You are not currently logged in. Are you accessing the unsecure (http) portal? Click here to switch to the secure portal. |
Pol Hausbuch (MS 3227a)/18r - 40r
Transcription | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
This is the general preface of the bare-fencing on foot. Mark this well.
|
[18r] Das ist eyne gemeyne vorrede / des blozfechtens czu fuße / Das merke wol JVng Ritter lere · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is the general lore of the sword
General gloss hereafter.[3] First of all, note and know that the point of the sword is the center, the middle and the core of the sword from which all applications go and come back into it. So are the hangings and the windings are the affixing and the revolving of the center and of the core. From them, quite a few good plays of fencing also come. And are invented and conceived so that a fencer, who begins to hew or thrust directly to the point, may not reasonably hit every time; yet they can hit someone with those same plays hewing, stabbing or cutting; with treading off and towards; and with stepping-around or springing. And if one mislaid or mis-extended the point of his sword with shooting or with carrying-through[4] then he may realign and bring-in and shorten it again with winding or treading-off,[5] in such a way that he again comes into the certain[6] plays and principles of fencing. From them, he may bring hews, stabs, or cuts. For according to Liechtenauer's art, the hews, stabs and cuts come from all applications and principles of the art of the sword, as one will hear hereafter how one play and principle comes from the other. And as it goes from one to the other, if the one will be warded, then the other hits and has gone-forward.[7] |
[18v] Das ist eyne gemeyne lere des swertes wWIltu kunst schawen · ¶ Glosa generalis huius sequitur / ¶ Von allerersten merke vnd wisse / das der ort des swertes · ist das czentrum vnd das mittel vnd der kern · des swertes · aus deme alle gefechte gen / vnd weder / yn in komen · So sint dy hengen / vnd dy winden / synt dy anhenge vnd dy vmlewfe des czentrums vnd des kerns [19r] aus den auch / gar vil guter stöcke des fechtens komen / vnd sint dorvm fvnden vnd irdocht / das eyn fechter / der da gleich czum orte czu hewt ader sticht / nicht wol allemal treffen mak / das der mit den selben stöcken / hawende stechende ader sneydende / mit abe / vnd czutreten / vnd mit vmbeschreiten ader springen eynen treffen mag / vnd ab eyner syn ort des swertes / mit schißen ader mit voltreten / vorlewst ader vorlengt / zo mag her in mit winden ader abetreten / weder / irlengen vnd / ynbrengen vnd körczen / alzo das her weder yn gewisse stöcke vnd gesetze kümpt des fechtens / aus den her hewe stiche ader snete brengen mag / wen noch lychtnawers kunst / zo komen aus allen gefechten vnd gesetze des f der kunst des swertes / hewe stiche vnd snete / als man wirt hernoch hören / wy eyn stöcke vnd gesetze aus dem andern kumpt / vnd wy sich eyns aus dem andern macht / ab eyns wirt geweret / das daz ander treffe vnd vorgank habe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On second count, note and know that no part on the sword was invented and conceived without reason.[8] In particular, a fencer shall utilize the point, both edges, the hilt, the pommel as it is on the sword accordingly as each has its particular principle in the art of fencing according to these as the practices embody and uncover, as you will hereafter hear and see each in particular. |
¶ Czu dem andern mal merke vnd wisse / daz keyn dink an dem swerte / vmbe züst funden vnd irdocht ist / zvnder eyn fechter / den ort / beide sneiden · gehilcze · klos / vnd als das am swerte ist / nütczen sal / noch dem [19v] als itzlieichs syn sönderleichs gesetze hat yn der kunst des fechtens / noch dem als dy Übunge hat vnd findert / als du itzlichs besvnder hernoch wirst sehen vnd hören / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also note and know with this as he speaks, If you wish to examine the art, etc. He means that a skilled fencer, they shall: set-forward the left foot and with that, hew from the right side directly to the opponent with threatening hews as long as he sees where he may certainly have the opponent and reach certainly with his stepping. And he means: when someone wishes to fence strongly, so shall he fence from the left side on with the entire body and complete authority to the head and to the body wherever he may solely hit and never to the sword, in particular he shall do it as if the opponent has no sword and as if he cannot see and he shall not omit any fleshwounds or blows, rather always be in work and in contact so that the opponent cannot come to strikes. |
¶ Auch merke vnd wisse / mit deme als her spricht wiltu kunst schawen etc / meynt her / das eyn kunstlicher fechter / der sal den linken fuz vorsetzen / vnd von der rechten seiten mete hawen / gleich czum manne / mit drewe hewen / zo lang / bis das her siet wo her ienen wol gehaben mag / vnd wol dirreichen mit seinen schreten / Vnd meynt / wen eyner stark wil fechten zo sal her von der linken seiten of fechten / mit ganczem leibe vnd mit ganczer kraft / czu köppe vnd czu leibe wo her nur treffen mag / vnd nummer czu keyn swerte / zvnder her sal tuen / zam iener keyn swert habe / aber zam hers nicht sehe / vnd sal keyne czecken ader ruren nicht vormeiden / zonder vmmermer in erbeit vnd in berürunge seyn das iener nicht czu slage mag komen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He also means that one shall not identically follow and track the hew, rather, somewhat aside and curved around so that he comes to the side of the opponent. For there he may have him better with everything than frontally on. Whatever he from then on hews or stabs upon the opponent, that may ward or lead off well any and all changings-through or other applications of the opponent, only if the hews or stabs go forth directly into the opponent against the openings to the head or to the body with stepping-around and treading. |
¶ ¶ Auch meynt her das / eyner den hewen nicht gleich sal noch gehen vnd treten · zonder etwas beseites / vnd krumbes vmbe / das her ieme an dy seite kome / do her in bas / mit allerleye gehaben mag / denne vorne czu / was ′her ′denne[9] nür of ienen hewt ader sticht das mag im iener mit keynerleye durchwechsel ader andern gefechten / gel / wol weren ader abeleiten / nür das dy hewe ader stiche gleich czum manne czu gehen keyn den blößen / czu koppe ader czu leibe / mit vmbeschriten / vnd treten / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also note and know about this when he speaks, before, after the two things, etc. There he means the five words: before, after, weak, strong, within-this. On these words lay the entire art of Master Liechtenauer's and the fixed foundation and the core of all fencing on foot or on horse, uncovered or in harness. |
[20r] ·;· ¶ Auch merke vnd wisse / mit deme als her spricht / vor · noch · dy zwey dink etc / do / nent her dy fünff wörter ·/· vor · noch · swach · stark · Indes ·/ an den selben wörtern / leit alle kunst / Meister lichtnawers / vnd sint dy gruntfeste vnd der / kern / alles fechtens czu fusse ader czu rosse / blos ader in harnüsche / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
With the word "before", he means that a particularly good fencer shall have and have won the fore-strike every time he hits or misses. As Liechtenauer says, Hew therein and charge there, rush onwards, hit or let drive. When he goes or runs at someone, Just as soon as he sees he may reach him with a step or with a spring, wherever he then sees him somehow open, there he shall drive onwards with ease to the head or to the body, bravely without any fear wherever he may have him with surety. For as such, he always wins the fore-strike, whether it does well or poorly for the them. And with that, shall also be certain in his steps and shall have measured them correctly so that he does not step too short nor too long. Now, when he executes the fore-strike, if he hits, then he quickly pursues the hit. But if he wards the fore-strike of the opponent in such a way, that with his sword, he leads off or commands their fore-strike, be it a hew or stab, So long as he is then still on the sword of the opponent. With it like this, he will lead off from the openings which he had targeted, Then he shall quite precisely feel and note whether the opponent in his commanding-off and defence of the hews or stabs is soft or hard, weak or strong on the sword. That is when he now fully feels how the opponent is in his technique. If within-this, the opponent is strong and hard, now that he completely notes and feels, then he shall within-this or during-this be soft and weak if the opponent defends himself thusly. And in that, before the opponent comes to strikes, so shall he then execute the after-strike. That is, he begins to hew while the opponent defends himself and wards himself of the fore-strike, be it hew or stab, so shall he seek out other applications and plays. With those, he shall again hurry and rush into his openings. Also in this, he is continually in motion and in contact so that he also confounds the opponent and soundly robs the opponent amid his defending and warding. Thus has too much work so that he, the defender, cannot come to his strikes. Because someone who shall defend themselves and fixate on the strikes, they are always in greater danger than they that strike at them, so that they must then continually ward the strikes or must allow themselves to be hit, so that they must come to strikes burdensomely by their own accord. About that Liechtenauer speaks: I say to you truthfully, no one defends themselves without danger. If you have understood this, he cannot come to strikes. If you execute otherwise according to the five words, this dictum goes entirely against that and all of [that] fencing often results in a peasant slaying a master, because he is brave and won the fore-strike according to this precept. |
¶ Mit deme worte · Vor · meynt her das eyn itzlicher guter fechter / sal alle mal den vorslag haben vnd gewinnen / † {her treffe ader vele / als lichnawer / spricht / Haw dreyn vnd hurt dar / rawsche hin trif ader la var} wenne her czu / eyme gehet ader lewft / als balde als her nur siet / das her in mit eynem schrete / ader mit eynem sprunge / dirreichen mag / wo her denne indert in blos siet / do sal her hin varn / mit frewden / czu koppe ader czu leibe / künlich an alle vorchte wo her in am gewisten gehaben mag / alzo das her ia den vorslag gewinne / is tu ieme wol ader we · vnd sal auch mit dem / in synen schreten gewisse sein / vnd sal dy haben recht zam gemessen / das her nicht czu korcz ader czu lank schreite / wen her nü den vorslag / tuet / trift her zo volge her dem treffen vaste / noch · weret · her aber iener den vorslag alzo das her im den vorslag / is sy haw ader stich mit syme swerte / abeweiset vnd leitet / Dy weile her denne ieme noch / an syme swerte ist / mit deme als her wirt abe geweist / von der blößen / der her geremet / hat / zo sal her gar eben fülen vnd merken [20v] ab iener in syme abeleiten vnd schützen der hewe ader stiche / an syme swerte / weich ader herte / swach ader stark / sey / Ist denne das her nü wol fület / wy iener in syme geferte ist / Is das iener stark vnd herte ist / Indes / das hers nü genczlich merkt vnd fület / zo sal her ader Indes ader vnderdez das sich iener zo schützt / weich vnd swach dirweder syn / vnd in dem selben / · e · den / das iener czu keyme slage kome / zo sal her denne den nochslag tuen / das ist / das her czu hant / dy weile sich iener schützt vnd sich des vorslags weret / is sy haw ader stich zo sal her ander gefechte vnd stöcke hervör süchen / mit den her aber czu synen blößen hurt vnd rawschet / alzo dis her vmmermer in bewegunge vnd in berürunge sy · das her ienen als irre / vnd betawbet mache / das iener mit syme schützen vnd weren / alzo vil czu schaffen habe / das her / der schützer / czu syner slege / keyne komen mag / wen eyner der sich sal schützen / vnd der slege warnemen / der ist alle mal in grösser var / denne der /· der da slet of in / denne her mus ia dy slege weren / ader mus sich laen treffen / daz her selber mülich / czu slage mag komen / Dorvm spricht lichtnawer / Ich sage vorware · sich schutzt keyn man ane vare / Hastu vornomen · czu slage mag her kleyne komen / Tustu anders noch den fünff wörtern / of dy dese rede gar get / vnd alles fechten | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Because with the word 'before', as was spoken earlier, he means that someone with a good fore-strike or with the first strike, they shall bravely charge there without any fear and rush against the openings to the head or to the body. He hits or misses such that he also at once stuns, overwhelms and terrifies them so that they do not know what he should do against this and also before the opponent recovers themselves again or comes at him with the same. Then he immediately executes the after-strike and continually compels him to ward and the defend himself so much that he cannot come to strikes. Then when the fencer executes the first strike or the fore-strike and the opponent then wards him, in the same warding and defending, the fencer then always comes earlier into the after-strike than the opponent into the first. Then he may: initiate a hew, initiate a drive with the pommel or may come in the thwart-hews, they are good to count on, or may otherwise throw the sword forwards [by means of] the thwart-hew. With that he comes into other applications or else alternately, he may begin well. Before the opponent comes to strikes as you will hear how it makes one from the other so that the opponent may not come from him unstruck if he does differently according to this lesson. Because he shall execute with one mind and with one effort alike[10], if it is possible to accomplish, the fore-strike and the after-strike, swifty and promptly after each other. Also, it would fully come to this if the opponent wards the fore-strike. For he must ward it with the sword and in this way, he must always come to the fencer on his sword. And when the opponent subsequently wards somewhat late and unready, the fencer would then remain on the sword and shall then wind at once and shall quite precisely note and feel whether or not the opponent will withdraw themselves from the sword. |
[21r] Wenne mit dem wrote · vor · als e gesprochen ist / meynt her / das eyner mit eyme guten vorslage ader mit dem ersten slage / sal eyner kunlich an alle vorchte dar hurten vnd rawschen / keyn den blössen czu koppe ader czu leibe / her treffe ader vele / das her ienen czu hant als betewbet / mache vnd in irschrecke / das her nicht weis was her keyn desem solle weder tuen / vnd auch · e · denne sich iener weder keyns irhole / ader weder czu im selber kome / das her denne czu hant den nochslag tue / vnd im io zo vil schaffe / czu weren vnd czu schützen / das her nicht möge czu slage komen / denne wen deser den ersten slag / ader den vorslag tuet / vnd in iener denne weret / in dem selben weren vnd schutzen / zo kumpt deser denne alle mal · e · czu dem nochslage den iener czu dem ersten / den her mag / czu haut czu varn mit dem klosse / ader mag / in dy twerhewe komen / dy czu male gut syn / ader mag sost das swert dy twer vor werfen / do mite her in ander gefechte kumpt / ader sost mancherleye mag her wol beginnen / · e · denne iener czu slage kumpt / als du wirst horen wy sich eyns aus dem andern macht / das iener nicht mag von im komen vngeslagen / tut her anders noch deser lere† {Wenne her sal mit eyme gedanken / vnd zam mit eyme slage / ab is möglich were / den vorslag vnd nochslag tuen / risch vnd snelle noch eynnand[er]}[11] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the opponent withdraws themselves, when they are engaged with one another on the sword and have extended their points toward one another into the openings, before the opponent can recover themselves again against hew or stab of the fencer with his withdrawal, the fencer immediately pursues with a good stab into the chest with his point or else forwards into wherever he may hit him surest and closest in such a way that the opponent may come from the sword without harm with nothing, because immediately with his following-after, the fencer is always closer to the opponent; as he has arranged his point forward on the sword against the opponent according to the nearest and shortest of all with that. When the opponent shall deliver hew or stab wide around at someone with his withdrawal, the fencer can always come before into the after-strike or -stab, before the opponent into the first like this. And Liechtenauer means this with the word: 'after': when someone has done the fore-strike, so shall he immediately without pause upon the same drive execute the after-strike and shall always be in motion and in contact and always conduct one after the other. If the first fails him, then the second, the third or the fourth hits and continually does not allow the opponent come to any blows. Because no one may have greater advantage of fencing than they who execute these five words according to the lesson. |
¶ Auch möchte is wol dar czu komen / ab iener den vorslag weret / zo müste her in weren mit dem swerte / vnd alzo müste her desen io an syn swert komen / vnd wenn denne ienui eczwas trege vnd las were / zo möchte deser denne an dem swerte bleyben / vnd sal denne czu hant winden / vnd sal gar eben merken vnd fulen / ab sich iener wil abeczihen von dem swerte / ader nicht / [21v] irholen mag mit syme abeczihen · zo hat im deser czu hant / mit syme orte noch gevolget / mit eynem guten stiche czu der brost / ader söst vorne czu wo her in am schiresten vnd nehesten getreffen mag / alzo das im iener mit nichte / ane schaden von dem swerte mag komen / wenn deser hat io / czu hant mit syme nochvolgen / neher czu ieme / mit dem als her synen ort / vor / an dem swerte gestalt hat keyn ieme / noch dem aller nehesten vnd körczsten / wenn das iener mit syme abeczihen / of / eyn news solde hewe ader stiche / weit vmbe / dar brengen / alzo mag io deser alle mal · e · czu dem nochslage ader stiche komen / · e · denne iener czu dem ersten / Vnd das meynt lichtnawer mit dem worte / noch / wenn eyner im den vorslag hat getan / zo sal her czu hant an vnderloz / of der selben vart den nochslag / tuen / vnd sal vmmermer in bewegunge / vnd in rürunge syn / vnd vmmmer eyns noch dem andern treiben / ab ym das erste vele / das daz ander das dritte ader daz vierde treffe / vnd io ienen nicht lasse czu keyme slage komen / Wen keyn / mag grosser vorteil of fechten haben / den der nach der lere / deser fünff / wörter tuet / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But if the opponent remains on the sword; with that, as it is coming onto his sword with his warding and defending [himself from] the fencer and it has drawn itself out like this such that the fencer is remaining with him on the sword and has not yet executed the after-strike, so shall the fencer wind up[12] and stay with him thusly on the sword and shall quite precisely note and feel whether the opponent is weak or strong on the sword. |
¶ Ist aber das iener an dem swerte bleybt / mit dem als her mit syme weren vnd schutzen desem an syn swert ist komen / vnd is sich alzo vorczagen hat das deser mit im an dem swerte ist bleben / vnd noch nicht den nochslag hat getan · zo sal deser winden / of vnd mit im alzo an dem swerte stehen / vnd sal gar eben merken vnd fülen / ab / ien swach ader stark ist an dem swerte / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If then, the fencer notes and feels that the opponent is strong, hard and firm on the sword and the fencer only means to force out[13] his sword; so shall the fencer be weak and soft against that and shall stand weakening and relinquishing his strength and shall allow his sword to swept out and driven away with his forcing that the opponent executes and the fencer shall then allow his sword to immediately and swiftly lead off and withdraw and shall quickly shall drive that against his openings, to the head or to the body, wherever; with hewing, stabbing and cutting, only where he can approach the closest and surest. Because the harder and the surer the opponent forces and presses with his sword and the fencer is then weak and soft against that and allows his sword to lead off and in this way weakens him, the farther and the wider his sword then repels the opponent such that he then becomes quite open and thus the fencer then may hit and wound him according to desire before the opponent can recover himself against the hew or the stab of the fencer. |
¶ Ist denne das deser merkt vnd fület / das iener stark herte vnd veste an dem swerte ist / vnd desen / nü meynt syn swert hin dringen · zo sal deser denne swach vnd weich dirweder syn / vnd sal syner sterke weichen vnd stat geben / vnd sal im syn swert / hin lassen preln vnd wer varn / mit syn dringen daz her tuet / vnd deser sal denne syn swert snelle [22r] lassen abegleiten · vnd abeczihen / balde vnd risch · vnd sal snelle dar varn keyn synen blossen / czu koppe ader czu leibe / wo / mit hewen stichen vnd sneten / wo her nür / am nehesten vnd schiresten mag czu komen / wen e · herter vnd · e · sürer iener dringt vnd druckt mit syme swerte / vnd deser denne swach vnd weich dirweder ist · vnd syn swert lest abegleiten / vnd im alzo weicht / · e · verrer vnd · e · weiter denne ieme syn swert wek prelt · das her denne gar blos wirt / vnd das in denne deser noch wonsche mag treffen vnd rüren / · e · denne her sich selber / keyns haws ader stichs irholen mag / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But if the opponent is weak and soft on the sword, in the same way, if the fencer now notes and feels it, so shall the fencer then be strong and hard against that on the sword and shall then strongly drive out and rush forward equally on the sword with his point against the opponent's openings, wherever he may be closest, just as if a cord or thread were bound forwards on his point earlier, that leads his point to the nearest of the opponent's openings. And with that same stabbing the fencer executes, he becomes fully aware whether the opponent is so weak that they let his sword force them out and lets themselves be struck. |
¶ Ist aber iener an dem swerte swach vnd weich · also das is deser nü wol merkt vnd fület / zo sal deser denne stark vnd herte dirweder syn / an dem swerte / vnd sal denne mit syme orte sterklichen an dem swerte hin varn vnd rawschen keyn iens blossen gleich vorne czu / wo her am nehesten mag / Recht zam im eyn snure ader vadem / vorne an synen ort were gebunden / der im synen ort of das neheste / weizet czu ienes blossen / vnd mit dem selben stechen das deser tuet / wirt her wol gewar / ab iener zo swach ist / daz her im syn swert lest alzo hin dringen vnd sich lest treffen Ist aber ab her stark ist vnd den stich weret vnd abeleitet / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But if he is strong and wards and leads off the stab, such that he again becomes strong on the sword and carries off his sword and wards the stab also that the opponent forces-out the fencer's sword, so shall the fencer again become weak and soft against that and shall allow his sword to lead off and weaken him and swiftly seek his openings with hewing, stabbing and with cutting as it may solely be. And this is what Liechtenauer means with these words: soft and hard. And this goes to the Authorities. As Aristotle spoke in the book Peri Hermanias: "Opposites positioned near themselves shine greater, or rather, opposites which adjoin augment. Weak against strong, hard against soft, and contrary." For should it be strong against strong, then the stronger every time. Therefore Liechtenauer undertakes fencing according to the more appropriate and truer art, so that one weaker and cunning with his art as surely wins as with one stronger with his strength (for which would be of a different art). |
¶ Is das her stark wirt weder an dem swerte / vnd desem syn swert abeweiset vnd den stich weret / also das her desen syn swert vaste hin dringt / zo sal deser aber swach vnd weich dirweder werden / vnd sal syn swert lassen abegleiten / vnd im weichen / vnd syne blossen rischlichen süchen / mit hewen stichen ader mit sneten wy her nür mag · Vnd das meynt lichtnawer / mit desen wörter / · weich · vnd herte / vnd das get of dy auctori=[22v] tas / als aristotyles spricht in libro peryarmenias · Opposita iuxta se posita · magis elucescunt / vel / opposita oppositis amantur / Swach weder stark / herte weder weich / et equatur / Denne solde stark weder stark syn / zo gesigt allemal der sterker / · dorvm get lichtnawer fechten noch rechter vnd worhaftiger kunst dar / das eyn swacher mit syner kunst vnd list / als schire gesigt / mit / als eyn starker mit syner sterke / worvm were anders kunst / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Therefore fencer, learn to feel well as Liechtenauer spoke: Learn the feeling. Within, that words cuts sharply. Because when you are on the sword of the opponent and now feel whether the opponent is weak or strong on the sword well, within-this or during, so you must then consider and know well whatever you shall execute against him according to this aforementioned lore and art. For truly, he cannot withdraw himself from the sword without harm with anything. Because Liechtenauer spoke: Strike that it snaps whoever withdraws before you. |
¶ Dorüm fechter lere wol fülen / als lichtnawer spricht / das fülen lere / Indes daz wort / sneidet sere / den wen du eyme am swerte bist vnd fülest nü wol ab iener swach ader stark am swerte ist · Indes · ader dy weile · zo magstu denne wol trachten vnd wissen was du salt keyn im tuen / noch deser vorgesprochen lere / vnd kunst / wen her mag sich io mit nichte abe czihen vom swerte ane schaden / Den lichtnawer spricht / slach das her snabe / wer sich vör dir czewt abe / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If you act according to this lesson, fastening well so that you always have and won the fore-strike and as soon as you execute that, you then hasten the after-strike into the opponent thereafter, immediately without refrain (that is the second, the third or the fourth strike, be it hew or stab) then the opponent can never come to strikes. If you then come onto the sword with him, be surer at the feeling and execute as is written before. Because this is the foundation of fencing that a person is always in motion and not pause and it then comes to the feeling, so do above as able. And whatever you conduct and begin, always have measure and moderation. Like, if you have won the fore-strike, then don't do it so impetuously and so powerfully that you then cannot recover yourself for the after-strike. About this, Liechtenauer spoke: Thereupon you hold, all things have moderation and measure. And also understand this about the stepping and about all other plays and principles of fencing, etc. |
¶ Tu noch deser lere / zo bestestu wol alzo das du io den vorslag habest vnd gewinest / vnd als balde / als du den tuest / zo tu denne dornoch in eyme rawsche / inmediate an vnderloz den nochslag / das ist den andern / den dritten / ader den vierden slag / haw aber stich / das io iener nicht czu slage kome / kömstu denn mit im an daz swert / zo bis sicher an dem fulen / vnd tu als vor geschreben ist / wen dis ist der grunt des fechtens das eyn man vmmermer in motu ist / vnd nicht veyert vnd kömpt is denne an das fulen / zo tu / ut supra potuit(?) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is the text, in this he names the five hews and other plays of fencing.
|
[23r] Das ist der / text / in deme her nennet / dy fünff / hewe vnd andere stöcke des fechtens fFVnf hewe lere · | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the Wrath-hew, etc.
Gloss. Here note and know that Liechtenauer calls an over-hew struck[14] from the shoulder the wrath-hew. When one is in his fury and wrath of someone, there is no hew as ready as this same over-hew struck from the shoulder to the man. About that, Liechtenauer means when someone begins to hew at you with an over-hew, so shall you counter-hew the wrath-hew against him, and also that you firmly shoot the point against him. If he wards your point from you, then immediately draw off above and drive suddenly[15] to the other side of his sword. But if he wards that, then be hard and strong in the sword and wind and stab immediately and bravely. If he wards your stab, separate and immediately initiate a hew below, where you hit to the legs in such a way that you continuously conduct one after the other, so that they cannot come to strikes. And the afore-spoken words: before, after, within-this, weak, strong and hews, stabs and cuts; you shall have them brought to mind at the same time and forget with nothing in the applications. |
Das ist von deme Czornhawe etc ~ wDEr dir oberhawet · ¶ Glosa ¶ Hie merke vnd wisse das lichtnawer / eyn öberhaw slecht von der achsel / heisset den czornhaw / Den eyn wen eym itzlichem in syme grymme vnd czorne [23v] zo ist im keyn haw als bereit / als der selbe oberhaw slecht von der achsel / czum manne / Dorüm meynt lichtnawer / Wenn dir eyner czu hewt / mit eym obirhaw / zo salt du keyn im weder hawen den czornhaw / alzo das du mit dyme ort vaste keyn im schisset / wert her dir dyn ort / zo czewch balde oben ab / vnd var czu der andern syten dar / syns swerts · wert her dir daz aber / zo bis harte vnd stark im swerte / vnd wind / vnd stich balde vnd kunlich / wert her dir den / stich / zo smeis vnd haw balde vnden czu / wo du trifst / czun beynen / alzo das du vmmermer eyns noch dem andern treibest / das iener nicht czu slage kome / Vnd dy vorgesprochen wörter · vor · noch · Indes · swach · stark / vnd · hewe · stiche · vnd · snete · der saltu czu male wol gedenken / vnd mit nichte vorgessen in deme gefechte | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
You shall also not seriously rush with the war, because if one of which you target fails above, then you you hit below as you will hear how one makes itself out of the other according to the legitimate art, particularly: hews, stabs, cuts. |
¶ Auch saltu nicht sere eylen mit deme krige / den ab dir eynes velet oben / des du remest / zo triffestu vnden als du wirst hören wy sich eyns aus dem andern macht / noch rechtvertiger kunst / besunder hewe stiche snete | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
And [one] shall not hew to the opponent's sword, rather into the opponent, to the head and to the body, wherever one may, etc. |
¶ Vnd salt nicht czu eyns swerte hawen / zonder czu im selber / czu koppe vnd czu leibe / wo eyner mag etc Auch mag man vornemen / das der erste verse mochte alzo stehen / wem du öberhewest czornhaw / deme drewt der ort / des czornhaws etc Nür tu noch deser lere / vnd bis vmmermer in / motu / du treffest ader nicht / daz iener nicht czu slage kome vnd schret io wol besytz aus / mit den hewen / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One may also consider that the first verse may also state: Whomever you over-hew the wrath-hew, the point of the wrath-hew threatens them, etc. |
Auch wisse das nur czwene hewe seyn aus den alle ″ander ″hewe[17] wy dy komen wy dy vmmer genant mögen werdn / das | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Just act according to this lore and be continuously in motion. Either you hit or do not so that the opponent cannot come to strikes. And with the hewing, always step-out well to the side. Also know that there are only two hews, all other hews come from them however they are preferred to be named locally. That is the over-hew and the under-hew from both sides. They are the chief hews and foundation of all other hews. However, those hews causally and accordingly come from the point of the sword. Which is the core and the center of all other plays here like what was written well before. And from those same hews come the four displacements from both sides. With them one disrupts and breaks all hews, stabs or positions. And from them one also comes into the four hangings. From them one may conduct art well as one shall hear hereafter. And however one may particularly fence someone, so shall the point ever and always be turned against their face or breast so that each and every time the opponent must discourage themselves so that he cannot come before by sake of[18] it, for it has immediately shifted[19] somewhere[20] closer to him. |
[24r] das ist der öberhaw · vnd der vnderhaw / von beiden seiten · dy sint dy hawpt hewe vnd grunt aller ander hewe / wy wol dy selben vrsachlich vnd gruntlich / auch komen aus dem orte des swertes / der do ist der kern vnd das czentrum aller andern stocke / als das wol vor ist geschrebn # {vnd}} aus den selben hewen komen dy vier vorsetczen von beiden seiten / mit den man alle hewe vnd stiche ader leger / letzt vnd bricht / vnd aus den man auch yn dy vier hengen kumpt / aus den man[21] wol kunst treiben mag / als man hernoch wirt horen} Vnd wy eyn man nur ficht / zo sal io allemal den ort keyn eyns gesichte / ader brust keren / zo mus sich iener alleczeit besorgen · das her icht · e kome wenn her · wen her io neher czu im hat wenn iener / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
And if it happens like this that they won the fore-strike, so shall the fencer be secure and sure and be quick with the winding and as soon as he has wound, so shall he begin to drive to the side agilely and courageously. And his point shall shall seek the opponent's breast, turning and positioning themselves against it. As you will hear better hereafter. And the point, as soon as he comes upon the sword of someone, it shall always come to be around a half an ell away from another's breast or face and take quite good care that it intends to arrive inside that and certainly to the closest and not wide around, so that the opponent cannot come first by sake of this. Provided the fencer will not allow themselves to become lax and hesitant and ward too lazily nor be willing to arrive too wide and too far around. |
Vnd ab is alzo queme / das iener den vorslag gewunne / zo sal deser sicher vnd gewis / vnd snelle seyn mit dem wenden / vnd als bald als her im gewendet hat / zo sal her czu hant czuvaren rich risch vnd balde / vnd syn ort sal allemal iens brust begeren vnd sich keyn der keren vnd stellen / als du hernoch wirst bas horen / Vnd der ort / als bald her eyme an das swert kumpt / mit dem swerte / der sal allemal kawme üm eyne halbe ele · verre · von iens brust ader gesichte seyn / vnd des gar wol war nemen ab her yndert dar komen möchte / vnd io of das neste / vnd nicht weit üm / das iener icht · e · queme wen deser / ab sich deser icht lassen vnd zümen würde / vnd czu trege wer / ader czu weit wolde dar komen vnd czu verre üm / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the four openings, etc, etc.
Gloss. Note here that Liechtenauer, who tiles a person in four parts, just as if he made a line in front of them from the top of the head downwards on his body just to down-here between his legs. And the second line by the girdle that crosses over the body thus becoming four quarters: a right and a left above the girdle and also in the same way under the girdle. Those are the four openings, which each have their particular applications. He targets them and never against the sword, rather the openings. |
[25r] Das ist von den vier blössen etc etc vVIer blößen wisse · ¶ Glosa ¶ / Hie merke / daz lichtnawer / der teilt eyn menschen yn vier teil / recht zam das her eym von der scheitel / eyn strich vorne gleich neder machte an sym leybe / bis her neder czwischen syne beyne / Vnd den andern strich by der görtel · dy czwere öber den / leib / zo werden vier vierteil eyn rechtes vnd eyn links öber der görtel / vnd alzo auch vnder der gortel / das sint dy vier bloßen / der hat itzlichs syne sonder gefechte / der reme vnd nummer keyns swertes / zonder der bloßen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
About the four openings, how one breaks them.
|
Von den vier blössen / wy man dy bricht wWIltu dich rechen / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the Krumphau
Comment Here learn and know that the Krumphau is an Oberhau which is done in a bent manner with a good step to one side. This is why Liechtenauer says whoever wants to execute this strike, should step well to the right side while striking and shall throw or thrust the point over the hilt of the adversary onto his hands. And he should strike with the flat if he hits the blade and should stay strong against the sword and press forcefully. From there he may see what he can do best, in the most direct and surest manner, be it with strikes, thrusts or cuts. And he should not strike too short and should not forget the changing-through if it is appropriate. |
Das ist von deme krumphawe / etc
/ Glosa / Hie merke vnd wisse das der kru~phaw / ist eyn oberhaw der do mit eyme guten ausschrete / krum~es dar / get / zam noch eyner seiten / Dorvem meynt lichtnawer / der den selben haw wol wil fure~ / der sal wol beseicz aus schreite~ czu der rechte~ hant / dañe her den haw bre~gt / vnd sal synen ort / werfen / ader schißen / ieme ober syn gehilcze of / dy hende / vnd sal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
One strike is called the Fehler (feint) and comes from the Krumphau and yet it is written after the Zwerchhau (where the mark is set) and it should be placed before the Zwerchhau. And this is done from below in a bent curve over the hilt, in the same manner as the Krumphau which comes down from above. | [26v] Eyn / haw / heist der veller / vnd ku~pt aus dem kru~phaw / vnd der stet geschrebe~ noch deme twerhawe / do dy hant ist geschrebñ / vnd der sal vör deme therhawe sten / vnd der get von vnden dar krum~es vnd schiks / eyme ober deme gehilcze yn / mit ort schissen/ Recht zam der kru~phaw von obñ neder / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
[27r] Veller wer füret • | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the Zwerchhau (transversal strike)
Comment Here learn and know that of all fencing techniques with the sword, there is no strike that is as fair, forceful, perfected and good as the Zwerchhau. And this strike is done just horizontal to both sides with both edges, the back and front edge, to all openings above and below. It also defends against any strikes from "vom Tag" which are all strikes from high above or anything that comes down from above, and this all is defended with the Zwerchhau. If one wishes to execute these well, the sword should be thrown horizontally before the head to whichever side he wishes, just as he would intend to get into the hanging or winding positions, save the edge being oriented horizontally and the flat vertically. And with these Zwerchhau (crossing strikes) it is easy to get at the sword of the adversary. And as soon this has happened, it is difficult for the adversary get away and will be struck at both sides by the Zwerchhau. And wherever one wants to aim for with the Zwerchhau, to whichever side above or below, always the sword is held with the inverted hand and with the hilt high in front of the head so that he is well secured and covered. And he should bring the Zwerchau with some strength. |
Das ist von deme Twerehawe / etc
[27v] / Glosa / Hie merke vnd wisse / das of dem ganczen / sw°te / keyn haw / als redlich / zo heftik zo vertik vnd zo gut ist als der twerhaw / Vnd der get dar / zam dy twer / czu beyden seiten mit beiden sneiden / der hindern vnd der vörd°n / czu allen blossen / vnden vnde oben / Vnd alles das von dem tage dar ku~pt / das sint dy öb°n hewe / ader was söst von obe~ neder gehet / das bricht vnd / weret eyner / mit den twer hewen / der dy wol kan dar bre~gen / ader das sw°t wol vörwirft / dy twer vor / das hawpt / czu weler seiten her wil / recht zam her in dy ob°n henge~ ader winden wolle kome~ / Nür das eyner in den twerhewe~ / dy flechen des sw°tes / eyne oben ader of / dy ander vnden ader neder kert / vnd dy sneiden / czu den syten / dy twer / eyne / czu der rechte~ / vnd eyne czu der linken / seiten / Vnd mit den selbe~ twerhewe~ / ist gar gut eyme an das sw°t czu kome~ / vnd wen den eyner eyme an das sw°t ku~pt / wy das nür dar kome~ ist / zo mag ien° mülich von im kome~ / her wirt von desem geslage~ czu beiden seiten mit den twerhewe~ / den wy her eynen twerhaw nür dar bre~gt / czu weler seite~ is ist / vnden ader oben / zo get im io das sw°t obñ / mit dem gehilcze / mit vorworfner / hant / vor deme hewpte / das her io wol bewart vnd bedekt ist / Vnd eyner sal dy twerhewe / eczwas mit / sterke dar bre~ge~ / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
And if someone has to fight for his life he should see to it that he gains the Vorschlag (first strike) with a good Zwerchhau, as in the teaching written above . When approaching the adversary, as soon as he sees he could reach him with a step or a leap, he should strike with the Zwerchhau from his upper right side, with the back edge directly to the head. And he should let the point shoot and should well lean so that that the point is directed, and turn or sling around the adversaries sword just like a leather strap, because if one can do the Zwerch in combination with a good step outwards or a leap, an adversary will find it very difficult to defend or turn aside.
And if he gained the Vorschlag with the Zwerchhau and hits or misses to one side, he should immediately, in one motion and without pause do the Nachschlag with the Zwerchhau to the other side with the front edge, before the adversary recovers from the strike, as it has already been taught. And one should Zwerch to both sides and to Ochs and Pflug, which is to the upper and lower openings, going from one side to the other, high and low, permanently without hesitation, so that he is always in motion and does not let the adversary come to strikes. And again, if he does a Zwerchhau, he should lean and hold the sword inverted in front of his head, so that he remains well-covered. |
Vnd wen eyner vem syne~ hals sölde fechten So solde her schaffen / mit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is regarding the Squinting strike (squinting strike)
Comment Here learn and know that a Shielhau is a strike from above from the right side with back edge of the sword, which is also called the left side. And this strike moves just as a squint-eyed person to the left side while stepping off to the right, with inverted sword and hand. And this strike breaks all strikes of a Buffalo – which means peasant – that come downwards from above, as most peasants usually do. The Zwerchhau breaks the same strikes as it has been written before. And whoever threatens with a change-through will be ashamed by the Schielhau and one should well strike long enough with the strike and shoot in the point quickly, so that the adversary will be stopped in his changing through. And one should squint with the point, to the neck bravely without fear.[26] |
[28v] Das ist von deme schilhawe : ~
/ Glosa / Hie merke vnd wisse das eyn | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Where you see blades |
[29v] Wo man von scheidñ / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the Scheitelhau (Vertex strike)
|
[30r] Das ist von deme scheitelhawe etc ~
DEr scheitelere • | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liechtenauer holds only these four guards that come from the upper and lower hangings, and from these one can fence safely. | [32r] lichtnawer helt nur eczwas võ den vier leger dorv~me das sy aus den ober vnd vnder henge~ gehñ doraus mã schire mag gechte bre~gen etc[29] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the four Leger (Guards)
Comment Here he (Liechtenauer) mentions the four guards (Leger or Hut), which he considers useful. But first of all, one should not lie in these for too long, because Liechtenauer has a proverb: "Who lies there, is dead and who moves is still alive." And this relates to the guards – a man should rather move with fencing attacks and techniques than waiting in the guards, which he may use to leave the Schanze (duelling yard) The first guard is the Pflug (Plough) when someone puts the point in the ground in front of himself or to the sides. If you do this after the Absetzen (parrying) then it is called differently: namely Schrankhut or the gate. The second guard Ochs (Ox) is the upper hanging from the shoulder Alber (fool) breaks, what is being struck or thrust. And with hangings break swipes, the travelling after should follows instantly. The third guard fool, is the low hanging with which you can break all strikes and thrusts if you know to do it correctly. The fourth guard, from Tag (high guard) is also the long point. Who practices it with extended arms cannot be hit with strikes or thrusts. It may also hit the hanging over the head. Also know, that all guards are broken with strikes, by courageously striking, so he must move up and defend. That is why Liechtenauer does not hold the guards in high regard but prefers to let his students try to gain the Vorschlag. |
Das ist von den vier leger / etc ~
/ Glosa etc / Hie nent her vier leger ader vier hute~ / do võ etzwas czu halde~ ist / Doch vor allen sache~ / zo sal ey~ mã io nicht czu / lãge doryñe lege~ / We~ lichtnaw° hat eyn sölch sprichwort / wer do leit der ist tot / wer sich rüret der lebt noch / vnd das get of dy leger das sich ey~n mã sal liber rure~ mit gefechten de~ das her / der hute~ wart / mit dem her vorslosse~ möcht dy schancze / Dy erste hute / pflug is / dy / we~ eyn° de~ ort vor sich of dy erde legt ader czu der seiten / noch dem abesetze~ / das heyssen and° / dy schranckhute / ad° dy pforte / Dy and° hute ochse / ist das oberhenge~ / von der achsel Alber io bricht / was man hewt ader sticht / Mit hengen streiche / nochreizen setze gleiche Dy dritte hute / alber / ist das vnderhenge~ / mit der mã alle hewe~ vnd stiche / bricht / wer dy recht füret / Dy vierde hute / vom tage / ist der lange ort / wer den wol furet mit gestragtem arme~ / den mag mã nicht mit hewe~ / noch mit stiche~ wol treffen / Is mag auch wol heissen / das henge~ ober dem hawpte Auch wisse / das man alle leger vnd hute~ bricht mit hewen / mit deme / daz mã eyme ku~lich czu hewt / zo mus io eyn° of varn vnd sich schutze~ / Dorvem helt lichtnaw° nicht vil von den legern ader hute~ / zu~der her schaft lib° daz sich eyn° besorge vor im / mit dem das her den vorslag gewi~t | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the four displacements
Comment Here learn that there are four displacements to both sides, one high and one low, and these break or open all guards. And how you lead away or defends against strikes thrusts or cuts from above or below this may be called displacing (versetzen). And if you have been displaced however this may have happened, so move off with the sword quickly and strike quickly again while you move in towards him. Now if it happens that you displace or turn off a strike or thrust, so you should move in and follow at his sword so that he cannot move away. And then you can do as you wish – the more you hesitate the more you will receive damage. Also you should wind well and aim for his chest with the point, so he has to worry. Also a good fencer should well learn to bind at his sword and this can be done with the displacements, because these come from the four strikes, Oberhau (strike from above) and Unterhau (strike from below) from both sides and these move into the four hangings. If one defends from above or below he should move in and get into the hangings, and should see to it that he turns away or leads off all strikes and thrusts with the front edge as it is done with all displacements. |
[32v] Das it von vier vorsetczen
/ Glosa / Hie merke / das vier vorsetczen sint / czu beiden / seiten / czu itlich° seiten / eyn obers / vnd eyns venders / vnd dy letcze~ ader brechñ / alle hute~ ader leger / vnd wy du von obñ / ader von vnde~ / eyme / hewe stiche ader snete / mit deyme sw°te abeleitest / ader abweisest / das mag wol heissen vorsetcze~ / Vnd ab dir vorsatz w°t wy das dar ku~pt / zo czewch rislich abe • vnd haw snelle mete czu / yn eyme hurte / Ist deñe das du eyme vorsetzt / ader abewe~dest eyn haw ader stich / zo saltu / czu hant czu trete~ vnd nochvolge~ am sw°te das dir ien° icht abeczihe / vnd salt deñe tue~ was du magst / wy leichte du dich last vnd zümest zo nym~estu schaden / Auch saltu wol we~de~ / vnd allemal dey~ ort keren key~s ey~s brust / zo mus h° sich besorgen / Auch sal ey~ guter fechter / wol lerne~ / eyme an das swert kome~ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is from the Nachreissen (adhering)
|
[33r] Das ist von nochreisen etc etc
NOchreisen lere • | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about the Überlaufen (overreaching), fencer observe this!
|
[33v] Das ist von öberlawfen / ffechter sich czu /
WEr vnden remet • | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is from Absetzen (setting aside), this learn well
|
[34r] Das ist von abesetczen / das lere wol ~
LEre abesetczen • | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is from the Durchwechsel (changing through)
Comment Here learn that the changing-through goes from both sides down and up again and is very direct, if done quickly. If you now wish to change through from your right downwards, so strike an Oberhau directly at him. Aim for the little hole or window above and behind his hilt and shoot the point to his left opening. So that you may hit between the blade and the hilt; if you hit, you have won. If he now defends against this by turning aside your point and pushes against your blade, so let your point sink down from the same side and move it around under his sword to the other side. And this should not be done wide around but as close to his sword as possible. And then move your point quickly in above his hilt, with a good and perfect thrust. And if you feel you hit, so follow well through (with your thrust). And you should do the same from the other side, low or high, as you do it on this side. Whoever binds you, so move at his sword against him and he defends, so change through as before, or wind and feel his technique if it is soft or hard. Then seek strikes thrusts and cuts against the openings. |
[34v] Das ist vom durchwechsel / etc etc
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is from the Zucken (pulling) fencer learn this
|
[35r] Das ist vom Czücken / ffecht° merke /
TRit nü in bünde • | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is from the running-through, now see:
|
[35v] Das ist von durchlawfen / nü sich
DVrchlawf loz hangen • | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about Abschneiden (cutting off)
|
[36r] Das ist von abesneiden etc etc ~
SNeit abe dy herten / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is about Hände drücken (pressing the hands)
Also know, as soon as you defend a strike or a thrust with the turning-aside, so you should step sideways and move quickly to him; the slower you are the more damage you sustain. |
[36v] Das ist von hende drücken/ etc etc
Auch wisse / als bald / als du mt dem we~de~ / eyme ey~ haw ader stich / abe we~dest / zo saltu czu hãt czu trete~ / vnd rischlich dar varn czu eyme / wy leichte du dich last vnd zümest / zo ny~stu schaden | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Also know and learn that you turn aside all strikes and thrusts with the front edge of the sword, from its middle to the hilt. And the closer to the hilt a strike or a cut comes on the front edge which you have used to turn aside, the slower and stronger you can defend. This is because the closer you bind at the hilt, the stronger you can defend and the closer to the point the weaker you are. Now whoever wants to be a good fencer should firstly learn to turn-aside well, because by turning aside well he can get into the winding from which he can practice all art and grace of fencing. | Auch merke vnd wisse / das man mit der vördern sneiden des swertes / vom mittel der selben sneiden / bis czu deme gehilcze / alle hewe ad° stiche abewendet / Vnd e neher eyme / eyn haw ader stich czu syme gehilcze ku~pt / of der selben sneiden / mit deme als her im gewendet hat dy selbe vörder sneide / e bas / vnd e kreftiger / her dy selben hewe ader stiche / abewenden mag / Weñe e neher czum gehilcze e sterker vnd e / mechtiger / Vnd e neher/czum orte / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The front edge at the sword is called the true edge and all strikes or thrusts are ruined by the turning-aside. | Dy vörder sneyde / am sw°te heist dy rechte sneide / vnd alle hewe ad° stiche sint vorterbe~ mt de~ we~de~ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is from the Hängen (hanging), fencer learn this
Comment: here learn and know that there are two hangings each side, one Unterhängen (lower hanging) and one Oberhängen (upper hanging) with which you can get at his sword well, because these come from the Oberhau and Unterhau (high strike and low strike). If it now happens that you bind with your opponent on purpose or without so you should well stay at the sword and use the winding. So you can stand happily with relaxed mind and without fear at the sword and see, notice and wait for what he tries to do next; and what his plan is he intends to execute. And the standing at the sword is called the Sprechfenser (speaking window) by Liechtenauer. If you now stand at the sword with him, you should notice and feel his technique, be it soft or hard. And according to this you should act, as it has been written before. Now if he pulls off from the sword before you could begin your technique, so you should follow with him and beat strike or thrust him whatever you can bring surest, before he can do anything himself before you. You can do this because by staying at the sword and extending yourself your (point) moves nearer to him. If someone pulls off because he has to recover from a strike he just executes, then follow in with the point. If he instead stays at the sword you have to gauge and notice whether he his soft or hard at the sword. If he is soft and weak, you should quickly and bravely proceed and hurry at him with the strength of your sword and force his sword aside with pressure, seeking his openings, to the head or the body wherever you may get at. If he is hard and strong at the sword and intends to force you aside strongly, you should be soft and weak against his strength, and yield to his strength and forward pressure, thus evading with your sword. And with this evading as his sword swings about, as it has been written before, and now as this happens and while he is recovering from that and thus cannot execute strikes or thrusts, you should attack his openings, with strikes thrusts or cuts, wherever you may hit him best. According to the teaching you should do this quickly bravely and fast so that your adversary cannot come to strikes. As Liechtenauer says: I tell you truthfully, no man defends without danger, if you have understood it, he will not come to strikes. And by this he means that the adversary will not be able to safely defend if you act according to this teaching. As soon as you have done the first strike the adversary has to defend against it or has to take the hit. When you do the first strike, may you hit or muss, so you should quickly in one rush follow with the Nachschlag before he comes to strike. If you want to do the Vorschlag, you should also do the Nachschlag just with same thought or the same intention if possible. This is why he says: Vor and Nach those two things etc... If you do the Vorschlag, no matter if you hit or miss, you should do the Nachschlag in one rush quickly and fast, so that he cannot under any circumstances to his strikes. So see to it that in all instances of fencing you act before your opponent and as soon as you move before him and have gained the Vorschlag so do the Nachschlag with moving in. You should never do a Vorschlag if you have not prepared the Nachschlag in your senses and mind as well, so that you are always in constant motion and never you should pause or hesitate. Always do one after the other quickly and fast so that your adversary cannot do any technique. Really, if you do exactly that, then he must be a really good (skilled) man to get away from you without being struck. Because with this art or advantage it often happens that a peasant or anyone untrained defeats a skilled master by gaining the Vorschlag and rushing in quickly. Because it is easily missed that Indes hits him and also defeats and humiliates him. Because one that observes the strikes and waits for the defense is in greater danger than the one who strikes him and thus wins the Vorschlag. So always be that you are the first in all instances of fencing that you get to ones right side, there you are safer than your adversary. |
[37r] Das ist von hengen / ffecht° daz lere / ~
/ Glosa / etc Hie merke vnd wisse das czu itzlicher seiten sint czwey hengen / Eyn vnderhengen / vnd eyn öbirhengen / mit den du eyme wol an das swert magst komen / wen dy kome~ aus den öb°hewe~ vnd vnderhewen / Wen das nu geschiet / das du mit eyme an bindest / ader wy du süst mit im an das swert kömps zo salt du an dem swerte bleybñ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comment: Here learn that the winden are the real art and the base of all fencing with the sword and from these all other techniques and methods come from. And one rarely is a good fencer without the windings. Just as the Leychmeister disdain them and say that fencing from the winding is weak and they call it from the shortened sword because that they are done simple and stupid. And they mean that these are fenced from the long sword which is done with outstretched arms and extended sword and also aggressively with all strength of the body only by pressing themselves forward. And this is painful to watch! If one stretches just as running after a rabbit this is not the way, neither the windings nor Liechtenauers art, because there is no strength against (the opposing strength)! Whoever does it differently should prefer strength. |
[40r] / Glosa / :• Hie merke / das dy winden / sint dy rechte kunst / vnd gru~tfeste alles fechten / des sw°tes / aus den alle ander gefechte vnd stöcke kome~ / vnd is mag mülich eyn guter fechter /syn / ane dy winden / Wy wol etzliche leychmeistere • dy vornichte~ / vnd spreche~ is sy gar swach was aus den winden ku~pt / vnd neñen is / aus dem korcze~ sw°te / dorvm~e das sy slecht vnd ey~veldik dar gen / vnd meyne~ das sy / aus dem lange~ sw°te gefochte~ / was dar get / mt gestracke~ arme~ / vnd mt gestrakte~ swerte / vnd was gar veyntlich vnd stark von alle~ krefte~ des leybes dar get / nur durch wol stehens wille / vnd das is grawsam an czu sehñ ist / we~ sich eyn° alzo strekt / recht zam her eyne~ hazen wolle irlawfen / vnd daz ist alles nicht / weder dy winden vnd weder lichtnaw°s kunst / wen do ist keyne sterke weder / deñe worvm~e wer anders ku~st / solde allemal dy sterke vörczihen / |
- ↑ Text is blacked out.
- ↑ alt: behold, peer-into, witness, probe, observe, perceive, inspect, investigate, realize, comprehend. alt: show, present, embody, illuminate
- ↑ latin
- ↑ lit: tread-full. completing a step or completing the course of a thing.
- ↑ alt: giving-way, stepping-off. to give something up. to let something go.
- ↑ alt: safe, sure
- ↑ alt: has success
- ↑ ume züst => umsonst
- ↑ In front of the words “denne” and “her” there are oblique insertion marks, which indicate a reverse order – as shown here.
- ↑ schlage, not schlag
- ↑ Here the writing is cut off by manuscript trimming.
- ↑ aufwinden: 1) to entangle, wind into a ball 2) to turn or twist upwards.
- ↑ hindringen: to break or force through. overcome
- ↑ alt: straight
- ↑ darfahren: unversehens dazu kommen
- ↑ Supplemented according to fol. 29v.
- ↑ The two words “hewe” and “ander” are interchanged in the manuscript, as indicated by corresponding insertion characters.
- ↑ wegen preposition
- ↑ wegen verb
- ↑ ienen
- ↑ At this point there is an ink stain which might hide an original “g” (which can only be seen indistinctly).
- ↑ Cut to the hands and then cut the throat.
- ↑ from above; the high guard
- ↑ upper opening
- ↑ lower opening
- ↑ The comment ends here and remains unfinished.
- ↑ Most of the verses on this page are associated with armored fencing in other treatises.
- ↑ crown displacement technique
- ↑ This paragraph is above the script level. Unlike other places where there are definitely forgotten passages originally marked with a caret, such is missing here. Thus, it can be conjectured that this is a later addition or comment.
- ↑ latin: ut potuit. "as [they] are able" This is underlined and not stricken.