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 be
|