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Page:DiGraſsi his true Arte of Defence (Giacomo di Grassi) 1594.pdf/161

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suddenly vnder them a thrust be deliuered, against that parte which is most disarmed. But if blowes come from the knee downwardes, they of force must be encountred with the sword, and alwaies with the false, or backe edge thereof, whether that the blowe be right or reuersed: & therewithall the enimies legge must be cutt with the edge prepared without mouing either the feete or bodie. And this manner of striking is so shorte that it safely spedeth. Moreouer, all thrusts and other edgeblowes, aswell high as lowe may, naie rather ought to be warded, by accompaning the target or other weapon of defence with the sword, whose poynt would be bent towards the enimie, & assoone as the enimies sword is encountred, if it be done with the false edge of the sword, there is no other to be done, then to cut his face or legges.

But if the sword be encountred with the right edge then if he would strik with the edge, he must offorce first turne his hand and so cute. And this manner of striking and defending, doth properlie belong vnto the round Target, square Target and buckler, and all other waies are but vaine and to small purpose: for to encounter first and then to strike, causeth a man to finde himselfe either within the enimies Target or sword, by which meanes he may easelie strike, before either the sword or Target may warde againe.

But if any man aske why this kind of blowe carrieth small force, and is but weake? I aunswer, true it is, the blowe is but weake, if it were deliuered with an axe or a hatchet, which as they saie, haue but short edges, and maketh but one kind of blowe, but if it be deliuered with a good sword in the foresaide