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Fiore de'i Liberi/Sword vs. Spear

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English Translation (from the Getty and PD) Complete translation
by Michael Chidester

English Translation (from the 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 Charlélie Berthaut

MS Ludwig XV 13 31r-a.jpg
MS Ludwig XV 13 31r-b.jpg
[1] These are three companions that want to kill this Master, who awaits with the sword in two hands. The first of these three wants to throw his sword at the Master. The second wants to strike the aforesaid Master with the edge or the point. The third wants to throw the two lances that he has matched as is painted here.
[2] I await these three in this stance, that is, in the Boar's Tusk (Dente di Zengiaro), and I could wait in other guards, that is in the Stance of the Queen on the Left (Posta de Donna la Senestra) and also in the Stance of the Window on the Left (Posta di Finestra Sinestra), with this method and defense that I will make in the Boar's Tusk. This method and this defense the aforesaid guards can [also] do. Without fear I await them, one by one, and I cannot fail [against] cuts nor thrusts nor hand-held weapons that are thrown at me; my right foot that I hold in front advances out of the way, and with my left foot I step on the traverse away from the weapon that I encounter, beating it with the backhand. And by this method I make my defense; the cover completed, I will quickly make my offense.

[3] We are two Masters that await the throw
We have little care of lances, darts, and swords.
And the defense that we make with our swords
We could similarly [use to] defend ourselves with staffs
With the step and the beat that we make;
In the narrow, the edge and the point we use.
And even if it were Pulicano, who was a great thrower,
Against us he would not have honor.









I wait here in the Boar's Tusk for I know all cuts and thrusts, and I know how to turn away thrown lances, and swords, and darts, and I know how to recover from everything. And that which I do, the Stance of the Long Tail (Posta de Coda Longa) could also do: I step out of the way to the side, beating aside that which comes thrown toward me. When I have deflected the point I am doubtful of the advance of the weapon; so that the person doesn't strike me through another turn, it is best that I beat [his weapon] quickly.