The Defense of the Two Hand Sword
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The defenses of the two hand sword require a stout heart, for that the
sustaining of such great blows, by reason whereof, a man considers not the
advantage of time, being the most principal thing of all, causes him to fly
or retire back holding for a certainty that every blow given therewith, is
not possible to be warded. Therefore when he deals against an enemy, who
uses likewise the two hand sword, he shall oppose himself in the low ward:
And when a false thrust comes, if it come so far forwards that it may join
home, he ought first to beat it off, and then to force a thrust at the
enemy's face, or deliver an edgeblow downwards at the arms but not lifting
up the sword in a compass. But for that these falsed thrusts for the most
part are far off, and come not to the body, being used only to fear the
enemy, and cause him to retire, that thereby one may have the more time to
deliver an edgeblow with the increase of a pace (which pace causes the blow
to go with greater violence:)
and farther may discern and judge, by nearness of the enemy, whether the
blow will hit home yea or no, for it is easily known how much the arms may
be stretched forth: Therefore when this false thrust does not join or hit
home, he ought not to endeavor to beat it off, but to expect when his enemy
delivers his edgeblow, and then to increase a pace, and strike him with a
thrust.

But if it happen him to deal against a two hand sword, with a single sword
or dagger, assuring himself that the two hand sword cannot but strike but
with a thrust or an edgeblow, for the defense of the thrust he may beat it
off and retire himself, but if it be an edgeblow, then, as soon as the two
hand sword is lifted up, in the same time he must increase forwards and
deliver a thrust, or else if he have no time to strike he must encounter
and bear the blow in the first part of the sword, which is near the hilts,
taking hold thereof with one hand, and striking him with the other. And
this he may perform, if he be nimble and active, because the two hand sword
carries but small force in that place.The defenses of the two hand sword
require a stout heart, for that the sustaining of such great blows, by
reason whereof, a man considers not the advantage of time, being the most
principal thing of all, causes him to fly or retire back holding for a
certainty that every blow given therewith, is not possible to be warded.
Therefore when he deals against an enemy, who uses likewise the two hand
sword, he shall oppose himself in the low ward: And when a false thrust
comes, if it come so far forwards that it may join home, he ought first to
beat it off, and then to force a thrust at the enemy's face, or deliver an
edgeblow downwards at the arms but not lifting up the sword in a compass.
But for that these falsed thrusts for the most part are far off, and come
not to the body, being used only to fear the enemy, and cause him to
retire, that thereby one may have the more time to deliver an edgeblow with
the increase of a pace
(which pace causes the blow to go with greater violence:) and farther may
discern and judge, by nearness of the enemy, whether the blow will hit home
yea or no, for it is easily known how much the arms may be stretched forth:
Therefore when this false thrust does not join or hit home, he ought not to
endeavor to beat it off, but to expect when his enemy delivers his
edgeblow, and then to increase a pace, and strike him with a thrust.
But if it happen him to deal against a two hand sword, with a single sword
or dagger, assuring himself that the two hand sword cannot but strike but
with a thrust or an edgeblow, for the defense of the thrust he may beat it
off and retire himself, but if it be an edgeblow, then, as soon as the two
hand sword is lifted up, in the same time he must increase forwards and
deliver a thrust, or else if he have no time to strike he must encounter
and bear the blow in the first part of the sword, which is near the hilts,
taking hold thereof with one hand, and striking him with the other. And
this he may perform, if he be nimble and active, because the two hand sword
carries but small force in that place.