Steel Marginalia
[63]

Second against Fourth, right foot advanced

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

Plate

Both fencers outside in Third; striker disengages prematurely; enemy seizes with Fourth; striker converts to Second, left hand on enemy blade, wounds in chest
Both fencers outside in Third; striker disengages prematurely; enemy seizes with Fourth; striker converts to Second, left hand on enemy blade, wounds in chest De lo Schermo, overo Scienza d'Arme · Copenhagen, 1606 · Plate 63

Translation

This is another Second, but against a Fourth advanced with the right foot. It is caused because both combatants are in Third on the outside, and the striker disengages without waiting either for time or for enemy provocation. The other, taking that occasion, wishes to wound in Fourth; but the striker immediately turns the hand into Second, turns the body so that the left side comes forward, turns the rear of the right foot, lays the edge of the left hand upon the enemy blade, and with that Second wounds the enemy in the chest.

It may also proceed from both being in Third on the inside, and the striker having lowered the sword, leaving himself uncovered, so that the other has driven in with a Fourth. Then the striker raises the hand in Second, changing the prospect of the body and keeping the right flank back, as that part which carried the greater danger; and in such a way he parries with the hand, because that low Fourth which one sees as if going to wound so low is caused by the hand of him who parries, which drives it downward, whereas as to its point that Fourth would naturally have gone to wound the enemy in the chest.

Analysis

Initial guards Both in Third outside; alternate from inside.
Wound Thrust in Second to the chest.
Version 1
  1. You disengage without waiting for time or provocation.
  2. He uses that occasion to thrust in quarta.
  3. You immediately turn the hand into seconda.
  4. You bring the left side of the body forward.
  5. You turn the heel/toes of the right foot outward.
  6. You place the edge of the left hand on his sword.
  7. You parry with the hand and hit him in the chest with seconda.
Version 2
  1. Both are in terza inside.
  2. You lower your sword and leave yourself open.
  3. He thrusts in quarta.
  4. You raise the hand into seconda.
  5. You change the body's profile, keeping the right side back.
  6. The left hand forces his low quarta downward while you wound.

Translation note

Johnson's "placed the edge of your left hand over his sword" is acceptable; the Italian _appoggiato il filo della sua sinistra mano_ is: "laid/set the edge of the left hand upon the enemy blade."
The Steel Marginalia · HEMA Study Group Notes in the margins. Truth in the bind.