Steel Marginalia
[49]

Fourth against Second

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

Plate

Fencer uncovers outside to invite; enemy enters in Second; striker disengages inside and wounds in Fourth with body turned
Fencer uncovers outside to invite; enemy enters in Second; striker disengages inside and wounds in Fourth with body turned De lo Schermo, overo Scienza d'Arme · Copenhagen, 1606 · Plate 49

Translation

This wound in Fourth against Second can arise because both are in Third on the outside, and the striker bends the sword and makes an outside opening (ha piegato la spada, & fatto discoperto di fuori) in order to give the enemy occasion to wound there. The enemy, believing that motion to have been a simple operation of changing position, enters through that opening, judging that he can wound by turning from Third into Second so as to exclude the enemy sword on the outside, bringing the right foot forward. But the striker, seeing him come, does not parry. Instead, turning the body with the left foot, and in the same instant disengaging his sword to the inside and turning the hand into Fourth, he makes the wound.

It may also happen with both in Third on the inside, where the striker goes to find the enemy blade and the other disengages before it is found, turning the hand into Second in order both to cover himself and to wound on the outside in the very time when the striker was going to the blade. That would indeed succeed if the striker tried to parry. But seeing that he could not safely defend by parrying with a sword already in motion to go to the blade, he continues that motion, follows the enemy blade as it disengages, makes a counter-disengagement (contracauatione), turns the body out of presence, and, letting the enemy blade pass freely, wounds in the very point that the other was coming on.

Analysis

Initial guards Usually both in Third on the outside; alternate version from inside Third.
Wound Thrust in Fourth, body turned.
Version 1
  1. You lower the point and uncover outside to tempt him (fatto discoperto di fuori).
  2. He thinks you are merely changing guard and enters.
  3. He changes from terza to seconda to exclude your blade outside.
  4. He advances the right foot.
  5. You do not parry.
  6. You turn the body with the left foot.
  7. In the same instant you disengage inside (cavare di dentro) and turn the hand into quarta.
  8. You wound.
Version 2
  1. Both are in terza on the inside.
  2. You go to find his blade.
  3. He disengages first and turns into seconda to cover and strike outside.
  4. Instead of parrying, you continue your original motion.
  5. You follow his disengagement and make a counter-disengagement (contracavazione).
  6. Turning the body fuori di presenza, you let his sword pass and hit in the moment of his advance.

Translation note

Johnson's "engage" should often be: "find" or "gain the blade."
The Steel Marginalia · HEMA Study Group Notes in the margins. Truth in the bind.