Steel Marginalia
[34]

Second against Fourth

De lo Schermo, overo Scienza d'Arme
Salvator Fabris · Book I · Thrust in Second.

Plate

Enemy engaging outside in Fourth; striker drops body under the hilt line, transitions to Second, enemy blade passes above
Enemy engaging outside in Fourth; striker drops body under the hilt line, transitions to Second, enemy blade passes above De lo Schermo, overo Scienza d'Arme · Copenhagen, 1606 · Plate 34

Translation

This Second against Fourth may have happened because the one who made the Fourth wished to go and find the enemy sword in Third on the outside, and the other disengaged likewise on the inside in Third. The first, taking the time of that disengagement, wished to wound in Fourth through the opening, turning the body; but the adversary, turning from Third into Second, with lowering of the body and the sword beneath the enemy blade, made that blade pass vainly above.

Moreover, it may have happened that the striker moved and went to find the enemy blade on the outside, with the hand in Fourth, so as to be stronger on that side where the enemy blade was, and also to be more covered on the inside; and that the enemy disengaged on the inside and made a Fourth in order to wound above the hilt through the opening that was seen. Then the striker, turning from Fourth into Second, and lowering the whole body beneath the place where the hilt had previously been, carried the right foot forward so that the enemy blade passed vainly, and he made the wound that is seen.

Analysis

Initial guards Enemy engages your Third outside; alternate version begins with your hand in Fourth outside.
Wound Thrust in Second.
Version 1
  1. Enemy in quarta tries to engage your sword outside.
  2. You disengage inside, still in terza.
  3. He takes the time and tries to hit in quarta through the uncovered line.
  4. You turn from terza into seconda.
  5. You lower body and sword under his sword.
  6. You let his blade pass vainly above.
Version 2
  1. You move to find his blade outside with the hand in quarta for extra strength and cover.
  2. He disengages inside and makes a quarta over the hilt.
  3. You turn from quarta into seconda.
  4. You lower the whole body below where the hilt had been.
  5. You carry the right foot forward.
  6. His blade passes above and you wound.

Translation note

Johnson's "drop under your sword" is right, but Fabris is more precise: you pass under the line formerly occupied by the hilt.
The Steel Marginalia · HEMA Study Group Notes in the margins. Truth in the bind.