Steel Marginalia
[52]

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 52

Translation

This Second against Fourth may happen because the one making the Fourth wishes to go and find the enemy blade in Third on the outside, and the other disengages to the inside, likewise in Third. The first, taking the time of that disengagement, wishes to wound in Fourth through the opening while turning the body; but the other, turning from Third into Second, with lowering of body and sword beneath the enemy blade, lets it pass vainly above.

It may also happen that the striker moves and goes to find the enemy blade on the outside with the hand in Fourth, both because he is stronger in that line and because he is more covered on the inside; and that the enemy disengages to the inside and makes a Fourth to wound above the hilt through the visible opening. Then the striker turns from Fourth into Second, lowering the whole body below the place where the hilt had first been, and carrying the right foot forward in such a manner that the enemy blade passes vainly while he makes the wound shown. Here Fabris is teaching the deep low evasive use of Second against upper-line pressure.

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.