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English Translation
by James Wallhausen
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Transcription
by Dieter Bachmann
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Here distinguishes[4] the text and the recital of the long sword, to do it best from the start[5] and to stretch the arm freely so that whatever you fight, you’ll be prepared.[6]
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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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Note: the four cuts are explained thus: the descending cut from the right shoulder with the long edge, and do it best with the left foot. The same goes for the left descending cut performed best with the right foot and cut with the long edge dropped[7] through the head :~
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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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Note: cut around again through the head in to the shield,[8] and again around by the head to drop, and lay the sword trailing over the back, let it sink to the right side. Turn the pommel toward the opponent and the point out behind so that it comes in to do the right middle cut. Continue[9] to cut around forward around the head in to the left middle cut, and again around the head in to the right shifter with the long edge down with the short edge up round the head in to the left shifter. Those are the four cuts, learn each one to show the opponent how to fight correctly :~
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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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Note: hereafter follows the text and explanation on how one shall cut.
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Item hyr volgt nach der text vnd gloysz dar na man hewen sael.
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| Note: it is according to this figure that one shall cut; always cut through the face with outstretched arms, and perform it best in all things so that you cannot fail.
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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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Note: hereafter follows the recital on the long sword,
If you want to drive strongly,
fight with the entire body,
both low and high,
these two things strongly drive; that I wish to abide.
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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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Note: if thou art intimidated easily,
no fighting shalt thou study.
Who wants to fight shall have the heart of a lion and the sharp sight of a falcon, and shalt be as nimble as a bird.[10]
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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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Note: the four openings of the sword explained thus: the two upper openings of the head and other two lower openings under the arms on both sides.
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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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Note: the four postures explained aswell; place the sword at the right shoulder and in order to perform it best, hold your body balanced, and the left upper posture is the same as this, but positioning the 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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The lower right posture explained thus: position the left foot forward and lay the sword with the hilt at the right leg with the point toward the opponent’s face, the same applies to the left low posture turn the sword to put the point toward the opponent’s face.
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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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Note: the four engagements of the sword explained thus: bind on him with the short edge on the upper left opening. Step forward and bind him with the long edge on the upper right opening. Step forward and strike him aiming at the lower left opening with the short edge and step forward and strikeaiming at the lower right 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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Note: a technique called “the wing”;[11] bind high with the short edge and strike him aiming at the lower right opening with the long edge and soon with the short aiming at the high opening and cut through at the opponent in to the lower left position.
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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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Note: a technique called “the flinch”. Act as if your would engage on the right and bind him on the left and act as if you would engage on the left and bind him on the right and cut with your strength with the long edge to the opponent in to the lower left posture - thusly are you not open to exposure.
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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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Note: a technique called the “through-shift”. Expose (lit: ‘free’) yourself on both sides thus making your opponent want both, and cut freely whilst stepping from one opening to the other, so having a joyful journey.
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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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Note: a technique named “the iron door”. Position yourself in the lower left posture and let the point sink to the ground and cut “the wing” and strike forward from the right side in to the shield and again from the left side to plunge so that you come out of the iron-door into “the trench” cut.
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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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Note: a technique called “the tenacity”. The tenacity is explained thus turn from the right posture into the left and from the left again into the right so that whatever the opponent wants to drive at you, you can break his strikes.
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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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Note: a technique called “the fool”. The fool explained, thus turn the point in with ease and hold the shield in front of the head therewith to break what the opponent strikes From the Roof :~
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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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Note: a technique called “the squinter”. ‘The squinter’ explained thus, squint left and strike right, and squint right and strike left, so you proceed against the opponent with a joyful facial expression (lit: “with a face of Joy”) - so his is not.
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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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Note: a technique called “the [bell-]ringer”.[12] The “ringer” explained thus; chime one time,[13] two, three against his blade[14] so that you make his openings ;~
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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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Note: a technique called “the inverter” explained thus: place your sword in front of your head, lay the point sinking down behind and twist to the right side and to the left flying from one to the other, so can he not guard against you, so you perform in there soon as you find an exposure, so is this the correct way to invert :~[15]
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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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Note: a technique called “the Ox”. The Ox explained thus: place the pommel at the chest and point the sword toward the opponent’s face, and penetrate strongly at him and cut in to “the wing” and fly from the right side in to the “squint” strike from “the shield” aiming for the upper left exposure and swing to the right, so he must forestall or he shall be struck hard :~
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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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Note: a technique called “the speaking window”. This explained thus; make a wind for the head so that you arms are cross-wise, thus shall you proceed there upon what the opponent wants to drive, and go get great strikes thereafter. From the Speaking-Window you can break him from both sides striking left or right :~
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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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Note: a break comes from the speaking-window. Thus your opponent’s strong stroke falls with the short edge forward to push his sword blade away, continuously exposing his head to you :~
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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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Note: a technique called “the golden cut”. Act as if you want to bind on the left at the strike in two or three strikes after another, aiming out his upper right opening is thus the “golden cut” correct :~
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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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Note: a break over “the golden cut”. When you shall seek the use of one of the golden cuts, so strike him with the short edge at his left upper opening so that whatever he then strikes you can fore-stall him, and step to his back and cut with the golden cut to drop through at the opponent and lay yourself in to the lower left posture so that are you prepared again :~
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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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Note: a technique called “the Triangle”. The Triangle is explained thus: place yourself in the right shifter and stepforward with your right foot to his right side, and push his sword away with the short edge, and leap with your left foot forward in behind him so that you find his head exposed.
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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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Note: a break for “the Triangle”. When you want to break an opponent who does the Triangle, so pose in the shield, and tread to his back and fore-stall him with the “golden fore-stalling strike” aiming in at the next anterior opening.
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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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Note: the “Twisted engagement” explained thus: should you attempt to engage him on the right and bind him with the long edge on the left and pull away how you were in the right engagement and open on the same side to strike in at the upper right opening with the short edge, swing to aim at the left and cut away from you with “the golden cut” that shall make him have no joy :~
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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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Note: He who sees an other hit
cannot afford to rejoice in his Art.[16]
Strike high what thou wilt,
so that no shifts may come inside your shield,
to the head to the body,
retract do not avoid,
I say to you,
no man can go on,
if you are easily intimidated,
do not learn to fight.
It is not the best fore-stall
if the opponent can do a strike.
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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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Note: a sword disarm. that is also explained as a high bind on the opponent and seize him high on the outside his arm with the left hand with a reversed[/inverted] hand on his hilt, and back after you so you take the sword :~
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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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Note: but one more sword disarm. This is explained thus: do as you want when you engage strongly, and fall in with your hilt in front of his blade and with the left hand on his hilt pull back strongly so that you take his sword and stay in combat :~
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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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Note: a libertous technique how one may throw the opponent in swordsmanship is also explained: bind strongly up high and grasp him on his right elbow with the left hand, push him strongly at his face, thus you can throw him on his back.
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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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Note: when you want to throw an attack at the opponent’s head, do how you do by opposing with strength and take your left hand watching his hilt, and strong back after you, so that you make his head exposed :~
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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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Note: a “clothes-line” (lit: “over-run”) in swordsmanship, how you shall throw your opponent, also explained: Act as though you would engage on the right, and bind him twisted to wind (byndt ym kromß an wynd) with the short edge from his blade gripping with your left hand on your own blade, place in the sword at the neck and tread with your left foot behind his left, back in according to your strength, aiming so he must fall :~
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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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Note: a tackle (lit: “under-run”) in swordsmanship, that is explained also, how thou shalt engage in high and with the Cross at his hilt push it upward, so you seize him therewith, or whatever you can get hold.
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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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Note: “weak” or “strong”; that is explained thus: up by the point is the weak, and from the middleparts of the blade is the strong that you shall see the sore drives with the short edge :~
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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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Note: “weak” and “strong”, “short” or “long” are from which all Art begin, thereon you adhere (lit: “fasten”) all Art holds expansion (lit: “size”, “length”) and contraction (lit: “mass”, “structure”, “gravitas”) :~
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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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Note: a technique called “the Lion” is explained also. Place yourself in a balanced position (dy wage) and with your head not too high, hew the four points with strength so hath thou a lion’s bite, and you may make another two good strides forward.
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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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