View source for Fiore de'i Liberi/Sword in Two Hands

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! <p>Illustrations</p>
! <p>Illustrations</p>
! <p>''{{rating|B|Novati Translation}} by [[Michael Chidester]]''<br/>{{rating|B|Getty Translation}} by [[Colin Hatcher]]</p>
! <p>''{{rating|C|Paris Translation}} by [[Kendra Brown]] and [[Rebecca Garber]]''<br/>{{rating|B|Morgan Translation}} by [[Michael Chidester]]</p>
! <p>[[Tratt‍ato della sch‍erma (MS M.383)|Morgan Transcription]] (1400s){{edit index|Tratt‍ato della sch‍erma (MS M.383)}}<br/>by [[Michael Chidester]]</p>
! <p>[[Fior di Battaglia (MS Ludwig XV 13)|Getty Transcription]] (1400s){{edit index|Fior di Battaglia (MS Ludwig XV 13)}}<br/>by [[Michael Chidester]]</p>
! <p>[[Flos Duellatorum (Pisani Dossi MS)|Pisani Dossi Transcription]] (1409){{edit index|Flos Duellatorum (Pisani Dossi MS)}}<br/>by [[Michael Chidester]]</p>
! <p>[[Florius de Arte Luctandi (MS Latin 11269)|Paris Transcription]] (1420s){{edit index|Florius de Arte Luctandi (MS Latin 11269)}}<br/>by [[Kendra Brown]] and [[Rebecca Garber]]</p>

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| <p>[1] We are two guards that are similar to each other, and yet each one is a counter to the other. And for all other guards in this art, guards that are similar are counters to each other, with the exception of the guards that stand ready to thrust—the Long Guard, the Short Guard and the Middle Iron Gate. For when it is thrust against thrust the weapon with the longer reach will strike first. And whatever one of these guards can do so can the other.</p>

<p>And from each guard you can make a “turn in place” or a half turn. A turn in place is when without actually stepping<ref>The expression “stando fermo” translates literally as “remaining firm”. In the context of Fiore’s art I interpret this “volta” when referring to step (footwork) to refer to weight transfers between the two feet with the feet turning slightly on the balls of the feet, but without actually stepping. Used in relation to the crossed swords, I translate “stando fermo” as “maintaining pressure”. In my interpretation this refers to crossed swords in front of the opponent’s sword attack, maintaining strong pressure against his blade, crossing his blade at the “front”, i.e. the incoming sword, and then thrusting to the “back”, i.e. at the opponent’s body. The “volta” or “turn” of the sword involved here is a clockwise ''rotation'' of the sword around its long axis, i.e. a “screwing” motion as you turn the sword from crossguard more vertical to crossguard more horizontal. This motion is of course the Germanic tradition “winden” or “winding” of the sword. Thus I translate “volta stabile” as a “turn in place”.</ref> you can play to the front and then to the rear on the same side. A half turn is when you make a step forwards or backwards and can switch sides to play on the other side from a forwards or backwards position. A full turn is when you circle one foot around the other, one remaining where it is while the other rotates around it.</p>

<p>Furthermore you should know that the sword can make the same three movements, namely stable turn, half turn and full turn.</p>

<p>Both of these guards drawn below are named the Guard of the Lady.</p>

<p>Also, there are four types of movement<ref>Fiore’s word is actually “cose”—“things”. In this context it is better translated as “movements”, “steps” or “footwork”.</ref> in this art, namely passing forwards, returning,<ref>“Tornare” literally means “to return”. Thus it is a “returning” step. Note it does NOT mean “to turn”. In certain instances “tornare” refers simply to a passing step backwards, i.e. the reverse of a passing step forwards. Elsewhere it is used by Fiore to show a second movement that returns along the path the first movement took.</ref> advancing,<ref>“Accressere” means literally “to increase”. The noun form would be “accresso” or “accressimento”. As I interpret it it refers to a shuffle step in any direction where the lead foot moves out away from the body first, resulting in an increase in distance between the feet. Fiore does not include passing steps forward or backward under this term.</ref> and withdrawing.<ref>“Discressere” means literally “to decrease”. The noun form would be “discresso” or “discressimento”. As I interpret it this refers to a shuffle step in any direction where the first foot that moves, moves back towards the body, i.e. the distance between the feet is shortened (decreased). A shuffle step forwards thus is made up of two of Fiore’s “cose”: first an “accresso” as the lead foot moves forward, then a “discresso”, as the rear foot moves forwards too.</ref></p>

<p>''[Text spans both images.]''</p>
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| <p>[2] ''Six Masters we are, and we dispute one to another<br/>Each does something that the others do not:<br/>And every one of them holds his sword in guard;<br/>We will explain and demonstrate that which they are.''</p>

<p>''For throwing I am well-prepared,<br/>On a big step I will make a bargain.''</p>

<p>We are six guards and each of us is different from the other, and I am the first to speak of my purpose. My method is to throw my sword. The other guards follow after me. I believe they will tell you themselves about their particular virtues.</p>
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| <p>[3] ''Against the grip of hand and also the throw,<br/>With this guard, I know well how to ward.''</p>

<p>I am a good guard, in armor or without armor, and against a spear or a sword thrown from the hand, I am confident I will not be harmed, because I know how to beat them aside and thus evade them.</p>
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| <p>[4] ''In order to strike farther and to step stronger<br/>Against armor I want to stand in this way.''</p>

<p>I am the guard to use if you want to extend a long thrust, because my grip on the sword increases its reach. I am good to use against you if you and I are armored, because I can make a quick thrust to the front which will not miss you.</p>
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| <p>[5] ''Against dagger and against sword, armored<br/>And unarmored, I want to be found in this way.''</p>

<p>I am a good guard against sword, axe and dagger if I am armored, because I grip the sword with my left hand at the middle. And this is particularly useful against the dagger, which can do more harm to me at close range than the other weapons.</p>
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| <p>[6] ''This grip is the noble Stance of the Queen:<br/>She defends against cutting and thrusting in every way.''</p>

<p>I am named the Guard or Post of the Lady, and<ref>The word Fiore uses is not “and” (“e”) but is “perche”, which usually translates as “because”. But if we translate the line with “because” then it reads “I am named the guard or post of the Lady, because I am distinct from the other sword grips.” That line then makes no sense at all, and certainly does NOT tell us WHY the high guard over the shoulder is named “Guard of the Lady”. I’ve changed it to make more sense.</ref> I am different from the four<ref>Fiore actually says “these other guards” (“queste altra prese”), not “the four sword guards shown above” but I have changed this so that the sentence makes more sense. Fiore is comparing the Guard of the Lady, which is number five out of the six guards shown in this section, with the previous four guards. This section is one of Fiore’s most poorly written passages, very hard to understand and a challenge to translate!</ref> sword guards<ref>Fiore uses the expression “prese de spada” which means literally “grips of the sword”. He means the guards.</ref> that came before me, even though they are themselves different from each other.<ref>This sentence is confusing. I have therefore made an interpretive translation to make sense of the sentence. Here I believe Fiore means that the Guard of the Lady is different from the prior four guards shown, which are all low guards, in that the Guard of the Lady is a high guard (held above the shoulder).</ref> And although the next guard that opposes me seems to be my guard also, you will note that I am not using my sword reversed as a poleaxe, whereas that is how he is using his.<ref>The sixth guard is indeed also the Guard of the Lady but the sword is held reversed so as to use it like a poleaxe. The character in the drawing here is simply pointing out that while you might think the two guards (fifth and sixth) are the same guard (both hold the weapon high on the right shoulder), they are different in that the sixth is wielding the sword reversed like an axe. The text of the sixth guard points out that notwithstanding this, this guard too is named “Guard of the Lady”.</ref></p>
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| <p>[7] ''This sword I use for a sword and an axe:<ref>For more information about this sword, see Armored Sword 29.</ref><br/>With harness and without, whoever can take me, go ahead.''</p>

<p>This sword is being used as both a sword and a poleaxe. And its great force can stop any attack from a lighter weapon. This guard is also the High Guard of the Lady, who with her skill can fool the other guards, because you will think she is going to attack you with a strike, but instead she will attack you with a thrust. All I have to do is raise my arms above my head, and I can then quickly launch a thrust at you.</p>
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| <p>[8] {{red|b=1|Downward Blows}}</p>

<p>''We are downward blows and we dispute<br/>By cleaving the teeth with proper intention:<br/>We have not delayed in wounding<br/>And we return to guard from move to move.''</p>

<p>We are the downward blows.<ref>Fiore sometimes spells the word “fendente” for the plural, and sometimes “fendenti”.</ref> In this art our method is to cut with precision<ref>“Cum rasone” literally means “with reason”, which makes no sense. I decided to translate this as “with precision”, since “rasone” suggests mental calculation is involved.</ref> from the teeth down to the knee. And we can easily end up in any of the low guards. We are highly effective<ref>Fiore actually says “cum inzegno”—“cleverly”. But there is nothing “clever” about a fendente strike. It is a big downward hit. So I changed this word to “effectively”.</ref> in breaking the other guards, and with each blow we leave a trail<ref>Fiore actually uses the word “sangue segno”—“a sign of blood”, but I think the expression “trail of blood” works better.</ref> of blood. We downward blows strike fast, and thereafter we return to our guard back the way we came.</p>
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| <p>[9] {{red|b=1|Under Blows}}</p>

<p>''We are the blows called Under,<br/>Who always seek to strike the hands;<br/>And we dispute from the knees up<br/>And we teach a lesson by returning with downward blows.''</p>

<p>We are the rising blows, and we go from the knee to the middle of the forehead, following the same path that the downward blows follow. And we return<ref>Another use of the “returning” concept—here making it clear that the verb is “return” not “turn” by spelling it “retornamo”—“we return”.</ref> down the same path as we ascend, unless we choose to remain high in the Long Guard.</p>
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| <p>[10] {{red|b=1|Middle Blows}}</p>

<p>''We middle blows go thwarting;<br/>From the knee and above we go wounding;<br/>And we beat the thrusts out of the way<br/>And, redoubling the blow, striking is our deal;<br/>And if we of the middle blow enter cleaving,<br/>We waste many people with such blows.''</p> 

<p>We are the middle blows, and we are so-called because we go crosswise through the middle of the path of both the downward blows and the rising blows. And we strike with the true edge of the sword from the right, and with the false edge of the sword from the left. And our path could be anywhere between the knee and the head.</p>
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| <p>[11] {{red|b=1|The Thrusts}}</p>

<p>''Thrusts we are, of greatest offense<br/>And we make our dispute to all strikes;<br/>Venomous we are, more than a serpent,<br/>And we kill more people than any strike;<br/>And our thrusts to the blows do say:<br/>So little do you cut that we sew like a needle.''</p>

<p>We are the cruel and deadly thrusts. Our target is the body’s center line, and we can strike anywhere between the groin and the forehead. And we thrusts can be made in five ways: two of us can be made from high guards, one from each side, and two can be made from low guards, also one from each side. The fifth one comes from a center line guard, and can be made from Middle Iron Gate, the Short Guard, or the Long Guard.</p>
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| <p>[12] {{red|b=1|The Iron Gate (Powerful)}}<ref>“Pulsativa” actually means “good for hitting”. Fiore names only a few of his guards “pulsativa”, namely the ones from which you can strike really hard. Hence my choice of the translation “powerful”.</ref></p>

<p>''We are called stances and guards by name,<br/>And we are each one similar and contrary to another;<br/>And following the way we stand and are positioned,<br/>We will demonstrate how to make one against another.''</p>

<p>''The Full Iron Gate, I am low to the ground<br/>So that I always restrain cuts and thrusts.''</p>

<p>Here begin the guards of the two handed sword, of which there are twelve. The first is the low<ref>The word is “tutta” Iron Gate. While this is sometimes translated as “Whole Iron Gate”, “Full Iron Gate” or “Complete Iron Gate” (“tutta” also meaning “all”), none of these translations make much sense to me. I note however that in the Morgan manuscript (Morgan 6r-b) Fiore uses “tuta” to refer to the base of the sword (at the crossguard). Thus in that case “Tuta” or “Tutta” carries the meaning of “at the base”, from where I get my translation “Iron Gate at the base”, or simply “low Iron Gate”.</ref> Iron Gate, which is a very strong guard, and a good guard in which to wait for an attack by every kind of hand-held weapon, whatever its length,<ref>Fiore’s words are “longa e curta” (“long and short”). I’ve liberally translated that as “whatever its length.”</ref> as long as you have a good sword that is not too long. And from this guard if you make cover with a passing step you move to the Narrow Game.<ref>“Strette” literally means “narrow”. At times Fiore uses it to refer to swordplay made when the defender covers (crosses swords) in front of the opponent’s blade with the right foot forward instead of the left. Fiore terms this configuration (both parties’ right foot leading at the crossed swords position, with the defender’s sword crossed in front of the attack), the “Narrow Game”, or “Zogho Stretto”. Why this “game” is “narrow” is beyond the scope of these footnotes.</ref> Or you can exchange thrusts, striking home with yours.<ref>Fiore is referring here to the “scambiar de punta” (“Exchange of Thrusts”) of Getty 26v-a.</ref> Or, as you step, you can beat the opponent’s thrust to the ground.<ref>Fiore is referring here to the “rompere de punta” (“Breaking of the Thrust”) of Getty 26v-c.</ref> And this guard can cover attacks from all angles.</p>
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<p>''Each one <read: us> calls the position by name, and the deceptive guard.<br/>The second is similar to another, and indeed to the counter.<br/>And just as this has been placed, so we understand similar action.''</p>

<p>''I am called the Iron Gate, equal to the earth from all;<br/>I always prepare something again, chop and strike with the point.''</p>

<p>Here commence the guards of the sword in two hands, and there are 12 guards, and the first is the Full Iron Gate which stands in great strength and is good for awaiting all hand-held weapons, both extended and withdrawn, as long as she has good sword (not one of too much length). She steps with a cover and goes to the narrow, she exchanges thrusts and she delivers her own; she also beats thrusts to the ground and always goes with steps, and against all blows she makes a cover. And whoever joins a brawl with her will make great defense without fatigue.</p>
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| <p>[14] {{red|b=1|The Stance of the Queen on the Right (Powerful)}}</p>

<p>''I am the Stance of the Queen, noble and proud<br/>For making defense in every manner;<br/>And whoever wants to contend against me<br/>Will want to find a longer sword than mine.''</p>

<p>This is the Guard of the Lady,<ref>I have deliberately translated this “Guard of the Lady” and not “Lady’s Guard” so as to leave open the possibility of a link between Donna and the Madonna. “Donna” means a “Lady”, with perhaps a reference to “Our Lady”, the Madonna.</ref> from which you can make all seven of the sword’s strikes and cover them too. And from this guard you can break the other guards with the strong blows you can make, and you can also quickly exchange thrusts. Advance your front foot offline, and then pass diagonally with your rear foot. This will take you to a position where your opponent is unprotected, and you will then be able to quickly strike him.<ref>The last two words “per certo” (“for sure”) serve no purpose other than to rhyme with “discoperto”, so I have omitted them.</ref></p>
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<p>''Brave, elevated, I am the Lady’s Position, high,<br/>And in any quarter by this manner I defend limbs with fury.<br/><br/><br/>''</p>

<p>This is the Stance of the Queen,<ref>“Donna” means noble lady or mistress, and is also the name of the chess piece. I use the latter translation because I believe the name is a reference to the versatility of the guard.</ref> which can make all seven blows of the sword and can also cover all blows. She breaks the other guards through the great blows that she makes, and she is always ready for the exchange of thrusts: the foot which is in front advances out of the way and the one behind steps to the side. And her companion is made uncovered, and that one can immediately strike him for certain.</p>
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| <p>[15] {{red|b=1|The Stance of the Window (Fluid)}}</p>

<p>''I am the royal Stance of the True Window<br/>And I am always ready for the whole art.''</p>

<p>This is the Window Guard who is always quick, skillful<ref>“Di malizie” can mean “malicious” but can also mean “skillful”. I’ve chosen “skillful” as it makes more sense here.</ref> and deceptive. She is a master at covering and striking. She threatens all opposing guards, whether high guards or low guards. She moves quickly from this guard to other guards to confuse her opponent. And she is a very good guard from which to make powerful thrusts, break the opponent’s thrust or exchange points.</p>
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<p>''I am this the regal Position, certainly, of the True Window,<br/>And fleeting,<ref>I.e. quick.</ref> I always disclose in accordance with my clear art.''</p>

<p>This is the Stance of the Casement Window on the right, which is always ready with malice and trickery, and she is the Master of covering and of striking and with all the guards she makes her disputes (with the high and with the low). She often goes from one guard to another in order to fool her companion, and she throws great thrusts, and knows how to break and to exchange them—those plays she can make very well.</p>
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| <p>[16] {{red|b=1|The Middle Iron Gate (Stable)}}</p>

<p>''The Middle Iron Gate, I am strongest<br/>For giving death with thrusts and downward blows:<br/>And by extending my sword, I feel that<br/>From the narrow play I always defend myself.''</p>

<p>This is Half Iron Door, because it stays in the middle and is a strong guard. But, she wants a long sword. She throws strong thrusts and beats with force the swords upwards, and returns with a downward blow for the head or arms, and returns to its guard. But it is called Door, because it is strong and it is a strong guard that badly it can break without danger, and without coming to the close.</p>
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<p>''I am the strong Iron, and named<ref>This is an additional instance of “dicor,” which on 19v we identified as a pun (also meaning consecrated) when used to describe the True Cross.</ref> Door<ref>Note that this verse says “janua” rather than “porta” in the previous Iron stance; we’ve rendered “porta” as gate and “janua” as door.</ref> in the Middle,<br/>And I give heavy blows, and I seek death with the point.<br/><br/><br/>''</p>

<p>This is the Middle Iron Gate because she stands in the middle, and she is a strong guard but she doesn't want her sword extended. She throws strong thrusts and beats swords upward with strength, and returns with a downward blow through the head or through the arms and then simply returns to her guard. But she is well-named "gate" because she is strong; she is a strong guard that cannot be broken easily without danger and coming to the narrow.</p>
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| <p>[17] {{red|b=1|The Extended Stance (Fluid)}}</p>

<p>''I am the Extended Stance with my short sword<br/>And I often strike the throat with cunning.''</p>

<p>This guard is the Long Guard, which is full of deception. She is skilled in probing<ref>The word Fiore uses is actually “tastando”—“tasting”. I’ve translated this as “probing”.</ref> the guards to see if she can deceive her opponent. If she needs to strike the opponent with a thrust, she is well-suited to do it. As for the opponent’s blows, she knows how to avoid them and then strike back with blows of her own. This guard employs deception more than any other guard.</p>
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<p>''I remain the short sword, but, however, in this Position I am called<br/>Long, very often cutting the neck using this clever device.''</p>

<p>This is the Extended Stance which is full of deceit; she probes the other guards to see if she can deceive a companion. If she can strike with a thrust, she knows how to do it well; she voids the blows and she can wound when she is able. More than any other guard, her tactic is deception.</p>
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| <p>[18] {{red|b=1|The Headband Stance called the Crown (Fluid)}}</p>

<p>''The Headband Stance, I am called the Crown;<br/>I will pardon no one, not from the edge nor from the point.''</p>

<p>This is the Forehead Guard,<ref>Frontale means “front” or “forehead” (The “frontale” is the name given to the armor a war horse wears around its head, protecting its forehead all the way down its nose). So the guard could translate as simply the Front Guard. I like the name Forehead Guard because Fiore links it to another part of the head when he says it is also named (by others) the Crown Guard.</ref> called by some instructors<ref>“Magistro” can mean “Master”, or simply “Instructor”.</ref> the Crown Guard. She is a very good guard for crossing swords,<ref>“Making the cross” i.e. crossing the opponent’s incoming sword with yours, is one of the fundamental skills of Fiore’s system.</ref> and is also very good against thrusts. If she is attacked with a high thrust, she crosses swords  while stepping  off line . If she is attacked with a low thrust, she also steps offline, but this time she drives the opponent’s sword to the ground . She can also do other things. For example, in response to a thrust she can pass backwards with the front foot and respond with a downward strike to the head or arms, ending in the Boar’s Tusk, then she can quickly throw a thrust or two with advancing steps, then deliver a downward strike, ending in that same guard.</p>
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<p>''I am called the famous Crown, the Frontlet Position itself.<br/>I don’t spare each one,<ref>I.e. I show compassion to no one</ref> destroying with cuts and the point.''</p>

<p>This is the Headband Stance, and some Masters call her the Stance of the Crown. She is good at crossing, and she is also good against thrusts because if a point comes attacking upwards, she crosses, stepping out of the way. And she also steps out of the way if a point comes attacking low, beating the thrust to the ground. Again, she can do it differently, such that in the attack of a thrust she returns her foot behind and comes with a downward blow through the head and through the arms and goes to the Boar's Tusk, and then suddenly throws a thrust or two with an advance of her foot and returns with a downward blow from her own guard.</p>
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| <p>[19] {{red|b=1|[The Stance of the Queen on the Right]}}</p>

<p>''Again, I am the Stance of the Queen against the Boar's Tusk;<br/>With malice and trickery, I will give of [my sword] in a brawl.''</p>
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<p>''I am the Boar’s Tooth Position placed opposite the Lady’s,<ref>The text contains an error here; the illustration shows the Lady’s Position, not the Boar’s Tooth.</reF><br/>Bearing wily<ref>''Versito'': full of stratagems, wily, cunning</ref> hindrance to many chest[s].''<ref>A revelation: the umlauts placed over the words seem to correspond with two words which form the name of a guard but which are not placed near each other.</ref></p>

<p>This is the Stance of the Queen, which can make all seven blows of the sword and can also cover all blows. She breaks the other guards through the great blows that she makes, and she is always ready for the exchange of thrusts: the foot which is in front advances out of the way and the one behind steps to the side. And her companion is made uncovered, and that one can immediately strike him for certain.</p>
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| <p>[20] {{red|b=1|The Wild Boar's Tusk (Stable)}}</p>

<p>''I am the strong Stance of the Boar's Tusk.<br/><br/>My tactic against all the guards is to probe.''</p>

<p>This is the Boar’s Tusk,<ref>“Dente” means “tooth”, but Fiore is clearly here using the image of the boar’s tusks. The wild boar, when fighting, hooks diagonally with its tusks (elongated lower teeth).</ref> because it strikes the way the wild boar strikes.<ref>My translation here is fairly liberal. Fiore says literally “because it takes its method of striking from the wild boar.”</ref> Sometimes it makes powerful thrusts from below up into the face, without stepping forward, and it returns along the same path with a downward strike to the arms. Other times as it thrusts the point of the sword high into the face, it advances the front foot forwards, then returns to its guard with a downward strike to the head or the arms. Then it quickly launches another thrust with another advance of the front foot. And this guard can mount a good defense against the Narrow Game.</p>
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<p>''I am the Position of the Wild Boar, brave and immoderate of strength,<br/>Well-proved to extend with all precautions.''</p>

<p>This is the Wild Boar's Tusk since the tusk of a wild boar has a similar method of striking. She attacks with great underhand thrusts ending in the face and doesn't move a step, and then returns with a downward blow down to the arms. And sometimes she throws her point to the face and goes with the point high, and in that throw of the point she suddenly advances the foot which is in front and returns to her guard, and immediately throws another thrust with an advance of the foot, and thus defends well against the narrow play.</p>
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| <p>[21] {{red|b=1|The Shortened Stance (Stable)}}</p>

<p>''I am the Shortened Stance and I hold my sword long;<br/>Often I thrust the point and then return with cunning.<br/><br/>''</p>

<p>This is the Short Guard that is more effective with a longer sword. It is a deceptive guard but it is risky to wait in. It is constantly moving, trying to see if it can enter with a thrust and a step against the opponent. And this guard is more effective in armor than without armor.</p>
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<p>''I am this, the Shorter Position, and I go back over the long sword.<br/>I often threaten with the point; nevertheless, thenceforth I return thither.''</p>

<p>This is the Shortened Stance, which wants a long sword, and she is a malicious guard which doesn't have stability. Also, she always moves and watches to see if she can enter with her point and with a step against her companion, and more appropriate is this guard in armor than without armor.</p>
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| <p>[22] {{red|b=1|The Stance of the Queen on the Left (Powerful)}}</p>

<p>''I am the left Stance of the True Window;<br/><br/>I am just as swift in this one as from the right.<br/>''</p>

<p>This is the Guard of the Lady on the left, and she is always quick to cover or strike. She generates powerful blows and easily breaks the thrust, driving it to the ground. Also, because of her skill in traversing, she can quickly enter into the Narrow Game, a game she is very familiar with.</p>
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<p>''I<ref>The umlaut theory falls down here: there’s only one.  Possibly, the “i” in ''ipse'' is meant to have two dots, which would make the pair here “I Myself.”</ref> am called the On the Left Position itself, and Of the True Window.<br/>Thus, I am certainly fast on the right, just as this way on the left.''</p>

<p>This is the Stance of the Queen on the left, and she is always ready to cover and to strike. She makes great blows and breaks the thrusts, beating them to the ground, and she enters into the narrow play by knowing how to thwart. Such a guard knows how to make these plays well.</p>
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| <p>[23] {{red|b=1|The Stance of the Long Tail (Stable)}}</p>

<p>''Stance of the Long Tail, I am extended to the ground<br/>Forward and backward, I always make offense:<br/>And if I step forward and enter with a downward blow,<br/>I come to the narrow play without fail.''</p>

<p>This is the Long Tail Guard Guard that extends behind you down to the ground. She can attack with a thrust, and can also move forwards to cover and strike. And if she passes forward while striking downwards she can easily enter the Narrow Game. This is a good guard to wait in, because you can quickly transition from it into other guards.</p>
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<p>''Behold! I am dragged forward into the ground, the Long Tail Position. And before<br/>And after I very often drive, piercing blows to blows.<br/><br/>''</p>

<p>This is the Stance of the Long Tail which is extended toward the ground. She can thrust the point behind and she can cover and strike in front, and if she steps forward and attacks with a downward blow, into the narrow play she enters without failure. And such a guard is good for waiting, because from her someone can enter into the others quickly.</p>
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| [[File:MS Latin 11269 13v-d.png|400px|center]]
| <p>[24] {{red|b=1|The Two-Horned Stance (Fluid)}}</p>

<p>''I make myself called the Stance of the Anvil<br/>If I have enough deceit, I will not challenge it.<br/><br/>''</p>

<p>This is the Two Horned Guard, which is held so strongly locked in position that its point cannot be moved off the center line. And this guard can do all of the things that the Long Guard can do. And the same is true of the Window Guard and the Forehead Guard.</p>

<p>''[In [[:File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19a-d.png|the Novati]], the left hand is not reversed; this may be due to an error on the part of the artist hired to clean up the Pisani Dossi manuscript images before publication.]''</p>
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<p>''I am surely called by all the actual Two-Horned<ref>The superscript says “certainly I”; we believe this note represents an incorrect reading of the line, and have not incorporated it into our translation.</ref> Position.<br/>Don’t even ask how deceptive, how clever I would be according to you.''</p>

<p>This is the Stance of the Two-Horned Anvil, which is so strongly enclosed that she always remains with her point toward the middle of the way. And she can do that which the Extended Stance can do, and this can similarly be said of the Stance of the Window and the Headband Stance.</p>
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|- 
| class="noline" | 
| class="noline" | [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 24v-d.jpg|400px|center]]
| class="noline" | <p>[25] {{red|b=1|The Stance of the Boar's Tusk in the Middle (Stable)}}</p>

<p>This is the Middle Boar’s Tusk, so named because the boar has two tusks, one low and this one in the middle, by which I mean this one stays on the center line. And the Middle Boar’s Tusk can do whatever the Low Boar’s Tusk can do. Just as the wild boar strikes diagonally with its tusks, so you strike diagonally with your sword, in such a way as to displace<ref>The expression “ala traversa” here just means crossing swords diagonally, but based on what comes after this I prefer my translation.</ref> your opponent’s sword, from which position, having uncovered your opponent, you can launch thrusts, or destroy his hands, head or his arms.</p>
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{{section|Page:MS Ludwig XV 13 24v.jpg|24v-d}}
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|}<noinclude></div>

{{reflist}}</noinclude>