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Difference between revisions of "Gérard Thibault d'Anvers/Plates 12-22"

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| class="noline" | The usefulness of seizing the space inside the angle is so obvious, it should require no further proof. Anyone who has entered inside will always have twice the advantage, with regard to timing and distance. For he cannot be hit in a single beat, because he has passed the tip of his opponent’s sword, yet he has not given up the ability to attack however he wishes to. And if his enemy begins to draw back his sword to thrust, he can feel it and wound his enemy before he can pull it far enough, because he is in position, and outside his enemy’s line, and thus has the advantage. Also, note that those who fence in the old style, because they know no better, try to open up the angle, to beat the opposing sword aside. What we do with our sword, they want to do with their left hand. But this is their fault, because, since they always remain face to face against their opponents in a straight line, how is it possible for them to safely open up the angle, when we consider how this is the opposite of the direct line, and cannot happen except when one line crosses the other. This is why they do not know how to engage their enemy’s swords without uncovering their own side at the same time. That is why Alexander always approaches by moving to the side. Because he knows his enemy does not know how to parry the slightest strike without creating an angle. But if he does not create a large enough opening for them, there is nothing that stops him from executing his strike. And if not, he only needs to step inside the angle.
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|The usefulness of seizing the space inside the angle is so obvious, it should require no further proof. Anyone who has entered inside will always have twice the advantage, with regard to timing and distance. For he cannot be hit in a single beat, because he has passed the tip of his opponent’s sword, yet he has not given up the ability to attack however he wishes to. And if his enemy begins to draw back his sword to thrust, he can feel it and wound his enemy before he can pull it far enough, because he is in position, and outside his enemy’s line, and thus has the advantage. Also, note that those who fence in the old style, because they know no better, try to open up the angle, to beat the opposing sword aside. What we do with our sword, they want to do with their left hand. But this is their fault, because, since they always remain face to face against their opponents in a straight line, how is it possible for them to safely open up the angle, when we consider how this is the opposite of the direct line, and cannot happen except when one line crosses the other. This is why they do not know how to engage their enemy’s swords without uncovering their own side at the same time. That is why Alexander always approaches by moving to the side. Because he knows his enemy does not know how to parry the slightest strike without creating an angle. But if he does not create a large enough opening for them, there is nothing that stops him from executing his strike. And if not, he only needs to step inside the angle.
+
| class="noline" | L’uſage de ſaiſir les angles eſt ſi manifeſte, qu’il n’en faut pas demander des preuves. Car celuy qui eſt entré dedans, a touſiours double avantage au regard du temps & de la meſure. Dont il ne peut eſtre touché au Premier Inſtant, par ce qu’il a paſſé la pointe contraire, & pourtant il ne laiſſe pas d’avoir la commodité luy meſme de travailler à touts moments, ſi bon luy ſemble. & ſi l’Ennemy commence à vouloir ramener ſa pointe, il a le ſentiment qui l’advertit de le bleſſer au meſme temps avant qu’il en ſoit venu à bout de ſorte qu’il a l’ennemi en preſence, eſtant luy meſme dehors, tant il a d’avantage. Auſſi voit on que ceux qui tirent à la veille mode, à faute de ne ſçavoir mieux, ils taſchent d’ouvrir les angles pour battre l’eſpee contraire. Ce que nous faiſons avec l’eſpee meſme, ils le veulent faire avec la main gauche. mais c’eſt leur faute. car puis qu’ils demeurent touſiours viz à viz de leurs contraires en ce droite ligne, comment leur ſeroit il poſſible de bien ouvrir les angles, conſideré que l’angle ceſt tout le contraire de la ligne droite, & qu’il n’y en a peut avoir, ſinon que l’une des lignes ſoit miſe en travers de l’autre. Et c’eſt la cauſe pourquoy ils ne ſçauroyent engager les eſpees des Ennemis, qu’ils ne ſe deſcouvrent auſſi de leur coſté pareillement. Voilà donc pourquoy Alexandre a fait touſiours ſes approches en allant de travers. Pour ce qu’il ſçait que l’Ennemi ne ſçauroit parer le moindre coup ſans faire angle. Car s’il ne fait point aſſez d’ouverture, il n’y a rien qui l’empeſche de faire l’execution; & ſi au contraire, il ne tient qu’à luy d’entrer dedans l’angle.
−
 
 
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|L’uſage de ſaiſir les angles eſt ſi manifeſte, qu’il n’en faut pas demander des preuves. Car celuy qui eſt entré dedans, a touſiours double avantage au regard du temps & de la meſure. Dont il ne peut eſtre touché au Premier Inſtant, par ce qu’il a paſſé la pointe contraire, & pourtant il ne laiſſe pas d’avoir la commodité luy meſme de travailler à touts moments, ſi bon luy ſemble. & ſi l’Ennemy commence à vouloir ramener ſa pointe, il a le ſentiment qui l’advertit de le bleſſer au meſme temps avant qu’il en ſoit venu à bout de ſorte qu’il a l’ennemi en preſence, eſtant luy meſme dehors, tant il a d’avantage. Auſſi voit on que ceux qui tirent à la veille mode, à faute de ne ſçavoir mieux, ils taſchent d’ouvrir les angles pour battre l’eſpee contraire. Ce que nous faiſons avec l’eſpee meſme, ils le veulent faire avec la main gauche. mais c’eſt leur faute. car puis qu’ils demeurent touſiours viz à viz de leurs contraires en ce droite ligne, comment leur ſeroit il poſſible de bien ouvrir les angles, conſideré que l’angle ceſt tout le contraire de la ligne droite, & qu’il n’y en a peut avoir, ſinon que l’une des lignes ſoit miſe en travers de l’autre. Et c’eſt la cauſe pourquoy ils ne ſçauroyent engager les eſpees des Ennemis, qu’ils ne ſe deſcouvrent auſſi de leur coſté pareillement. Voilà donc pourquoy Alexandre a fait touſiours ſes approches en allant de travers. Pour ce qu’il ſçait que l’Ennemi ne ſçauroit parer le moindre coup ſans faire angle. Car s’il ne fait point aſſez d’ouverture, il n’y a rien qui l’empeſche de faire l’execution; & ſi au contraire, il ne tient qu’à luy d’entrer dedans l’angle.
 
 
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{{master begin
 
  | title = Book 1 - Tableau / Plate XIII - Defeating or Defending With The Guard Raised High to Protect the Face
 
  | title = Book 1 - Tableau / Plate XIII - Defeating or Defending With The Guard Raised High to Protect the Face
 
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! Translation by <br/> [[user:Bruce Hearns|Bruce G. Hearns]]
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| class="noline" | In sum, to see how Alexander does the actions in Circle No 6, by which he captures and subjugates his opponent’s sword, it seems there is nothing easier. This is because he works from a good foundation. And even though the swords do not always make contact in the same place, at the same Spans, nevertheless the choice of thrust, cuts, and holds which follow are entirely his own. He may freely take whichever pleases him. He will completely upend those ignorant or foolhardy imitators who have the temerity to to copy what they have seen done three or four times by a well trained and able man. From which they can gain only a sense of shame and confusion, when they try to test him, and find all their intentions frustrated at every moment, because they do not know the depth of this science, nor how difficult it is, nor the time, well worth the effort, which it requires to learn, nor the amount of study to bring to the subtleties of these examples. Gentlemen both presumptuous and ridiculous, who, having learned but two or three points, convince themselves that they fully understand the techniques, and that they can deal with any situation with the little that they know. They have no consideration of the full expanse, of the infinity of variation which dailly presents itself in training. Because each one has his own way of striking, different from all others, just as each hour, each minute, each instant changes from one to the next. So I can say,  comparing the chamber, where debates are resolved with words, to the promenade where questions are settled with victory in arms, that just as [in logical discourse] arguments are subjected to critiques, critiques to responses, responses to reviews, reviews to commentaries until all evidence the adversaries wish to examine has been discussed, so in the performance of arms there is no stroke, either ordinary, or well examined, or completely grasped, or so secret, or so amazing, that it does not have a counter. As such one must never be too confident of any particular strike. What is good on one occasion will fail in another. It may be the best attack in the world, but nothing prevents someone from defending against it. It should not be that strange if common fencers are always unsure, given that their training, not being founded on general sciences, should fail to prepare them to face all situations, and so it must follow that much of the result of their workings depends in great measure on fortune, where the path of wisdom is closed to them.
−
|In sum, to see how Alexander does the actions in Circle No 6, by which he captures and subjugates his opponent’s sword, it seems there is nothing easier. This is because he works from a good foundation. And even though the swords do not always make contact in the same place, at the same Spans, nevertheless the choice of thrust, cuts, and holds which follow are entirely his own. He may freely take whichever pleases him. He will completely upend those ignorant or foolhardy imitators who have the temerity to to copy what they have seen done three or four times by a well trained and able man. From which they can gain only a sense of shame and confusion, when they try to test him, and find all their intentions frustrated at every moment, because they do not know the depth of this science, nor how difficult it is, nor the time, well worth the effort, which it requires to learn, nor the amount of study to bring to the subtleties of these examples. Gentlemen both presumptuous and ridiculous, who, having learned but two or three points, convince themselves that they fully understand the techniques, and that they can deal with any situation with the little that they know. They have no consideration of the full expanse, of the infinity of variation which dailly presents itself in training. Because each one has his own way of striking, different from all others, just as each hour, each minute, each instant changes from one to the next. So I can say,  comparing the chamber, where debates are resolved with words, to the promenade where questions are settled with victory in arms, that just as [in logical discourse] arguments are subjected to critiques, critiques to responses, responses to reviews, reviews to commentaries until all evidence the adversaries wish to examine has been discussed, so in the performance of arms there is no stroke, either ordinary, or well examined, or completely grasped, or so secret, or so amazing, that it does not have a counter. As such one must never be too confident of any particular strike. What is good on one occasion will fail in another. It may be the best attack in the world, but nothing prevents someone from defending against it. It should not be that strange if common fencers are always unsure, given that their training, not being founded on general sciences, should fail to prepare them to face all situations, and so it must follow that much of the result of their workings depends in great measure on fortune, where the path of wisdom is closed to them.
+
| class="noline" | En ſomme à voir faire à Alexandre l’operation du Cercle N.6. par laquelle il enferme & aſſujettit l’eſpee contraire, il ſemble, qu’il n’y ait rien plus facile. c’eſt pour autant qu’il travaille avec fondement. Et encores que les eſpees ne s’accouplent pas touſiours aux meſmes endroits, & à meſmes Nombres; toutesfois le chois des eſtocades, coups de taille, & prinſes, qui s’en enſuivent, ne depend que de ſa ſeule elećtion; il en prendra librement celle, qui luy viendra le plus à gré. Tout au rebours en ſera il de ces ignorants & hardis entrepreneurs d’imiter temerairement tout ce qu’ils auront veu pratiquer trois ou quatre fois à vn homme adroit & bien fondé: dequoy ils ne peuvent raporter que honte & confuſion, quand il eſt queſtion d’en venir aux preuves, ſe voyants fruſtrez à touts moments de leurs intentions, à faute de ne cognoiſtre pas l’amplitude de ceſte Science, ne combien elle eſt difficle, le temps qu’elle requiert & merite pour l’apprendre, ne l’eſtude qu’il faut apporter à la ſubtilité de ſes demonſtrations. Gents preſomptueux & ridicules; qui n’ayants apprins, que deux ou trois pointilles, ſe ſont accroire, que rien ne leur manque, ſur l’aſſeurance qu’ils ont de faire ſervir à toutes occaſions le peu qu’ils en ſavent; ſans conſiderer la grande eſtendue, voire l’infinité des variations, qui ſe preſentent journellement en la Pratique; par ce que chaſcun a ſa propre maniere à tirer differemment des autres, voire que les heures, les minutes, les inſtants touſiours ſe changent. Dont je puis dire, en faiſant compariſon du bureau, où les debats ſe finiſſent par paroles, avec le parquet où les queſtions ſe terminent par la victoire des armes, que comme les accuſations ſont ſujettes aux exceptions, les exceptions aux repliques, le repliques aux duplications, triplications, & finalement à toutes les Inſtances que la partie adverſe voudra faire; ainſi au fait des armes il n’y a aucun trait tant ordinaire, tant bien examiné, tant priſé, tant ſecret, ne tant admirable, que n’ait ſon contraire; de ſorte qu’il ne faut jamais fier en aucun trait particulier; tout ce qui eſt bon en l’une des occaſions, eſtant faux en l’autre: ſoit aſſailli le mieux du monde, rien n’empeſche qu’il ne ſoit encore mieux defendu. Dont ſi les vulgaires en demeurent eſtonnez, il ne faut pas le trouver eſtrange; attendu que leur pratique, n’eſtant pas fondée en ſcience generale, qui ſoit baſtante à les preparer contre toutes occurrences, il s’enſuit de neceſſité, que les iſſues de leurs entreprinſes dependent en partie du ſort de la Fortune, qui domine par tout, où la Prudence eſt forcloſe.
−
 
 
−
|En ſomme à voir faire à Alexandre l’operation du Cercle N.6. par laquelle il enferme & aſſujettit l’eſpee contraire, il ſemble, qu’il n’y ait rien plus facile. c’eſt pour autant qu’il travaille avec fondement. Et encores que les eſpees ne s’accouplent pas touſiours aux meſmes endroits, & à meſmes Nombres; toutesfois le chois des eſtocades, coups de taille, & prinſes, qui s’en enſuivent, ne depend que de ſa ſeule elećtion; il en prendra librement celle, qui luy viendra le plus à gré. Tout au rebours en ſera il de ces ignorants & hardis entrepreneurs d’imiter temerairement tout ce qu’ils auront veu pratiquer trois ou quatre fois à vn homme adroit & bien fondé: dequoy ils ne peuvent raporter que honte & confuſion, quand il eſt queſtion d’en venir aux preuves, ſe voyants fruſtrez à touts moments de leurs intentions, à faute de ne cognoiſtre pas l’amplitude de ceſte Science, ne combien elle eſt difficle, le temps qu’elle requiert & merite pour l’apprendre, ne l’eſtude qu’il faut apporter à la ſubtilité de ſes demonſtrations. Gents preſomptueux & ridicules; qui n’ayants apprins, que deux ou trois pointilles, ſe ſont accroire, que rien ne leur manque, ſur l’aſſeurance qu’ils ont de faire ſervir à toutes occaſions le peu qu’ils en ſavent; ſans conſiderer la grande eſtendue, voire l’infinité des variations, qui ſe preſentent journellement en la Pratique; par ce que chaſcun a ſa propre maniere à tirer differemment des autres, voire que les heures, les minutes, les inſtants touſiours ſe changent. Dont je puis dire, en faiſant compariſon du bureau, où les debats ſe finiſſent par paroles, avec le parquet où les queſtions ſe terminent par la victoire des armes, que comme les accuſations ſont ſujettes aux exceptions, les exceptions aux repliques, le repliques aux duplications, triplications, & finalement à toutes les Inſtances que la partie adverſe voudra faire; ainſi au fait des armes il n’y a aucun trait tant ordinaire, tant bien examiné, tant priſé, tant ſecret, ne tant admirable, que n’ait ſon contraire; de ſorte qu’il ne faut jamais fier en aucun trait particulier; tout ce qui eſt bon en l’une des occaſions, eſtant faux en l’autre: ſoit aſſailli le mieux du monde, rien n’empeſche qu’il ne ſoit encore mieux defendu. Dont ſi les vulgaires en demeurent eſtonnez, il ne faut pas le trouver eſtrange; attendu que leur pratique, n’eſtant pas fondée en ſcience generale, qui ſoit baſtante à les preparer contre toutes occurrences, il s’enſuit de neceſſité, que les iſſues de leurs entreprinſes dependent en partie du ſort de la Fortune, qui domine par tout, où la Prudence eſt forcloſe.
 
  
 
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! Translation by <br/> [[user:Bruce Hearns|Bruce G. Hearns]]
 
! Translation by <br/> [[user:Bruce Hearns|Bruce G. Hearns]]
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| class="noline" | Here we have another action that has the same beginning in Circle No 14, where Alexander subjugates the opposing sword by stepping with his right foot towards the Centre, to block his path. In this Circle, Zachary advances and enters at the same time with his left side and foot, set down at the letter M along the Perpendicular Diameter, drawing the right foot along behind, and grasping with his left hand to grab his opponent’s guard. While he is making these moves, Alexander withdraws his arm and the guard back and to the left side, while putting his left foot on the Outside Square on the Oblique Diameter. He then proceeds to move his sword in a circle above over his head to cut at his opponent’s left ear, while withdrawing his right foot to the letter I on the Oblique Diameter. As we can see in the image.
−
|Here we have another action that has the same beginning in Circle No 14, where Alexander subjugates the opposing sword by stepping with his right foot towards the Centre, to block his path. In this Circle, Zachary advances and enters at the same time with his left side and foot, set down at the letter M along the Perpendicular Diameter, drawing the right foot along behind, and grasping with his left hand to grab his opponent’s guard. While he is making these moves, Alexander withdraws his arm and the guard back and to the left side, while putting his left foot on the Outside Square on the Oblique Diameter. He then proceeds to move his sword in a circle above over his head to cut at his opponent’s left ear, while withdrawing his right foot to the letter I on the Oblique Diameter. As we can see in the image.
+
| class="noline" | Voicy une operation qui a auſſi le meſme commencement du Cercle N.14. où <font style="font-variant:small-caps">Alexandre</font> aſſujettit l’eſpee contraire en marchant avec le pied droit devers le Centre pour luy couper le chemin. En ce preſent Cercle <font style="font-variant:small-caps">Zacharie</font> s’avance & entre au meſme temps avec le coſté & le pied gauche à planter à la lettre M par delà le Diametre, entrainant & voltant auſſi le pied droit derriere, & gripant avec la main gauche pour prendre la garde contraire. Durant ces dit mouvements <font style="font-variant:small-caps">Alexandre</font> ſe retire le bras & la garde à main gauche & vers le bas, en reculant auſſi le meſme pied ſur le Quarrè Circonſcrit, à planter ſur le Diametre Oblicq, conduiſant à l’advenant ſa lame circulairement en haut par deſſus ſa teſte, & en donnant un coup de taille au contraire à l’oreille gauche, en retirant le pied droit en deçà le Diametre à la lettre I; comme on le voit en la repreſentation des figures.
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|Voicy une operation qui a auſſi le meſme commencement du Cercle N.14. où <font style="font-variant:small-caps">Alexandre</font> aſſujettit l’eſpee contraire en marchant avec le pied droit devers le Centre pour luy couper le chemin. En ce preſent Cercle <font style="font-variant:small-caps">Zacharie</font> s’avance & entre au meſme temps avec le coſté & le pied gauche à planter à la lettre M par delà le Diametre, entrainant & voltant auſſi le pied droit derriere, & gripant avec la main gauche pour prendre la garde contraire. Durant ces dit mouvements <font style="font-variant:small-caps">Alexandre</font> ſe retire le bras & la garde à main gauche & vers le bas, en reculant auſſi le meſme pied ſur le Quarrè Circonſcrit, à planter ſur le Diametre Oblicq, conduiſant à l’advenant ſa lame circulairement en haut par deſſus ſa teſte, & en donnant un coup de taille au contraire à l’oreille gauche, en retirant le pied droit en deçà le Diametre à la lettre I; comme on le voit en la repreſentation des figures.
 
  
 
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! Translation by <br/> [[user:Bruce Hearns|Bruce G. Hearns]]
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| class="noline" | History tells of the Roman General Fabius Maximus, who harassed the army of Hannibal and thus saved the Republic. VNVS HOMO NOBIS CUNCTANDO RESTITVIT REM (“One man, by delaying, restored the state to us”). Our students should take heed to likewise learn above all to manage their attack with patience. There is no reason at all to be hasty during the initial approach, because one does not know how one’s adversary will behave, whether one must work quickly or slowly, attacking forward, or defending backwards. Anything else would be temerity made manifest. It is true that those who hold to the common style agree with this, except when it comes to performing the pauses which we require when in the midst of combat, then they strongly object. They claim that victory is lost whenever one holds back, and that each slight pause is a fault, because, they say, one cannot disrupt an enemy, except by constant speed, so that he does not have time to respond, and it would be useless  to even think of doing anything differently; that one could neither offend, nor defend, since pauses cannot be but like a burden that slows a packhorse and would leave one unable to meet the short, fast attacks which strike and strike again, and hit before one could stop them. I reply, to those who value nothing other than that one thing, that in our system we have no intention of only taking our time and disregarding speed, but that each one has its use, as much as the other, and that security comes from caution, as much as strikes succeed through quickness. It is not the back-and-forth motion of the arms, nor the clash of swords, nor the impetus of the body, nor the stamping of the feet which produce hits, these are merely movements. Careful preparations are not in fear, but in order to effectively deliver big hits, one needs to make certain of one’s approach, until one has the range and opportunity to hit with one quick motion. This how to offend your adversary, together with your proper defense, instead of just using speed which leaves you completely uncovered because it does not allow you time to assess your opponent’s actions.
−
|History tells of the Roman General Fabius Maximus, who harassed the army of Hannibal and thus saved the Republic. VNVS HOMO NOBIS CUNCTANDO RESTITVIT REM (“One man, by delaying, restored the state to us”). Our students should take heed to likewise learn above all to manage their attack with patience. There is no reason at all to be hasty during the initial approach, because one does not know how one’s adversary will behave, whether one must work quickly or slowly, attacking forward, or defending backwards. Anything else would be temerity made manifest. It is true that those who hold to the common style agree with this, except when it comes to performing the pauses which we require when in the midst of combat, then they strongly object. They claim that victory is lost whenever one holds back, and that each slight pause is a fault, because, they say, one cannot disrupt an enemy, except by constant speed, so that he does not have time to respond, and it would be useless  to even think of doing anything differently; that one could neither offend, nor defend, since pauses cannot be but like a burden that slows a packhorse and would leave one unable to meet the short, fast attacks which strike and strike again, and hit before one could stop them. I reply, to those who value nothing other than that one thing, that in our system we have no intention of only taking our time and disregarding speed, but that each one has its use, as much as the other, and that security comes from caution, as much as strikes succeed through quickness. It is not the back-and-forth motion of the arms, nor the clash of swords, nor the impetus of the body, nor the stamping of the feet which produce hits, these are merely movements. Careful preparations are not in fear, but in order to effectively deliver big hits, one needs to make certain of one’s approach, until one has the range and opportunity to hit with one quick motion. This how to offend your adversary, together with your proper defense, instead of just using speed which leaves you completely uncovered because it does not allow you time to assess your opponent’s actions.
+
| class="noline" | L’hiſtoire teſmoigne de Fabius Maximus General de l’Armee Romaine, qu’en trainant l’Armee de Hannibal il a redreſſé la Republique: Vnvs homo nobis cunctando restituit rem. Noſtre Eſcholier ſe doit propoſer ſemblablement d’apprendre ſur tout à meſnager ſes forces. Auſsi n’a il nulle raiſon de ſe haſter durant les premieres approches, par ce qu’il ne ſçait quelle ſituation l’Adverſaire doit prendre, s’il doit travailler viſte ou lentement, en avant, ou en arriere. Ce ſeroit donc une temerité manifeſte. Et de vray ceux qui ſe tiennent à la Pratique vulgaire, confeſſent le meſme. Mais touchant les pauſes que nous requerons au milieu de la bataille, il leur ſemble qu’ils ont grande occaſion d’y contredire. Car ils objećtent, que la vićtoire s’envole à touts les fois qu’on la refuſe, & que touts les clins d’oeil qu’on ſe retarde, ſont autant de fautes; pour ce qu’on ne peut mettre l’Ennemy en desorder, ſinon par la viſteſſe, de façon qu’il ne ſache de quelle part il nous doive attendre: & ſi nous penſons d’y aller autrement, que nous ne ferons rien qu vaille, ny pour offenſer, ny pour defendre, d’autant que la tardiveté ne pourra eſtre baſtante à rencontrer tant de fretillements, qui paſſent, & repaſſent, & arrivent avant qu’on le puiſſe atteindre. Ie reſpons que ce n’eſt pas notſte intention de priſer la ſeule tardiveté des aćtions & en desprinſer la viſteſſe: mais que l’une y doit avoir ſa place, auſsi bien que l’autre, & que les aſſeurances procedent de la tardiveté, comme les executions de la viſteſſe; reprenant ceux qui n’eſtiment rien valable aux prix d’elle ſeule. Ce ne ſont pas les branſlements du bras, ny le cliquement des eſpees, ny les impetuoſitez du corps, ny le battements des pieds, qui donnent les atteintes, ce ſont des ſimples mouvements: les grandes preparations, ne ſont pas à craindre, mais les grands coups, pour leſquels effećtuer il ne faut qu’aſſeurer ſes approches, juſqu’à tant qu’on ait le moyen de prendre une ſeule fois le temps à ſon avantage. Voilà la maniere d’offenſer voſtre Adverſaire, conjoinćte avec voſtre propre defenſe, au lieu de ceſte grande viſteſſe qui en eſt toute deſnuée, par ce qu’elle n’a pas le loiſir d’examiner les aćtions du Contraire.
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|L’hiſtoire teſmoigne de Fabius Maximus General de l’Armee Romaine, qu’en trainant l’Armee de Hannibal il a redreſſé la Republique: Vnvs homo nobis cunctando restituit rem. Noſtre Eſcholier ſe doit propoſer ſemblablement d’apprendre ſur tout à meſnager ſes forces. Auſsi n’a il nulle raiſon de ſe haſter durant les premieres approches, par ce qu’il ne ſçait quelle ſituation l’Adverſaire doit prendre, s’il doit travailler viſte ou lentement, en avant, ou en arriere. Ce ſeroit donc une temerité manifeſte. Et de vray ceux qui ſe tiennent à la Pratique vulgaire, confeſſent le meſme. Mais touchant les pauſes que nous requerons au milieu de la bataille, il leur ſemble qu’ils ont grande occaſion d’y contredire. Car ils objećtent, que la vićtoire s’envole à touts les fois qu’on la refuſe, & que touts les clins d’oeil qu’on ſe retarde, ſont autant de fautes; pour ce qu’on ne peut mettre l’Ennemy en desorder, ſinon par la viſteſſe, de façon qu’il ne ſache de quelle part il nous doive attendre: & ſi nous penſons d’y aller autrement, que nous ne ferons rien qu vaille, ny pour offenſer, ny pour defendre, d’autant que la tardiveté ne pourra eſtre baſtante à rencontrer tant de fretillements, qui paſſent, & repaſſent, & arrivent avant qu’on le puiſſe atteindre. Ie reſpons que ce n’eſt pas notſte intention de priſer la ſeule tardiveté des aćtions & en desprinſer la viſteſſe: mais que l’une y doit avoir ſa place, auſsi bien que l’autre, & que les aſſeurances procedent de la tardiveté, comme les executions de la viſteſſe; reprenant ceux qui n’eſtiment rien valable aux prix d’elle ſeule. Ce ne ſont pas les branſlements du bras, ny le cliquement des eſpees, ny les impetuoſitez du corps, ny le battements des pieds, qui donnent les atteintes, ce ſont des ſimples mouvements: les grandes preparations, ne ſont pas à craindre, mais les grands coups, pour leſquels effećtuer il ne faut qu’aſſeurer ſes approches, juſqu’à tant qu’on ait le moyen de prendre une ſeule fois le temps à ſon avantage. Voilà la maniere d’offenſer voſtre Adverſaire, conjoinćte avec voſtre propre defenſe, au lieu de ceſte grande viſteſſe qui en eſt toute deſnuée, par ce qu’elle n’a pas le loiſir d’examiner les aćtions du Contraire.
 
  
 
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| class="noline" | There is no question but physical strength is of very great importance , when it comes to fighting. Nature herself imprints this, with I cannot say what degree of terror, such that we are often stunned, not just by the sight of those who are blessed with huge size, but at the mere mention of such. However, we can see that even the strength of lions, bears, and tigers are of no use against man’s agility and cleverness. Where does this come from, if not that great power is always accompanied by some weakness by which one can exploit? The same thing is in our System. If our opponent’s appearance seems to be intimidating, yet they still have their  weaknesses, through which we can master and overcome them and against which they will never have the luxury of enough time to work out a counter-move. Having seen the benefits of Alexander’s agility, we should do likewise. We may hold our physical strength in high regard, but we will lose all benefit should we try to resort to that too early. That is why Alexander remains content to contain his adversary with small movements, reserving his strength until the proper time to make use of it presents itself so perfectly that is impossible not to take full advantage of the chance. Which we can manifestly see in all the examples in this current Plate.
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|There is no question but physical strength is of very great importance , when it comes to fighting. Nature herself imprints this, with I cannot say what degree of terror, such that we are often stunned, not just by the sight of those who are blessed with huge size, but at the mere mention of such. However, we can see that even the strength of lions, bears, and tigers are of no use against man’s agility and cleverness. Where does this come from, if not that great power is always accompanied by some weakness by which one can exploit? The same thing is in our System. If our opponent’s appearance seems to be intimidating, yet they still have their  weaknesses, through which we can master and overcome them and against which they will never have the luxury of enough time to work out a counter-move. Having seen the benefits of Alexander’s agility, we should do likewise. We may hold our physical strength in high regard, but we will lose all benefit should we try to resort to that too early. That is why Alexander remains content to contain his adversary with small movements, reserving his strength until the proper time to make use of it presents itself so perfectly that is impossible not to take full advantage of the chance. Which we can manifestly see in all the examples in this current Plate.
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| class="noline" | Il eſt certain que les forces corporelles ſont de tres-grande importance, quand il eſt queſtion de ſe battre. Nature meſme leur a empraint, je ne ſay quelle marque effroyable, par laquelle nous ſommes eſtonnez non ſeulement en regardant entre les yeux ceux qui en ſont douez par deſſus les autres, mais encore aſſez de fois, à les ouir nommer tant ſeulement. Cependant on voit qu’aux  Lions, Ours, & Tigres toute leur force ne profite de rien contre la dexterité des hommes. D’ou vient cela? Sinon de ce que la force eſt touſiours accompagnée de quelque foibleſſe, où on l’attrappe. Le meſme en eſt il en noſtre Exercice. Si les mouvements du Contraire ſont terribles en apparance, ils ne laiſſent pas pourtant d’avoir leur foibleſſe, durant laquelle on les peut maiſtriſer & prevenir, qu’ils n’ayent jamais le loiſir de ſe renforcer à leur avantage. Voylà la dexterité de noſtre Alexandre faiſons en de meſme. Eſtimons grandement nos forces corporelles; mais ſachons que nous en perdrons le fruit, ſi nous en voulons avoir l’uſage avant le temps. C’eſt pourquoy Alexandre ſe contente d’entretenir l’Adverſaire avec de petits mouvements, reſervant ſes forces juſqu’à tant que l’occaſion de s’en prevaloir ſe preſente ſi belle, qu’il ſoit impoſsible quelle luy eſchappe: comme on voit manifeſtement en touts les Exemples de ce preſent Tableau.
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Il eſt certain que les forces corporelles ſont de tres-grande importance, quand il eſt queſtion de ſe battre. Nature meſme leur a empraint, je ne ſay quelle marque effroyable, par laquelle nous ſommes eſtonnez non ſeulement en regardant entre les yeux ceux qui en ſont douez par deſſus les autres, mais encore aſſez de fois, à les ouir nommer tant ſeulement. Cependant on voit qu’aux  Lions, Ours, & Tigres toute leur force ne profite de rien contre la dexterité des hommes. D’ou vient cela? Sinon de ce que la force eſt touſiours accompagnée de quelque foibleſſe, où on l’attrappe. Le meſme en eſt il en noſtre Exercice. Si les mouvements du Contraire ſont terribles en apparance, ils ne laiſſent pas pourtant d’avoir leur foibleſſe, durant laquelle on les peut maiſtriſer & prevenir, qu’ils n’ayent jamais le loiſir de ſe renforcer à leur avantage. Voylà la dexterité de noſtre Alexandre faiſons en de meſme. Eſtimons grandement nos forces corporelles; mais ſachons que nous en perdrons le fruit, ſi nous en voulons avoir l’uſage avant le temps. C’eſt pourquoy Alexandre ſe contente d’entretenir l’Adverſaire avec de petits mouvements, reſervant ſes forces juſqu’à tant que l’occaſion de s’en prevaloir ſe preſente ſi belle, qu’il ſoit impoſsible quelle luy eſchappe: comme on voit manifeſtement en touts les Exemples de ce preſent Tableau.
 
  
 
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| class="noline" | As a general obeservation of some great consequence, all movements are easily overcome as they first begin. As experience in all things demonstrates, there is nothing strong which was not once weak. Consider, for example, the infancy of trees, of beasts, of men; the foundation of cities, of peoples, and Kingdoms; the general time span of all things which increase by degree, to find at base their point of birth. consider the ease with which these, at that point, could be mastered, taking no great pains. And yet, if one leaves these alone, they shall strangthen over time, some so much that there is no way to rein them back. Take a millstone, grinding at the summit of a mountain, which begins to break away to roll from the top to the bottom. It is possible, at the very first, to hold it with but the force of a hand, oftimes merely a finger is enough. If it begins to lean, one may still hold it back with one’s body. But if it begins to roll, if it has already made a single turn from top to bottom, what strength has any man to stop, slow, or turn it from its course? It is the same with blows or cuts, as in Circle No 3. If you wait, so that the motion has descended, then all that you would try, to bring it under control, is a lost cause. The force will be too great. But if you act at the beginning, it will be easy. That way, there is little more to do than to quickly align your sword-tip, as it should be, so as to have the swords contact at the instant his unwinds. I am not saying you must chase after his sword, but rather to constrain his so that his must strike along the length of your blade; that your action is founded less on strength and more on skill; that you must aim your sword-tip and connect with the middle of his blade. This is the principle and the source of all his strength. For as long as you have reached the centre of his blade, he must contend against the entirety of your blade, not more nor less than the short part of your blade, in the same way as when one draws near a candle when one wishes to remove the light spread about a room, or when the Sun shines its rays through a small aperture and the light expands, it is easier to block the aperture with a hand than to try and stop it with the entire body at a distance when the light has expanded too much. So there is no point in doing otherwise because when one gives a cut the centre of the sword almost remains in the same place, and so is very easy to find and contact, whereas the tip revolves in a large arc, and so swiftly that it would be impossible to attain. From which, we see, again, as before, that the power begins with the beginning of the motion.
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|As a general obeservation of some great consequence, all movements are easily overcome as they first begin. As experience in all things demonstrates, there is nothing strong which was not once weak. Consider, for example, the infancy of trees, of beasts, of men; the foundation of cities, of peoples, and Kingdoms; the general time span of all things which increase by degree, to find at base their point of birth. consider the ease with which these, at that point, could be mastered, taking no great pains. And yet, if one leaves these alone, they shall strangthen over time, some so much that there is no way to rein them back. Take a millstone, grinding at the summit of a mountain, which begins to break away to roll from the top to the bottom. It is possible, at the very first, to hold it with but the force of a hand, oftimes merely a finger is enough. If it begins to lean, one may still hold it back with one’s body. But if it begins to roll, if it has already made a single turn from top to bottom, what strength has any man to stop, slow, or turn it from its course? It is the same with blows or cuts, as in Circle No 3. If you wait, so that the motion has descended, then all that you would try, to bring it under control, is a lost cause. The force will be too great. But if you act at the beginning, it will be easy. That way, there is little more to do than to quickly align your sword-tip, as it should be, so as to have the swords contact at the instant his unwinds. I am not saying you must chase after his sword, but rather to constrain his so that his must strike along the length of your blade; that your action is founded less on strength and more on skill; that you must aim your sword-tip and connect with the middle of his blade. This is the principle and the source of all his strength. For as long as you have reached the centre of his blade, he must contend against the entirety of your blade, not more nor less than the short part of your blade, in the same way as when one draws near a candle when one wishes to remove the light spread about a room, or when the Sun shines its rays through a small aperture and the light expands, it is easier to block the aperture with a hand than to try and stop it with the entire body at a distance when the light has expanded too much. So there is no point in doing otherwise because when one gives a cut the centre of the sword almost remains in the same place, and so is very easy to find and contact, whereas the tip revolves in a large arc, and so swiftly that it would be impossible to attain. From which, we see, again, as before, that the power begins with the beginning of the motion.
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| class="noline" | C’eſt une obſervation fort generale, & de tresgrande conſequence, que touts mouvements ſont aiſez à ſurmonter en leurs premiers commencements; comme l’experience demonſtre en toutes choſes, qu’il n’y a rien de fort, qui n’ait eſté foible au paravant. Conſiderez en pour example, l’enfance des arbres, des beſtes, & des hommes; la fondation des Villes, des Peuples, & Royaumes; & generalement tous les periodes des choſes, qui augmentent par degrez pour atteindre le comble de leur premiere naiſſance; & combien ſeroit il facile de les y maiſtriſer tout à ſouhait, ſans nulle peine? Et cependent, ſi on le laiſſe, ils ſe renforcent quelques uns ſi avant, qu’il ny reſte pluy moyen de les retenir davantage en bride. Soit une Pierre de Moulin, giſant au ſommet d’une montagne, & qu’elle commence à ſe deſtacher pour rouler de haut en bas; il y a moyen au premier commencement de l’arreſter avec la main ſeule, voire ſouvent avec un doigt ſans plus: ſi elle commence à pancher, encore la peut on retenir avec le corps:  mais ſi elle a prinſ ſa courſe, & qu’elle ait deſia donné un tour de haut à bas, qu’elle force d’homme y a il, qui la puiſſe empſcher, moderer, ou divertir, qu’elle n’aille ſon train tout à vau de route? Le meſme en eſt il de ces coups de taille, comme il eſt repreſenté au Cercle N.3. Si vous attendez tant, que le mouvement ſoit venu à deſcendre, tout ce que vous ferez pour l’aſſujettir ſera peine perdue. La force en eſt trop grande. Mais ſi vous prenez le commencement du temps, tout ſera facile. De façon, qu’il n’y a rien à faire, ſinon dreſſer à temps voſtre pointe, comme il faut, pour avoir les lames accouplées tout à l’inſtant qu’il debande la ſienne. Non pas di-je que vous alliez taſter apres, mais qu’il ſoit contraint luy meſme, de frapper au long de la voſtre; & que voſtre aćtion ſoit fondée ſur moins de force, & plus d’adreſſe: Or pour ce faire dreſſez & accouplez voſtre pointe tout joignant le centre de ſa lame; qui eſt le principe & la ſource de toute ſa force. Tellement qu’avoir gagné le Centre, c’eſt luy avoir gagne toute l’eſpee, ne plus ne moins qu’on ſe contente pour le plus court, de tirer la chandelle, quand on veut oſter la lumiere qui reluiſt dedans une chambre, ou quand le Soleil y jette ſes rayons par un petit pertuis, & que la lumiere s’en eſpard ſi largement, qu’il ſeroit plus facile de l’obſcurcir à l’entree du meſme pertuis avec la ſeule main, que de le faire au lieu où la lumiere eſt eſpandu avec le corps tout entier. Auſsi n’y a il point de moyen de faire autrement car pour donner l’eſtramaçon le centre de l’Eſpee demeure quaſi en la meſme place, de façon qu’il eſt beaucoup plus facile à trouver & à prendre, que la pointe, qui fait un grand deſtour & ſi viſte, qu’il ſeroit impoſsible de l’atteindre. Dequoy il appert derechef, comme au paravant, qu’il faut prendre le commencement de la force avec le commencement du temps.
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|C’eſt une obſervation fort generale, & de tresgrande conſequence, que touts mouvements ſont aiſez à ſurmonter en leurs premiers commencements; comme l’experience demonſtre en toutes choſes, qu’il n’y a rien de fort, qui n’ait eſté foible au paravant. Conſiderez en pour example, l’enfance des arbres, des beſtes, & des hommes; la fondation des Villes, des Peuples, & Royaumes; & generalement tous les periodes des choſes, qui augmentent par degrez pour atteindre le comble de leur premiere naiſſance; & combien ſeroit il facile de les y maiſtriſer tout à ſouhait, ſans nulle peine? Et cependent, ſi on le laiſſe, ils ſe renforcent quelques uns ſi avant, qu’il ny reſte pluy moyen de les retenir davantage en bride. Soit une Pierre de Moulin, giſant au ſommet d’une montagne, & qu’elle commence à ſe deſtacher pour rouler de haut en bas; il y a moyen au premier commencement de l’arreſter avec la main ſeule, voire ſouvent avec un doigt ſans plus: ſi elle commence à pancher, encore la peut on retenir avec le corps:  mais ſi elle a prinſ ſa courſe, & qu’elle ait deſia donné un tour de haut à bas, qu’elle force d’homme y a il, qui la puiſſe empſcher, moderer, ou divertir, qu’elle n’aille ſon train tout à vau de route? Le meſme en eſt il de ces coups de taille, comme il eſt repreſenté au Cercle N.3. Si vous attendez tant, que le mouvement ſoit venu à deſcendre, tout ce que vous ferez pour l’aſſujettir ſera peine perdue. La force en eſt trop grande. Mais ſi vous prenez le commencement du temps, tout ſera facile. De façon, qu’il n’y a rien à faire, ſinon dreſſer à temps voſtre pointe, comme il faut, pour avoir les lames accouplées tout à l’inſtant qu’il debande la ſienne. Non pas di-je que vous alliez taſter apres, mais qu’il ſoit contraint luy meſme, de frapper au long de la voſtre; & que voſtre aćtion ſoit fondée ſur moins de force, & plus d’adreſſe: Or pour ce faire dreſſez & accouplez voſtre pointe tout joignant le centre de ſa lame; qui eſt le principe & la ſource de toute ſa force. Tellement qu’avoir gagné le Centre, c’eſt luy avoir gagne toute l’eſpee, ne plus ne moins qu’on ſe contente pour le plus court, de tirer la chandelle, quand on veut oſter la lumiere qui reluiſt dedans une chambre, ou quand le Soleil y jette ſes rayons par un petit pertuis, & que la lumiere s’en eſpard ſi largement, qu’il ſeroit plus facile de l’obſcurcir à l’entree du meſme pertuis avec la ſeule main, que de le faire au lieu où la lumiere eſt eſpandu avec le corps tout entier. Auſsi n’y a il point de moyen de faire autrement car pour donner l’eſtramaçon le centre de l’Eſpee demeure quaſi en la meſme place, de façon qu’il eſt beaucoup plus facile à trouver & à prendre, que la pointe, qui fait un grand deſtour & ſi viſte, qu’il ſeroit impoſsible de l’atteindre. Dequoy il appert derechef, comme au paravant, qu’il faut prendre le commencement de la force avec le commencement du temps.
 
  
 
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