The First Part - The Basics
The
Second Part Attack and Defense
VIII. OneRapier
The Third Part
Deceits and Falseing of Blows and Thrusts
The Forth Part
How a Man by Private Practice may Obtain
Strength of Body Thereby
Index
.I have
played with weapons from my earliest childhood, and have researched their use throughout
my life. I have studied with many masters of the art, who so much differed from one
another that one would think that this "mystery of defense" was destitute of
order and rule, but depended only upon imagination to yield a multitude of blows and slick
moves. I have given myself wholly to the comprehension of this art to find its true and
proper principles. I have reduced the infinite into a certain order, with but a few
fundamental principles. These I share with you.
Offense, defense; straight and circular. These are the options. Exercise of these options
is made perfect by judgement and force. Judgement is timing - knowing when and how to act.
But the end is not found in reasoning, but in the doing. Doing - applying force - requires
a body with strength and agility, so do not neglect this in your training.
To obtain judgement you must study diligently with sound guidance. Take to heart the
following "Advertisements" - axioms of the art.
1 - The right or straight line is the shortest and fastest1.
2 - The nearest hits soonest.
3 - The longer the arc of the blow, the greater the force
4 - A man may more easily withstand a small than great force
5 - Every motion takes time to accomplish. 2
The following sections describe each of the Divisions of the Art in turn.
1. Keep the point in line, and within easy striking range of the opponent
2. To save time, use few motions as directly as possible.
WARNING!
THIS IS NOT INTENDED AS SWORDPLAY INSTRUCTION FOR BEGINNERS.