Steel Marginalia
[33]

Hit under the sword outside against Fourth

De lo Schermo, overo Scienza d'Arme
Salvator Fabris · Book I · Under-sword thrust outside, in Third or Fourth depending on arm position.

Plate

Enemy engaging inside then thrusting Fourth under sword; striker withdraws body and returns sword low outside to take the weak with the strong
Enemy engaging inside then thrusting Fourth under sword; striker withdraws body and returns sword low outside to take the weak with the strong De lo Schermo, overo Scienza d'Arme · Copenhagen, 1606 · Plate 33

Translation

The wound seen here beneath the sword on the outside may be made in Third, and also in Fourth, against another Fourth, according as the arm is carried more or less to the outside. It may have been caused by the wounded man going to find the enemy sword on the inside; and after the enemy had disengaged, this first one wished to wound in Fourth beneath the sword. But the enemy who had disengaged withdrew with the body in order to have time to replace the sword underneath before the other point arrived, as indeed succeeded. That enemy, who is the striker, lowered hand and body together, and by that found the adversary weak with his own strong and wounded him in the right flank at the very point where he was turning.

One may also think it happened because the striker went to find the enemy blade on the outside, which should have been in Second, and in that time the wounded man turned from Second into Fourth, turning the left foot in order to wound him beneath the sword and let the enemy blade go vainly by. The striker, in the same point of time, carried the body over the left foot and replaced the sword underneath on the outside, and thus made the wound that is seen.

Analysis

Initial guards Enemy tries to engage inside; alternate from enemy in Second changing to Fourth.
Wound Under-sword thrust outside, in Third or Fourth depending on arm position.
Version 1
  1. The enemy goes to find your blade inside.
  2. You disengage.
  3. He tries to wound in quarta under the sword.
  4. After disengaging, you withdraw the body to gain time.
  5. Before his point arrives, you return your sword to the lower line.
  6. You lower hand and body together.
  7. You find his weak with your strong.
  8. You hit in the right flank as he turns.
Version 2
  1. You go to find his blade outside while he is in seconda.
  2. He turns from seconda to quarta, turning the left foot, to hit under the sword.
  3. In that same instant you carry the body onto the left foot.
  4. You bring your sword back under on the outside.
  5. You make the shown hit.

Translation note

Important phrase: "ritrovato il debile averso col suo forte" = found the adversary's weak with your forte.
The Steel Marginalia · HEMA Study Group Notes in the margins. Truth in the bind.