Of the maner how to strike in the said wardes.

W

Hen the enimie is in the low ward, a man ought alwayes to ſtand either at the high or ſtraight ward. And contrarilie, in the low or ſtraight ward, when the enimie is in the high ward. And muſt indevour as forciblie and as nimblie as he may, firſt of all, to beat off the enimies Pike, whether it be within or without, but yet in ſuch ſort, that he depart not much from the ſtraight lyne, and be therby conſtrayned, to ſpend much time in returning thither againe, And as ſoone as he hath beaten off the enimies weapon, to thruſt, bearing his bodie contrarie to his armes, to the end, he may be the more covered from the thruſtes, and deliver his owne thruſts with the more force, alwaies regarding in the high ward, to thruſt downewards, and in the low ward, upwards, & in the ſtraight ward, in the middle: for this maner of thruſting, is verie commodious, and conſumeth little time.

Of the defence of the wardes.

T

He hurts of theſe wardes, are defended in the ſelfe ſame maner, as thoſe of the Iavelyne are, to which Chapter, (having htere reaſoned ſufficiently) I referre you, to the intent I may not repeat one thing often.

And it is to be conſidered, that there is greater regard to be had of the times in managing this weapon then in any other, becauſe it is not furniſhed with any forkes, or other defences which may helpe a man, but all hope of victorie conſiſteth in the iudgement of the times, and in dexteritie of deliverie.

I will not therfore at this preſent ſtand to declare any more of the true knowledge of the weapon, then that, which onelie appertayneth to be ſpoken in this worke, but will hereafter at my more leaſure, handle it more at large, at what time, it ſhal be knowen, that men (giving over all other falſe & vain kind of ſkimrmiſhing) ought to ſettle them ſelves in this, by meanes wherof, their iudgements are perfected, and they more inſured under their weapons, and ſo by conſequence are made more bold and hardie. And foraſmuch as all this ought to be verified in deedes, and not in wordes, it ſhall be every mans part, that will exerciſe himſelfe in this Art, firſt diligentlie to learn the principles, & afterwards by exerciſe of the weapon to attaine to the moſt ſubtil and delicate knowledge & conſideration of the times, without which (as I have ſaid els where) it is not proſsible to profit therin. For although there be happilie ſome, who (being ſtrong of arme, and nimble in delivering falſes, either right reverſed, or ſtraight) have bin in our time accompted for tall men, yet for al that, thoſe who are ſkilfull in this true Art, ought not to give credite unto it, becauſe they know aſsuredlie that not right or reverſed edge blowes, get the maſterie, but rather the thruſts of the point, neither the beſtowing of them every way, but with advantage and in due time. Neither ought a man to ſtrike, therby to be ſtroken againe, (which is the part and point, rather of a bruite beaſt, then of a reaſonable man) but to ſtrike and remaine without daunger. All which things by this true Art are eaſilie learned.

FINIS