Giacomo di Grassi his True arte of defence plainlie teaching by infallable demonstrations, apt figures and perfect rules the manner and forme how a man without other teacher or master may safelie handle all sortes of weapons aswell offensiue as defensiue: vvith a treatise of disceit or falsinge: and with a waie or meane by priuate industrie to obtaine strength, iudgement and actiuitie. First written in Italian by the foresaid author, and Englished by I.G. gentleman.

VVhen it is better to strike with the edge.

FOr no other cause, the edge is preferred before the poynt, then for the time: the shortnes whereof, is so to be esteemed a∣boue all other things in this Arte, that (o∣mitting the point and edge) it ought to be giuen for the best and chiefe counsell, that same to be the better blowe, in which a man spendeth least time. And ther∣fore when this happeneth and may be done with the edg, then the edg is to be preferred before the point: the which as occasion serueth shalbe further declared.

When I reasoned of the blow of the point or thurst I said, that a man ought to thrust when the point is in the straight line, because the blowe is then performed in one time. But the edg differeth from the point, in that that being out of the strait line, it indeuoreth to come in to the same againe. Therefore when it hap∣neth the point to be born either on the right, either on the left side, either aloft, out of the strait line, if then on would thrust in the right line, he can not performe it but in two times, whereas if he would strik with thedg be it right or reuersed, or downwards, he may do it in one time. It shalbe also verie commodious rather to strik with the edg, when as sometime a man bearinge his sword in the strait line, and the enimie ther finding it, doth with his hand beat it on this side or that side: In which case, if he would return it again into the said line of purpose to strik, he shalbe constrained to doe it whith great violence and much time.

For these reasons I hold it better to let the sworde swaie to that side, whereto the enemie beateth it, and to ioin vnto it such force, as he may to help the motion, and (fetching withall a compas) to strik with the edg.

The which blow is so readie & strong, that theni∣mie can hardly haue time to withstand it, being alredy occupied in beating aside the sword & pretending to strik: nothing at al expecting that thaduersaries sworde wil strik again either so quickly, or with the edge, on that side from which it was beaten.

[illustration]

The Line of the edg is from A to B, The line of the point from C. to D. and from D. to E.