The Defense of the High Ward at Rapier and Dagger
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To speak of the manner how to withstand the blows of the edge, having
already said that all such blows may easily be warded by giving a thrust, I
omit as superfluous. But for the defenses of both sides of the body: I say,
it is great vantage, to stand at the low ward, with the right foot forwards
which manner of standing, the right side is put forth toward the enemy,
whereunto he will direct all his thrusts: and those may be encountered
after three sorts, that is to say: with the Dagger only: with the Sword
only: and with both joined together. But in each of them, a man must
remember to increase a whereby that part of the body which is to be struck
is voided out of the straight line.

When one wards with his Dagger only, he shall increase a pace, and bear his
arm forwards, and having found the enemy's sword, he shall (with the
increase of a straight pace) strike him with a thrust underneath, already
prepared.

When he wards with his sword only, it is requisite, that making a slope
pace, he lift up his sword, and bear it outwards, or else, as soon as he
has found the enemy's sword, that with his dagger he strike at the temples
of his enemy's head, staying his sword with his own : or else instead of
striking with the Dagger, therewith to stay the enemy's sword, and with it,
(increasing another straight pace) to deliver a thrust : but it is very
commodious to strike with the Dagger.

The third way : As soon as he has made the slope pace, and found the
enemy's sword, he ought to stay it with his Dagger, and therewithall,
withdrawing his own sword, to discharge a thrust underneath with the
increase of a straight pace.