rat RAYMOND J. Lorp Cele nenn OMe S EKO CRU CEO ET) Nie te Nev ENTIECES Terms of Use The following is a digital reproduction of an existing historical document. It has been scanned and converted into Portable Document Format (PDF) for the purpose of making it freely available to the public. You are welcome to redistribute unaltered copies of this document via electronic means, You may not, however, alter the document without permission nor profit from its redistribution To download other works in the Collection, and for more information, please visit: www.umass.edu/renaissance/lordVINCENTIO 5 A av cit © © his Practife. Fn two Bookes. The firft intreating of the vfe of the Rapier and Dagger. The,fecond, of Honor and honorable Quarrels. F LONDON Printed by Louw Wotrr. 15 9D }TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE MY fingular good Lord, Robert Earle of Effex and Ewe, Vifcount Here- ford, Lord Ferrers of Chartley, Bourghchier and Lonain,«M after of the Queenes Maiefties horfe,Kuight of the moft noble order of the Garter, and anc of her Highnelfevnf honorable Prinie Conncell. uing of late, | (right Hono- rable’) compi- led this fimple Difcourfe , of managing we- ssneies pons,and dea- ling in honorable Quarrels(which Lefteeme an Introduétion to Mar- A3 tiallThe Epiftle Dedicatorie. cial affayres) I haue thought good to dedicate the fame vnto your Honor,as vnto him whofe bountie moft bindethme:whofe valour in- forceth all foldiers to acknowledge you the Englith efchilles : whofe fauouring good literature celebra- teth your name for the ftudents Mecenas: whofe benigne potecti- onand prouifion for ftrangers,ma- keth you reported off as theyr fafe fanctuary.T his work,I mutt needs confefle, is farre vnworthie your Lordthips view, in regard eyther of method or fubftance : and being much vnperfecter than it fhoulde haue beene, if | had had copie of Englith to haue expreffed my mea- ning as I would. Burl humbly be- feech your good Lordthip to ac- ceptthis Booke, howfoeuer it be,as anew The Epiftle Dedicatorie. anew yeeres gifte proceeding from aminde moft dutifully affected to- wards you,that wifheth and pray- eth, that your Honour may inioy many good and profperous yeres : ands prefented by him that is and willbe readie euerie yere,daie, and houre to liué and die at your Lordthips foot to do you fer- uice. Your Honors in all dutifulnes, Vincentio Sauiole.ADER. HE meanes whereby ren ifromiime tetimebaue bene ‘preferred euense the hight degrees of greatnes and dig mitie,hane euer bene and are of to fortes, Armes and Letters : weapons ¢> booker, as rney roof plainly beepro- ned out of antique and mo- zi cess EH) derne hiftories. Les it not Jeomaffrangeruntoaniemanthat Ihaue placed Armes before Laters, fori trash tase found by obferning the conrfe of time, and by comparing the occurrenss of former ages ith thafiwhich bawe fallen cus and followed (as it were by fuctefsi- anyin later yeeresghatthe ‘fie Princes ana pasrancs of people Ghd obtarnesheir titles and dominions. 4 forceef Armes and shat aftervards learning Gy vertue did as it were by degrees) grew ard uccecdefor she making ard elabbfiing of good or~ ders guftames gndlawes amengeft them, And then did com- socio hn thc Prince Minerua,whorn the Pocts fumed to bee the geddeffe not encly affiadies but alfoof Armes i fpiring wit into febolers, and fearing the that alow warres Ver fore knowingthst fuck B. mnTo the Reader. aren ae endeour themelues toattaine unto sheexcelencienf canic arbor feience, are ssorthie both of praife and prefervaznt, becaf they yfeke for that onels true nobilse which isin decde much rsore ta be accaunted of thas birth and parentage t hase beene induced (forthe asisfattion effechand he Tike noble [Porites efirons to imploie ether shear fludies i she profepi- censor their lines in the pratt ofthe arte militarie) ta beftowe op painesin theroriting of thisT reatife concerning the An, exerci, and manneging ofthe Rapier and Dagger together with the ordering and mening ofthe bodiein thofe ations: A shing I confeffe in frewe the leaff peece and praélife (4s aman might faie)ofthe arte Militarie,butin-verie deed t0 700 irs- rant excellentand nobleprathiethereaf. For when Ieonfe- der with my elf hor farse A vsner «doo wr ite, that hunting, basking,sorafiling,crc.are things in fomefort belonging 40 Miltarseprofjien, for that mien thereby deo bth arake shear bodies frog and attiut,and alo lear ne to near the ci- swation of bilswoods fakes end valicesstogethes with thecree- ed and turning conrfes of vitcers. I feerecth onto mee that 1 aay with farregreaterresfon faietat the Arteaade cercsfeof the Rapier and Daggeris much mere rare end excellent then aniewher militariexercifeofthebodie,becanfetbere very seestendoecarenf thereof, notexely im gevserall warres, tall in particular combats,@> nrany other accidests whore a man basing theperfell knowledge ard praftife of shis arte, alshough but jmallofflarare andiveakeof rrengr/ymnay witha Tntsleremouing of bis foot fadsin turing of bus har dya flight Aeclining of bis bodie, fubdie and oxercouse she ferce brauing pride oftall and frone bodies. Moreuer jt doth reany times come topaffethat difeords and quarvelsarifgamsonge(tfouldiers and Genilemen ofborar G actouns,ghevwhich (whentey cannot be accorded & canr- pounded Tothe Reader. parded he learning, and perfvafion ) malt bre devernie eeandienath alee ed by ser Aeon therefor herhat iwi care ll of Ping and sevice an (uth drsger mille at alltanes fered and farnffcdns Fenacaicurgent necefty, sed not fries becanfrained expo honflfeontecniden d Wherere ran theeoceafins,endalfe fer sha shreancregfled by finde Gentle my goodjr buscendeuoured to expreffeinshiedefconr fe Aypitresallesstand knowledge vbich I bawe in thiarts Exherting all en ofgood mindes and noble pirites to learne nipircaferhejmeyne tothecsed to able it in inflences tndintries us tonfeitim cafes of weet for the defen. ihe andot eric eb af rl andethet Ferwhafener sil (ollewethisproffion mnf fie fom rafhsvidendaiuricyandnetfalino that fale fle snderrorwhich any men inchrre whe eeing sherfeluess0 ‘be freng of bodieandexpersinthisfience,prefaming harei- ponshinke thar they may lel fer ontrage an leone ranand vith cafe ard graf tear mes and behaviour prance ener canto fight asthonh they were the enely hers Sars more inuincibletBan txchilles: et ressemsbring bewit hath flentimes bag penedyhat a litlerrciebte! man of ly stlland resfon bath auerconie asf mighte man deverthrowen the vniveldie male and buthen of ran the acco his kind > lberall msther thecarth, Thimanver of proceeding and bebinionr. dosh plaincl flew sha theemen (alshough peraduentarethe bate learned the cefenfshereapon) Fane not yes Beene faficiently infirucledin the Arleof Armes, Forbytherale and precept of this Art, men aretaveht by how mach they arereflatein courage, and silo thf the fanverweaporsby fo minch the mores eso Ba them.TotheReader. shernfelnes vertuous Jone and madef borh in[peech Oat tien,and netto beliersyusnterssor quarrellers, for thofe which inthis ors derseanc shemfelues ,( notwithflanding their sil cor canrage)docommonty carry avsy wounds and difhonor aid fimetinses death. Thassefeeneand noted in dinerfe partes of mine owne coun- trie andin her places of the world, great quarrellsfpringing from finaltcaufes,and many mien layne uppon light occafons, “Amangeft other things, Iremembar that in Liclena acitieof Sclauonia,it mas once my chance to fee «fodsine quarrelland Slaughter vponiveryfinallcauje betivcene to lialian captaines of great familiaritieand acqusintance.T heresasinthecom- Aiea folifs be belonging inte one ofthe Captainesyoho ge- ing careley ifirward ee aprecing neere unto the other cap- saine began totonch the bilts of bus fvord wherevpon thecap- sain lens she boy a litle blow to teach hina better maners:T he aphe Captine (te Boies mfr) taking tis reprebenfion Bis bey in worféparte than therewas caufe,afier forme word aaulsipled began to drawehis foord,theother Captaine ir ike “fortbetaking hinfelfeso his rapier did with a thruft run him quite through thebodie who falling downe dead upon the place estined she inf reward of his frivolous quarrell. And 10 con- Sfibesheplainetrush in shis point, itis not well done either of ‘msen or boyesto touch themeapons of another moan that weertth them, Newertheleffea man oughs in alt bis attions t0 feckeand andeuenr olinein pesce and good agreement as mach as mg) be)with euerieone: andepeciallybethas is « Gentleman ard ‘corner {eth swith men of honorable quelity,znuft bone allothers Fiawe 4 great regardto france hisfpeech and anfiveres with fuch ‘efpeHlive rewerence, that thereneuer grome againft him apie sreretepen a fonlifb worde or afromard anjivers, asi ofr thn daily cdo some pafswohereupen fitow deédly be treds, Tothe Reader. weds eruell msurtbers, and extr carne ruines, Wherefore Ifaie wxtfetdenieas a mafl undoubted rush, that it is good for e- sevicman tobe saueht and inflrutted inthe Rapier and Dag ra therather sherebyte grow infolnt orto comms mr ther butts be ableaird ready in acafeof inf necefitieto defend himlfstvherat the fodsine, ar upon defiance and in field sf fired: for at tht ligeib 3 too late to lookebackeand win tends ftadicas many deo,wvho having appointed the tie teat rat omep eee she which being [0 lightly lexrtied and in fuch hist doth after- sardintineof need prone bt lite belpfilloranaslable sto thom. Betis lnaedge doch mre partculirlyappertagne sntecentlemen and otters that profefeandfollovenarres, forthe more shan other men,will forthe crediteof their cale Ingand thebonor of Armes) dipiteand determine with the pein efthefwvord allpoinss that paffe in controuerfie,opecily Trmngethenfelues who had rather diethen notte baueree- forand isfattion for enerie worde of preindice and difgrace thal -nshem. Bin thseel amet anda trea al frtes and condition as soll the silo as the Sift to Bein view tn fii er rocatch {a the fie) atenerie flie that paffet Ly, for in fo doving, Hheypechyeiothefelaisendleftrouble,and enter nts ai. mlof danger and diftonour,butrasberto fluane armuch they canallocaficns of quarrelland not tofight excepte (as Guhdeveiydejepona taf conf and i a point of honor. And turkeend hat eaerieroan ny know what to deaand bee able tapradhfeasrnuch as bee ksosveth (ab the requelh of certaine Conlemen my good fiends, c= tommakethe world witnesefmg illite tard hers fr te many crtefiea which 1 eccned a: ther bandes ince roy ffl coraming intothis Counirie)out of tafe preceptesrich I bane learned from the Ba rooftTothe Reader. moftrare and renowmed profejors that hase bin ofthis Ant daytime no ls expriece which vedo in diuerfefrsies and fghis, 1 baue compofed aud framedthir Uistleworke,cortaiming the noble Avteofthe Kigier and Dagger shewhich haucfet downe in man- er of « Dislegue,cye. VINCENTIO SAVIOLO HIS PRACTISE. Haue long and greatly defired (my deare friend 7, tolearnethis hoble NS cfpecially of you, who did p Sai weapons into my hands: wher 529 ing fo good opportunitic is {u fily ‘pre« fented) I couldewithe that wee might fpende this time infome difcourfe concerning the Arte of the’ Rapier ef, tothe end that might thereby, borh the ine the'title which I haut alreadie leaned, andalfo adde fome new leffon thereunto. ¥.Ceites(my loutng friend Z)aswelforthatT have found youtobeaman ofa noble [pirite,asin regard of thegreat Idue which beare vnto you,asalfo to theend thathereafter whentime fhallferde, you miay be better Fnowen vnto fanidry Geritlemen my good fiterds;fam comenttoyeeldinto your requelt, and therefore de~ mandboldly any thing wherein you defire to bee re folued. LSir,the loue which you beare mee I know tobee execeding great and theréfore liauc no doubs that you will aylemein.nie partot your promile,for the which Guont I acknowledge my felfe infinidly beholding vn toyou.T thalldefire you therefore, according to your iudgementand skill,to refolue and inftruémeein fach, doubtes feVincentio Saviolo his Prattife. doubisas doo occurre vnto'me,for Tknowe, and arany noblemenand Gentlemen do likewife know, tharyou areexquifidly able not only toxefohicvs of nie doube readjly,butalfo to inftrudtvs in this fcience perfedtly. 7 Sit,Ldefite nothing more thanto pleafeand ts tisfie you and firch other Gentlemen my good friends, and therefore you may expounde queltibns at yout pleafure, _ _ L.Frommy firftyeres [haue liked this noble Art, butnow doomuch more loueit, haaing feene fuchdi- ucrfitic ofthis exercife together with the danger thet. ‘yntobelonging,and ( fiaceIcameto be your {cholle) plainly perecived how thatamanin onemomentmay beflaine.And therfore! gine God thankes thatin fome incafurehee hath giuenmee the knowledge of this ce ence,and Ihopethrough your good hefpeto beetnore fally informedtherein. Wherefore'I defireyou totell ine,iftheremay begiuen anie certaine inftruétion and firmerule whereby to dire¢t a man to the true know ledgeofhereof. ¥,Sincemy ¢hildhoode I haue {eene verie many mafters the whichhaue taken great paines in teaching, and I haue marked theirdiuerfe manners of playeand indangering : wherefore (both for the particular con- tentment & pleafure of the Gentlemen my friendsyand forthe gentle ebeneof many)Thauechanged fiue or fix fundry maner of plaies,taughtme by diuerle mafters,and reduced them vntooneby my nolittlela- bourand paine,and in chiswillI refolueyou,and geue youtherein {fo direéta rule and inftrudtion, asthat ther- by osing my fol you may atin mato the posed knowledgeofthisfeience. L.But The firft Booke. 2 L.Buttell me fir of curtefic, thofe which haue nor xeneyour [chollers, arethey therefore debarted froma chevnderftanding of your laidrule . V.Antrachfir, well they may learne and coneciue auich but ofthofe fecrets which I will reucalevinoyou they arenot focapableasthofe whom I hatte taught « L.Shew me (Ipraie you) what may bee the caufe, whythisare(being loneceffari¢and noble)is of { ma- ry lolitteefteemed¢ ¥.Youhaue itoued a queition whereof Tamigric* vuedto fpeake; when Lconfider with-my felfe the flight account wherein this foworthy fcienceis held,Tdeeme thecaulehereofto be either becaule many which dog (peraduenture ) vnderftand the faine will not profefle toteach it, or that many (hauing in d¢ed novnderftan= ding thereof) dos ludge the fame to confiftin theye great ftrengthand brauing courage, butthey deceiue themfelucs. Moreouter,1 am of this opinion, thar niany (notknowing thisdre to be tte beginning and founda- tionof the art Militarie)doe thercforenegleé and con; temneit,becaufe they efteeme the fame tobee athing rnvothemaltogetlier impertinent. L. By what reafon can you thew this feiencetobe, the ground and foundation of the arte Militarie? ¥.You hall htare. This word Schermize et Schara- sto skirmith or fence, may be taken either gene- * particularly, Géncrally;for euerickind of fight. Puricularly for fingle combat:andfoitistakem soften asitis indcfinitly fet downe,andnotexprelly . Andbe- ingtahenin this fenfe,thatit doth rieteffarily belong va- tothe arte Militarie may many waies bee proued, for in thcarte Militari¢itis requifite thata man know how he Cc mayVincentio Saviolohis Prattife. may beftouescoritehis enemie,and whidls wale coon. tertaine bim,& asit wereto dillic with. him vntill fica timeashe can efpie fome aduantage. Againe,weedoa many times {eethat a great man or a Captaine doeth wrong an inferiour perfon ora fouldier, whoforthat theyatemen ofmearer fortune, dao feldosaa by lawe recouersightor credite, whesfore the Prince or Gene- rall(afier thatthe partie wronged bath done his die; in complaining vnto him of the niuty recciued)ought torequire and command hics by whome thewrong was done, eitherto make fatisfadtion vnto the parte avronged, if the fad were againit reafon,orhy waie of difgrace,orelfeto fight the combat with him. Then (being woacceptoncof thefe conditions)if heetriethe combat, he can neuer acquite himfelf without danger and difhonour,if hee hauenot fixft learned this noble fcience. Moreouer,ifa man follow the wartesand conuerft with Capraines, andincurre a quarrell, and haue no knowledge of thisarte,whathiftethallhhee make? Or how thal hee behaue himfelfe becing challengedibe combat orhis Countrie or his Prince. which hath of ten happened, notonely inthe time of the Romanes, butinour dayes, as we may reade in the life of Charles the fifte and of other Emperours : Palas Jeniueand odo make mention ofmany.combats fought in the kingdome of Naples betweene French-men and Italians for they: Countrie, wheteunto were re- quired and chofen moft famous and skifull men both ofthe French and Italian Nation. WhereforeaCap- taine ora Generals not perfeétly accomplithed inall pointes appertaining tohis placeantd profession, ihee The firft Boke. 3 beedisfitnifhed of this Icience: for admit(asit may fal ‘outvpon many occafions conéerning his Country and his ownc honout)he bee challenged the combat, and chance to be ouercome therein, although hee haue bin renowmed for infinite vidtories, hee hath now loftin one momentall his foregotten glorie, forboth the ho- nour ofthe fight, and the triumph of the vidtorie doth wholy redound vnto him who hath ouercomein com- bat. Neither were his many vidtories gotten inthe field vnto him mote glorious, than this one-foile in fingle fight is difhonourable, for thofe victories fiad many helpes.as horfe,armour,opportuniticof time, aduaun- tage of place, &c. Thofe glories many parteners, 25 fouldiersand vnder officers, but this dithonour doeth. wholy fallvpon himfelfe, as purchaledby fomeimper fedion in himnfelfe, asnamely fot wantt of this fcience, withoutthe which no man profefsing the Arte Milita- ricjcan bee called perfeét in his profefsion, but rather oaimedin the principall partthereof,and moftconcer- ning the afety and defence ofa mans owne life for fis isa braunch ofthat wifedome which holdeth the Ailt lace and chiiefeft preheminence if; matters of warre, Forhethat isdeuoidofart and skill, doth rathly encoun- tet with his enemie,and fo is flaine with {corne and dif honour. LE. This which you ftie feemeth fo ftande with preatcreafon, yetheuertheleffe wee eeby experience, tharmen vnskilfulland altogether ignofantin this arte, have vanquithed and ouerthrowen thofe which prax Aifethe fame fortheyr dayly exercife, whereas ifyour affenion were true )the skilfull thould euermore cone squerthe vnskilfulls Ca v.SigVincentio Saniolo his Prattife. F.Sit,you are to vnderftand, that many are called profeffours of their Rapierand Dagger,and yet bec o- uercome by men thatneuct praétifed the fame,but how ‘euer,notas profeffours of this {cience, but as bafe and ynskilfull perfons, For inhimthat will bee rightly cal- Jed a profeffour of this arteand in him that fhall goe into the field to fight a combat, are required reafon,a- nimofitie, trength, dexteritie,indgement,wit,courage, skill,and practile: wherfore it may bee thatthofe which are ouercome bee men of bafemindes, or voide ofrea- fon, and fillely called profeffours of that arte whereof they haue no vnderftanding , and which they doobut diferedite, Othersare fo head-ftrong and rafh,thatthe doo lyke rammes which kill themfelues by running full butat theyrenemies. Butto hauerccourie vatothe fir and higheft caufe, thefeactions are euermore direéted by: ‘chelecre will of God,andare the executions ofhis hidden iudgements, Z.Certainly fir, when I confider your reafons,1 am confounded in mine owne iudgement, for your fpecch docth neceffarily inferre, that if a man beable, rong, active, wife,skilfull, valiaunt, and not quarel- ous, hee fhall bee conqucrour, if otherwile, conque- red, 7. Let vs omit therefore 2s a fpeciall and extra ordinarie caufe, that fometimes God fuffereth and per- miteteth the contrarie : and take this for an infallible muleand grounde, that cuetie one renounceth and forfaketh that helpe which God hath appointed,as of- tenas hee defpifeth and contemneth this Arte, and that God hath giuen vs wit and vnderftanding to di- feerne and knowe the good and the badde : which becing The firft Boke beeing f, ic mutt necdes followe, that fa man will aot defind hinfelfenor doo his bet to obtaine vieto~ tie,he muft be ouercome although his quarrell and cauleweremoftiuft and reafonable, becaufe he will rot vle the mcanes which God hath appointed, and thereforemuttblame himelfe only for hisilfhap and fucecfe. Wherafore itcennot be denied but that this Kcowledge and skill which groweth and rifeth from thsarcof Defence is neceffary. And therfore I fay that when pon iuftgroundand accafiona man thalltake aquarelin hand, and fhalhaue courage,rcafon,bold- tesand forceto maintaine it, hauing alfo the meanes andhelpeot this ac, iewill fldome ot neuer chaunce butthathe(hall ouctcomehis aduerfary,and vpon this rafon and ground proccedeth my argument. But then he forlaketh thefauour and benefitgraunted by God,inthathe wil notlearne hovr to defend himfelte: ilthequitecontrary happen to him hema impute the fauland blame to him(elfe, And therefore mutt tell outhisalfo,that he hath moft neede of this artwhich eth courageand ftrength, becaule thatby this art and pratilehe groweth in vre with his weapon, and tohaueshilland indgementto defend himfelfes And thsalfo I aye, chav Gfrengeh andvaliant courage is not itwhich giveth vitorye, butaskill and knowledgein the vie of his weapon, and a ceraine nimblenesand iviticafivellofthe body as of the hand and the foot. LInfoothby that which you fay, ifeemesto me that nature isthe which worketh and perfourmethall, tnd notart, becaufe chat from nature commeth cou tape force,andta right frameand aptnes of the body, thacrehe which ade funihed wit hele pas 2 anVincentio Sauolo his Brathife. and thal yndertakea rightand juttcaufe,is tikotobeare away theviGory without bauingany ar very liteleskil intheartof Delence. ¥, Cettes we may graunt,thatnature may doo very much to frame aman aptandfit{or this exercife, both in refpectot conyenient courage and ftrength, but all thefeabilitiesand giftes which nature cau beftow on a man, are nothing except hehaue knowledge or arte, forwe feethat the very thinges themfelues which are brought foorth by nature goodand perfett, ifthey be notholpen byarte, by very courfeof nature become naughtandynprofitable, Asthe Vincifitbe nothok penby artcomes toto proofe nor profit,(o likewife o- thertrees how apr fo euer they be to bring forthexcel Tent frutes,if theyare not husbanded growewilde, and degenerate fromutheir naturall perfe@tion. Suppole that natute bring foorthamoft gaadly and beautifull tree,it itbeginonceta growe crooked and benat hol- penitloofeth all his beautye, and therefore as you fee, arte isanaide and helpe tonature: fothat ane hauing thofe good partes and abilities by nature before men- tioned,yetnotkuowing them, heeaonot yfe them t@ hisbenefitebutby the meanesaf shilland indgement, whichaman by hisinduftrie and pradtife attaineth vn- to. Andalthough he may ftrike right andcroffe blows andgiue the foyncandthruft,yet thelebeing notgul- ded by reafon and skif!, may bs well harme hingas pro- fitorprocurehimany aduantage: but are which imira- teth and perfiteth natute,ifaman apply hisminde ther- unto,by many experimentesand much. pradiife, will make him skilfull and capable of greatperfection.And toprauethatthisis true, we {ec Berle infants whichale though The firft Booke 5 though as fooneasthey arc bornethicyhauiea tung yee they cannot fpeake,and after when they haue learned tolpeake, yet they want eloquence: naturemaye be- loweagiftof memory, which witen itis accompani- cdvithartand knowledge, theyare able ingoodioxe tocxprelf+theie mindeand conceipt. How can yoube Sklllinidingif you haue not leaqned the are, na turemay helpe, but not bring to perfeefion : How is ft pofiklethat you fhould prota skilfull Carpenter or Saylor, if you have not by praétife acqualnted your {eltewith thofe thinges which appertainethereunto? how ean aman bea profeffour th any art ot (eience, valeffche hauclearned itfire himfetfe: and therefore they which makefo finalleckoning ofart, in my-an« cieandconceiptin this refpest are worfethan beaftes, eipecally hole whichare praGifedin fightinvwhidia min may perceiueakinde ofteafon and atte, and for roofc of this, takea young Dog which hathhotbeen accultomed to fight,and ethimonBull,and you thal teehimataile him withmore courage and fercenes thenanother which hath beenebeaten and praGtifdein thematter,but you fall ec him by andby hurte and wounded: whereasintheother you thall feethequlte Contarforbeoreheetvpon bisaduclary youthall feehim pieall aduantages thatmaye be, aud hauing. found hisaduantage he wil after make anaffaalywher= forethefebraggers which withoutiudgement andrea- fonwilltake vponthemokillthe whole worlde,arthe lea\wife houldorderand goueene themfelues more dieretcly then beatts sand ifthey being without rea- foncanfelp themfelueswith artwhich istaughttheme Bor madhraherfoukd aman wichisindved wich reafonVincentioSauiolo bis Prattife reafonmakehit profi therof, fecke to larae itand not tofcome and defpileitefpeciallye in fuch acafe where fo deepely it concernetha mans life,thatia the irting of afootebemay be foddenlye ouertaken and flaine: but the more slilla man hathof his weapon themore gentle and curtcous hould he fhewe himfelfe, for in tuuth this is rightly thehonour of abraue Gentleman, and fo much themore is hee to bee efteemed : neither multhe beabragger,orlyer, and without rruth in his word,becaufe thereis nothing more to be required in aman then tobnow himfelfe,for matherefore {thinke itnecellaryethateuery one (houldlearne thisarte, for asaman hathyoice andean fing by nature, but dal Auer doo it with time andraeafure of mulicke valle he haue learned the arte: and asahorfemay be flrong and fycfor Bight by nature, but can not feruea man to any yicin the feelde vnleffe hebane beene firftbroken and aught, and fratned to be obedient to hismaifters pleafure and miode: So much more fhould a man Tearne how to mannage and vie his body, bis hand and hisfoote, and toknow how te detend himfelfe from hisenemy, Andheereupon welee; thathowy floute of couragious fotueramanbe,vet when he ischallenged intothe feeldehe feels thentoleatn the skill and prac- tifeofhis weapon of fome braue and skilfull man a gaintithe daye of the fightand combate,andfor noo- thercaufe butthatheknoweth thatit is neceffarye for him,8ehatieconcemeth bis honor andlife : and they which affirme the contrary ifeuer they haue occalion to fight, fall perceiue to their difaduantage and dife how muchthey haue erred and bene out of the ind this which we hauedifcousledhitherto asi vhinke The firft Boke. 6 thinkemay faffife to prone the necefitie ofthis art. 1.You haue with fo manye reafons and proofes thewed the necefltie of this worthieare, hatin eruth I greatlyeflceme and honorit,and could with thateue- rymanofhonour would fecketo knowitand pra8tife it, that it might be more efteemed: but now that I Inowtheexcellency of thisart, I would gladly know herein confifteth the order and manner to vn- lertandit, ¥.Certesmy frend L.1 will not faileinthatwhich Thauepromifed. And thereforel wilbegin this fall worke,toleauefomeremembrance of me, with thefe Gentlemen and my good freendes,and withyou who axedefirousto vnderitand it,and efpecially becaufe ¥ havealwaies found youto be a louer of gentlemman- like qualities. L.Uthanke you fir for yout good willand good o- pinion conceiued of me,and therfore according tothe éclire which you haue to make me vnderftand this worthie ane,Lrequire you totell mewith whatwea- ponagoodtcacher minding tormake agood feholler oughtrobegin. ¥.Solwill, yet Tmuft tell you, that Ihaue feene many braue fafficient merteach with great diuerfitie and diuersfortcs and fathions of play: and F my felfe hauehad many teachers,and found them all to differ one rom the other. 1. But Ipray you of freendfhip tell mehow there canbefach difagreement, fince thatall that art confi- eth in doven rightor crofle blowes, thrultes, foynes, orouerthwvart 7. That whichyou fay,verilye is true, butconfider D alfoVincentio Sauiolo bis Prathife. alfothat we feemany precious flones, and yettheone tobemore efteemedthen the other,although they be ofthe fame forteand kindetand we fée many excellent nen which ftudie theGme are, andyctoneis moree- ficemed then the other, aswell ingrauers as Bainterst the fame isfeene among{tJcarned men, allarefcaraed, burone berterleamed then the other? and the like it tobe feene inall feiencesand artesyand fo in this noble art God hath giuen morcto one, then to. another: will begin therefore to tellyouhow thatofmany that teach, {ome begin and entertheir fchallers with thera- ierand Dagger, fome with:the Rapier anid Cloaks, Tome with the Repierand Buckle, and fome with the Rapicralone:fome afferone forte and fomeafterano- er Z.Tsitnotallone for a {choller to begin with the Rapieralone,or withthe Rapierand Cloake,or any 0- ther weapon: may not he becomeabraue man,as well with one weapon as withan other? 7, Surely, they may proue well, but not £0 well a3 thofe which begin with the true ground, the which fchollers fhould learne of good maifters,and teachers fhould withall diligence teach their {chollers. ‘L. And what I pray youisthisground? ¥. Thetruefoundation verily and the true begine ning from whence you may learne all thinges belon- ging to thisart,is the Rapier alone, and from it will I begin,andyou thal perceiue of whatgreat importance this beginning is,and how without it hardly or newer any commieth to trueskilland perfection: yet proceed you toaske fich queftions as you fhall thinke beft, and takegood heede to that which I fall fay, for it wi Thefirft Boke. 7 willbeginneas] toldeyou. L.In truth. M. ¥incent, although as yet I haue no sreatsil,yet me thinkes you hauefeafon in youralffer- ton, and that you hauegot theright and true know ledge of this fcience, and therefore praye you thew methe rcafonwhy the Rapier aloneis the groundand beginning of thisart. ¥. The reafon as Trake it, is becanfe that amongft Knightes, Capraines and valiant Souldiours, the Rapi- cris itwhich theweth who aremen of armes and of honour, and which abtaineth right for-thofe which aewronged:andforthis reaton itis made with two tdgesand onepoint, and being the weapon whichor- disarily Noble men,Knightes, Gentlemen and Soul- dioursweareby their fide,zs being more proper and fit tobeworne thenother weapons: therefore this is it which muft frttbe learned, efpeciallye being vieall tobeworneand taught. In mydifcourfe therefore of this ight of the fingle Rapier Iwill fpeake onelye of threewardes. L.Tellme] pray you fintehowitis befttoholdea ans Rapirinhishand, and howto and ypon his garde. ¥. Foryour Rapier,holdeit as you fall thinkemoft fcandcommodiousfor you, butifl might adaife you Jouhould not holder after rhisfathion,and epecial- ly withthe fecondfiagerin thehylte, for holding itin thatforte,you cannotreach fo farre either toftrike di- redor croffe blowes,ot to gine a foyne or thrutt;:be- caufeyour armeis notfree and at liberty. £,How then would you haue me holdeite ¥, would baue youput your thumbeon thehylte, Da andVincentio Saniolo bis Praftife. and the next finger toward the edge ofthe Rapier, for foyoufhall reach further and ftrike more readily. ‘Z, You haue ally ftisfied me concerning thismat- ter,butl pray youproceedeand flew mehow’ muh ftandvpon my garde,orafailemyneenemy. 7.So1 willand as before Thauetolde you of diver fiticoftachers and varietie of wardcs, Io in this poyae alfo maftTeell you that mens fafhions are diuets, for fome (etvpon thei tnemiesin unning,and thereare other which affalethemwith rage and furye after the fathion of Rammes, andboth thefe fortes of men for the mofte garte are laineand come t misfortune, nay befeenin many placesof fac ike is. Whick Lipestnaraschoughthof two ghtes were norgood forhim which knowes how to vfe them, becaufe that fometimes they are very neceffary according asa man findes his enemy prepared with:his weapon:but then they rauftbedoone with tinieandmeafire;when you hauegot your enemye at an aduantage, with great dexteriticand readines.Butas forme Twillihewe-yoa the watdes which I my felfevic, the which iF you well markeand obferue,you cannotbut vnderftandthear, and withall keepe your bodye fafe from hurce and danger, Z Atthis prefentl take wonderfall delightin yout companye, andnothing pleafeth me fo much 25 this difeoure ofyoursso heare you piuemethe reaons of thofe things which fo much concerne the lifeand ho- nourofa man: wherefore performe that which you hauepromifed, wherein you thallnotonelye pleafure ‘mee,but iany othergentlemen and Noble menwill thinks themfelues to haue receiued afmour at your handes, The fi ‘Boake. 8 andes, therefore begin { pray’ That hich hate promiled you willnow pet. forme,therfored fay,that when a teacher will beginto smakea Scholler,(as forme I wil Begin with the ingle Rapier, and at this weapon will Kifte enter youste theende youmaye frameyourhand, yout focte,and orbodysall whiclrpattesmufEgoe together and{vn- ffe you can irre andmoue al tie together, you fhallncuerbeabletoperforme any great matter, but with great danger) Icometherefore to the polit and Gy,hat when the teacher wil ectenhis fcholler hc hal D3 canfeVincentio Sauiolo his Prathife. caufe him to fland ypon this ward, which is very good tobee teught for taming the foorg, thehand, and the body: fo the teacher fhall deliuer the: Rapict into his hhand,and thall caufehim to ftand with hisright foote formoftwith his knee fomewhatbowing, butthat his bodyeret more vpon theleftelepge,not ftedfaltnd firmeasfome and, which feeme to be nayled tothe place,but with areadinesand nimblenes,as though he Were to performe fome feate of aétiuitie, and in this forteletthem ftandboth to ftrike and to defend them- felues Now whenthe maifterhath placed hisfcholler in this forte,and that thefchollerhath receiued hisR2- pier into his hand,let him make his hand freeandatly- herty, not by force of the arme,but by the nimble and ready mouingoftheioyntof the wrifle of the hand,fo thathishand befree and atlibertie from his body, and that thesvard of his hand bedireéllyeagaintt his right knee:andfecthe reacheralforputtrinrfelte in the fame ward, and holdehis Rapier E3 mitieVincentio Sauiolo his Prattife. mitie and iriconueniience, as wee fee examples euerie daie, whereby Godis highly difpleafed. And amongit others I willtell youofan accident which hath ha nedin Padaua,where my {elf was borne, ofa mallee of Fencecaled Mu ¢ngelof lees bo many yet roughe vp maintainedeand taughta nephiew ofkisyin fach forsteatheebecame averieflficient and sill smaninthis ar. Whichhis nephew wherisbyreafon fhouldhaue beene louing and faithfull obi, as tohis ‘owne father, hauing{olong eaten of his bread, andre- ceived from f0 many good tune, efpecaly be uuing bene broughtvp by him from his childhoodeand infancie,he did the quitecontrari, forhis vncklewfa- ‘geleyetlining and teaching fchollers, hee openly dyd Teach and plaie with many, and by that meanes came acquainted with many Gendemen, fothathee fet vpa fehoole of Fence,and beganne to teach, entifingawaie many which were {chollers ofhiswnckle Angel-A part truly verie vile, and of an vakinde vnthankfull man. ‘Whereupon the fayd Angelo complained of thisiniury and wrong offered by his nephew,toagentleman who ‘washis (choller and loued him entirely (hewing howe Kisnephew had notonely impaired his credite,butde- frauded him of theaideandhelpe whichhe looked for athishands, hauing brought him vp,as 1 haue aid,and efpecially being now growenold. Which nepheww(as he aydinefpetofkined bringing vpandtcachn Urhiarcandeullywasboundtofaue hewed hima fiendfhipand curtefi, Heereuppon the Gentleman, Angelohis{choller,promiled to feeke redreffe,although hhee was a friende alfo vntothe nephewe of ngela, ‘Andfo, by baddehappe,Gnding the fayde nephew of Angele, The fief Baoke. B Ungils,tolde him that for the wrong offéred to his mater and vncklehe would fight with himand there. tvthall put handetohis weapon: the other refafed to fight wih him becaufe hee was his friend : but the Gentleman olde him that if hee woulds not defend himfelfe hee woulderunne him thorough: as heedyd in ded, for whit hes Aoode vppon termes and wwouldnotdo his befttodefendhimielfesheranne him, gquite thorough he bodie. Therefore whena man fees riconewith adrawen weapon let him take care tox defend himelfe,becaufe it is nota matter-of friend thippe: But thinke verily inthis man, tharthe iiftice of God and hisowne conftience tooke awaieallcous tage and witof defending himfelfe, And thiswas the ene of hisynthankfulneffe, which God would not Jeave vopunithed. Andif al vnthankfoll and ereche- rous men were fo ferued afterthe fame forte, Ithinke there wouldenot befound fo many : and trily oF all vices, tke this vnthankfilaeffe tobe one of thegrea- tefihat is incident to man. Therefore to conclude thismater, Twoulde counfll and aduife euerie one, to giueas{inall occafion of offenceanie waic vmto a- nie asmay be, and efpecally vntois friend, to whom. heeisin ane forte beholding : but when that hee is forcedto aiehandeon his weapon,to doe thebefthe can, aswelin refpedt of his credite as forto faue his ownelyfe, T. Verily this example which you have heere bronghtin,isverie good and neceffatie aswell in- flue and teach a man notto tru his enimie when hefeeth bia comming with his weaponin his hand.as alfo