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Difference between revisions of "Fiore de'i Liberi/Sword in Two Hands/Wide Play"

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'''[26]''' The Sword, I am mortal against any weapon; no spear, no pollaxe, no dagger, is effective against me; long or short I can do. And I will come to the Close Play; and come to sword disarms and to wrestling; with my art I can do breaks and binds, I know well how to make covers and injuries; always in these I want to finish. I will make those who fight against me weep. And I am Royal and I maintain the justice; I increase goodness and I destroy malice. Those who will look at me making my crosses, of facts of armed combat I will make famous and ''vose''.
+
[26] I am the sword, deadly against all weapons. Neither spear, nor poleaxe, nor dagger can prevail against me. I can be used at long range or close range, or I can be held in the half sword grip and move to the Narrow Game. I can be used to take away the opponent’s sword, or move to grapple. My skill lies in breaking and binding. I am also skilled in covering and striking, with which I seek always to finish the fight. I will crush anyone who opposes me.<ref>The word Fiore uses is “languire” to make someone collapse, without either strength or spirit.</ref> I am of royal blood. I dispense justice, advance the cause of good and destroy evil. To those who learn my crossings I will grant great fame and renown in the art of armed fighting.
 
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| <poem>'''[27]''' <em>By crossing with you at the tip of the sword
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| <p>[27] <em>By crossing with you at the tip of the sword<br/>I have settled my point in your chest from the other side.</em></p>
I have settled my point in your chest from the other side.</em></poem>
 
  
Here commences play of the two-handed sword, Gioco Largo (Wide Play). This Master, who crosses with this player, in the point of sword, says, "when I am crossed in point of sword, I immediately turn (''volta'') my sword and I injure him from the other side, with a ''fendente'' downwards into the head and arms, or I thrust him in the face, as you see drawn after".
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Here begins the Wide Play of the sword in two hands.<ref>“Spada a doy man” means “two handed sword” or “sword in two hands”. I prefer the latter however, because Fiore’s “sword in one hand” (shown elsewhere) is not a single hand or arming sword. It is the Italian “longsword” being wielded in one hand. In both “sword in one hand” and “sword in two hands” the same sword is being used – the two handed sword. So strictly speaking here this section is “the two handed sword being used with two hands”.</ref> This Master who is crossed at the point of his sword with this player says: “When I am crossed at the points, I quickly switch my sword to the other side, and strike him from that side with a downward blow to his head or his arms. Alternately, I can place a thrust into his face, as the next picture will show.
  
 
''[In the Pisani Dossi, the player is wearing a crown.]''
 
''[In the Pisani Dossi, the player is wearing a crown.]''
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 18v-b.jpg|300px|center]]
 
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| <poem>'''[28]''' <em>With the strike of which the Master spoke who came before,
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| <p>[28] <em>With the strike of which the Master spoke who came before,<br/>I have quickly put the point of my sword in your throat.</em></p>
I have quickly put the point of my sword in your throat.</em></poem>
 
  
I positioned a thrust in your face, like the master which was before said. Also, I could have done what he says, that is, retract my sword immediately when I was crossed by the right side: I had to turn my sword on the left side in a ''fendente'' to the head and arms, like my Master said, who was before me.
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I have placed a thrust into his face, as the previous Master said. Also, I could have done what he told you, that is, when my sword was crossed on the right I could have quickly switched sides to the left, striking his head or arms with a downward blow.”<ref>In translating this text I have left out the repetition of the expression “what the previous Master told you”, as it is redundant. Generally when I translate Fiore I try to make the text make sense to the modern reader. This may sometimes mean leaving words out, altering an expression, or altering the tense of verbs entirely.</ref>
 
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| <poem>'''[29]''' <em>By crossing at mid-sword, I will strike your left arm;
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| <p>[29] <em>By crossing at mid-sword, I will strike your left arm;<br/>I will do this quickly because the time is short.
I will do this quickly because the time is short.
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&nbsp;</em></p>
&nbsp;</em></poem>
 
  
Again, I am crossed at Gioco Largo at the middle of the blade. And immediately when I cross [swords], I let my sword slip over his hands, and if I want to pass with my right foot out of the way, I can deliver a thrust in his chest, as is drawn hereafter.
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I too am crossed in the Wide Play, but this time at the middle of the swords. And immediately after making my cross I let my sword drop down<ref>“discorrere” means to run backwards and forwards. This suggests a sawing motion if applied to the sword, i.e. a push forward and a pull back.</ref> to slide forwards and backwards over his hands. Or, if I choose to pass forward with my right foot and move offline, I can then make a thrust into your chest, as you will see drawn next.
  
 
''[In the Pisani Dossi, the player is wearing a crown.]''
 
''[In the Pisani Dossi, the player is wearing a crown.]''
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 18v-d.jpg|300px|center]]
 
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| <poem>'''[30]''' <em>From the Master who crosses at mid-sword,
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| <p>[30] <em>From the Master who crosses at mid-sword,<br/>I do well that which he said.</em></p>
I do well that which he said.</em></poem>
+
Here you see me completing the play of my teacher. I have made his cover, and then immediately I do what he said to do, that is I strike first to my opponent’s arms, and then I continue with a thrust into his chest.
 
 
The play of my master has been completed, because I have done his cover, and immediately done what he said, that first I have injured the arms, then I have positioned the point/thrust in his chest.
 
 
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| <poem>'''[31]''' <em>Also from this same crossing
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| <p>[31] <em>Also from this same crossing<br/>I have grasped your sword in this way:<br/>And before your sword escapes my hand,<br/>By striking I will deal with you like a foul villain.</em></p>
I have grasped your sword in this way:
 
And before your sword escapes my hand,
 
By striking I will deal with you like a foul villain.</em></poem>
 
  
My Master, who is before, taught me that when I am crossed in the middle of the blade, I have to immediately step forward (''acresser inanci'') and grab his sword, to wound with a cut or a thrust. Also, I can incapacitate his leg in the way you can see drawn here by injuring him with my foot over the back of the leg or under the knee.
+
My master previously<ref> “Denanzi” or “denanci” means “in front of” when applied to position, and “previously” or “before” when applied to time.</ref> instructed me that when I am crossed at mid-swords with my opponent, I should immediately advance forward and seize his sword as shown, and then strike him with a cut or a thrust.<ref>Fiore rarely uses the word “taglio” when talking of the sword striking as opposed to thrusting. For hitting he usually uses the word “colpo”, a “blow”.</ref> Also I could destroy his leg as you see drawn next, by stomping with my foot against the side of his knee or under the kneecap.<ref>Fiore actually writes “against the back of his leg or under his knee” which makes no sense. The stomp depicted is effective against the inside of the knee joint from the side or just under the kneecap from the front. This is an example where my personal knowledge of the mechanics of this stomp contradicts the literal text, and where the literal text thus makes no sense.</ref>
 
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19r-b.jpg|300px|center]]
 
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| <poem>'''[32]''' <em>There is no question of the saying of the earlier Master,
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| <p>[32] <em>There is no question of the saying of the earlier Master,<br/>And I make with intent the play that he has said.</em></p>
And I make with intent the play that he has said.</em></poem>
 
  
The student which is before says that his Master, and mine, taught him this play, and for ________ I do it. There is no problem for me to do it easily.
+
As the previous student told you, our Master taught us this technique.<ref>“Zogho” translates as “play” or “game” but could also translate as “technique”.</ref> Here I show you how it’s done, and as you can see my opponent can do nothing to stop me.
 
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19r-c.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19r-c.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[33]''' <em>I have uncovered you well by stepping out of the way
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| <p>[33] <em>I have uncovered you well by stepping out of the way<br/>And I will surely strike your arm while turning.</em></p>
And I will surely strike your arm while turning.</em></poem>
 
  
This play is called ''colpi di villano'' ('Peasant Strike'), and is made in this way. That is, you have to wait for the ''villano'' to strike with his sword, and the one who is waiting has to stay in little pass with the left foot advanced. And immediately when the ''villano'' attacks to wound, step forward/advance (''acresse'') with your left foot out of the way, towards the right side. And with the right foot pass traversing out of the way, taking his blow in the middle of your sword. And let slide his sword groundwards, and immediately respond with a ''fendente'' in the head or in the arms, or with a thrust to his chest, as is drawn. Also, this play is also good with a sword against an pollaxe, against a big stick, serious or ''liziero'' (practice?).
+
This play is named “The Peasant’s Strike”<ref>A “Villano” is a peasant, i.e. a person not of noble birth. Fiore uses the term “Villano” to refer to a man lacking in skill. Fiore’s art, in Fiore’s own words, was not taught to commoners. The “Peasant’s Strike” is an over committed and uncontrolled downward strike, a strike that does not stop on the center line but continues to the ground. Because it is uncontrolled it lies outside Fiore’s Arte e Scientia. Thus it is attributed to a Peasant, who is unskilled in swordfighting.</ref> and you do it like this: take a narrow stance<ref>Another example where the word “passo” does NOT mean “a passing step”. Here it translates best as “a stance” (foot position).</ref> with your left foot forward, and wait for the Peasant to attack first with his sword. When he launches his attack, immediately advance your left foot to the left off the line,<ref>Fiore actually writes that you should move your left foot off the line “inverso la parte dritta”, which translates “towards the right side”. However, you are NOT moving your left foot to your right side but to your left side. The translation “towards the right side” only makes sense if you translate it as “towards your opponent’s right side.”</ref> and step diagonally off line to the left with your right foot, receiving his strike in the middle of your sword. Now let his sword slide off yours to the ground, and then quickly counter-attack with a downward strike to his head or arms, or a thrust into his chest as you see drawn in the next picture. This is also a good play if you are fighting sword versus poleaxe, or against a heavy or light staff.
  
 
''[In the Getty, the Master is missing his crown.]''
 
''[In the Getty, the Master is missing his crown.]''
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19r-d.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19r-d.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[34]''' <em>The strike to your arms, that play I make,
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| <p>[34] <em>The strike to your arms, that play I make,<br/>And from the narrow play I will cause you other trouble.</em></p>
And from the narrow play I will cause you other trouble.</em></poem>
 
  
This before me is the ''colpo del villano'' ('Peasant Strike'), which I have positioned my point/thrust in his chest well. And in the same way, I could have made a blow at his head and at his arms with a ''fendente'', as said before. Also, if the player wants against me to injure me with the ''riverso'' under my arms, I immediately step forward/advance (''acresco'') the left foot, and put my sword over his, and he can do nothing to me.
+
In the previous drawing you saw the Peasant’s Strike, in which you saw a thrust well-placed into the attacker’s chest. And alternatively he could have struck a downward blow to the opponent’s head or the arms, as I explained previously. Also, if the opponent seeks to counter me by striking back up with a rising blow to my arms from the left, I quickly advance my left foot and place my sword over his, and from this position he can do nothing to me.
 
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19v-a.jpg|300px|center]]
 
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| <poem>'''[35]''' <em>When a sword flies for your leg
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| <p>[35] <em>When a sword flies for your leg<br/>Make a downward blow to his face or around to his throat:<br/>His arms will be wasted more quickly than his head,<br/>Because the distance is manifest for a shorter time.</em></p>
Make a downward blow to his face or around to his throat:
 
His arms will be wasted more quickly than his head,
 
Because the distance is manifest for a shorter time.</em></poem>
 
  
When someone strikes to your leg, step back/slip (''discresse'') with your forefoot. You retreat backwards and strike a ''fendente'' in his head as shown here. With a two-handed sword you can not strike well from the knee downwards, because it is very dangerous for the one who strikes, because the one who attacks the leg remains all uncovered. Unless one has fallen on the ground, then he can injure the leg well, otherwise you can not, being sword against sword.
+
If your opponent strikes to your leg, withdraw your front foot, or pass backwards and strike downwards to his head, as shown in the drawing. With a two handed sword it is unwise to strike to the knee or below, because it is too dangerous for the one striking. If you attack your opponent’s leg, you leave yourself completely uncovered. Now, if you have fallen to the ground, then it is all right to strike at your opponent’s legs, but otherwise it is not a good idea, as you should generally oppose his sword with your sword.
 
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19v-b.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19v-b.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[36]''' <em>When I am crossed with someone and come to the narrow,
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| <p>[36] <em>When I am crossed with someone and come to the narrow,<br/>I strike his testicles with my right foot.</em></p>
I strike his testicles with my right foot.</em></poem>
 
  
This ''partido'' (division/finish) I will do, with my foot in your bollocks, I do it to cause you pain, and to make you loose the cover. Because this play has to be done immediately, not to have doubts against it. The counter to this play has to be done quickly, which is; the player has to grab the student's right leg with his left hand, and he can throw him to the ground.
+
This play, where I strike you with a kick to the groin, is made to hurt you so much that your cover will falter. When you make this play you should do it quickly, to prevent your opponent from being able to counter it. The counter to this play must be done quickly, and is made by the player grabbing the student’s right leg with his left hand, and then throwing him to the ground.
 
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| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-a.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-a.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19v-c.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19v-c.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[37]''' <em>This is a cruel exchange of thrusts:
+
| <p>[37] <em>This is a cruel exchange of thrusts:<br/>In the art, a more deceptive thrust than this cannot be made.<br/>You attacked me with the point and I have given you this;<br/>And I can make more secure it by voiding out of the way.</em></p>
In the art, a more deceptive thrust than this cannot be made.
 
You attacked me with the point and I have given you this;
 
And I can make more secure it by voiding out of the way.</em></poem>
 
  
This play is called 'Exchanging Thrusts' (''scambiar de punta''), and you have to do it in this way: When someone delivers you a thrust, immediately step forward/advance (''acresse'') your forefoot, out of the way, and with the other foot pass traversing (''a la traversa'') again out of the way, crossing (''traversando'') his sword with your arms lowered and with the point of your sword high, to his head or his chest, as is drawn.
+
This play is named “The Exchange of Points”,<ref>“scambiar de punta” could translate as either “exchange of points” or “exchange of thrusts”. Both work here, but I favor the translation “exchange of points”.</ref> and it is done like this: when your opponent thrusts at you, quickly advance your front foot off the line, and with the other foot step to the side,<ref>“passa a la traversa” means “step crosswise”. You will note that only a few words later Fiore uses the word “traversando” which here means “crossing” as in “crossing swords.”</ref> also moving off the line, crossing his sword with your hands<ref>Fiore actually says “brazzi” (“arms”) low, but he means your hands.</ref> low and with your point high into his face, or chest, as you see drawn here.
 
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| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-b.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-b.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19v-d.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 19v-d.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[38]''' <em>Because of your hilt, which I hold in my hand,
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| <p>[38] <em>Because of your hilt, which I hold in my hand,<br/>I will make you bleed with my point in your face.</em></p>
I will make you bleed with my point in your face.</em></poem>
 
  
From this Exchanging Thrusts which is before me, comes this play. That immediately that the student which is before me does not stab the thrust in the face of the player, and letting it not be delivered in the face or chest, and because it was that the player was armoured, immediately this student has to pass forward with his left foot, and he has to grab in this way. And he can injure him well with his sword, because the player has grabbed his sword and can not flee.
+
This play comes from the exchange of points that came before me. If you make the thrust, and your opponent fails to immediately position his point either into your face or into your chest, perhaps because you are in armor, then you should quickly pass forward with your left foot, and seize his sword as shown here. Then strike him hard with your sword, since you have his sword gripped and he cannot escape.
 
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 20r-b.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 20r-b.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-c.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-c.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[39]''' <em>Here we stand crossed near the ground:
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| <p>[39] <em>Here we stand crossed near the ground:<br/>And more knowledge of plays will be given.</em></p>
And more knowledge of plays will be given.</em></poem>
 
  
This is another defence to do against a thrust, which is when someone delivers a thrust at you, as I told you in the Exchanging Thrusts, in the second play which is before me, you have to step forward/advance (''acresser'') and pass out of the way. In the same way you have to do this play, except that the Exchanging Thrusts goes with a thrust, and with the arms lowered, and with the point of the sword high as I said before. But this is called 'Breaking Thrust' (''rompere de punta''), because the student goes with his arms high, and snatches [gives] a ''fendente'' in stepping forward (''acresser'') and passing out of the way, and strikes across the thrust, nearly to the middle of the sword, to beat (''rebaterla'') it to the ground. And immediately comes to the close.
+
This is another defense you can make against the thrust. When someone thrusts at you as described in the “Exchange of Thrusts”,<ref>There is a pun here, since this play could be called both “Exchange of Thrusts” and/or “Exchange of Points”
 +
(“punta”).</ref> two plays before me, then you must advance and step off the line. You should do the same thing in this play, except that in the “Exchange of Points” you thrust back with your hands low and your point high, as I explained earlier. But in this play, which is named “Breaking the Thrust”,<ref>There is a pun here too, since this play could be called both “Breaking the Thrust” and/or “Breaking the Point” (“punta”).</ref> you proceed with your hands high and as you advances and step off the line you strike downwards, crossing the opponent’s thrust at mid-sword, and driving it to the ground. Then you quickly close to grapple.<ref>“Le strette” (“La stretta”) means “close range” here.</ref>
 
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| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-d.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-d.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[40]''' <em>I beat your point to the ground very quickly
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| <p>[40] <em>I beat your point to the ground very quickly<br/>And in this way, I strike you without a doubt.</em></p>
And in this way, I strike you without a doubt.</em></poem>
 
  
The student which is before me has beaten the player's sword to the ground, and I complete his play in this way. Having beaten his sword to the ground, I put my right foot strongly onto his sword. I can break it, or I can grab it in a way that he can not ___ any more. And if this is not enough for me, immediately when I put my foot on his sword, I injure him with the false edge of my sword, under his beard, in his neck. And immediately I return with a ''fendente'' of my sword, to his arms or to his hands, as is drawn.
+
The student who preceded me beat his opponent’s sword to the ground. Now I am going to complete his play, as follows: after I beat my opponent’s sword to the ground I stomp on it with my right foot.<ref>Fiore literally writes: “I put with strength my right foot above his sword.” I’ve translated all that simply as “I stomp on it.”</ref> This will either break it or prevent him from being able to lift it. But wait – there’s more. As soon as I have pinned his sword to the ground with my foot, I strike him with the false edge of my sword under his beard or into his neck. And then immediately I will return with a downward strike of my sword to his arms or his hands, as you see drawn here.
  
 
''[In the Pisani-Dossi, the Scholar stomps with his left foot and his opponent's right foot is forward; the Scholar's opponent is also left-handed.]''
 
''[In the Pisani-Dossi, the Scholar stomps with his left foot and his opponent's right foot is forward; the Scholar's opponent is also left-handed.]''
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| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 27r-a.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 27r-a.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[41]''' <em>From the crossing at the ground which the Scholar makes
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| <p>[41] <em>From the crossing at the ground which the Scholar makes<br/>I come to cut your face because of my swiftness;<br/>And your sword will end up bent or broken<br/>And it will no more be able to work or deal.</em></p>
I come to cut your face because of my swiftness;
 
And your sword will end up bent or broken
 
And it will no more be able to work or deal.</em></poem>
 
  
Again, this is a play of Breaking Thrust, which is as the second play which is before me. That when I have beaten (''rebatuda'') the sword to the ground, I immediately put my right foot on his sword. And in that deed, I injure him in the head, as you can see.
+
Here is another drawing of the “Breaking the Thrust” play, that you saw first two drawings previously. After I have beaten his sword to the ground I quickly pin it to the ground with my right foot, and then strike him in the head, as you see shown here.
  
 
''[In the Pisani-Dossi, the Scholar stomps with his left foot and his opponent's right foot is forward.]''
 
''[In the Pisani-Dossi, the Scholar stomps with his left foot and his opponent's right foot is forward.]''
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 20r-d.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 20r-d.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 27r-b.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:MS Ludwig XV 13 27r-b.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[42]''' <em>From the play that came before, I enter into this one:
+
| <p>[42] <em>From the play that came before, I enter into this one:<br/>I make it quickly and cut your face.</em></p>
I make it quickly and cut your face.</em></poem>
 
  
This is also another play of Breaking Thrust, because if the player being broken (because I have broken his thrust), lifts his sword to cover from mine, then I immediately put the pommel of my sword in the part of his right arm near his right hand. And then I immediately grab my sword with my left hand near the point, and I injure the player in his head. And if I want, I can put it to his neck, to slice the windpipe of his throat.
+
This is another play that flows from the “Breaking of the Thrust” play. After I break his thrust, if he raises his sword to cover as I strike upwards, I quickly drop the hilt of my sword inside his right arm, near his right hand, then I grab my blade near the point with my left hand, and then strike him in his face.<ref>Fiore says strike to the head, but clearly in this play the sword blade will strike into the opponent’s face. Thus it would not be an effective move if the opponent had a steel visor protecting his face.</ref> Or alternatively, if I chose, I could drive my sword edge into his neck, slicing him across his throat.
 
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 20v-a.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 20v-a.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[43]''' <em>I will make you turn by pinching your elbow  
+
| <p>[43] <em>I will make you turn by pinching your elbow<br/>And with that, I will strike you without any delay.</em></p>
And with that, I will strike you without any delay.</em></poem>
 
  
Also, when I have beaten back the thrust, or when I am crossed [swords] with a player, I put my hand behind his right elbow, and I pinch it strongly in a way that makes him turn and uncover himself, and then I injure him in that turning I make him do.
+
Also, after I have beaten aside or crossed my opponent’s sword, I can press my left hand to his right elbow and push strongly. This will turn him and leave him unprotected, after which I can strike him.
 
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| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 20v-b.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 20v-b.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[44]''' <em>Because of the turn that I have given you by the elbow
+
| <p>[44] <em>Because of the turn that I have given you by the elbow<br/>I have quickly struck your head from behind.</em></p>
I have quickly struck your head from behind.</em></poem>
 
  
This student who is before me, says the truth, because of the turn he makes you do. In this way, I will cut you in the back of your head. Also, before you could return to your cover, I could give you an open wound in your back with a thrust.
+
The student who preceded me spoke truly when he told you that he could turn the opponent and cut to his head. In addition, before you could turn back to make cover I would give you a major wound in your back with the point of my sword.
 
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| [[File:MS Latin 11269 28v-c.jpg|300px|center|link=http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8514426f/f60.item]]
 
| [[File:MS Latin 11269 28v-c.jpg|300px|center|link=http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b8514426f/f60.item]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 20v-c.jpg|300px|center]]
 
| [[File:Pisani-Dossi MS 20v-c.jpg|300px|center]]
| <poem>'''[45]''' <em>I appear to come from the right, but I enter on the left
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| <p>[45] <em>I appear to come from the right, but I enter on the left<br/>To give you this thrust with great pain and harm;<br/>I make myself called Deceitful Thrust by name;<br/>And I am so cruel as I exchange the point of the sword.</em></p>
To give you this thrust with great pain and harm;
 
I make myself called Deceitful Thrust by name;
 
And I am so cruel as I exchange the point of the sword.</em></poem>
 
  
This play is called 'False Thrust' (''punta falsa'') and 'Short Thrust' (''punta curta''), and I will tell you how I do it. I pretend to come with a great force to injure the player with a ''mezano'' blow in his head, and immediately when he does the cover, I strike his sword lightly. And immediately turn (''volto'') my sword on the other side, grabbing my sword almost in the middle with my left hand, and immediately I put the point/thrust in his throat or chest. And this play is better in armour than without.
+
This play is named “The False Point” or “The Short Point”,<ref>Other translations translate “Punta Falsa” as “False Thrust”. However, this is not a false thrust. It is a false (pretend) strike. The final killshot is a thrust, as Fiore says “into the throat or chest”, but that thrust is not “false”, i.e. not a feint. Therefore I choose to translate it as “False Point” or “Short Point”.</ref> and I will explain how to do it. I make it look like I am making a powerful attack against my opponent with a crosswise strike to his head. As he makes cover I strike his sword but only lightly. Then I quickly turn my sword to the other side of his blade, gripping my sword with my left hand at about mid-sword. From there I can quickly make a thrust into his throat or chest. This play is however better in armor than without armor.
  
 
''[The Getty resembles the Pisani-Dossi image.]''
 
''[The Getty resembles the Pisani-Dossi image.]''
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| <poem>'''[46]''' <em>To the Deceitful Thrust that you wanted to strike at me,
+
| <p>[46] <em>To the Deceitful Thrust that you wanted to strike at me,<br/>I have struck the counter by turning myself and my sword <br/>Such that I have positioned my point in your face,<br/>In this way I have removed all of your plays.</em></p>
I have struck the counter by turning myself and my sword  
 
Such that I have positioned my point in your face,
 
In this way I have removed all of your plays.</em></poem>
 
  
This is the counter to the play before me, which is False Thrust, or Short Thrust. And this counter is done in this way; when the student strikes my sword, in that turning he does with his sword, I immediately turn mine in the way he is turning his, but I pass across/to the traverse, to find the fellow more uncovered. And then I put my point in his face. And this counter is good in armour and without.
+
This play is the counter to the previous play, the False Point or the Short Point. And this counter is made like as follows: when the student strikes my sword lightly and then turns his sword around to the other side, I turn my sword around his in exactly the same way, stepping sideways to the left as I do so to gain his unprotected side. From here I can make a thrust into his face. And this counter is good both with or without armor.
 
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'''[47]''' Here finishes the Gioco Largo (Wide Play) with the two-handed sword, which has united plays, which has plays that are the remedies and counters from the right and from the left sides, and counter-thrusts, and counter-cuts for every reason, with breaks, covers, injuring and binds; which are things that are all easily understandable.
+
[47] Here ends the Wide Play of the sword in two hands, made up of plays that are all connected to each other, inluding remedies and counters from both the right and left sides, and counter-thrusts and counter-cuts to each situation, with breaks, covers, strikes and locks, all things that can be easily understood.
 
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Revision as of 21:52, 28 December 2015

Images

Images

PD Complete translation by Michael Chidester
Getty Complete translation by Matt Easton and Eleonora Durban

Paris (Open for translation) Not started
Morgan Complete translation by Michael Chidester

Morgan Transcription [edit]
Open for editing

Getty Transcription [edit]
Open for editing

Pisani Dossi Transcription [edit]
by Francesco Novati

Paris Transcription [edit]
by Kendra Brown and Rebecca Garber

[No Image]

[26] I am the sword, deadly against all weapons. Neither spear, nor poleaxe, nor dagger can prevail against me. I can be used at long range or close range, or I can be held in the half sword grip and move to the Narrow Game. I can be used to take away the opponent’s sword, or move to grapple. My skill lies in breaking and binding. I am also skilled in covering and striking, with which I seek always to finish the fight. I will crush anyone who opposes me.[1] I am of royal blood. I dispense justice, advance the cause of good and destroy evil. To those who learn my crossings I will grant great fame and renown in the art of armed fighting.

MS Ludwig XV 13 25r-c.jpg

[27] By crossing with you at the tip of the sword
I have settled my point in your chest from the other side.

Here begins the Wide Play of the sword in two hands.[2] This Master who is crossed at the point of his sword with this player says: “When I am crossed at the points, I quickly switch my sword to the other side, and strike him from that side with a downward blow to his head or his arms. Alternately, I can place a thrust into his face, as the next picture will show.”

[In the Pisani Dossi, the player is wearing a crown.]



Here begins the wide play of the sword in two hands with a little crossing; the honor will be to whoever will know to make it.

This Master that is here crossed with this player says "When I am crossed at the tip of the sword, I quickly give a turn to my sword and thus I strike with a downward blow from the other side (that is, through the head and through the arms), or I thrust the point into his face as you see hereafter in my depiction."

[In the Paris, both Masters have their right feet forward. In the Morgan, the player is wearing a garter and crown.]





[28] With the strike of which the Master spoke who came before,
I have quickly put the point of my sword in your throat.

I have placed a thrust into his face, as the previous Master said. Also, I could have done what he told you, that is, when my sword was crossed on the right I could have quickly switched sides to the left, striking his head or arms with a downward blow.”[3]



I have set my point in his face as said my Master who came before. Also, I could have made the [other] play that he said, that is, to have attacked with my sword immediately when I was beside the crossing of the right side: from the other side, that is from the left, I should have immediately turned my sword into a downward blow to the head and to the arms, as has said my Master that came before.





MS Ludwig XV 13 25v-a.jpg

[29] By crossing at mid-sword, I will strike your left arm;
I will do this quickly because the time is short.  

I too am crossed in the Wide Play, but this time at the middle of the swords. And immediately after making my cross I let my sword drop down[4] to slide forwards and backwards over his hands. Or, if I choose to pass forward with my right foot and move offline, I can then make a thrust into your chest, as you will see drawn next.

[In the Pisani Dossi, the player is wearing a crown.]




Again I am crossed here for the long play, at mid-sword. And immediately when I am crossed, I allow my sword to run off over his hands, and if I want to step out of the way with my right foot, I can thrust my point into his chest as is depicted hereafter.

[In the Morgan, the player is wearing a garter and crown.]







[30] From the Master who crosses at mid-sword,
I do well that which he said.

Here you see me completing the play of my teacher. I have made his cover, and then immediately I do what he said to do, that is I strike first to my opponent’s arms, and then I continue with a thrust into his chest.



The play of my Master I have completed, in that I have made his cover and I have quickly executed his saying: I have struck first his arms, and then I have placed my point in his chest.





[31] Also from this same crossing
I have grasped your sword in this way:
And before your sword escapes my hand,
By striking I will deal with you like a foul villain.

My master previously[7] instructed me that when I am crossed at mid-swords with my opponent, I should immediately advance forward and seize his sword as shown, and then strike him with a cut or a thrust.[8] Also I could destroy his leg as you see drawn next, by stomping with my foot against the side of his knee or under the kneecap.[9]





My Master who came before has taught me that when I am crossed at the mid-sword, I should immediately advance forward and grab his sword (as in this match) in order to strike him with edge or point. Also, I can waste his leg in the way that you will be able to see depicted hereafter by striking with my foot over the back of his leg or under his knee.









[32] There is no question of the saying of the earlier Master,
And I make with intent the play that he has said.

As the previous student told you, our Master taught us this technique.[11] Here I show you how it’s done, and as you can see my opponent can do nothing to stop me.



The Scholar who came before me says of his Master and mine that he has taught this play, and I do it to crumple [my opponent]. Without a doubt, to do it is little trouble to me.





[33] I have uncovered you well by stepping out of the way
And I will surely strike your arm while turning.

This play is named “The Peasant’s Strike”[12] and you do it like this: take a narrow stance[13] with your left foot forward, and wait for the Peasant to attack first with his sword. When he launches his attack, immediately advance your left foot to the left off the line,[14] and step diagonally off line to the left with your right foot, receiving his strike in the middle of your sword. Now let his sword slide off yours to the ground, and then quickly counter-attack with a downward strike to his head or arms, or a thrust into his chest as you see drawn in the next picture. This is also a good play if you are fighting sword versus poleaxe, or against a heavy or light staff.

[In the Getty, the Master is missing his crown.]



This play is called the Villain's Strike (Colpo del Vilano) and is made in this way, that is, that one should await the villain in this way until he strikes with his sword. And he that awaits the blow should stand in a small stance with the left foot forward. And in that moment when the villain attacks to harm you, advance your left foot out of the way toward the right side. And with your right foot step out of the way to the side, catching his blow at the mid-sword and allowing his sword to run off toward the ground, and then quickly respond with a downward blow (through the head or through the arms) or with your point in the chest as depicted here, this is also good.

[In the Morgan, the Master is missing his crown.]





[34] The strike to your arms, that play I make,
And from the narrow play I will cause you other trouble.

In the previous drawing you saw the Peasant’s Strike, in which you saw a thrust well-placed into the attacker’s chest. And alternatively he could have struck a downward blow to the opponent’s head or the arms, as I explained previously. Also, if the opponent seeks to counter me by striking back up with a rising blow to my arms from the left, I quickly advance my left foot and place my sword over his, and from this position he can do nothing to me.



This is the Villain's Strike which appeared here before me, so that I have put my point into his chest well. And so I could [also] have made a cut through the head and through the arms with a downward blow as was said before. Also, if the player wanted to come against me such that he would strike me with a backhand blow under my arms, I would immediately advance my left foot and thrust my sword over his, and then he cannot do anything to me.





[35] When a sword flies for your leg
Make a downward blow to his face or around to his throat:
His arms will be wasted more quickly than his head,
Because the distance is manifest for a shorter time.

If your opponent strikes to your leg, withdraw your front foot, or pass backwards and strike downwards to his head, as shown in the drawing. With a two handed sword it is unwise to strike to the knee or below, because it is too dangerous for the one striking. If you attack your opponent’s leg, you leave yourself completely uncovered. Now, if you have fallen to the ground, then it is all right to strike at your opponent’s legs, but otherwise it is not a good idea, as you should generally oppose his sword with your sword.





When one strikes for your leg, withdraw the foot that is forward or return it behind, and throw a downward blow to his head as depicted here. Note that the sword in two hands should not attack from the knee down, because the danger to he that attacks is too great. He that attacks for the leg remains wholly uncovered, unless he would drop to the ground—then he could strike the leg well, but otherwise [he could] not when fighting sword to sword.









[36] When I am crossed with someone and come to the narrow,
I strike his testicles with my right foot.

This play, where I strike you with a kick to the groin, is made to hurt you so much that your cover will falter. When you make this play you should do it quickly, to prevent your opponent from being able to counter it. The counter to this play must be done quickly, and is made by the player grabbing the student’s right leg with his left hand, and then throwing him to the ground.



In this match I strike you with my foot in your testicles, and I do it to give you pain and to make your cover waver. Thus, in making this play I want to do it suddenly so that the counter is doubtful.

The counter of this play wants to be made quickly, such that the player should catch the Scholar by the right leg with his left hand, and then he can throw him to the ground.





MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-a.jpg

[37] This is a cruel exchange of thrusts:
In the art, a more deceptive thrust than this cannot be made.
You attacked me with the point and I have given you this;
And I can make more secure it by voiding out of the way.

This play is named “The Exchange of Points”,[15] and it is done like this: when your opponent thrusts at you, quickly advance your front foot off the line, and with the other foot step to the side,[16] also moving off the line, crossing his sword with your hands[17] low and with your point high into his face, or chest, as you see drawn here.





This play, which is called the Exchange of Thrusts (Scambiare de Punta), is made in this way, that is, that when he attacks with the point, quickly advance your forward foot out of the way and with your other foot step to the side (also out of the way), crossing his sword with your arms low and with the point of your sword up in his face or in his chest, as is depicted here.









MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-b.jpg

[38] Because of your hilt, which I hold in my hand,
I will make you bleed with my point in your face.

This play comes from the exchange of points that came before me. If you make the thrust, and your opponent fails to immediately position his point either into your face or into your chest, perhaps because you are in armor, then you should quickly pass forward with your left foot, and seize his sword as shown here. Then strike him hard with your sword, since you have his sword gripped and he cannot escape.



From this exchange of thrusts that came before me comes this play. Given that the Scholar who came before me did not immediately thrust his point into the face of the player, or that he failed such that he could not thrust into [the player's] face nor into his chest, or that the player was armored, then immediately the Scholar should step with his left foot forward, and he should grab [the player] in this manner, and his sword should throw a good strike because the player has his sword caught and he cannot flee.





MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-c.jpg

[39] Here we stand crossed near the ground:
And more knowledge of plays will be given.

This is another defense you can make against the thrust. When someone thrusts at you as described in the “Exchange of Thrusts”,[20] two plays before me, then you must advance and step off the line. You should do the same thing in this play, except that in the “Exchange of Points” you thrust back with your hands low and your point high, as I explained earlier. But in this play, which is named “Breaking the Thrust”,[21] you proceed with your hands high and as you advances and step off the line you strike downwards, crossing the opponent’s thrust at mid-sword, and driving it to the ground. Then you quickly close to grapple.[22]



[The Paris resembles the Pisani-Dossi image.]



MS Ludwig XV 13 26v-d.jpg

[40] I beat your point to the ground very quickly
And in this way, I strike you without a doubt.

The student who preceded me beat his opponent’s sword to the ground. Now I am going to complete his play, as follows: after I beat my opponent’s sword to the ground I stomp on it with my right foot.[23] This will either break it or prevent him from being able to lift it. But wait – there’s more. As soon as I have pinned his sword to the ground with my foot, I strike him with the false edge of my sword under his beard or into his neck. And then immediately I will return with a downward strike of my sword to his arms or his hands, as you see drawn here.

[In the Pisani-Dossi, the Scholar stomps with his left foot and his opponent's right foot is forward; the Scholar's opponent is also left-handed.]



MS Ludwig XV 13 27r-a.jpg

[41] From the crossing at the ground which the Scholar makes
I come to cut your face because of my swiftness;
And your sword will end up bent or broken
And it will no more be able to work or deal.

Here is another drawing of the “Breaking the Thrust” play, that you saw first two drawings previously. After I have beaten his sword to the ground I quickly pin it to the ground with my right foot, and then strike him in the head, as you see shown here.

[In the Pisani-Dossi, the Scholar stomps with his left foot and his opponent's right foot is forward.]





MS Ludwig XV 13 27r-b.jpg

[42] From the play that came before, I enter into this one:
I make it quickly and cut your face.

This is another play that flows from the “Breaking of the Thrust” play. After I break his thrust, if he raises his sword to cover as I strike upwards, I quickly drop the hilt of my sword inside his right arm, near his right hand, then I grab my blade near the point with my left hand, and then strike him in his face.[25] Or alternatively, if I chose, I could drive my sword edge into his neck, slicing him across his throat.



[43] I will make you turn by pinching your elbow
And with that, I will strike you without any delay.

Also, after I have beaten aside or crossed my opponent’s sword, I can press my left hand to his right elbow and push strongly. This will turn him and leave him unprotected, after which I can strike him.



[44] Because of the turn that I have given you by the elbow
I have quickly struck your head from behind.

The student who preceded me spoke truly when he told you that he could turn the opponent and cut to his head. In addition, before you could turn back to make cover I would give you a major wound in your back with the point of my sword.



[45] I appear to come from the right, but I enter on the left
To give you this thrust with great pain and harm;
I make myself called Deceitful Thrust by name;
And I am so cruel as I exchange the point of the sword.

This play is named “The False Point” or “The Short Point”,[26] and I will explain how to do it. I make it look like I am making a powerful attack against my opponent with a crosswise strike to his head. As he makes cover I strike his sword but only lightly. Then I quickly turn my sword to the other side of his blade, gripping my sword with my left hand at about mid-sword. From there I can quickly make a thrust into his throat or chest. This play is however better in armor than without armor.

[The Getty resembles the Pisani-Dossi image.]





[46] To the Deceitful Thrust that you wanted to strike at me,
I have struck the counter by turning myself and my sword
Such that I have positioned my point in your face,
In this way I have removed all of your plays.

This play is the counter to the previous play, the False Point or the Short Point. And this counter is made like as follows: when the student strikes my sword lightly and then turns his sword around to the other side, I turn my sword around his in exactly the same way, stepping sideways to the left as I do so to gain his unprotected side. From here I can make a thrust into his face. And this counter is good both with or without armor.





[No Image]

[47] Here ends the Wide Play of the sword in two hands, made up of plays that are all connected to each other, inluding remedies and counters from both the right and left sides, and counter-thrusts and counter-cuts to each situation, with breaks, covers, strikes and locks, all things that can be easily understood.

  1. The word Fiore uses is “languire” to make someone collapse, without either strength or spirit.
  2. “Spada a doy man” means “two handed sword” or “sword in two hands”. I prefer the latter however, because Fiore’s “sword in one hand” (shown elsewhere) is not a single hand or arming sword. It is the Italian “longsword” being wielded in one hand. In both “sword in one hand” and “sword in two hands” the same sword is being used – the two handed sword. So strictly speaking here this section is “the two handed sword being used with two hands”.
  3. In translating this text I have left out the repetition of the expression “what the previous Master told you”, as it is redundant. Generally when I translate Fiore I try to make the text make sense to the modern reader. This may sometimes mean leaving words out, altering an expression, or altering the tense of verbs entirely.
  4. “discorrere” means to run backwards and forwards. This suggests a sawing motion if applied to the sword, i.e. a push forward and a pull back.
  5. Added later: "dixit".
  6. Added later: "con? ut."
  7. “Denanzi” or “denanci” means “in front of” when applied to position, and “previously” or “before” when applied to time.
  8. Fiore rarely uses the word “taglio” when talking of the sword striking as opposed to thrusting. For hitting he usually uses the word “colpo”, a “blow”.
  9. Fiore actually writes “against the back of his leg or under his knee” which makes no sense. The stomp depicted is effective against the inside of the knee joint from the side or just under the kneecap from the front. This is an example where my personal knowledge of the mechanics of this stomp contradicts the literal text, and where the literal text thus makes no sense.
  10. "m'a insegnato che" partially effaced.
  11. “Zogho” translates as “play” or “game” but could also translate as “technique”.
  12. A “Villano” is a peasant, i.e. a person not of noble birth. Fiore uses the term “Villano” to refer to a man lacking in skill. Fiore’s art, in Fiore’s own words, was not taught to commoners. The “Peasant’s Strike” is an over committed and uncontrolled downward strike, a strike that does not stop on the center line but continues to the ground. Because it is uncontrolled it lies outside Fiore’s Arte e Scientia. Thus it is attributed to a Peasant, who is unskilled in swordfighting.
  13. Another example where the word “passo” does NOT mean “a passing step”. Here it translates best as “a stance” (foot position).
  14. Fiore actually writes that you should move your left foot off the line “inverso la parte dritta”, which translates “towards the right side”. However, you are NOT moving your left foot to your right side but to your left side. The translation “towards the right side” only makes sense if you translate it as “towards your opponent’s right side.”
  15. “scambiar de punta” could translate as either “exchange of points” or “exchange of thrusts”. Both work here, but I favor the translation “exchange of points”.
  16. “passa a la traversa” means “step crosswise”. You will note that only a few words later Fiore uses the word “traversando” which here means “crossing” as in “crossing swords.”
  17. Fiore actually says “brazzi” (“arms”) low, but he means your hands.
  18. "cum" appears twice, but neither is struck out.
  19. Word bisected by sword.
  20. There is a pun here, since this play could be called both “Exchange of Thrusts” and/or “Exchange of Points” (“punta”).
  21. There is a pun here too, since this play could be called both “Breaking the Thrust” and/or “Breaking the Point” (“punta”).
  22. “Le strette” (“La stretta”) means “close range” here.
  23. Fiore literally writes: “I put with strength my right foot above his sword.” I’ve translated all that simply as “I stomp on it.”
  24. Added later: "pro operarj".
  25. Fiore says strike to the head, but clearly in this play the sword blade will strike into the opponent’s face. Thus it would not be an effective move if the opponent had a steel visor protecting his face.
  26. Other translations translate “Punta Falsa” as “False Thrust”. However, this is not a false thrust. It is a false (pretend) strike. The final killshot is a thrust, as Fiore says “into the throat or chest”, but that thrust is not “false”, i.e. not a feint. Therefore I choose to translate it as “False Point” or “Short Point”.