo circuler, ſo that the Pike being verie long, maketh the greater circle, and by conſequence the greater blowe of the point or the greater thruſt. That the blowes of the point are circuler, may be ſhewed by this reaſon. The arme (being as a ſtraight line, & fixed faſt in one parte, as for example in the ſhoulder, and movable in the other, as in the hand, ſtanding I ſaye, fixed as a ſtraight lyne, and the one end moving from the other) ſhall alwaies move circulerly: So that the arme cannot otherwiſe move, except when it is bowed, and would then make it ſelfe ſtraight againe, the which motion is alſo doubtfull, whether it be ſtraight yea or no. Therefore imagining that on the movable parte of this arme, or ſtraight lyne, there be alſo another thwart lyne, to wit, a Pike, a ſworde, or any other weapon, then the arme moving, carrieth alſo, circulerly with it, the ſaid thwart lyne: which lyne, by how much, the longer it is, by ſo much it maketh the greater circle, as may be ſeene in this figure.

Whereby, it is manifeſt, that the Pike, the longer it is, frameth the greater circle, and conſequently, is more ſwifte, and therefore maketh the greater paſsage. The like is to be underſtood of all other weapons, which the longer they are being moved by the arme, cauſe the greater edgeblow, and greater paſsage with the point.

Of the wardes of the Pike.

I

N mine opinion, if a man would either ſtrike, or defend with the Pike, he may not otherwiſe uſe it then by framing of two wardes, in one of which, he ſhal ſtrike the bodie from the middle upwards, & this I will terme the low warde: the other ſhall ſtrike the bodie from the middle downwadrs, & ſhalbe called the high ward. Neither ſhalthey be ſo termed for any other cauſe, then for that it is verie neceſsarie for him that ſtriketh, firſt to beat off the enimies Pike, & then to deliver his owne. But yet it ſhould breed great inconvenience, & there would be two much time ſpent if finding it good & commodious to ſtrike in the lowe warde, he would firſt beat off the enimies weapon, & then ſhift from the lowe to the high warde, which ſhal bee, when one beareth his armes high, & the point of the Pike low. And the low warde is, when the armes are low, & the point of the Pike high. There is another warde which would be framed as a meane betweene theſe two, & that is, when the Pike is borne directly towards the enimie. And it falleth out that it is moſt ſure & long, when it is oppoſed againſt any of the other two aforeſaid, becauſe then a man is in caſe both to beat off the weapon & to enter therewithall with great advantage. But putting the caſe, the enimie do likewiſe directly oppoſe himſelfe againſt this warde, then the Pikes may not beat off one another, but both parties are like to be inveſted & runne through at one inſtant, without any defence or warding thereof. So that this ſtraight ward may not be uſed except it be againſt one of the two aforeſaid. And when the enimie ſtandeth in any of the ſaid two, then a man muſt reſolutely bring his weapon into the ſaid ſtraight ward, for as he getteth therby the greater advantage both of length & time, ſo he may very eaſily beat off the enimies Pike.