Pallas armata The gentlemans armorie; wherein the right and genuine use of the rapier and of the sword, as well against the right handed as against the left handed man is displayed: and now set forth and first published for the commmon [sic] good by the author.

CHAP. II. How thou shalt put by and parere those blowes which thine adversary makes at thy head within.

[ 1] IF thine adversary doth make a blow at the inside of thy Sword, towards thy head, pa∣rere his blow towards▪ thy left side downewards with a Secunde, onely turning thy wrest and▪ thy point towards thy left side, when thou hast parered his blow, then strike with a ••ack ••low, and a Secunde towards thy right side at the outside of his right arme, a••d instantly stringere him within, when thou hast performed thy blow.

[ 2] Or when his blow doth approach, be∣fore

it arriveth, cavere towards thy left side under his blow, and cavering step towards thy right side with thy right foote, and receive his blow with the Secunde, with the outside of thy Rapier or Sword, and instantly strike with a Quarte at his left cheeke, at the inside of his weapon.

[ 4] Or when his blow approacheth, cavere under his Sword towards thy left side, and stepping in upon him, catch with thy left hand under thy right arme, towards thy left side over thy adversaries weapon, hold of his Hilt and strike him at his head.

[illustration]

[ 4]

When he doth strike at thy head againe within, then when thou seest his blow comming, step••e with thy right legge to∣wards thy right side, and strike him with a Quarte at the inside of his right arme.

[ 5] Or when his blow commeth towards thee, step backe with thy left legge, so that the weight of thy body come wholly to rest upon thy left thigh, not stirring thy right foote, and strike him with a Quarte at the inside of his Rapier, and although he steps never so farre, yet he cannot reach thee, thou being out of his mensure and reach.

[illustration]

[ 6]

Or When his blow approacheth, cavere under his Sword towards thy left side, and stepping in upon him catch with thy left hand, over thy right arme towards thy left side hold of thine adversaries Hilt, and strike him with a Secunde, or a back blow at the outside of his right legge, as doth appeare in the precedent Picture.

[ 7] When hee doth strike at thee within a∣gaine at thy head, then at the lifting up of his arme, thrust with a Quarte from under up at his wrest, and although thou shoul∣dest misse of his arme, yet thrusting close to his Rapier on eyther side thou canst strin∣gere him without or within, according as thou dost light on eyther side of his weapon, and consequently bee safe e∣nough.

[ 8] Stringere thine adversary within in the midst of his Rapier, as soone as he lifteth up his wrest to strike at thee on eyther side, then strike him at the inside of his arme with a Quarte towards thy left side.

[ 9] Or else when his blow is comming to∣wards thee within at thy head, then at the lifting up of his arme thrust with a Quarte at the inside of his Rapier at his right breast; if then thine adversary doth strive to put by thy Rapier towards his left side, then turning thy Rapier into a Secunde,

and letting thy point sinke in under his right arme passe behinde him: or when he doth put by thy thrust towards his left side, then strike downewards with a Quarte at the inside of his left legge.