The Noble Science of Defence, in all its Useful Particulars, for Defending and Offending, with the Rapier or final Sword; after the exactest Method now in Use.

This Science, if well understood, as to the fining and using it, is not only a noble Exercise, but of great importance to the saving our lives on emergent Occasions, if it extend not to Vain-glory and Presumption, by too much relying on our Skill, to carry us into quarrels, which we may reasonably, and without loss of Honour or Reputation avoid. Wherefore I have thought it convenient to lay down such Rules as may enable the learner to proceed in the Practice.

The first thing to be considered in this Case, is, the Sword it self, understanding only in this the small Sword or Rapier, which is divided into two Parts, viz. The Hilt and the Blade.

The Hilt is again divided into three Parts, viz. the Pommel or Ball at the far end, sometimes Round and sometimes Oval in Shape. This keeps the Hilt fast, by being well riveted, and by its poise makes the Sword well mounted, or light before the Hand. The next is that part on which you grasp your Hand, commonly called the Handle: and then the Shell, which is that part of the Hilt next the Blade, to preserve your Hand (if you are any thing weary in managing it) from a Thrust or Blow.

The Blade is divided into two Parts only. The first next to the Hilt, being termed the strong Part or Fort. The other, which is the extream, is termed the Feeble, or they are otherways termed the Prime, and the Second. The strong Fort or Prime of the Blade, is measured from the Shell to the middle of the Blade, and being the strongest, is made use of in Parying, or to put by Thrusts or Blows. The Feeble, weak or second part, is accounted from the Middle to the Point, and is properly made use of in Offending or giving Thrusts or Blows; and thus much may serve for the Description of the Sword: Now I proceed to the Explanation of the Terms, fit to be known by a Practitioner.

A Guard.

This is a proper Posture you must place your self in, for the better defending your self from the Thrusts or Blows of those you Fence with, or defend your self from.

To Parie.

Observe that this is to put by a Blow or Thrust, that it may not touch you, but be cast off without hurt or danger.

Quart.

Here you must hold the Nails of your Sword-hand upwards, with a steady Arm; and then it is said to be held in quart.

Terce.

This is the contrary to the former, for the Nails of your Hand must be held downwards; and then the Sword is held in Terce.

Within the Sword.

This is that part of your Body, (which having your Right-side towards your Adversary) is between your Sword and Left-breast.

Within the Sword.

This is the part of the Body, that (when you hold your Sword towards your Left-side) is above it the breadth of your Body.

The Approach or Advance.

This is done, when being out of your Adversaries reach, or at a pretty distance from him; you make your Approach or Advance towards him.

To Retire or Retreat.

This is when you are within your Adversaries reach, that you get put of it by stepping or Jumping backwards; which you must observe to do on a strait Line.

Measure.

This is only a distance between you and your Adversary, which must be cautiously and exactly observed when he is Thrusting at you; so that you may be without his measure or reach, and that taking the Advantage of this, it may be so, that when you Thrust your Thrusts may be home.

To break Measure.

Observe here, just as your Adversary is Thrusting at you, at his full Elonge, he may come short of you, because you are, or escape out of his Measure, or reach, and so break his Measure, of which I shall say somewhat more hereafter.

To Elonge.

This is to Streach forward your Right Arm and Leg, and keep a close Left-foot; and this you do when you give in a Thrust, and when you do it, you are said to make an Elonge.

Respost.

This is when you give in a Thrust before you recover your Body, receiving a Thrust after your Adversary hath Paried your Sword. Then is it said to be a Thrust on the Respost or back of the Parade, which is the surest and safest you can give.

Feinting or Falsifying.

This is a dodging or deceiving your Adversary, making him believe you give back in earnest, and make an offer to Thrust in one place when you really design to do it in another.

Beating.

This is no other than striking the Feeble of your Adversaries Sword with the Edg and Fort of yours, either with your Right-hand only, or the help of your Left, joyned to the Blade, about a foot from the Hilt; and so you will cause the Beat to have the greater Spring or Force.

Battery.

The difference from Beating in this, is only Striking with the Edg of the Feeble, upon the Edg of the Feeble of your Adversaries Sword, though Beating secures his Sword a great deal better than Battery.

Binding.

This method is taken to secure your Adversaries Sword, with eight or ten Inches of yours upon five or six Inches of his.

Caveating or Disengaging.

Here you must, if you can, flip your Adversaries Sword, when you perceive him about to bind or secure yours.

To take Time.

In taking Time, you must observe never to Thrust, but when you see a fair Opportunity, or otherwise it is the Thrusting at your Adversary when he is making the Feint, or the flipping of him, when you perceive him about to Bind or Bear your Sword.

Counter Temps.

This is when you Thrust without a good Opportunity, or when you Thrust, at the same time your Adversary do's the like.

Quarting on the Strait Line.

This is done by carrying your Head and Shoulders very much back from your Adversaries Sword, and are giving in a Thrust within it, and that each of you at that time receive a Thrust.

Quarting of the strait Line, called de Quarting.

Here you must Observe to throw in your Left-foot, and Body backwards off the strait Line, towards your Adversary, keeping your Right-foot firm.

Volting.

This is a leaping by your Adversaries Left-side quite out of his reach or measure, which on many emergent occasions is very proper.

These Terms a Practitioner must be knowing in before he proceeds to the other Lessons, or Adventures on sharp, especially in earnest; from whence I proceed to the next thing materially to be considered, which is the

Holding of the Sword.

In doing this according to Art, and to the most advantage, Hold your Thumb on the broad side of the Handle, and your Fingers quite round it; hold it in this manner firm and fair; so that your Adversary, with the least sudden beat or twist, may not force it out of your hand, which the hazard in holding it loosely may occasion to your damage.

Of keeping a Guard.

The Guards are in general but two; The one in Quart and the other in Terce; but again the Quart Guard is subdivided into two, viz. The Quart with the strait Point, and the Quart with the Point sloaping near to the Ground.

The Terce is so likewise divided, that is, the Terce with the Point higher than the Hilt, and the Terce with the Point lower than the Hilt. There is yet another Guard, that requires you to hold your Sword with both your Hands; and of these in their order.

Of the Quart Guard, with the strait Point.

You have two ways with this Guard to defend your self, either by Parying or using Contraries to what your Adversary plays, as I shall more fully shew you when I come to discourse of the five Parades; however here observe in the strait Guard, which is most in use, to keep a thin Body, which is done by shewing your Right-side to your Adversary, managing your feet in a strait Line from him; so that for your Right he cannot see your Left-leg, yet set them not too wide, for that will make your Elong the shorter; nor too close, for that will hinder the firmness of standing; and let the Point of your Right foot be turned somewhat outwards from the strait Line, but the broad side of your Left must look towards your Adversary. You are also to sink with your Thighs your Left-knee, a little more bent than your Right, which may be done by your leaning somewhat back on your Left-thigh; when you present your Sword, you must hold it with your Nails upwards, as has been directed in Quart. The Hilt of your Sword must be as High as your Right-pap, keeping your Arm a little bent, for the better and easier pursuing your Adversary; or for the quicker giving in a Thrust: The Point must be towards your Adversaries Right-side, two or three Inches lower than the Hilt, your Left-hand held up as high as your Left-ear, about half a Foot from it, the Palm directly against your Adversaries Face, your Fingers pointing as it were towards him.

The Quart-guard, with the sloping Point.

In this Guard you must stand much straiter than in the former, the Point of your Sword sloping within half a Foot of the Ground, your Hilt as low as your Wast, your Arm bended, and the Nails of your Sword-hand between Terce and Quart; Here you are also to make use of your Left-hand, and therefore the more readily to do it, you must advance your Left Shoulder almost as far forward as your Right, keeping your Belly in as much as may be, so that it stand well, and your Breast out, your Left-hand as high as the side of your Head, though about half a Foot from it. This is a very open Guard, yet to those that know not how to pursue it, it is much Surprizing. And you may pursue this;

First, by raising up or gathering your Adversaries Sword.

Secondly, by striking at his Sword, and making half Thrusts at the Body, by which he will be doubtful when you intend to give in your Thrust, and finding an Opportunity give it home; and ever when you persue this Guard, let your Left-hand be in a readiness to Parie your Opponents Thrust, if he Thrust just as you are Thrusting, which is the main defence on this Guard.

Thirdly you may give a stroak at his Left-hand; after you give a beat at his sword, and see if by so doing, you can force him to betake himself to another Guard.

Fourthly, You may Volt, and in your so doing, give him the Thrust, which being clearly done, will mainly surprize him.

The-Terce-guard, with the Point higher than the Hilt.

In this you must hold the Nails of your Sword-hand downwards, as in Terce, and your Hand lower than in the Quart-Guard, with a strait Point, presenting the Point of your Sword towards your Adversaries Left-shoulder; if he be a tall Man; but if Short, then to his Left-eye, keeping your Arm somewhat bent, for the better persuing: Lean therefore a little forward with your Body, and make use of your Left-hand for a Parade, holding it somewhat lower than in the former Guard. The rest of your Body being kept, as in the Quart-Guard, with the strait Point.

This Guard may be pursued either with Striking, Binding, Volting, or Passing, for a Feint on this Guard will signifie little or nothing if your Adversary understand it; for as in no Guard, he is to answer Feints, least of all in this, the Right defence being to secure your self without your Sword, which is done by presenting your Sword to the Left-shoulder of your Adversary, or as said, his Eye, so that your Body be quite covered without your Sword.

The Terce-Guard, with the Point lower than the Hilt.

Here you must in this bow your Head, holding up your Arm high, so that if you come to give a Thrust, your Head may be, as it were, under it, your Nails being in Quart till you make your Thrust, and then change them into Terce; your Feet must be kept at their due distance, and not as at a full Elong; your Sword must be presented towards your Adversaries Left-side, and you must make use of your Left-hand for the Parade, and it is to be pursued and defended, as the forgoing Terce-Guard, only in defending it, you must not make so much use of your Left-hand, but more of your Sword.

The Guard of Both Hands.

This is a Guard, that I find not any proper Name for, though it is sometimes used as very necessary, how ever, as to the holding your Sword in this Guard, keep your Body exactly in the Posture of the Quart-Guard with the strait Point; but joyn your Left-hand to your Sword, about eight or ten Inches from the Hilt, the Blade being held between your formost Finger and Thumb, secure your self within your Sword, as soon as you present it, viz. Present the Point towards your Adversaries Right-thigh, with your Point sloping towards the Ground a little; for to pursue this Guard, you must endeavour to take away your Adversaries Left-hand by striking at it, and immediately after the stroak, proffer a Thrust at his Body, that he may be doubtful when you really intend to give in your Thrust; and indeed the pursuit is much like that of the Quart-Guard, with the sloping Point, and thus much for the Five sorts of Guards.

Of the several Parades.

The Parades are generally Two, but are sub-divided as the Guard, and those two are the Parade in Quart, and the Parade in Terce, which are as is said, divided again into the Parade in Quart, with the Point a little higher than the Hilt. The Parade in Quart, with the Point sloping towards your Adversaries Right-thigh, and as though without it.

2. The Parade in Terce, with the Point a little higher than the Hilt, and the Parade in Terce, with the Point sloping towards your Adversaries Thigh on the Left-side.

There is yet an other Parade of some use, and used by many Fencing Masters, which may be properly termed Counter-Caveating Parade; by reason what ever Lesson your Adversary makes use of, or upon what side so ever he Thrusts, if you make use of this Parade, as you ought, you will undoubtedly meet with his Sword, and the easier cross his purpose, than by any of the former; and of these I shall give proper Directions,

1. The Quart Parade, or the Parade within the Sword, is so called, because in putting by the Thrust, you do it on the inside your Sword, or on that side the Nails of your Hand are next.

2. The next is called the Terce Parade, or the Parade without the Sword; for here, contrary to the former, you put by the Thrust upon that side which is without the Sword, and as the other is termed the Quart, for as much as it is within your Sword, or on that side your Nails look to; so this is called Terce because it is without your Sword, or on that side the back of your Hand is to. Observe a little more, viz. when you are to hold your Hand or Nails in Terce, that you hold your Nails quite downward; And now to Parie these Five several ways.

You must do the first Parade in Quart, with the Point somewhat higher than the Hilt, viz. When you are standing to your Guard, if your Adversary offers to give a home Thrust on that side his Sword lieth, which I presume to be within your Sword, without disengaging and is the Simplest and plainest Thrust that can be given with the small Sword; yet frequently it surprizes a Man, I say, when so it is, that when you perceive your Adversary offer to give a home Thrust, which observe by keeping your Eye steady on the Hilt of his Sword; you must then immediately turn your Wrist with so small a Motion of the Arm, that it can scarcely be perceived, to your left-side; and by that means you may put by his Sword, with the Fort of yours upon the Left-side, keeping the Point of your Sword after the Parade towards his Right-shoulder; you may in putting by your Adversaries Sword use a little beat or Spring towards the Ground, by which you will more certainly disappoint him immediately bringing your Sword to its right posture again, and by, this way of Parying you may have the luck to Spring or Beat your Adversaries Sword out of his Hand.

The second Parade in Quart is with the Point sloping towards your Adversaries Right-thigh, and as tho' without it, in this manner;

When you perceive your Adversary is thrusting with your Sword, turn the Nails of your Sword-hand in Quart, with a full stretched Arm, and your Hand as high as your Face, and when you do this, slope your Point to the lowness of your Adversaries Thigh; and by that means, with the Fort of your Sword, on the Feeble of his, put by his Thrust, always observing to Parie with the Fort of your Sword, and not the Feeble, lest your Adversary having the stronger Arm, force upon you the Thrust in spite of all you can do.

The first Parade in Terce, or without the sword, the Point a little higher than the Hilt, must be thus managed, viz. Perceiving your Adversary giving in the Thrust without your Sword; take notice immediately to turn your Wrist with some small motion of the Arm, as in the first Parie in Quart, till your Nails, be in Terce, and so Parie his Thrust, Remembring in this to keep the Point of your Sword, after you have Paried him towards your Adversaries Left-shoulder, as in the first Parade in Quart, you are to keep it towards his Right.

This Parade is most effectually done with a Spring, to put by the Sword or gain an advantage of disarming your Adversary.

The second Parade in Terce, is called that within the Sword bearing a sloping Point towards your Adversaries Thigh, and as though within it. This observe to do when you perceive your Adversary giving in his Thrust without, or below your Sword, as it were at your Arm-pit, immediately letting the Point of your Sword sink as low as his Thigh, turning your Nails quite round to your Right-side, until they are from you, keeping your Hand as high as your Head, and so put by the Thrust on your Right-side; and when you are Parading, let your Head be close as if it were under your Arm; and this preserves your Face from your Adversaries scattering or Counter-Temps Thrusts.

Thus having shewn you the Defensive part, I shall now proceed to the Offensive, or how you may offend your Adversary when necessity requires it; but before I directly enter upon it, let me speak some thing of the Counter-caveating Parade; though some there are who refuse to use it, yet it is the safest of all.

The Counter caveating Parade, &c.

When you observe your Adversaries Thrust coming home within your Sword, then immediately slope your Point, and bring it up again with a quick Motion on the other side of your Adversaries, and Parie his Thrust without your Sword, that he intended, to give within your Sword, holding your Nails neither in Terce nor in Quart, but so hold them as when you presented your Sword; and observe further to do this, Parade with a Spring, and if you perceive he is about to give in his Thrust without your Sword, instantly slope your Point, and bring it up again with a quick Motion upon the inside of his Sword, and so Parie his Thrust, that was to be given without your Sword, within your Sword, and if you do this very quick you will rarely be hit with a home Thrust; and in this Parade there is great advantage, because by it all Feints, which in other Parades cannot be so well noted or shunned, are by this baffled and Confounded.

Lessons Offensive. 1. Of Approaching or Advancing.

Observe here; (when you are standing to your Guard, and your Adversary without your measure, so that without Approaching you cannot reach him) that you lift your Right-foot about a Foot Forward, and presently let your Left-foot follow close by the Ground, your Left-knee a little bowed, taking notice at the end of every step, that your Feet be at the same equal distance as when you first presented your Sword, or if in any thing you vary, let it be in bringing them something nearer; and so your Elong will come as much nearer to your Adversary as you brought your Left-foot nearer to your Right: Always then remember to redouble this Step, or any other that is to be used on this Occasion till you think your Adversary is within your measure. This step must be always made on plain Ground, lest you Trip and fall, which is very dangerous; but if it be on rugged uneven Ground, there is another suitable to it, called the Double Step, after this manner;

In the first place throw your Left-foot before your Right, (which may be done, by raising your Body a little on your Right-foot) about a Foot, then bring your Right-foot forward again, as far before your Left, as when you presented your Sword; these two Motions must be done immediately after the other, or else doing of this Step will appear ungraceful; and here you must keep a thin Body as possible, because the throwing your Left foot before your Right, lays your Body open, and so redouble this step, as the former, according to the distance you are from your Adversary, till you approach within his measure.

Lesson 2. Of Retiring.

This may be done three ways, first with the single Step, the same way you approach with it, only whereas in approaching with the single Step you lift your Right-foot first, here you must lift your Left-foot first, and the rest observe, as in the Approach with the single Step.

The second is, that with the double Step, and is done the same way as in the Advance, only in approaching you throw your Left-foot before Right, when in retiring you must throw your Right-foot backward behind your Left; and the rest is done as in Advancing with the double Step.

The third is done by a sudden jump backwards on the strait Line, with both your Feet in the Air at once, but you must lift your Right-foot first, and after your jump is done, stand to your Guard again, unless you find occasion to redouble your jump to be farther out of reach.

Lesson 3. Of giving in the Thrust.

To Thrust or make an Elong, observe (when you stand to your Guard, and your Adversary be within your Measure) that your Sword be as you please, either within or without your Adversaries Sword, and suppose within, then stretch out your Right-arm, and Step forward with your Right-foot as far as may be, keeping the Point strait forwards, and let the Motion of your Arm begin a thought before you move your Foot, so that the Thrust may be given home before your Adversary can hear your Foot touch the Ground; and when you are at your full stretch, keep your Left-hand stretched, and ever observe to keep a close Left-foot, which must be done by keeping your Left-heel and broad side of your Foot close to the Ground, without any drawing it after you, for keeping a close Foot is one of the chiefest things to be observed in this Science. When you give in your Thrust throw your Left-hand behind you, or so place it on your Left-side, that your Sword and both your Arms may make a strait Line from your Adversary. This must be when you design not to make use of your Left-hand for a Parade, but if you do, then in the very time of giving in your Thrust, throw your Left-arm forward as far as you can, without putting the rest of your Body into disorder, turning the Palm from you, by turning your Thumb down, and your little Fingers up, and so Parie your Adversaries Thrust, if you find he will Thrust, upon the same time you make your Thrust, always remembring when you Thrust within the Sword, to do it with your Nails in Quart or upwards, and Quart well your Hand and Shoulder; but when a Thrust is made without the Sword, then give it in with your Nails in Terce or downwards, and keep your Hilt much lower than your Point, and your Head as clear as may be from you Adversaries Sword.

Take notice in all Lessons in which you do not first secure or bind your Adversaries Sword, that you are to Thrust close by the Feeble of his Sword, with the Fort of yours. But there is a difference when you first secure your Adversaries Sword, for after your securing or binding, you quit his Sword, and give a strait home Thrust, without touching it, after it is bound.

In these Rules there is great advantage, as in the Quarting of your Hand, when you Thrust within, the Sword, preserves them from your Adversaries Counter-Temps Thrusts in the Face; so likewise does your Thrusting close by the Feeble of the Sword, and keeping your Hilt lower than the Point, when you Thrust without the Sword, as also the holding of your Head to the contrary side your Adversaries Sword is on, preserve you from Counter-Temps, ever observing as a general Rule; to keep your Head on the contrary side of your Adversaries Sword, on what side soever you Thrust, for this will frequently preserve your Face from being hit.

Lesson 4. Of Caveating or Disengaging.

In this case, when your Sword is presented within your Adversaries Sword, and you would have it without (keeping your Nails in Quart) slope your Point so low that you may bring it up under the out-side of his. This must be done with the Wrist, and not any Motion of the Arm, because when you Disengage, if the Arm move, your body would be too much discovered; so that your Adversary would have an advantage to give in his Thrust, which he could not do if only your Wrist moved, and this must be done with a sudden Motion; and by this you may learn to slip your Adversaries Sword at pleasure.

Lesson 5. Feinting or Falsifying

Of these, there are several kinds, and the first retreat on is the Ordinary single Feint; When you are on your Guard, and within your Adversaries Sword, disengage and make your Feint without, which you must do with a beat of your Right-foot against the Ground, just as you disengage, and your Sword on the out-side of your Adversaries, and immediately after, if you perceive him answer your Feint, and offer to Parie, disengage again, and give him the Thrust within the Sword.

Lesson 6. The Double Feint.

There is a difference between this and the single Feint; for in the single one you must make two Motions, viz. With the first you make your Feint, and with the next you give in your Thrust, unless you make your Feint on that side your Sword lyeth, which may be done without disengaging, and is the simplest of all others in all single Feints, it must be given in upon the side your Sword was before you made your Feint; But in the double Feint you are to make three Motions, and the Thrust (unless when you make your first Motion on that side your Sword was presented) is given in on the other side, and not on the side the Sword was just before you began to make your Feint; and to play this, there are two ways, viz. When you are within Measure, you must play it one way, and without Measure another way.

As to the first, your Sword being presented within your Adversaries Sword, then disengage and make your first Motion without his Sword, to stand a Thought on it to try whether he will answer you, by offering to proceed to the Parade; if he do not answer, it is useless, but if he do, then presently make your second Motion within his Sword, and your third Motion without it, by giving the Thrust; both these Motions must be done with admirable quickness; at every Motion give a beat with your Foot, and disengage; turning your Nails in Quart.

If you are without distance, make a Motion to see if he will answer your Feint, and if he do begin again, make your first Motion, as within distance, approaching at the same time, and so your second and third.

There is a contrary to these, that is to be observed when your Adversary makes use of them against you, Then you must make use either of the Counter-caveating Parade, or keep your Sword Point immoveable towards his Face that opposes you, your Arm as much stretched out as possible; and when you do so you must recover your Body, by drawing your Right foot close to your Left, stand as it were on Tip-toe, and if for all this your Adversary give a home Thrust, then you must Counter-temps him in the Face, and Parie his Thrust with your Left-hand; or if you perceive him make variety of Feints, then upon every one of them make a half Thrust, which will oblige him to betake himself to the Parade, and so when you please you may take the pursuit, or when he makes variety of Feints, give a plain home Thrust, as smart as may be, and endeavour to defend your self from Counter-temps with your Left-hand, and to prevent them, it is always in this Case best when you give a Thrust, to use your Left-hand.

Lesson 7. The Single Feint at the Head.

Being within distance you may present your Sword within or without your Opponents Sword, making a Feint or Motion at his Face, if your Sword be presented without, by a little stretching out your Right-Arm, your Nails in Quart, and when you make the Motion, give a little beat with your Right-foot, and if the Feint be answered, then immediately give in your Thrust at his Arm-pit your Head under your Sword-arm, your Left-hand held before you, with the Palm of it looking towards your Right-side, and that part of your Arm, from the Points of your Fingers to your Elbow, must stand in a manner strait upwards, which posture you must ever observe when you give in this Thrust, because in doing it, it defends you from the Thrust of your Adversary, if it be above, and without your Sword; and you may at the same time make a Motion at his Face.

Lesson 8. Of the double Feint at the Head.

Being within distance, make your first Motion or Feint, as before, at the Face, your second Motion low without your Adversaries Sword, towards his belly; and with the third, give a Thrust without, and above his Sword, your Nails in Quart, marking every motion with your Head, Hands and Feet; and when you make your second Motion, hold your Hand as in the single Feint, and when you give in your Thrust above Sword, you must Quart your Head well, because you must give it in with your Nails in Quart; and by this means your Body will be kept secure within your Sword, when in Terce it would ly open, especially to Counter-temps.

There is a Parying the contrary, either with the Counter-caveating Parade, or by answering every Motion, by what means you will fall to Parie your Adversaries with the first Parade in Terce.

Lesson 9. Containing the manner of the Feint at the Head on the True Parade.

The contrary to the second Parade is this, and to do it you must make your Motion at your Adversaries Face, and if you imagine he intends to Parie you with the second Counter-caveating Parade, make round his Sword, as it were going a circle about it, and so give a Thrust at his Arm-pit, and with your Left-hand avoid Counter-temps, and being within distance, approach with your first Motion, and in so doing you Caveat his Sword and shun his Parade, or if your Adversary follows your Sword, you may make two or three circles till you find a fit time to let in your Thrust.

Lesson 10. Of the Low Feint.

When you intend to proceed in this, you must have your Sword without your Adversaries and when it is so, make directly the Second Motion of the double Feint at the Head, and give in the Thrust above, and when you are without distance, make your approach with the Feint, or first Motion; and make in your Thrust with the second. And this may be Paryed, by answering every Motion, or using the Counter-caveating Parade.

The contrary to it, is, when your Adversary is making his low Feint, to take time, and give in the Thrust above his Sword, your Nails in Quart.

Lesson 11. Of Battery.

This is a kind of a Beat from whence it derives its name, and therefore when you play it you must present your Sword either without or within your Adversaries, if within, and he within your Measure, then keep your Sword half a Foot from his, and when you intend to play, Strike a small stroak on the Edg, and Feeble of your Sword on the Edg, and Feeble of his, and at the same Moment give a Beat with your Foot, which will surprize your Adversary, if not well skilled; if it does not, nor that he answers you by offering to Parie, give a strait home Thrust at his Right-Pap, as you give in a plain Thrust within the Sword, moving the Sword only with your Wrist, and thereby keeping your Body close. If your Adversary offers to answer your stroak, and go to the Parade, then your best way is to slip him, and give in a Thrust without, and above the Sword, or when you perceive him going to Parade, then suddenly slip and make a double Feint on the other side, and Thrust on that side you gave the Beat.

In the contrary of this Parie, with the Counter-caveating Parade, or meet his stroak, and make a half Thrust, which will force him to the Parade; and so you may pursue.

Lesson 12. Of Volt Coupe.

In this observe to present your Sword within your Adversaries, he being within your Measure; then make a Feint at the Face your Nails in Quart, and upon this give a Beat with your Foot, and carry your Hand well Quarted, and if by offering to Parie, he answers this, and that high, then Thrust at the Belly, your Nails in Terce, and keep your Left-hand as a Guard from Counter-temps; if by Parying low, you are disappointed of this advantage, then after you have made your Feint, instead of a Thrust in the Belly, slip his Parade, and give the Thrust without, and above the Sword; and when you are within distance approach with the first Motion: If your Sword be presented without your Adversaries, you must first then disengage.

The contrary to this is either to Parie his Sword with the second Parade in Quart, or to take time and give your Thrust the way he was to give it in upon you, at the instant he makes his Motion at your Face, or you may pass without his Thrust.

Lesson 13. Of Binding your Adversaries Sword.

This is the securest Play, and chiefest Mistery in the Art of Fencing, wherefore to do it after you have presented your Sword, either within or without your Adversaries, on a sudden over-lap six or seven Inches of his with eight or ten of yours; and this is sufficient to secure it; but this must be always done with the Edg of the Sword, whether you present it within or without, and immediately after you have bound it, give a Thrust strait home. In this case, always observing to keep a close Left-foot, also to give a Beat with your Foot, and to bind with a Spring, viz. Press your Sword almost to the Ground, but stay not with it, but immediately bring it up again and then give the Thrust; and this prevents Counter-temps, and the best Parade against it is, the Counter caveating Parade, and if your Adversary flips your Sword, you must endeavour to bind him within or without the Sword again. You may also put upon him the double or single Feint, or having bound your Sword without, you may give in your Thrust, as in playing the single Feint at the Head.

Lesson 14. Of the Flancanade.

To do this, when you have presented within your Adversaries Sword, over-lap it with 12 Inches of yours, within eight of his, and give in the Thrust on his Right-flank, on the other side of the Sword, and beneath it your Nails side-ways, throwing forward your Left-hand and turning the Palm from you to keep off Counter-temps in the Belly, and in Thrusting let your Hilt be lower than the Point, which secures his Sword; and note when you lap over to do it with the flat, and not with the Edg as when you bind.

And thus much may serve for an introduction to the learner in the Science of Defence, and therefore for other Lessons, not here set down, I refer him to a Master.