Steel Marginalia
[57]

Passing Fourth against turned Fourth

De lo Schermo, overo Scienza d'Arme
Salvator Fabris · Book I · Thrust in Fourth while passing with the left foot.

Plate

Both fencers outside in Third; enemy turns to Fourth inside under hilt; striker transitions from Second to Fourth, passes left foot, executes sfuggita di vita
Both fencers outside in Third; enemy turns to Fourth inside under hilt; striker transitions from Second to Fourth, passes left foot, executes sfuggita di vita De lo Schermo, overo Scienza d'Arme · Copenhagen, 1606 · Plate 57

Translation

If these two are found in the guard of Third on the outside, and the striker has gone to find the enemy blade by turning the hand into Second, while the other disengages, turning body and hand into Fourth in order to wound in that time on the inside beneath the enemy hilt, then the striker, turning in that same point from Second into Fourth, passes beyond with the left foot, placing the point of the sword beneath the enemy hilt, carrying the arm inward and the forte toward the enemy weak, and with turning the toes of that left foot outward makes a bodily escape (sfuggita di vita), so that the flank remains entirely defended.

Fabris adds that it is a safer thing in this case to follow with the right foot forward than to turn back. Nor could such a wound be prevented even if the swords were equal in the strength of the forte, because the position of the one who turns is much weaker than that of the one who passes in the manner described; and the sword of the passer will always overcome, under equal conditions, that of the one who merely turns. The doctrinal point is explicit: passing is structurally superior to turning alone.

Doctrinal note

Fabris explicitly says that it is safer in this case to continue with the right foot forward than to retreat. Such a wound cannot be prevented, even if the blades are equal in strength, because the position of the one who merely turns is much weaker than that of the one who passes in this manner. The sword of the passer will always overcome the sword of the turner.

Analysis

Initial guards Both in Third outside.
Wound Thrust in Fourth while passing with the left foot.
  1. You go to find the enemy blade with the hand in seconda.
  2. He disengages, turning body and hand into quarta to hit inside under your hilt.
  3. In that same instant you turn from seconda to quarta.
  4. You pass with the left foot.
  5. You place the point under his hilt.
  6. You bring the arm inward and your forte toward his debile.
  7. Turning the toes outward, you make a bodily escape (sfuggita di vita).
  8. Your flank remains fully defended.

Translation note

Johnson misses the nuance of _sfuggita di vita_. Better: "a bodily escape / void of the torso."
The Steel Marginalia · HEMA Study Group Notes in the margins. Truth in the bind.