Steel Marginalia
[51]

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 51

Translation

This wound, seen under the sword on the outside, may be made either in Third or in Fourth against another Fourth, according as the arm is carried more or less outward. It may be caused because the one who is wounded goes to find the enemy blade on the inside, and, the enemy having disengaged, that first man wishes to wound in Fourth under the sword. But the one who disengaged withdraws with the body in order to have time to bring the sword back underneath before the other's point arrives. As may be seen, he lowers hand and body together and thereby finds the enemy weak with his own strong (ritrouato il debile auerso col suo forte), and wounds him in the right side at the very point where the other is turning.

It may also happen because the striker goes to find the enemy blade on the outside, where that blade is in Second; and in that time the wounded man turns from Second into Fourth, turning the left foot in order to wound under the sword and let the enemy blade pass vainly. But in that same point the striker carries the body over the left foot and brings the sword back underneath on the outside, and thus makes the shown wound. The lesson throughout is that a superior low-line repositioning may defeat the attack that thinks it has acquired the upper line.

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.