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Complete Translation 
by Christian Trosclair
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Transcription
by Dieter Bachmann
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Here begins the text and recital of the long sword. Firstly, make good position[5] and stretch your arms free. Whatever you then fence, prepare yourself thusly.
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[2r] Hyr hebet sich aen der text vnd zedell ym langen sweerd Zom eersten mach gudt bossenn vnd streck dy arm fry wastu dan fichts das wapent sich.
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Item. Understand the .F. hews as so: The over-hew from the right shoulder with the long edge and make [a] positioning with your left foot. Also similarly, the left over-hew make position with the right foot and hew with the long edge plunging through your opponent’s head, etc
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Item dy .V. hewe vernym also, den ouer hewe van der rechter achselin myt langer snyden vnd mach bossen myt dem lincken voysz des glichen yst auch der linck ouer hewe mach bossen myt dem rechten voysz vnd hawe myt der langen snyden durch ym deen koff ym stortz :-
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Item. Hew again around through to his head in the squint[6]and around again through his head in the plunge[7] and lay the sword upon your back, allow it to sink to the right side. Sweep out[8] your pommel against your opponent and your point behind, thus you arrive in the right middle-hew. Hew before yourself, around the head into the left middle-hew and again around into the head into the right changer with the long edge down. [Hew] with the short edge up around the head into the left change. These are the four hews. One shall learn each if they otherwise wish to fence properly, etc
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Item hewe veder vmb durch ym den koff yn schylt vnd vidder vmb durch ym den koff yn stortz, vnd lech das swert vff den ruck laysz esz syncken vff dy rechten syten Keer den knouff gegen den man vnd den ort hynder vsz so komstu yn den rechten myttel hewe Hewe vur ewech vmbden koff yn den lincken myttel hewe, vmd vidder vmb yn den koff yn dy rechte weschel myt der langenn snyden nydder myt der kortzen snydenn [2v] vff vmb den koff yn den lincken weschell. das synt dy .V. hewe dy eyn ycklin[g]er leren sail der anders recht fechten wil:-
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Item. The text and gloss follows hereafter [on how] one shall hew.
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Item hyr volgt nach der text vnd gloysz dar na man hewen sael.
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| Item. One shall hew according to these figures, all hews through the face with outstretched arms and make good position in all things, so you do not doubt yourself
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Item nach deser figuren sall man hewen, alle hewe durch das gesicht mit gestreckten armen vnd mach gut bossen yn allen dyngen so mach dir nyt misseligen.
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Item. The recital of the longsword follows hereafter.
Whatever you wish to deploy strongly,
Fence that with your entire body
Both under and over
Execute the two things strongly, that I will praise.
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[3r] Item hyr nach volget der zedell des langenn swerts
wastu starck wils dryben
das fecht myt gantzem lebe
beyd vnden vnd obenn
dy zwei dyngdryb starck das will ich lobenn.
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Item. If you frighten easily,
Do not learn any fencing.
Whoever wishes to fence, they shall have a heart of a lion and shall also see as sharply as a falcon and shall also be as agile as a bird.[9]
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Item erschrecks du gern
keyn fechten nummer enlern,
Wer fechten will der sall haben eyn hertz alsz eyn lewe vnd sall al so scharff seen alsz eyn valck vnd sall also behende syn alsz eyn vogel.
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Item. Understand the four openings in the sword thusly: The two over-openings on the head, the other two under-openings to both sides below the arms.
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Item dy vyer bloyß ym swerd vernym also, dy zwo ouer bloyß am haupt dy ander zwo vnderbloyß zo beyden syten vnder deen armen.
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Item. Also understand the four liers thusly: Lay your sword upon the right shoulder and set your body[10] in the scales with good position, Also similarly is the left over-lier, place your right foot forward.
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Item dy veyr leger vernym al so. lege das swert vff dy rechte aschel vnd setz dyn liff yn wage myt guden bossen des glychen yst auch der lynck ouerleger stell den rechten voyß vur.
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Understand the right under-lier thusly: place your left foot forward and lay the sword with the hilt upon the right leg, the point against the face of the opponent. Also similarly the left under-lier: turn the point of the sword against the face of the opponent.
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Das rechte vnder leger v[er]nym also stell den lyncken voyß vur vnd lege das swert myt dem geholtz [3v] vff das rechte beyn den ort dem man gegent das gesicht, des glich yst auch der linck vnder leger keer das swert denn ort dem mann gegen das gesicht.
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Item. Understand the four bindings-on in the sword thusly: Bind-on him with the short edge upon the left over-opening, tread forward and bind him with the long edge upon the right over-opening, tread forward and strike toward the left under-opening with the short edge and tread forward and strike toward the right under-opening with the flat.
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Item dy vyer an bynde ym swert vernym also bynde ym an myt der kortzen snyden an dy lincken ouer bloyß trydt vort vnd byndt ym myt der langen snyden an dy rechte ouer bloyß tryt vortvnd slage ym nach der lyncken vnder bloyß myt der kortzen snyden vnd tryt vort vnd slage ym nach der rechten vnder bloyß myt der flech.
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Item. One play called the wing.[11] Bind him above with the short edge and strike him toward the right under-opening with the long edge and quickly with the short edge toward the over-opening and hew through from the man into the left under-lier.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der flogel bynde ym ouen mit der kortzen snyden vnd slage ym nach der rech-ten vnder bloyß mit langer snyden. vnd bald myt der kortzen nach der ouer bloyß vnd hewe durch van dem man yn das lyncke vnder leger.
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Item. One play called the enticement[12]. Act as if you wish to bind-on him right and bind-on him left and act as if you wish to bind-on him left and bind-on him right and hew yourself from the man strongly with the long edge into the left under-lier so that you are not to be found open.
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Item eyn stuck heyst das verzocking. do als wul[4r]stu ym recht anbinden vnd bynd ym lincks an vnd do als wulstu ym lyncks an bynden vnd bynde ym rechs an vnd hewe dich starck myt der langen snyden van dem man yn den lyncken vnder leger so bist tu nicht bloyß zo vinden.
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Item. One play is called the changing-through. Freely from both sides, so that you make the opponent fully baited[13] and hew freely from one opening to another with stepping, so that [you] may freely wander.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der durch weschell. fry van beyden syten so machs du des mans woel beyden vnd hewe myt schryden fry van eyner bloyß zoder andern so machs frolich wandern.
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Item. One play is called the Iron Gate. Lay yourself in the left under-lier and let your point sink to the ground and hew the wing and sweep forward from the right side in the squint[14] and from the left side again in the plunge, thus you come into the alley-hew from the iron gate .
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Item eyn stuck dy yser porte geheyssen. lege dich yn das lynck vnder leger vnd layß den ort synckenn vff dy erde vnd hewe den flogell vnd strych vß der rechten syten vur yn schylt vnd vß der lincker syten widder vff yn stortz so komstu vß der ysern porten yn den gassenhewe.
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Item. One play is called the plow. Understand the plow thusly: Wind out from the right lier into the left and from the left again into the right, so that you see what the opponent wishes to deploy upon you or if he thrusts, you can break him.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der pluck. den pluck vernym [4v] also wendt vß dem rechten leger yn den lincken vnd vß dem lincken widder yn rechten so sichstu was der man vff dych dryben will ader stycht her du kanß ym brechenn.
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Item. One play called the fool. Understand the fool thusly: Turn the point in the air and hold the shield[15] before the head. Whatever the opponent strikes from-the-day,[16]one can break with it.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der olber. den olber vernym also kere den ort yn dy lucht vnd halt den schiltvur den koff was der man slecht van dach das kan man dar myt brechenn:-
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Item. One play named the squinter. Understand the squinter thusly: Squint left and slash right and squint left and slash left. Thus, you confound the opponent with a face of joy[17] he does not see.[18]
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Item eyn stuck heyst der schilder. den schilder vernym also schyl lincks vnd slach rechs, vnd schil rechst vnd slach lincks. so veruerß du den man mit dem gesicht des frewet her sych nycht.
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Item. One play called the clanger. Understand the clanger thusly: Clang once, twice, thrice upon his edge so that you may find him open.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der scheller. den scheller vernym also schelle eyn mael. Zwei. dry. vidder syme clyngen so machst du yn bloyß vynden :-
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Item. One play called the inverter. Understand the inverter thusly: Lay your sword before your head. Allow your point to sink down behind and turn it to the right side and to the left quickly from one to the other so that he cannot hold himself before you. If you attempt to find him open quite quickly, then the inverter is correct, etc [19]
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Item eyn stuck heyst der verkerer. den verkerer [5r] vernym also lech dyn swerd vuer den koff. layß den ort hinder nidder sincken vnd kerre yn vff dy recht syten vnd vff dy lincken flucks van eyner zo der ander so kan er sich vur dyr nyt huden so machs du yn gare balde bloyß vynden so yst der verkerer gerecht:-
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Item. One play called the ox[20]. Understand the oxen thusly: Set the pommel upon the chest, the point against the opponent’s face and press[21] strongly into him and hew in the winger and quickly from the right side in the squint. Slash from the squint to the left over-opening and disappear[22] to the right, so that he must displace or become struck hard, etc.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der ocks. den ocksen vernym also sets den knouff an dy brust den ort dem man gegen dem gesycht vnd drynge starck zo ym vnd hewe yn den flogel vnd flucks vß der rechten syten yn schyll slach vß dem schylt nach der lincken ouerbloyß vnd swyndt nach der rechten so muß er versetzen ader wyrt hart geslagenn:-
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Item. One play called the speaking window. Understand the speaking window thusly: Make a wind in front of the head, such that your arms are crosswise, so there-between you discern whatever the opponent wishes to deploy and deliver quite great sweeps thereafter. From the speaking window you can strike him to both sides, left or right, etc.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der sprech vinster. das vernym also mach eyn winde vur dem kopf das dyn armen krutzwerß synt so sychstu dar zußen vß was der man dryben will vnd gayn gare grosse streych dar nach [5v] vß dem sprech vinster du kanst yn zo beyden syten slagen lyncks ader rechs:-
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Item a break coming out of the speaking window. When your opponent strikes you strongly, fall with the short edge before his blade, shove his sword away, thus you uncover his head, etc.
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Item eyn broch komt vß der sprech vinster. so dyr eyn man starck zom kopf sleget valle ym mit der kortzen snyden vuer syn clynge stoysz ym syn swerte weck so entbloyß du ym syn kopf:-
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Item. A play called the golden-hews. Act as if you wish bind-on him right and bind-on him left. Strike him two or three strike after each other toward his right over-opening, thus are the golden-hews correct, etc.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der gulden hewe. do alß wolstu ym rechst an bynden vnd bynd ym lincks an slage ym zween ader dry slege nach en andern nach siner rechten ouer bloyß so yst der gulden hewe recht:-
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Item. A break for the golden hews. When you see that someone wishes to break the golden hews, strike him with the short edge upon his left over-opening. Whatever he then strikes, you can displace and tread backwards and hew yourself through in the plunge from the opponent with the golden hews and place yourself in the left under-lier, thus you are again prepared, etc.
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Item eyn broch ouer den gulden hewe. Wan du suchs das eyner den gulden hewe bruchen wyll so slage ym mit der kortzen snyden an syn linck ouer bloiß was er dan slecht das kanstu versetzenvnd tryt zo ruck vnd hewe dich mit dem gulden [6r] hewe van dem man durch yn sturtz vnd lechs dich in das linck vnder leger so bistu widder gewapent:-
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Item. One play called the triangle. Understand the triangle thusly: Lay yourself in the right changer and step with the right foot upon his right side and shove his sword up with the short edge and spring behind him with your left foot so you find him open on the head, etc.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der dryangel. den dryangel vernym also lech dich in dy rechte weschel vnd schrydt myt dym rechten voyß vff syn rechte syt vnd stoß mit der kortzer snyden ym syn swert vff, vnd springe myt dynem lincken voyß hynder yn so vynstu yn bloyß am kopf:-
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Item. A break for the triangle. when you see that one wishes to break the triangle, lay in the squint[23] and tread backwards and displace it with the golden displacement, strike to the nearest front opening of his, etc.
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Item eyn broch vuer den dryangel. wan du sychs das eyner den dryangel bruchen will so lege yn den schylt vnd tryt zo ruck vnd versetz em myt der gulden versetzynge slage ym nachder neyster vuer bloyß:-
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Item. The crooked-binding-on. Understand the crooked-binding-on thusly: Act as you wish to bind-on him right and bind-on him with the long edge left and yank as if you wish to bind-on right and remain on the same side. Strike to the right over-opening with the short edge, disappear to the left and hew yourself upon [him] with the golden hews so that he cannot free himself, etc.
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Item das krom anbyndung. dy krom anbyndung vernym [6v] also do wy du wuls ym recht anbynden vnd byndt ym myt der langen snyden lincks an vnd zock wy du ym wuls rechs anbynden vnd blyue an der seluer syten slage yn dy recht ouer bloyß mit der kortzen snyden swyn[dt] nach der lyncken vnd hewe dich aff myt der gulden hewe des mach er sich nyt frewen:-
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Item. Whoever waits upon another’s hews,
The permit their Art no joy.
Hew-upon above whatever you wish
No changer arrives in the shield
To the head, to the body
Do not omit the pull[24]
Alas, I say to you truthfully
No man is without danger.
If you frighten easily
Never learn to fence
There is no better displacement
Than the one done with the strikes[25].
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Item wer sycht vff eyns ander hewe
der darff syn konst nyt frewen,
hewe ouen aff was du wylt,
sich kompt keyn wescheler yn den schilt
zo koff zo lybe
dy zuck nyt vermide
ych sach dyr verware
schoen kyn man am faren.
erschrecks du gerne
keyn fechten nummer erlern.
Es yst keyn besser versetzungk
dan dy man myt den streyche duyt.
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Item. A sword taking. Understand it thusly: Bind-on upon the opponent above and with the left hand grab into his hilt onto his arm with a inverted hand and move [it] towards you, so that you take the sword from him, etc.
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Item eyn swert nemen. das vernym also byndt dem mann ouen an vnd gryff myt der lyncker hant [7r] vszen vff syn arm mit verkerter hant yn syn gehultz vnd ruck nach dyr so nymstu ym das swert:-
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Item. Another sword taking. Understand it thusly: Act as if you wish to bind-on him strongly and fall upon him with the hilt over his blade and move [him] with the left hand on his hilt strongly into you, so that you take his sword and stand in the struggle, etc.
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Item auer eyn swert nemen. das vernym also do als wuls du ym starck anbynden vnd valle ym myt dynem gehults vuer syn clynge vnd myt der lincker hant an syn gehultz ruck starck zo dyr so nymstu ym das swert vnd steyst ym kampff:-
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Item. A free play. How one shall throw the opponent in the sword. Understand it thusly: Bind-on him strongly above and grab him on his right elbow with your left hand, shove him by his face strongly upwards, thus you throw him upon his back, etc.
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Item eyn fry stuck wy man den man werffen sall ym swerdt. das vernym also byndt ym starck ouen an vnd gryff yn mit dyner lincken hant an syn rechten elenbogen stoyß ym starck vff an syn gesicht so wyrff du yn vff syn ruck:-
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Item. When you wish to smite your opponent upon the head, act as if you wish to bind-on strongly and grap amidst his hilt with your left hand and back [him] strongly to you, so that you make his head open, etc.
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Item wan du eyn man vff den koff wyls smißenn. do wy du ym starck wuls anbynden vnd gryff mit dyner lincker hant zußenn syn gehultz vnd ruck [7v] starck nach dyr so machs du ym den koff bloyß:-
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Item. A running-over in the sword as you shall throw the opponent. Understand it thusly: Act as if you wish to bind-on right and bind-on him crooked. Wind upon his blade with the short edge. Grab onto the blade with your left hand, lay the sword upon his neck and tread with your left foot behind his left, move him strongly to you, so that he must fall, etc.
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Item eyn ouer lauff ym swerdt wy du eyn man werffen sals. das vernym also do we du ym wuls recht an bynden vnd byndt ym kromß an wynd myt der kortzen snyden vff syn klyngen gryff mit dyner lincker hant an dyn clynge lege ym das swertan den hals vnd tryt mit dynem lincken voyß hynder synen lincken, ruck yn starck nach dir so moyß er vallen:-
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Item. A running-under in the sword. Understand it thusly: Act as if you wish to bind-on above and shove his hilt over itself with the cross, so that you grab him with that or whatever you may take hold of, etc.
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Item eyn vnder lauff ym swerdt. das vernym also do wy du ym wuls hoch an bynden vnd stoeß myt krutz ym syn gehultz ouer sych, so gryffsdu yn da mit ader wa du yn geuaßen machs:-
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Item ‘B’. Weak and strong. Understand it thusly: High near the point is the weak and the midpart of the blade is the strong, that you shall drive well with the short edge, etc.
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b Item swech vnd sterck vernym also oben by dem ort yst dy swech vnd der myttel deyl der cly[n]gen yst dy sterck das sulles du myt der kortzen snyden seer dryuenn:-
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Item ‘A’. Weak and strong, short and long the entire art is of one origin. Thereupon firmly embrace: All art has length, measure, etc.
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[8r] a Item swech vnd starck kortz vnd langk yst aller konst eyn anphanck dar vff dicht vast alle konst halt lengen mayß:-
[The marginal "a" and "b" probably signify that the plays are in reverse order.]
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Item. A play called the lion. Understand it thusly: Set yourself in the scales and with your head not too high, hew from the four points[26][27] with strength, so you have made the lion and if you are before another, and is good before the other two in the confrontation, etc.
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Item eyn stuck heyst der leue. den vernym also setzdych yn dy wage vnd mit dynem koff nyt zo hoych hewe vß vyer orten myt stercken so hastu des leuen moyt vnd byst vur ander zween ym stryt guett..
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