The Means How to Obtain Judgment
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Although I have very much in a manner in all quarters of Italy, seen most
excellent professors of this Art, to teach in their Schools, and practice
privately in the Lists to train up their Scholars. Yet I do not remember
that I ever saw any man so thoroughly endowed with this first part, to wit,
Judgment, that behalf required.

And it may be that they keep it secret of purpose: for amongst diverse
disorderly blows, you might have seen some of them most gallantly bestowed,
not without evident conjecture of deep judgment. But howsoever it be seeing
I purpose to further this Art, in what I may, I will speak of this first
part as aptly to the purpose, as I can.

It is therefore to be considered that man by so much the more waxes fearful
or bold, by how much the more he knows how to avoid or not to eschew
danger.

But to attain to this knowledge, it is most necessary that he always keep
steadfastly in memory all these advertisements underwritten, from which
springs all the knowledge of this Art. Neither is it possible without them
to perform any perfect action for the which a man may give a reason. But if
it so fall out that any man (not having the knowledge of these
advertisements) perform any sure act, which may be said to be handled with
judgment, that proceeds of no other thing, than of very nature, and of the
mind, which of itself naturally conceives all these advertisements.

    * First, that the right or straight Line is of all other the
      shortest: wherefore if a man would strike in the shortest line, it is
      requisite that he strike in the straight line.
    * Secondly, he that is nearest, hits soonest. Out of which
      advertisement a man may reap this profit, that seeing the enemies
      sword far off, aloft and ready to strike, he may first strike the
      enemy, before he himself be struck.
    * Thirdly, a Circle that goes compassing bears more force in the
      extremity of the circumference, than in the center thereof.
    * Fourthly, a man may more easily withstand a small than a great
      force.
    * Fifthly, every motion is accomplished in time.

That by these Rules a man may get judgment, is most clear, seeing there is
no other thing required in this Art, than to strike with advantage, and
defend with safety.

This is done, when one strikes in the right line, by giving a thrust, or by
delivering an edgeblow with that place of the sword, where it carries the
most force, first striking the enemy before he be struck: The which is
performed, when he perceives himself to be more near his enemy, in which
case, he must nimbly deliver it. For there are a few nay there is no man at
all, who (perceiving himself ready to be struck) gives not back, and
forsakes to perform every other motion which he has begun.

And forasmuch, as he knows that every motion is made in time, he endeavors
himself so to strike and defend, that he may use as few motions as is
possible, and therein to spend as little time. And as his enemy moves much
in diverse times he may be advertised hereby, to strike him in one or more
of those times, so out of all due time spent.