Method of Teaching of Masters

by Luis Dias de Viedma

Translation by Tim Rivera

Note: Translation to English of some of the technical terminology of destreza has followed the English translations of the terms by Mary Dill Curtis (From the age to the ractice! Ettenhard"s Compendio de los fundamentos) for the reader"s ease of reference# The original $%anish terminology is listed in brac&ets at the term"s first a%%earance#

Co%yright '()* by Tim Rivera# $ub+ect to Fair ,se in the Co%yright -ct of the ,nited $tates of -merica# ,sers may! without further %ermission! dis%lay! save! and %rint this wor& for %ersonal! non commercial use! %rovided that the co%yright notice is not severed from the wor&# Libraries may store this material and non commercially redistribute it to their %atrons in electronic or %rinted form for %ersonal! non commercial use! %rovided that the co%yright notice is not severed from the wor&#

METHOD

OF TEACHING
OF MASTERS IN THE PHILOSOPHICAL SCIENCE
of the true mathematical destre a of arms By the Licenced Luis Daz de Viedma, native of the city of Guadix To Do! "artolome de #illa$ice!cio% &!i'ht of the Order of Alca!tara% etc(

WITH LICENCE AND PRIVELEGE.

I! "arcelo!a% i! the house of Se)astia! a!d *aime Mate$ad% +ri!ter of the cit, a!d u!i$ersit,( I! the ,ear -./0(

Approval of the Captain don Geronimo de Torres !el"ar# $aptain of %panish infantr of His !a"est in the prin$ipalit of Catal&'a.

( $ommission and order of the ill&strio&s lord !i)&el *&an !a)arola# re)ent in the $o&n$il of His !a"est of the +in) o&r lord# ,hom God +eeps# in the s&preme of this prin$ipalit of Catal&'a# I have seen this method of spea+in) and reasonin) ,ell in matters of the mathemati$al s$ien$e of the tr&e destreza of arms and this -oo+ entitled Tea$hin) of !asters in the red&$tion of this art to the tr&th. All that is ,ithin him is a do)mati$ $atholi$# learned in his tea$hin)# er&dite in la-or# and $&lt&red in st le. .inall # the -oo+ of s&$h master# ,hi$h is ri)htf&ll entitled the method of the tr&e tea$hin) of masters in the philosophi$al and mathemati$al s$ien$e of arms. .or the masters that ,o&ld +no, it ,ith art# red&$in) it to dis$&ssion# it is a ri$h treas&re# ,ith ,hose tr&e tea$hin) men ,ill -e a-le to ill&minate this s$ien$e# as it e/plains ,ith s&$h modest st le the ,or+s of Commander Geronimo de Carran0a and the distin)&ished L&is Pa$he$o de Narvae0# it deserves for "&st $a&ses to -e )iven li$ense to -e printed. This is m opinion# so&nd# et$. In 1ar$elona# Novem-er 23# 4567. Don Geronimo de Torres

To don 1artolome de Villavi$en$io Ne)ron# +ni)ht of the militar order of Al$antara# $aptain of %panish infantr # perpet&al r&ler of the $it of Cadi0# and senior $onsta-le of the hol offi$e of the In8&isition# et$.

9N%IDERING that havin) -ro&)ht to li)ht this method of tea$hin) of masters in the philosophi$al s$ien$e of the mathemati$al destreza of arms# it o$$&rred to me - "&st titles and reasons to dedi$ate it to a person ,ith ,hom the s$ien$es are ,el$ome# as the are ,ith o&. 1 -ein) s&$h a )reat lord# and -e$a&se I +no, that pla$in) it in the shado, of o&r no-ilit has the a$hievement that I desire# I pra that o& re$eive this small servi$e of m st&dies# even tho&)h in )reat ,ill# as it is also the desire that I have to s&$$eed in servin) o&# ,hose life God +eeps# et$. (o&r minor servant# Luis Daz de Viedma

N9TE% T9 THE !A%TER%

HE desire and ,ill that I have that this s$ien$e does not remain as forei)n to men as it is# ma+es me invent and ,or+ on a thin) that is of s&$h little -enefit to m f&nds and $onservan$ # and of s&$h disappointment and sorro,. When I pass - the si)ht of the solit&de that Commander Geronimo de Carran0a mo&rned in his -oo+# lamentin) and sa in): It ,as not -etter to remove me from this and )ain from eatin) as a la, er# ,ho isn;t pensive ni)ht and da # -e$a&se the point their fin)er at me in the streets# sa in): this man is the o,l of the s+illed and valiant# ,ho fi)hts in Latin ,hen it is offered# havin) fo&nd me a )reat treas&re# that men have never +no,n. .inall he invents )reat ,or+s that ea$h da had ,ei)hed on him# ,ith ,hi$h he de$ided to leave the arms. %o if the $ens&red s&$h a man# and toda there are those ,ho $ens&re m )reat master don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0# it ,o&ld not s$are me that the $ens&re and spea+ of s&$h little in)en&it as mine.

P R 9 L 9 G = E

T 9

T H E

R E A D E R

N )ood "&d)ment >)entle reader?# seein) a man of s&$h little in)en&it as I )oin) p&-li$# ,here those of s&$h fame have a$$redited their s$ien$es in the philosoph and destreza of arms# man reasona-le and ,ell@&nderstood men ,ill harshl $ens&re m a&da$it # &nless first pers&aded of the motives that I had for it. This has -een m intent ,ith this dis$o&rse# ,hi$h ,ill serve as advi$e to the masters in order to temper their tea$hin)# servin) as a prolo)&e to this -oo+. In disill&sionin) m a&da$it # and in defense of m reasons# satisf in) man that# )oin) ,ith the &tmost tr&th in philosoph and destreza# have not -een s&$$essf&l in it# and th&s ,ill I )ive m prin$iples. ! fondness of this s$ien$e has -een so )reat that it has -ro&)ht me the ,ill and tho&)ht in s&$h form# that in m parents -rin)in) me to the st&dio# I ,o&ld leave# and the al,a s had to find me in the s$hool of arms. It pleased the master to see me )ivin) a lesson to the other -o s# imitatin) his lessons. In -e$omin) a man# the tho&)ht of me as a diestro# and at this time man diestros that $laimed to -e s+illed in the tr&th $ame to m homeland# -&t the had not &nderstood it# so I didn;t avail m self of them. Th&s I# and other friends# said that there ,as no more tr&th than that ,hi$h ,e +ne,. In this time a )entleman $ame to G&adi/ named don Gaspar de Rivera Avila# of the order of Al$antara# a ver s$ientifi$ man in this philosoph # and s&$h an afi$ionado that havin) the s,ord in his hand ,as his o,n $enter. He $alled the masters# the $ame# and he -ro&)ht them to all. Word spread# and all those that held themselves as diestros ,ere there#

and I ,as amon) them and too+ the s,ord# and he str&$+ me ver freel . I ,on;t sa ,hat happened ,ith the rest# -&t that I ,as in ,onder of ,hat str&$+ me# and that one -lo, that I )ave to the narro, $o&ld never ma+e it. I ima)ined a tho&sand te$hni8&es for it# and another da I ,ent to his ho&se aloneA it appeared to me that not +eepin) to $o&rtes had to ,o&nd him# -&t -ein) so )reat# no-le# and $o&rteo&s# he re$eived me ver ,ell and dire$ted me to ta+e the s,ords# ,ith ,hi$h he disill&sioned me and made me &nderstand some -lo,s of the tr&th# $itin) to me ,hat ,e sa,. It ,as that ,a # that ,e ,ere al,a s to)ether mornin) and evenin). The other diestros did not ,ant to red&$eA rather# the hated me# and I told them that the -est ,as the red&$tion to reason# that the lived de$eived# and that the te$hni8&es that I +ne, and had as the most $ertain failed me and ,ere false. That ,hi$h don Gaspar said ,as the same tr&th# red&$ed to a$$o&nt and reason# ,ith ,hi$h I ,as satisfied. Ho,ever the pers&aded me a tho&sand times# sa in) that -ad or )ood# ,e $onserve that ,hi$h ,e +no,# so that ,e ,ill not lose the fame and opinion. The same happened to me ,ith the diestrosA the are the )reatest enemies of the tr&th# ,antin) to s&stain that ,hi$h is -ad# ma+in) ,ords and 8&arrel ,ith reason. In this time this )entleman died# and it appeared to the afi$ionados that had dis$&ssed ,ith don Gaspar that I had $arried the )reater part# ,ho ,ere pleased that ,e pla$ed into e/e$&tion and pra$ti$e that ,hi$h o&r master had ta&)ht &s. With this# ,ord spread that the masters didn;t +no, the tr&th# and that onl that ,hi$h don Gaspar had said ,as it. Th&s the didn;t have dis$iples and said that I ,as the $a&se. !an "a-s $ame to me from them# that I leave o&t as not to -e lon)# -&t I ,ill tell one# and it ,as that ei)ht masters from the re)ion $ame to)ether and sear$hed for a -oo+# sa in) that the had to learn# and that L&$as 1rasa# an old master# $ele-rated as s+illed# had it. In -e)innin) to pra$ti$e - the

-oo+ the ,eren;t a-le to &nderstand it. The $ase seen# the $alled meA I $ame and ,ondered at seein) s&$h masters of s&$h fame# and the sa, this so forei)n to this s$ien$e# and that the -lo,s that I +ne, ver ,ell in the manner that don Gaspar de Rivera had ta&)ht them to me# and that in seein) them ,ritten and pla$ed in demonstrations# the ,ere not a-le to &nderstand it. %eein) me ,or+# L&$as 1rasa told me that he had had the -oo+ for ei)hteen ears# and that he had never &nderstood it# nor seen ,or+ of that t pe# and that he -ro&)ht it to me. This ,as the $a&se ,hi$h he )ave in st&d in) a)ain# seein) that s&$h masters of s&$h fame ,ere so forei)n to this s$ien$e. ! affinit seen# the -est of the $it tried to dis$&ss more# &ntil God ,as served that s&$h a -lo, happened to me that I left m homeland# and $ond&$ted and $har)ed ,ith some events of m fort&ne rather than of the ostentation of the s$ien$e# I arrived at that ver no-le and ill&strio&s $it of Cadi0# ,here toda the militar art is envio&s of none in the ,orld# -e$a&se of its armadas that enter its port# as ,ell as the no-le and valiant )entlemen that defend it in pea$e and ,ar. With a $ertain friend $omm&ni$atin) to me# I ,ent ,ith him to the old villa)e of Ve)el# ,here the o&th and )ood &nderstandin) of the )entlemen of that villa)e dealt ,ith the arms# and I sa, s&$h affinit in those that I fo&nd m o,n $enter# and ,ith this desire I $omm&ni$ated to them the tr&e destreza of arms. In as+in) them# and seein) that I diverted m $a&tions ,ith this# I fo&nded a s$hool and started to have dis$iples. As the ordinar people $ome to the s$hool more for pla than for ta+in) lesson# and as havin) to +eep to the pre$epts that o&r a&thor )ives &s# that the dis$iples do not -attle -e$a&se nota-le harm res&lts from that &ntil the are diestros# it ,as not ,ise in me doin) it ,ith them# -e$a&se if the pla ed# that ,hi$h ,as ta&)ht to them ,o&ld -e lost. As pla in) ,as ne$essar # and th&s I philosophi0ed ,hat remed ,o&ld I have so that# some

pla in) ,ith others# that ,hi$h I ,or+ed ,as not lost. Havin) them ma+e atajos in a ro&nded $ir$le to one side and the other had tired me# -e$a&se I had to +eep to a tho&sand pre$epts# &ntil God ,as served that I made them )o in the oppositions of the lo, )eneral# $omposed of t,o )enerals# ,ith ,hi$h I softened hard hearts and arms that# red&$ed to art# ,or+ed ver ,ell the -est of this s$ien$e. In this time I ret&rned to Granada# %eville# Cordo-a# and *aBn# ,here I fo&nd and pra$ti$ed ,ith masters so $apa-le in this s$ien$e that I ,as -arel a-le to $onfess m self as their lo,est dis$iple. 1&t loo+in) at their mode of tea$hin)# I $onsidered ho, little that it too+ advanta)e of the dis$iples# and that the s$ien$e remained in them# and that in order to tea$h a dis$iple# m&$h time ,as ne$essar . .inall # I $ame to -e a ver e/$ellent pla er# ,ith little a$$o&nt and reason# half v&l)ar# ,ith ,hi$h I $onsidered that the same s$ien$e ret&rned to its $enter# ,hi$h is v&l)ar# and $omin) to the pla0a# and to man other parts to see pla in)# and all pla ed v&l)arl . Those that pla ed -etter ,ere >as I have said? -ra,lin) pla # ,itho&t desi)n or reasonA those same $onfessin) that the didn;t ,ant to pla ,ith their friends# I ,ondered at seein) s&$h masters and dis$iples# ,ith ,hi$h their little $ertaint in tea$hin) ,as proven. .rom here I $onsidered man times# noti$in) that this s$ien$e ,as different than the other s$ien$es# as there is reason and $ertaint in the others from the $reation of the ,orld# and this -ein) the same affinit of men# the ,ere stran)ers to it. Considerin) that the $ommander Geronimo de Carran0a had not -een the first that had ,ritten of it# nor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0# as other a&thors of different nations ,rote of it first. Valeri&s !a/im&s spo+e of this s$ien$e in his se$ond -oo+. P&-li&s R&tili&s# Roman $ons&l Cla&di&s A&reli&s mandated $allin) the masters of this s$ien$e# and )ave them r&le and step.

The Italians ,ere Pedro !onte# A$hille !aro00o# Camillo A)rippa >,ho ,as the first that made mathemati$al demonstrations and intended to red&$e it to a$$o&nt and reason?# Gia$omo di Grassi# Giovanni dall;A)o$$hieA from !allor$a# *&an de PonsA %paniards .ran$is$o Rom<n and Pedro de la Torre. The ensi)n .alopia# An)elo Vi))iani# .rederi$o Ghisliero# !ar$o Do$$iolini# Ni$oletto Gi)anti# %alvator .a-ris# Capo.erro# !aster Vi$o# Pedro 1a-ote. All these a&thors ,ere v&l)ars in this s$ien$e. Also# in this a)e# I have +no,n man masters ,orth of praise# fame# and remem-ran$e - havin) +no,n this tr&e philosoph and s$ien$e of arms# ,ho are: Antonio Gar$ia# ,ho lived in Toledo and died in !ala)a# ,ho ,as one of the ,isest that I have +no,n# -ein) do$ile and s&ited to the reason of this s$ien$e# !i)&el de Po-es# native of G&adi/# L&is !Bnde0 de Carmona# *&an de Espar0a# don .ran$is$o de A'as$o# .riar An)el# the li$ensed iron# *&an Domin)&e0# *&an !illan# native of =trera# !ar$os del !olino# from Granada# .ran$is$o de Cala de Le-ri"a. All are distin)&ished masters in this s$ien$e# and ea$h one - his means has $ome to &nderstand this tr&th. 1&t o&r a&thors# the $ommander Geronimo de Caran0a# and don L&is Pa$he$o Narv<e0# tea$h &s this s$ien$e ,ith the )reatest s&$$ess and $larit that I have fo&nd# )ivin) it to &s - "&st and mathemati$al demonstrations. I have fo&nd man masters and afi$ionados ,ith onl -oo+s of these a&thors# and the -elieve that the +no,# and ,hen it $omes to ,or+# the are v&l)ars. This -ro&)ht me a tho&sand ima)inin)s# and made me )o philosophi0in) man times that it ,ill -e the $a&se of this fail&re# appearin) to me that if I fo&nd it# the $omplement and parts that had -een ne$essar had to -e )iven to the art# red&$in) it to a methodi$al art ,ith ,hi$h the most refined of s$ien$e ,as a-le to -e ta&)ht -riefl and $ompendio&sl # ma+in) that the dis$iple had &nderstood in the same $onformit as the master.

1asin) the "&d)ment on this $onsideration# I have $ome to dis$over that inasm&$h as the other s$ien$es are ta&)ht ,ith s&$h ease# that even those that do not have in$lination to them learn it# and in this havin) had s&$h a&thors and afi$ionados as is seen and said# and that in itself there is no man that doesn;t ,ant to +no,# and most sa that the +no, ea$h one in its ,a # and in s&mmar I have fo&nd that the haven;t -een s&$$essf&l in it. Rather# all ,as error &ntil the divine revelation of Commander Geronimo de Carran0a# ,isel no-le man# son# and native of the distin)&ished $it of %eville# empire of the ,orld# and door to its ri$hness. 1ein) in servi$e of the most e/$ellent lord D&+e of !edina %idonia# he attained the &niversal prin$ipals of this s$ien$e# )ivin) in ,ritin) the mathemati$al demonstrations# ,hi$h remained o-s$&re and em-r oni$ &ntil don L&is Pa$he$o de Narvae0 >honor of these $ent&ries# and affront of the past?# ma+in) &se of st&d >father of disill&sion?# -ro&)ht &s to li)ht# and pla$ed demonstrations of s$ientifi$ theor and pra$ti$e# de$idin) the parti$&lar -lo,s# )reater and lesser# of the s$ien$e# red&$in) it ,ith mathemati$al demonstrations# as ,ill -e seen in his ,ritin)s. His demonstrations si)nif it# -&t never has dis$o&rse -een )iven on the manner that the masters have to have in tea$hin) their dis$iples# sho,in) ,hat steps and -lo,s have to -e ta&)ht in the -e)innin)# and if the -e)innin) has to -e )iven - )eneral atajo# or - the )eneral of narro,in). I have fo&nd it to -e nota-le harm# and it ,ill -e ver la-orio&s in tea$hin) the dis$iple# and he ,ill -e remain half@ v&l)ar# -&t at the end there is no part of the tea$hin) sho,n ,ith ,hi$h ea$h one ,ants to follo, their se$t. Th&s# it ,as "&st that it had -een )iven ease# as in all the other s$ien$es# as it is the point of )reater importan$e# - dealin) ,ith no less than of the life of man# and in -rillian$e of val&e and rep&tation of o&r nation. %o that one

$an )lorif amon) the dis$overed that ,hi$h has -een -etter +no,n to handle the arms# more $a&tion had to have -een pla$ed for ma+in) it $omm&ni$a-le to all. %ee+in) then the fail&re and differen$e# I have fo&nd that in the other arts and s$ien$es# it is o&r o,n nat&re that helps &s and fa$ilitates ,ith a se$ret noti$e that ma+es &s $apa-le of that ,hi$h is ta&)ht to &s. 1&t in the s$ien$e of arms I find that it is the opposite# -e$a&se o&r o,n nat&re hinders &s and defle$ts from the tr&e e/e$&tion and $ertaint of the arms# -e$a&se this has to -e ,or+ed - means of the nat&ral movements of man. I have dis$overed that those are $ontrar to those that are s&ita-le for +no,in) the art# as ,ill -e fo&nd in this -oo+. This is to sa that man;s nat&ral movements have to -e removed from him# and the artifi$ial movements introd&$ed# ,hi$h seems ver diffi$&lt to all. %o I advise that in removin) man;s movements from him# he ,ill +no, the arms# and ,ith them not -ein) removed# he ,ill al,a s live de$eived and ,ill +no, less# as he that $omes to +no, and &nderstand m ,ritin)s ,ill see. Th&s it $omes to -e# that not first destro in) the nat&ral movements and tea$hin) him the artifi$ial# it ,ill -e ,or+ in vain# and he ,ill never -e perfe$tl s+illed. And God has -een served# that - means of st&d I have fo&nd a ,a to &proot the nat&ral movements from the dis$iples -efore all thin)s in order to ha-it&ate the artifi$ial after# and to ma+e a $&stom of the ha-it# follo,in) the nat&re. This is the motive of m -oo+ and the novelt that I have fo&nd in this s$ien$e. When I didn;t a$hieve it - m la$+ of in)en&it # I ,ill -e $ontent ,ith havin) )iven motive so that another ,ho &nderstands more perfe$ts it.

4r

M E T H O D

O F

TEACHING 9. !A%TER% IN THE

philosophi$al s$ien$e of the mathemati$al s+ill of arms# - the li$ensed L&is Dia0 de Viedma# native of G&adi/# ,here one friend ,ill -e a-le ver easil to tea$h another ,itho&t a master.

F I R T ! " # $ T % R , & ' T " % dis(osition of the natura) movements, and the manner of reducin* them+

=R a&thors ,or+ed ,ith m&$h dili)en$e in -rin)in) &s to &nderstand the t pes of movements that $an -e made in the destreza of arms. The dealt ,ith this so d&tif&ll that none $an -e ima)ined that the didn;t rea$h and do# -&t the never distin)&ished or de$lared to &s those ,hi$h have harmed &s# deviatin) &s from +no,in) the s$ien$e. 1 havin) promised -revit # I ,ill onl )ive the most important and ne$essar in order to $ome to +no, this s$ien$e. The movements that harm &s are three# and ,ill -e &nderstood in this form: the first# havin) the s,ord in atajo to one side or the other# and the other# removin) the thr&sts that have to ,o&nd a man. It is in this form that I $ome to &nderstand them the -est that I ,ill -e a-le# -e$a&se these are the -e)innin)# middle# and end of this s$ien$e# the ,all and fortifi$ation of it# and ,itho&t those one ,ill never -e a-le to a$hieve s&$$ess or rea$h the desired end# ,hi$h is to +no, this art s$ientifi$all # and &sin) them - se$ond nat&re# he ,ill $ome to it ,ith -revit . The are done in this form: )iven that I am esta-lished in point A as the demonstration of the $ir$le# +e # and )overnor si)nifies# the

4v meas&re of proportion Cmedio de (ro(orci,nD $hosen# ,e ,ill see that ,hatever man of ,hatever 8&alit or in)en&it that he ma -e# in dire$tin) him to ta+e the s,ord on the o&tside# his o,n nat&re for$es him to do that ,ith a step from point A to point D# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill remain &n$overed and ,o&nded. 1 se$ond nat&re# he has to )o to point 1# the -od remainin) in profile# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill ,o&nd his opponent freel . In the same $onformit # one ,ill see that ta+in) the s,ord on the inside# his o,n nat&re for$es him to )ive a step from point A to point 1# ,ith ,hi$h the -od ,ill remain &n$overed and ,o&nded. The step does not have to -e )iven to other than point D# the -od remainin) s8&ared# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill ne$essaril ,o&nd the opponent. The parr in) in these t,o atajos is ver important# -e$a&se the atajo that is )iven from point A to point 1 is the )eneral of line in $ross C)inea en cruzD# and that ,hi$h is )iven from point A to point D is a )eneral atajo# ,hi$h are the f&ndamentals of this s$ien$e. This other atajo is that ,hi$h is more important to +no,# is more for)otten - men# and is the +e and door of this s$ien$e. It ,ill -e &nderstood in this form: it is the third movement that I said# ,hi$h is removin) the s,ord and thr&sts of the opponent to one side or the other. I have never fo&nd it in an master or dis$iple ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h itA rather# the a-hor it and sa that it is not an atajo# -&t to one side or the other. He that re$eives one that &ses it is nota-le harm# -e$a&se this manner of atajo sets -a$+ the ,hole s$ien$e# and the professors of it &se it# not +no,in) the harm that it does# -e$a&se their o,n nat&re -rin)s them to it. Th&s# this is the first that ,e have to restri$t and remove from the dis$iples# ta+in) it a,a so that the don;t &se an t pe of it &ntil the are diestros# and this s&its ,ell. 9ne $an repl to me that )oin) to ,o&nd# it ,ill -e ne$essar to remove the s,ord# and that I have not stopped -ein) ,o&nded. To this# I sa that this s$ien$e has dis$overed a ,a of

2r removin) the s,ord never +no,n - the masters# ,ith the parts that pertain to it# and here the are told that it has s&$h a hidden part ,ith the lim-s and m&s$les of man# that it alone is eno&)h to destro the nat&ral movements and introd&$e the artifi$ial in s&$h form that# ,ith )reat ease# a man is fo&nd lord and $apa-le of that ,hi$h harmed him -efore. After havin) &nderstood those three t pes of movements and atajos, he ,ill -e fo&nd $apa-le and disposed to &nderstand and re$eive the art. This t pe of atajo and movement is $omposed of three )enerals# that are the )eneral of line in $ross# and the )eneral ,ea+ -elo, the stron) C f)a-ueza de.ajo de )a fuerzaD# and the $ase seen that in itself alone# it is the lo, )eneral# ,hi$h is $omposed of the t,o said )enerals. In this ,a # m opponent havin) made the lo, )eneral ,ith the re8&isites that are )iven and $omin) to ,o&nd me in the $hest or fa$e# I don;t have to remove the s,ord to one side or the other# havin) mine in o-t&se an)le. Rather# I have to pla$e it in a$&te an)le# and red&$e the ,ea+ and point of m s,ord to the stron) and 8&illons of the opponent;s# -ein) red&$ed to the ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# ,hi$h ,ill -e the lo, )eneral# ,hi$h is# and has to -e# the -e)innin)# middle# and end of this s$ien$e. It is onl that ,hi$h I press to the professors of this art that are not tired of st&d in) it# that it ,ill ma+e them $apa-le and lords of all the s$ien$e# and the ,ill &se it a$$ordin) to ,hat ,ill -e said in its demonstrations. The )reatest $a&tion that I have is that - this t pe of movement -ein) a)ainst the nat&re of a man# it is ver diffi$&lt to enter into it# rather the hate it# and th&s I advise him that &nderstandin) ,ill never leave him# -e$a&se he ,ill see that it is all his remed and defense# and that ,ith it# he lives safe. 1 the lon) e/perien$e that I have# and the desire that this s$ien$e is +no,n# I ret&rn to press this -lo,# -e$a&se its enemies are the same masters that are toda ,ell@re$eived# appearin) to them that the +no, pla in) the s,ord a-ove -etter# the are de$eived and

2v forei)n to it# as those >-ein) ad"&sted to reason? ,ho ,ill read m ,ritin)s ,ill see. Th&s I sa that the are the men ,ith ,hom I s&ffer most# and more ,ith those that vanished ,ho ,ant to )ive voi$e to reason and s$ien$e ,itho&t )ettin) ad"&sted to it.

!"#$T%R II+ &n the /ey and *overnor of this science+

HEN o&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0 had not )iven &s s&$h e/perien$e of his )ood )eni&s in his demonstrations and ,ritin)s# it ,as eno&)h to have onl dis$overed this demonstration# ,hi$h he $alled o-li)atin) the opponent# pla$in) the point of the s,ord -elo, the stron) and 8&illons of the adversar ;s. It ,ill o-li)e &s to $onfess him as the man most ,orth of admiration that the ,orld has had. Th&s not ,itho&t $a&se# the other forei)n nations envied him# - havin) -een -orn in o&rs. The people in hearin) his name are happ and satisfied ,ith the masters in onl sa in) that the follo, him. Prin$es and lords are esteemed to -e his dis$iplesA ,ith love and veneration# +in)s honor and a$$redit them. The masters of this s$ien$e $onfess him as lord of it# as he has pla$ed it in s&$h a state that it is impossi-le to ima)ine havin) a demonstration that his )eni&s did not rea$h. Th&s after -ein) a$$omplished in this s$ien$e# he fo&nd this &niversal +e # ,hose demonstration he pla$ed in the fo&rth part of the 1oo+ of the Greatness of the %,ord# on folio one@ h&ndred ei)ht @fo&r# ,here he said that it is $omposed of the meas&re of proportion# passin) to the proportionate meas&re C medio (ro(orcionadoD# -od and arm strai)ht# )ivin) a $&rved step C com(0s curvoD on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side# onl pla$in) the point of the s,ord -elo, the 8&illons of the opposin)# as the demonstration of the )eneral ,ea+ -elo, the stron) sho,s#

6r the step remainin) in s&$h $onformit that he rea$hes to ,o&nd the adversar . This )eneral in itself en$loses the tea$hin)# and the lo, )eneral is its o,n $enter# -e)innin)# and end that is started - the )eneral of line in $ross. The three are three# and in form t,o# and ,hen it la$+s the s,ord it is one# and that ,ill -e treated as &niversal. I don;t ,ant to refer to the -lo,s that $an -e formed from this )eneral# -e$a&se o&r master don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0 dealt ,ith it so len)thil # that more than ,hat he did $annot -e ima)ined. I ,ill onl )o dealin) ,ith the virt&es that it has# and this demonstration is en$losed in order to ha-it&ate the -od and +no, ho, to ,ield the s,ord and tea$h the dis$iple - it# as in this# o&r master didn;t ma+e )ood. .irst# this demonstration has s&$h nat&re and virt&e that if a man is free from the tea$hin) of other masters# onl in seein) it# he learns and does it. The e/perien$e that I have of it is lon)# that all m dis$iples are then masters of it# men as ,ell as -o s# all &se it# and it is eno&)h to ma+e them free from the v&l)ar and to +no, ho, to ,ield the s,ord in the hand. It has s&$h virt&e# that in ta+in) the s,ord# it is +no,n that the have )one - it# and th&s it is of s&$h 8&alit # and )ives s&$h advanta)e to a man# that it ma+es diestros of all in a short time# and masters of some others# as seen ea$h da . This has s&$h virt&es# that in order for it to -e done# the arm $onsists of profile to the -od . .inall # he pla$es it in s&$h $onformit and )ood manner that it ma+es a man lose all the nat&ral movements in s&$h a manner that he that ,ill +no, it perfe$tl ,ill not -e a-le to ma+e a misstep ,ith the -od . I have seen and e/perien$ed all this - pra$ti$e and e/perien$e of s&$h t pe# that -rash men havin) arrived to m hands in stren)th as ,ell as in their r&deness and re$+lessness ,hi$h ta&)ht them# and havin) so&)ht to do ,ith all the meas&res that all the a&thors

6v have )iven &s# and those that I had a$8&ired - m dili)en$e# and not -ein) a-le in man da s to red&$e them to a )ood post&re. =ltimatel # ,ith this demonstration and its oppositions I red&$e them to a )ood post&re# s&-"e$tin) them so that the ,ere a-le to re$eive the s$ien$e. 1ein) tired of admiration and repairin) them# I fo&nd that it ma+es the arro)ant phle)mati$# and the phle)mati$ $holeri$. I have also fo&nd - e/perien$e# that it )ives a&da$it to the $o,ardl and timid. Th&s# this is )eneral and )ives advanta)e to all# and that all the m steries of the s$ien$e are en$losed in this. This -ein) so# and that the $o&nter of this -lo, is the same as ,ill -e seen in its demonstrations# th&s I am of the opinion that the masters )o )overnin) - that and the other parts that I ,ill sa in this -oo+.

!"#$T%R III+ &n the an*)es and movements that must .e /no1n in the destreza+

HE an)les in the destreza are fo&r# leavin) aside the fi)ments of other a&thors that sa there are man . I don;t den it# -e$a&se all the times that the s,ord ma+es dis$o&rse of risin)# lo,erin)# or -ein) strai)ht# an)les are made -e$a&se the -od of a man# if it ,as ,ell@$onsidered# is in itself all an)les. Ho,ever# I onl have to deal ,ith fo&r that to&$h on the destreza# ,hi$h are: Ri)ht an)le C0n*u)o rectoD is the s,ord -ein) strai)ht to the opponent# in s&$h $onformit that ,ith the ri)ht e e# it ma+es a point to the $ross)&ard of the 8&illons of his s,ord and to the point and nose of his opponent# ,itho&t havin) an e/treme of one side or the other# so that ,ith this# a -lo, that does not have its $o&nter ,ill not -e possi-le -efore it rea$hes e/e$&tion. 9-t&se an)le Co.tusoD is ,henever the point of the s,ord is lifted.

Er A$&te an)le Ca*udoD is ,henever the point of the s,ord is lo,. C&rved an)le CcurvoD ,ill -e &nderstood ,henever a movement of $on$l&sion is made# and serves for -&$+ler and da))er. The diestro m&st +no, the thin) - its $a&se# as o&r a&thor sa s# for the se$&rit of the -lo,s# and the $annot la$+ it. The te$hni8&es CtretasD are $omposed of movements# and these ,e ,ill -e a-le $all tho&)hts# ,hi$h man $annot +no,A -&t the art has &n$overed s&$h reason# that ,itho&t havin) do&-t# the diestro $an +no, all the movements that the opponent $an ma+e# ,hi$h are si/ post&res# or movements# and the ,ill -e &nderstood in this form: 4. %trai)ht CrectaD# ,hi$h is the s,ord -ein) strai)ht. 2. 9-t&se Co.tusaD# ,hi$h is the s,ord -ein) lifted from the point. 6. A$&te Ca*udaD# ,hi$h is the point of the s,ord -ein) lo,. E. 9ffline lateral CremisoD# ,hi$h is the s,ord -ein) parted to one side# or the other. F. Ali)nin) lateral Cde reducci,nD# is ret&rnin) to the strai)ht. 5. 1a$+,ard Cextra2oD# is ,ithdra,in) the arm. And a$$ordin) to ordered poten$ # a man $annot -e esta-lished in an other manner# and th&s there ,ill -e no $onf&sion for the diestro on the post&res in ,hi$h the opponent $an -e esta-lished# as he $an onl -e esta-lished as said# in the si/ ,hi$h are hi)h# lo,# strai)ht# to one side or the other# for,ard# and -a$+. As ea$h one of these $onsists of different -e)innin)s# middles# and ends# all are s&-"e$t to the seven )enerals# on ,hi$h I s&pport this s$ien$e and edifi$e. 1 the post&re of the s,ord# I ,ill +no, ,hat te$hni8&e he $an $hoose immediatel # and I ,ill pla$e the remed . If he is fin)ernails@do,n# he $an onl form a tajo or half reves, if fin)ernails@&p# he $an onl form a reves or half tajo, and if on ed)e Cde fi)oD# a thr&st# and it $annot -e an thin) else a$$ordin) to ordered poten$ . As the te$hni8&es are $omposed of

Ev movements# the ,ill onl -e a-le to ,o&nd in this form: if he ,ill -e in the hi)h line# he ,ill onl -e a-le to ,o&nd ,ith a thr&st or tajo# ,ith nat&ral Cnatura)D and for,ard Caccidenta)D movement# ,hi$h is to lo,er and ,o&ndA if he ,ill -e in the lo, line# he ,ill onl -e a-le to ,o&nd ,ith for,ard and violent C vio)entoD movementA if in ,hi$hever of the sides# he ,ill onl -e a-le to ,o&nd ,ith a half tajo on the $ir$&mferen$e of the ri)ht side or ,ith a reves on the left side# and it ,ill -e ,ith ali)nin) lateral movementA if in the rear line# it ,ill have to -e ,ith for,ard movementA and if in the strai)ht# it ,ill have to -e for,ard# and this ,ill $onsist of a step. With this# it ,ill -e ne$essar to +no, the movements of the opponent# and ,hen +no,n# the remed that ,ill -e ne$essar $an -e pla$ed. In these intermediates# the ,ill -e a-le to do t,o or three movements at one time# -&t the ,ill -e mi/ed# and ,ill -e &nderstood in this form: alread it has -een said that risin) is violent# offline lateral the partin) to one side or the otherA if he pla$ed the s,ord in these intermediates# it ,o&ld -e neither violent nor offline lateral. This ,e ,ill $all mi/ed# and it is $omposed of violent and offline lateral. If from there it lo,ered to ,o&nd# he ,o&ld &se three movements# ,hi$h ,ill -e nat&ral# ali)nin) lateral# and for,ard. With that# -ein) a-le to do t,o or three movements in one time is proven# -&t the ,ill -e mi/edA in this $onformit the rest ,ill -e &nderstood. =nderstand that in this s$ien$e# there are other different movements# -&t I ,ill have to ma+e &se of the same. !ovement of in$rease CaumentoD is &nderstood as ,hen it helps to ma+e the movement to the opponent. !ovement of de$rease Cdisminuci,nD ,ill -e ,henever the opponent;s -lo, is &ndone# ma+in) offline lateral movement. %ent movement CenviaD ,ill -e ,henever the s,ord ,o&nds ,itho&t the opponent impedin) the -lo, or &sin) an other movement. All this ,ill -e dealt ,ith in the -lo,s and demonstrations of this -oo+# and o&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0 dealt ,ith this ver thoro&)hl in his -oo+.

Fr

!"#$T%R IIII+ &n the .)o1s on 1hich this science has to .e .ased+

% Commander Geronimo de Carran0a sa s that this s$ien$e is -ased on five te$hni8&es# ,hi$h are tajo# reves# half tajo# half reves# and thr&st# and o&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0 follo,s and $onfirms this# I sa that it ,as a nota-le error# as one ,ill find o&t in this dis$o&rse# -e$a&se of havin) $a&sed nota-le fail&re in the masters of this s$ien$e. Th&s# it has to -e &nderstood that the are no more than a $lass of movementsA one $an onl la-el as a te$hni8&e that ,hi$h# the diestro -ein) strai)ht >,ith the re8&isites that to&$h this s$ien$e# ,hi$h is the -est post&re that $an -e done?# - means of the te$hni8&e# he pla$es his opponent in a state that it is ne$essar to defend himself# and if not# he ,ill -e ,o&nded. This ,ill -e a te$hni8&e# and the seven )enerals ,ill -e# and this name s&its them -etter# ,ith more "&st reason# as these ne$essitate that the adversar defends himself# and if not# he ,ill -e ,o&nded. 9f the tajo# reves# half tajo# half reves# and thr&st# there is no ,ritten te$hni8&e &sin) s&$h movementsA rather# o&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0 sa s in his -oo+ Greatness of the %,ord on folio one@h&ndred sevent @one# dis$&ssin) one -lo,# sa s that the are no more than a $lass of movements that serves in destreza li+e the 0ero in $al$&lation ,hi$h# -ein) nothin) in itself# )ives val&e to the rest. Th&s I sa that I prove m reason ,ith onl this. 9&r a&thors havin) said there to -e parti$&lar te$hni8&es has -een the )reatest error of the masters# and that ,hi$h has $a&sed nota-le harm in the tea$hin) of this s$ien$e# - the masters -e)innin) to tea$h - it. Th&s I sa that not removin) the nat&ral

Fv movements from the dis$iples# ,hi$h is the hindran$e and stops men from +no,in) the s$ien$e# the ,ill -e for$ed to remain v&l)ar. Th&s these seven )enerals# ,hi$h ,e )o dealin) ,ith# have s&$h a hidden part ,ith the )ood &se and lim-s of a man# that red&$e him# remove all the nat&ral movements# and restri$t him to the artifi$ial# leavin) him perfe$tl a)ile and disposed in order to re$eive this s$ien$e. The are these: 4. General of line in $ross. 2. General of ,ea+ -elo, the stron). 6. Lo, )eneral $omposed of these t,o )enerals. E. General of narro,in) CestrecharD. F. General of ,ea+ a-ove the stron) Cf)a-ueza encima de )a fuerzaD. 5. Hi)h )eneral $omposed of t,o )enerals. G. General atajo on the $ir$&mferen$e of the left side. These are the seven )enerals on ,hi$h I -ase this edifi$e# as ,ill -e seen in this -oo+. I ret&rn to repeat that the )reatest error that there has -een in this s$ien$e of arms ,as )ivin) the la-el of parti$&lar te$hni8&es to the tajo# reves# half tajo# half reves# and thr&st# and that the are the first te$hni8&es. It appeared to the masters that the ,ere ri)ht# as men forei)n to s$ien$e# fo&nded more in their temerit than in see+in) reason - st&d # ,hi$h is the father of disill&sionment. Their o,n nat&ral movements are in pla$e# ,hi$h are those that don;t )ive rise to &nderstandin) in order to -e a-le to enter into this s$ien$e. The hear it said - o&r a&thors that the are te$hni8&es# and that the are the first# and ,ith that the ,ant to follo, the opinion of the v&l)ar and its masters# ,itho&t havin) repaired the dama)e that res&lts from this. 1&t if the had -een $&rio&s and had not removed the s$ien$e from st&d and ,or+# the ,ill have made )ood that in all the ,ritin)s# there is no -lo, of s&$h prin$ipals# and in man parts of the 1oo+ of the Greatness of the %,ord it sa s

5r the are no more than a $lass of movement# as said. 1&t follo,in) his o,n nat&re# the ma+e and form false te$hni8&es# and as one ,ill -e en)endered from another# and nat&re helps them# it appears to them that the s&$$eed# ,ith ,hi$h the remain v&l)ar. Even ,orse is that as the ta+e some a$$o&nt and reason# the are stron) enemiesA I am of the opinion toda that the are ,ise v&l)ars. 1&t I am $ertain that ,here I ,ill arrive# all ,ill remain so plain# and I ,ill leave s&$h a seed planted in men in reason of this tr&th# that their -ad s$ien$e and intention is al,a s finished. .or )reater "&stifi$ation# e/perien$e ea$h one in o&r home# and see that a)ainst a man planted in ri)ht an)le ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# his opponent $annot thro, a tajo# reves# half tajo# half reves# nor thr&st to him# ,itho&t -ein) ,o&nded - means of his movement# nor ,ill he -e a-le to dis$ompose the ri)ht an)le. In order to dis$ompose him# he is for$ed to ma+e one of the seven )enerals# as ,hi$hever of these he has a-ilit and fa$&lt in order to dis$ompose the opponent# and no others# -e$a&se a te$hni8&e or movement $annot -e ima)ined that is not s&-"e$t to these seven )enerals. If some ,ill appear to to $ontrar # do me the favor of ,or+in)# ad"&stin) to# and loo+in) at ea$h -lo,# and he ,ill see the de$eit in ,hi$h he lives. I advise that this has to -e ad"&sted to ,ith s&$h )reat sense and stillness# &ntil -ein) fo&nd in it# in order to do it after ,or+in) ,ith )reat ri)or.

5v

FIFT" !"#$T%R+ &n the vu)*ar techni-ues+

HE first intent of Commander Geronimo de Caran0a ,as to th,art and ,ear a,a the v&l)ar# and o&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0 follo,ed the same# as men that $ame to +no, the harm that res&lted from it. 1&t - the &se that I have of it# I sa that the never removed it# rather the have -een improved in a ,a that some v&l)ar have -een made ,ise# so that toda I appear and ,or+ on defeatin) them# -e$a&se the sa and dream that the are tr&e. 1&t I also lived in this same de$eit in ,hi$h the live# defendin) that $a&se more than the defend it# &ntil God ,as served that I fo&nd this manner of tea$hin) this s$ien$e# ,hi$h ,ill appear to them toda that it is all more or less the same# and the live ver de$eived# -e$a&se it is ver different. Ho,ever# o&r Lord ,as served that all the te$hni8&es# tri$+s# and thin)s ,itho&t reason that are done in the v&l)ar pla rea$hed them# ma+in) &se of the man ears that I lived $ele-rated as a diestro# -ein) $ertain that I follo,ed the tr&th. This has -een the $a&se of ,hat I do# so that m dis$iples are easil dominant over those that don;t &se m s$ien$e. The rest of the a&thors that )ive different -e)innin)s# middles# and ends to ea$h v&l)ar or tr&e -lo, live de$eived and don;t &nderstand it# -e$a&se there are no more -e)innin)s in all the s$ien$e than the seven )enerals# and the ends that res&lt from those. The lo, )eneral -ein) s&perior# this has to -e &nderstood in this ,a # -e$a&se in arrivin) to fi)ht# he that ,ill +no, m s$ien$e doesn;t have ne$essit of remem-erin) an -lo,# -&t onl to part and ma+e a )ood post&re# that if the opponent ,ill -e f&rio&s

Gr ,ith his o,n movements# the ,ill form -lo,s# and if he ,ill -e slo,# )oin) strai)ht to him# the same )enerals ,ill )ive him -lo,s. All the v&l)ar te$hni8&es and the post&res of all men# of ,hi$hever nation that the ma -e# in this -oo+ ,ill -e fo&nd s&-"e$t to the lo, )eneral# $omposed of t,o )enerals# ,here the disill&sion of all ,ill -e seen. All the time# it ,ill -e ne$essar for me to ma+e &se of the -est# not &ndoin) an thin) that is ne$essar for the advanta)e of this s$ien$e. Altho&)h some ,ise to this s$ien$e sa that at some time he -enefits from a v&l)ar te$hni8&e# the $all it -ad# and it is# as the are still spoiled and v&l)ar# -e$a&se the tr&th never had ne$essit of a lie. If the v&l)ar te$hni8&es ,ere done ,ith the atajos and re8&isites of the tr&th# the ,o&ld not -e v&l)ar# -&t tr&e# as ,ill -e seen in this -oo+. 1rin)in) the s,ord in a $ontin&o&s movement made )reat resistan$e to o&r masters# pla$in) it - itself and sa in) that havin) -een v&l)ar# it is not &sed# )ivin) - $ontrast the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# sa in) that it ,as a v&l)ar te$hni8&e# not noti$in) that this te$hni8&e ,as never v&l)ar# -&t th,arted the v&l)ar all the time# ,hi$h toda th,arts it - &sin) it tr&l # as I tea$h it# done ,ith the name of Andal&sian thr&sts# as ,ill -e said in its $hapters. The )eneral of line in $ross and )eneral ,ea+ -elo, the stron) are the same. I prove it# that in order to )o in opposition of the lo, )eneral# )ivin) atajo of line in $ross# it is ne$essar to )ive a step from point A to point 1# ma+in) atajo ,ith )eneral of line in $ross# and the adversar is lo,ered and $hooses ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# transferrin) a small step to his ri)ht side and profile of -od from point A to point 1# it ,ill -e ne$essar for he that made the atajo leavin) to ,o&nd his opponent to ret&rn to red&$e the s,ord# pla$in) the point on the stron) and 8&illons of his opponent;s# and

Gv th&s it ,ill -e ne$essar to )o from one opposition to another. He that ,ill not $hoose it ,ith the re8&isites that are re8&ired in this s$ien$e ,ill -e ,o&nded. 1&t ma+in) the )eneral of line in $ross from point A to point 1 and )oin) to ,o&nd the fa$e or $hest# if he didn;t ,ant to red&$e the s,ord -elo,# onl atajo a-ove as all the masters do toda # havin) the s,ord in o-t&se an)le# another movement -elo, ,ill remain for the diestro# and he ,ill -e a-le to $ontin&e the movements that he ,ill ,ant# -e$a&se ,e $all this t pe of movement made ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h this s$ien$e Andal&sian thr&sts# as has -een said. He ,ill see that one that ,ill ,ant to remove the thr&sts to one side or the other ,ill not -e a-le to parr or -e defended if he doesn;t ma+e &se of the red&$tions of the )enerals that ,e deal ,ith. The diestro ,ill $onsider and see that this t pe of movement# ,hi$h is )oin) - the opposition of one in the other# in la$+in) the s,ord - not -ein) opposed# the same )enerals ,ill -e t&rned into thr&sts ,itho&t alterin) the arm or ma+in) more movement in one than in another. Th&s $onsiderin) that ,hen the thr&st is thro,n o&tside# it ,ill $ome to -e ,ea+ -elo, the stron)A and ,hen it is )iven on the inside# it is )eneral of line in $ross. E/perien$in) it# he that ,ill ,or+ it ,ill see it. With that# it is proven that the s,ord in $ontin&o&s movement# or $itations as the diestros sa # ,ill $ome to -e the same lo, )eneral ,hi$h ,e deal ,ith. I advise that tea$hin) these thr&sts ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h them is eno&)h to defeat all the v&l)ar. I +no, this - seein) it# and seein) that men ,ith one month of lessons in this form ma+e diestros of more fame that don;t follo, this s$ien$e fearf&l to ta+e the s,ord a)ainst them# - seein) that the $an ,o&nd them immediatel .

7r !athemati$al demonstration of the an)les

There have -een# and are# man masters that have ,anted to maintain that the post&re doesn;t have to -e strai)ht# sa in) that the appear to -e more se$&re in that of the o-t&se an)le >iron )ate? and the a$&te an)le >the ima)ined?# and that the s,ord is stron)er# sa in) that the arm and s,ord have to -e )iven $&rved. The live

The line of $onta$t of the $hest of a man

7v de$eived# -e$a&se that of the ri)ht an)le is the -est and has the )reatest rea$h# -&t that of the o-t&se an)le is man;s o,n nat&re# ,hi$h is pla$in) the pommel of the s,ord -elo, the -lade of the hand. I $a&tion that this post&re ma+es he ,ho &ses it v&l)ar# even if he didn;t ,ant to -e# -e$a&se it ,ill -e ne$essar to ma+e s&$h movements# and as it is his nat&re# he -rin)s it stron)l # and ,ill -rin) them to those that ,o&ld not -e restri$ted and satisfied ,ith the ri)ht@an)le post&re. Ea$h one ,ill -e a-le to e/perien$e this )ivin) the s,ord to ,hatever person of ,hatever 8&alit that he ma -e# and he ,ill see ho, he pla$es the s,ord -elo, the -lade of the hand and in o-t&se an)le# appearin) to him that it is strai)ht# and opposed to defend that it is the -est post&re# and that for his se$&rit # he ,ill not pla$e it in another part. To this da # there are men so st&--orn and re$+less that# -rin)in) them to &nderstand the harm that is offered to those that ,ill &se it# and even ,ith all one $annot defeat them# &ntil I ma+e them )o in said oppositions of the )enerals# ,hi$h remed all. This present demonstration $learl sho,s ho, the s,ord in the ri)ht an)le rea$hes more than in the o-t&se or the a$&te. The pommel has to -e pla$ed in the $hannel of the ,rist# as has -een said# and ,ill serve to disill&sion the v&l)ars that esta-lish themselves $&rved# ,hi$h is the s,ord that point C sho,s in o-t&se an)le# or in a$&te an)le# ,hi$h is the s,ord that point D sho,s. With this it ,ill -e seen that ea$h one misses rea$hin) to point A# ,hi$h is the $hest of a man# ,here it is to&$hin) the strai)ht s,ord# and th&s the pommel of the s,ord has to -e in the $hannel of the ,rist in order to -e a-le to a$hieve this s$ien$e. Altho&)h at the -e)innin) it appears diffi$&lt# and one ,ill sa that he doesn;t have stren)th in the s,ord# &se it# so that in a fe, da s he ,ill see its &se# and the de$eit in ,hi$h he lived. With this# it is proven that the s,ord has to -e strai)ht# and the pommel in the $hannel of the ,rist.

Hr

!ATHE!ATICAL DE!9N%TRATI9N 9.
the $ir$le for the )overnor of the s$ien$e.

Hv

E ,ill -e a-le to $all the present demonstration# ver "&stl # the fo&ndation and -e)innin) of this s$ien$e# and the f&ndamentals of it# - -ein) the first that m&st -e ta&)ht in it. Witho&t this -e)innin)# neither is the master a-le to tea$h it# nor is the dis$iple a-le to a$8&ire it. In all it ,ill ,ant to -rin) me to &nderstand ,ith the )reatest ease and $larit as possi-le# that - -ein) a s$ien$e# it is so advanta)eo&s for a man. When I $onsider that His !a"est hasn;t imposed an oaths or in$ome for the professors of it# nor do I have ne,s that an )entleman or other individ&al has left an patrona)e so that the ,ere a-le to st&d this s$ien$e# as has -een done in the other s$ien$es# -e$a&se st&d is so painf&l to a man that offi$es and in$ome are lost# as ,ell as restf&l livin) - not st&d in) and fleein) from the penalt and ,or+ of st&d . When the ta+e this ,or+ and st&d in the s$ien$es# elevatin) and -rin)in) them to the ,orld ,ith m&$h ,ritin) and )reat vol&mes# as is seen in nat&ral and moral philosoph # medi$ine# la,# theolo) # )eometr # and astronom . The do this - the in$omes that the have in the s$hools and &niversities# or - the &tilities and advanta)es that those individ&als have. 1&t in this s$ien$e# ,hi$h is so poor# that neither do &niversities have in$ome for its professors# nor does it )ive some advanta)e in parti$&lar ,ith ,hi$h to earn an estate. The s&pport for the famil # even - another part# is ver &sef&l# as it serves for the defense of a man and the honor of his homeland. 9&r %pain $an -e )lorified amon) all +no,n as that ,hi$h has +no,n -etter to )overn them# as is seen# as the have pla$ed its fla)s in all the parts of the ,orld# s&-"e$tin) nations despite itself. I sa then# that this s$ien$e -ein) so poor# as I have referred#

43r is the reason that there is little ,ritten of it# and those so $onf&sed that I don;t find an ,ho &nderstands them as the m&st -e &nderstood. The are e/$&sed# -e$a&se if the ,ant to delve m&$h in this s$ien$e# ta+in) all of its tr&th p&-li$# their povert doesn;t )ive room for it. Th&s the ,rite# and that ,hi$h the ,rite is little# $onf&sed# and diffi$&lt to )ive it to print# -e$a&se of the time# pla$e# and $osts that are offered# -e$a&se printin) ,itho&t mathemati$al fi)&res and demonstrations ,o&ld not -e advanta)eo&sA I ,rite it - the e/perien$e that I have of it. These are so painf&l - -ein) in s&$h form# that for t,o ears of livin) in the Cit of Cadi0# this -oo+ has not -een a-le to -e printed -e$a&se of a la$+ of $arvers that &nderstand me in order to ma+e the plates for these demonstrations# $ostin) me m&$h ,or+# time# and mone . .inall the have not left it as ad"&sted as s&its this s$ien$eA -&t the e/planation of ea$h one ,ill remed it# ,hi$h ,ill -e ,ith the )reatest $larit that I ,ill -e $apa-le of. In all the s$ien$es of the ,orld# ,hi$hever man of )ood in)en&it # $&stom# and reason ,ill -e a-le to spea+ of them# ,hen not so "&st as the deserve# -&t for the reason that it m&st -e heard. In $omin) to deal ,ith them# the remit their opinion to the learned that profess and +no, them. 1&t in this s$ien$e of arms# ,hi$h is more forei)n to men# a$$ordin) to ,hat I have proven# no man ,ill -e a-le to )ive opinion of that ,hi$h he doesn;t &nderstand. In this s$ien$e# ea$h one has the opinion that he is ver m&$h fo&nd in it# )ivin) his vote# appearin) to him that it is ver "&stified. Altho&)h he $an -e ad"&sted# as all the movements have to -e -a$+,ard from that ,hi$h he sees and thin+s# -e$a&se in all the s$ien$es# man;s o,n nat&re helps him ,ith a se$ret $a&tion# that ma+es him lord and $apa-le of it ,ith ease# -&t in this s$ien$e it is the opposite# -e$a&se his o,n nat&re hinders and impedes him# stoppin) him from -e$omin) $apa-le of it. Th&s the )reatest $a&se of the fail&re

43v that the professors of this s$ien$e have had has -een not havin) -een $a&tioned that the nat&ral movements of a man are the first that have -een removed in order to introd&$e to him the tr&e atajos and movements. These have s&$h a painf&l -e)innin) that it is the )reatest fear that I have# and the )reatest diffi$&lt that I find# seein) that pra$ti$in) ,ith man that are $onsidered diestros# red&$in) them and ad"&stin) them to this s$ien$e $osts me m&$h time and ,or+. As the have alread made a ha-it in the &se of their o,n nat&ral movements# I find it to -e ver diffi$&lt to red&$e them to the artifi$ial of the s$ien$e# so that the ma+e them ha-it and $&stom# ,hi$h is se$ond nat&re. The men that I tea$h more easil # ,ho &nderstand me# are those that have never -een ta&)ht. 1&t as it ,ill -e ne$essar that in -& in) these ,ritin)s# there have to -e those that have dealt ,ith the arms ,ith this $ontrar &se# and ,ill -e ,hat the have follo,ed# appearin) to them that the have traveled - the tr&th# and that the are fo&nd in it# that this ,ill -e more or less that ,hi$h the have learned# see+in) means in order to th,art ea$h te$hni8&e and -lo,. If he that defends this $a&se does not &nderstand it ,ell# he ,ill ne$essaril -e defeated. Th&s I appeal to ,hi$hever diestro that ,ill have the pleas&re of ad"&stin) m ,ritin)s# he passes over them man times - theor and pra$ti$e# not see+in) $o&nters# -&t rather favorin) them# see+in) the remedies# and ad"&stments# pla$in) them man times in e/e$&tion# ,hen it is not more than fo&r months# spendin) one ho&r ea$h da on it. With this# he ,ill $ome to &nderstand the -e)innin)# middle# and end of ea$h -lo,# the defenses# and $o&nters that the to&$h. In this $ase# it ,ill ma+e me happ that if he has to $orre$t# it is $orre$tedA an other t pe thin+in) that the are ri)ht ,ill -e a mista+e.

44r

%x()anation of the (arts of the !irc)e+

HI% demonstration $onsists of $&rved or $ir$&lar lines# and of strai)ht lines. A $&rved or $ir$&lar line is that ,hi$h the $ir$le ma+es from point A to 1 to C to D on one side# and the same on the other. This ,hole $ir$le m&st -e t,ent @fo&r feet aro&nd# all of ,hi$h divided into steps of three feet# ma+es ei)ht steps in all its $ir$&mferen$e. These steps are distin)&ished ,ith letters# pla$in) one letter at ea$h step# as is seen in the first step from letter A to letter 1# and from letter 1 to letter C# and from letter C to letter D# and from the D to the A. The other side ,ill -e &nderstood in the same $onformit . %ome of the strai)ht lines of this $ir$le are diametri$# and others transverse from inside the $ir$le# -&t o&tside of it there are another three t pes of lines: some tan)ent# others se$ant# and others mi/ed. %trai)ht diameter lines are all those that are from one point of the $ir$&mferen$e to the other opposin) point# passin) thro&)h the $enter of the $ir$le# as from point A to point A# from point 1 to point 1# from point C to point C# and from point D to point D. All these are diametri$ lines# or diameters of the $ir$le# on ,hi$h onl the meas&re of proportion is $hosen. 9ne $annot ,o&nd - them# -&t rather it is strai)ht to strai)ht# ,hi$h ,ill -e - means of the post&re that the opponent ,ill ma+e# ,hi$h ,ill -e# not havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# -e$a&se ,ith the meas&re of proportion $hosen ,ith its parts# a -lo, isn;t possi-le that doesn;t have its opposition and $o&nter -efore it rea$hes e/e$&tion. 1&t the dis$iple ,ill -e $ommanded that he is positioned on point A# the feet in the $onformit that the present demonstration si)nifies# the ri)ht foot strai)ht# and the

44v left transverse# in s&$h $onformit # that the -one of the left foot is opposite the heel of the ri)ht# and no more than one foot distan$e from one to another. Givin) a$$o&nt of this $ir$le that is ima)ined -et,een the $om-atants# ,hi$h has to -e &nderstood that the strai)ht line of the diameter is ei)ht feet from point A to point A# esta-lished ,ith s,ords mar+ed# ,hi$h ,ill -e t,ent fo&r aro&nd# >,hi$h# red&$ed to steps of three feet# ,ill -e ei)ht?# a$$ordin) to E&$lid# prin$e of )eometr . Givin) a$$o&nt of the lines and steps# ,hi$h ,ill -e ei)ht# &nderstood in this form: from point A to point P is a strai)ht step CrectoD on the strai)ht line of the diameter. .rom point A to point R is a -a$+,ard step C extra2oD on the se$ant# or -a$+,ard line# ,hi$h to&$hes the left foot. .rom point A to point . is a lateral step Cde tre(idaci,nD to the $ir$&mferen$e on the ri)ht or left side on tan)ent or finite lines. .rom point A to point 9 ,ill -e a mi/ed lateral and -a$+,ard step on a mi/ed line# ,hi$h to&$hes the left foot - the $ir$&mferen$e on the left side# and on the ri)ht it to&$hes -oth feet. .rom point A to point 1 ,ill -e a $&rved step on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side on the infinite line# as it doesn;t have -e)innin) or end. .rom point A to point D is a $&rved step on the infinite line. The lines of the $ir$le ,ill -e ima)ined strai)ht from point A to point A# and from point 1 to point 1# and from point D to point D# and from point C to point C. We ,ill also $all transverse# $onsidered in this form# those from point A to point 1 and point D# and that from C to point 1 and point D# and the rest ,ill -e &nderstood in this $onformit . The dis$iple ,ill -e dire$ted to pla$e the s,ord in the form that he $arries it on the -elt# and to plant himself on point A ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# ,hi$h remain said. With a for,ard step from point A to point P# liftin) first the ri)ht foot and then the

42r left# in s&$h $onformit that he $an -e planted as he ,as on point A. He )ives a -a$+,ard step to,ard the rear# ret&rnin) to point A# liftin) first the left foot and then the ri)ht# &ntil ret&rnin) to remain esta-lished# and the -od entirel $omposed and profiled# the feet in the $onformit that has -een said. Dire$t him to )ive $&rved steps on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side from point A to point 1# and point C# and point D# &ntil ret&rnin) to point A ,here he left# havin) the -od profiled# the arm strai)ht to the opponent;s fa$e# tellin) him $&rved step on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side# the -od profiled. In the same $onformit # he )ives a step on the $ir$&mferen$e to his left side from point A to point D# and point C# and point 1# &ntil ret&rnin) to point A ,here he left# tellin) him $&rved step on the $ir$&mferen$e to the left side# the -od remainin) s8&are# the arm dra,n $lose to the $hest# the ri)ht foot transverse to his ri)ht side. The master has to have the dis$iple )ive these steps for ei)ht da s# or more if it ,ill -e ne$essar # &ntil he is red&$ed to them# )ivin) those steps ,ith )ood )ra$e and disposition# the -od al,a s remainin) profiled or s8&ared. In this# this s$ien$e appears li+e dan$e# and ad"&stin) to these steps# the s,ord ,ill -e pla$ed in the hand as ,ill -e said in this dis$o&rse.

42v

!ATHE!ATICAL DE!9N%TRATI9N 9.
$hoosin) the meas&re of proportion.

46r

HE sa in) is tr&e that man esteems that ,hi$h $osts him m&$h ,or+# and he ,ill ,ant that all esteem it. The present demonstration is so important for this s$ien$e# and men live so forei)n to it# as - their o,n nat&re# all the nations of the ,orld pla$e the pommel -elo, the -lade of the hand# as I pla$ed it as a diestro >it -ein) -est in m opinion?. When I $onsider that A)rippa sa s in his -oo+ that the s,ord strai)ht and thro,in) thr&sts in $ontin&o&s movement is the -est -lo,# and in order to ma+e this a$tion# it is ne$essar that the s,ord is in the $hannel of the ,rist# and this is more than fo&r@h&ndred ears old. Commander Geronimo de Carran0a )ives it to &s - pre$ept and mathemati$al demonstrations in his -oo+. 9&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0 also )ives it to &s - demonstrations# and ad"&sted to reason. When I $onsider that men do not +eep to this r&le# ,hi$h is the most important# I am o-li)ed to $ite it and sa it man timesA the $a&se of this fail&re is man;s o,n nat&re# as I have proven. 9&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o )ives in his -oo+ some reasons ,orth of -ein) ,ritten for the perfe$tion of man# ,hi$h are these: -esides -ein) spheri$al >,hi$h the v&l)ar $alls ro&nded?# )iven a man ,ith the le)s and arms open# a $ompass pla$ed in a $ertain part of his -od and )iven a t&rn aro&nd ,ill to&$h him on his hands and feet. A strai)ht line is ima)ined to lo,er thro&)h the head and middle of the forehead# mo&th# and $hest# dividin) this $ir$le into t,o e8&al parts# ,hi$h are $alled diametri$. .o&r verti$al lines are $onsidered: the first is that ,hi$h I have said# that divides the $ir$le# and in $onsideration of it# it is $alled diametri$A another# that $orresponds to it and passes thro&)h the -rain and middle of

46v the -a$+A and the other t,o thro&)h the ears# sho&lders# and sides. We distin)&ish ea$h one a$$ordin) to the pla$e# $allin) them verti$al of the $hest# or of the -a$+# and those of the ri)ht and left sides. T,o $ollateral lines are $onsidered ,ith the same distin$tion of ri)ht and leftA ea$h one -e)ins and lo,ers from the "&n$tion that ea$h arm ma+es ,ith the $hest. In this is ima)ined a $ir$le# ,hose $ir$&mferen$e to&$hes the verti$al lines of the sides# and a line# that is ima)ined to pass from one sho&lder to another# ,hi$h is $alled the line of $ontin)en$ . In m opinion# this is -est as a $&riosit rather than ne$essar for the s$ien$e. The dis$iple -ein) fo&nd in said steps# he ,ill -e dire$ted to ta+e the s,ord in the hand# as strai)ht as the present demonstration si)nifies# ,ith the -od profiled# the pommel of the s,ord in the $hannel of the ,ristA the points of the s,ords rea$h to the pommels# ,ith ,hi$h the meas&re of proportion ,ill -e $hosen# the -od profiled# and the feet ,ith the re8&isites that have -een said. 4. Tell him that ri)ht an)le is the s,ord -ein) strai)ht to his adversar # ,itho&t havin) an e/treme to one side or the other. 2. 9-t&se an)le is the point of the s,ord -ein) lifted. 6. A$&te an)le is the point -ein) lo,. 4. And that violent movement is the s,ord risin) &p. 2. Nat&ral movement is lo,erin) to its $enter. 6. 9ffline lateral movement is the s,ord -ein) parted to one side or the other. E. Ali)nin) lateral movement is to ret&rn to the ri)ht an)le# F. 1a$+,ard movement is ,ithdra,in) the arm. 5. .or,ard movement is movin) ahead. Give a$$o&nt to the dis$iple and sa that no,# ,ith the

4Er s,ord in the hand# the have to t&rn to )ive the same steps in the same $onformit that ,ere said in the demonstration of the $ir$le ,ith the feet# ma+in) man ro&nded atajos to one side and the other. In this form# havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art on point A# he is to )ive a $&rved step on the $ir$&mferen$e on the ri)ht side to point 1# passin) the s,ord -elo, the opponent;s. The s,ord has to remain offline and some,hat in the o-t&se an)le# the hand almost fin)ernails@&p# the arm so strai)ht that from his left sho&lder to the $hannel of the ,rist is $onsidered a strai)ht line. As the demonstration of the )eneral of line in $ross sho,s# the master leaves to ,o&nd the $hest# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# and the dis$iple# ,itho&t losin) the s,ord# rather &nited ,ith it# follo,s it &ntil ret&rnin) it to the same atajo and said )eneral# $ir$lin) aro&nd# )ivin) a step to point C. The master )oes leadin) him# leavin) to ,o&nd ,ith his steps# and the dis$iple )oes red&$in) in a $ir$le# ,itho&t losin) the s,ord or step# &ntil the ret&rn to the point A from ,hi$h the left# tellin) him $&rved step on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side# the -od al,a s remainin) profiled. Also# havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion# )ive atajo to the s,ord on the inside# )ivin) a $&rved lateral step on the $ir$&mferen$e to the left side from point A to point D# the -od remainin) s8&ared. The master ,ill leave to ,o&nd - his steps# as the $ir$le# +e # and )overnor of this s$ien$e si)nifies. In this form# the one ,or+in)# and the other &ndoin)# the ,ill ma+e man atajos in a $ir$le# ,ith step# -od # and s,ord at one time# al,a s +eepin) to the re8&isites of this s$ien$e# $onsiderin) that ,hen it $&ts short to the ri)ht side# it is the )eneral of line in $ross# and ,hen it $&ts short to the left side# it is the )eneral atajo. In these ro&nded atajos# ,hi$h are spiral lines# he has to have him do for ei)ht da s or more a$$ordin) to his disposition.

4Ev He ,ill )o ta+in) tajos# and reveses# and )o +illin) them ,ith the same ro&nded atajo# ,itho&t an thin) -ein) altered# and disill&sionin) him that the opponent $an do more than a thr&st -elo, or a tajo a-ove. With these t pes of atajos he ,ill remed all# so that he )oes losin) fear. This )ives a nota-le advanta)e# removin) man;s nat&re# ,hi$h is to flee the opposin) s,ord. With these atajos he is &nited and $lose to it# ta&)ht to )ive steps to )overn the arm and ,rist and to $ompose the -od . !a+in) man atajos# he ,ill $ome to +no, ho, to ma+e an atajo ,ell# ,hi$h is the )oal that ,e see+.

4Fr

!athemati$al demonstration of the s,ords.

4Fv

!"#$T%R VI+ &' T"% '34B%RI'G #'D stren*ths of the s1ord+

HE n&m-erin) and stren)th of the s,ord is of )reat importan$e# so that the diestro +no,s ,hen he has )ained the stron) of the opponent# and that -ein) of less stren)th# he ,ill $onsider him stron)er# and the s$ien$e )ives this. The points and )rad&ation of the s,ord are ten# distri-&ted and ad"&sted from the pommel# ,hi$h is the $enter and stron)# to the point# ,hi$h is the ,ea+# as its demonstration si)nifies. Th&s the ,ill -e &nderstood in this form: ,hen the opponent pla$es his s,ord on point 2# the diestro ,ill pla$e it on point E# -e$a&se as the s$ale ma+es o&n$es at the -e)innin)# and then po&nds# and arro.as# the s,ord# havin) )ained de)rees from one point to another# ,ill -e of )reater stren)th. In pla$in) atajo on the opposin) s,ord# pla$in) m s,ord in )reater de)rees of stren)th ,ill have s&-"e$ted itA in the opposin) s,ord -ein) on point E of mine# I have -een pla$ed on point 5 of his# and li+e this# the other points ,ill -e a-le to -e &nderstood. And no, the art has dis$overed a post&re so stron) and val&a-le that# the s,ords pla$ed in pairs# I ,ill do it to m adversar # and he $annot lift it ,ith t,o hands I the atajo -ein) made ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h this s$ien$e# -e$a&se m s,ord ,ill -e &sin) the nat&ral movement# and the opponent;s ,ill &se the violent movement. This ,ill -e seen in the )eneral atajo of the $ir$&mferen$e on the left side# ,here one ,ill -e a-le to e/perien$e it. It has also dis$overed a -lo, for)otten - the masters# and less &nderstood# ,here I ,ill )ive to m opponent his stron) and mine# pla$in) the point of m s,ord -elo, the stron) and 8&illons of his# s&$h that m point 2 ,ill -e pla$ed on his point 7# and that m s,ord is stron)er and in a -etter state than his.

45r This $an -e e/perien$ed in ,ea+ -elo, the stron). With that ,hi$h is proven# the diestro5s s,ord is )ood in all pla$es# as in all times he ,ill -e a-le to $hoose one of the seven )enerals. In this# he $annot la$+# as he ,ho ,ill $ome to &nderstand this s$ien$e ,ill see.

! " # $ T % R V I I + & ' T " % of 1a)/in* on the circ)e

4 & D %

AVING -ro&)ht the dis$iple thro&)h the steps and atajos that are said# the master ,ill -e)in to )ive him the mode that he has to have# so that ,hen some -e)in to -attle ,ith others# the -e)in to )o settlin) in this tr&th# ,hi$h ,ill -e tea$hin) them the oppositions of the )eneral of line in $ross and the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron). These ,ill -e revie,ed# and )iven ea$h time that he finishes the spiral lines and ro&nded atajos. The ,ill -e ta&)ht in this form: havin) $hosen meas&re of proportion from point A# ,ith a $&rved step to point 1# onl p&ttin) the s,ord -elo, the master;s# he dire$ts him to leave from there to ,o&nd the $hest# and the master )ives a $&rved step to point 1# p&ttin) his s,ord -elo,# and leavin) to ,o&nd the dis$iple;s $hest. The dis$iple )ives a step to point C# p&ttin) his point -elo, the master;s s,ord. The do it in this form# )ivin) man atajos and oppositions. The master ,ill dire$t him to thro, a tajo# and it ,ill -e re$eived# +illin) the movement. He ,ill also pla$e his s,ord v&l)ar# in o-t&se an)le# and ,ill dire$t the dis$iple to thro, thr&sts to one side and the other# and he ,ill remove them. These are $alled Andal&sian thr&sts# and have to -e thro,n ,ith the arm ver strai)ht# the hand fin)ernails@&p# and s&$h that the point of the s,ord passes -elo, the master;s 8&illons# ,itho&t ,ithdra,in) the arm# havin) to -e in the mode of $itations#

45v in ,hi$h onl that ,hi$h fits ,ill -e )iven# and the rest as threats. The master ret&rns to p&t him in the same oppositions of the )enerals of line in $ross and ,ea+ -elo, the stron). This is the most important in order to +no, the arms. 1 the lon) e/perien$e that I have# I sa that ,ith this alone# -ein) ta&)ht to the dis$iple perfe$tl # is eno&)h so that he is a diestro# and is lord of all the diestros that ,ill not follo, m s$ien$e# ,ith no more -lo,s# ,hi$h I have e/perien$ed man times. The master advises that these oppositions are s&perior to all# and th&s have to al,a s -e follo,ed.

4Gr

% E C 9 N D

P A R T

9N THE TEACHING 9. !A%TER% IN THE

philosophi$al s$ien$e of the mathemati$al s+ill of arms. 1 the li$ensed L&is Dia0 de Viedma# native of G&adi/# ,here one friend ,ill ver easil -e a-le to tea$h another ,itho&t a master.

F I R T ! " # $ T % R 6 " % R % account is *iven to the master of the va)ue and )ordshi( of the )o1 *enera), com(osed of t1o *enera)s, 1here it is (roven to deserve the tit)e of universa)+

4Gv

have passed man ears and an/ieties in seein) if I ,o&ld -e a-le to $ome to +no, the $a&se of ,hat in this s$ien$e has not -een )iven to the professors of that part sho,n# ,here it has -een ta&)ht to the dis$iple# as has -een done in all the rest of the s$ien$es. 9n this# I passed man times over the -oo+s of the old a&thors# and in all them# the onl one made to m p&rpose ,as the 1oo+ of the Greatness of the %,ord# that o&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0 $omposed. Passin) over it man times# I fo&nd in it - demonstration more than one@h&ndred fift -lo,s# all so ad"&sted to a$$o&nt and reason# as the $&rio&s that ,ill )o at their pleas&re ,ill -e a-le to seeA -&t of these# onl fo&r ,ere done to m p&rpose# of ,hi$h he does si/. Considerin) these si/# and ,or+in) on them# I sa, that some ,ere red&$ed to others and that the si/ ,ere $onverted to t,o. With the )eneral atajo# the are three# and these three# in -attlin)# then ield vassala)e to one# ,hi$h is the lo, )eneral# $omposed of t,o )enerals. In itself this -lo, en$loses s&$h virt&es that it alone deserves the name of &niversal. The title that o&r a&thor )ives to the &niversal in his -oo+# Greatness of the %,ord# on folio 2G5# o&r a&thor )ives these reasons. He )ives it ver "&stl # and $on$l&des the s&periorit to all in sa in) that the &niversal te$hni8&e is a)ainst tajo# a)ainst reves# a)ainst thr&st# in order to atta$+# and to ,ait# -e$a&se it ,ill -e in the diestro5s hand# enterin) into the &niversal te$hni8&e# to ,o&nd ,here he ,ill ,ant# and ,ith the t pe of -lo, that he ,ill ,ant. As that ,hi$h is most a-le# it is impedin) the a$$elerated de$isions of a $holeri$ and an)r man# th,artin) his s,ord# and in no part follo,s his intentA altho&)h he is free lord of his ,ill# in this time the diestro ma+es &se of this lordship# not insom&$h as deprivin) him to thro, man $&ts# tajos# and reveses# and thr&sts# -&t that all are done to his harm# and none follo, his intent despite himself#

47r it ,ill -e eas to +ill his opponent. 1&t as Commander Geronimo de Carran0a sa s# the s$ien$e of arms does not tea$h to +ill# -&t to -e a-le to +illA -e$a&se of this 8&alit # and - havin) in itself a tr&e +no,led)e of the thin) - its $a&se# as ,e prove to -e s$ien$e in the prolo)&e# he sa s to ,ait a-sol&tel $onfident# in his $ertaint . In the diestro ,antin) to ma+e &se of it# it ,ill free him from ,hi$hever -lo, that ,ill -e done a)ainst him# -e$a&se all that are a-le to -e $onsidered are s&-"e$t to this# ,itho&t an of these -ein) free from this s&-"e$tion# all respe$t it# and ield in its presen$eA all the movements s&-"e$t to the $overa)e of the shield# it despisesA to the lar)e or small -&$+ler# it has littleA for the da))er# it has disdain# and the $loa+# it i)nores. .inall - havin) promised -revit # I do not d,ell on transferrin) this $hapter# ,here it )ives it admira-le praiseA he that ,ill ,ant to see it ,ill find it# as is said in the 1oo+ of the Greatness of the %,ord# fol. 2G5# and it has ei)ht pa)es of admira-le praise. %o ,or+in) on this man da s# and see+in) a -lo, that ,ill have s&$h 8&alities# I ,as never a-le to find itA -asin) on the "&d)ment# and philosophi0in) on all the -lo,s and demonstrations in this -oo+# I $ame to dis$over that the -est of it# and that ,hi$h ,as most important to man# ,as fo&r -lo,s# that are in the fo&rth part of the 1oo+ of the Greatness of the %,ord# as has -een said in other parts. These are the -est that have -een dis$overed# and all the other -lo,s from this -oo+# as ,ell as from all the other -oo+s# that have -een made in favor of this s$ien$e are nota-l harmf&l to the dis$iple. None are a-le to -e done or formed ,itho&t first ieldin) vassala)e to the seven )enerals# on ,hi$h I fo&nd this s$ien$e. Givin) them this val&e and s&-stan$e ,ill -e tr&th# as he that ,ill $ome to &nderstand it ,ill see. %o these fo&r -lo,s# as I have said in other parts# ,ell@$onsidered# are red&$ed

47v to t,o# ,hi$h are the lo, )eneral# $omposed of t,o )enerals that are the )eneral of line in $ross and the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# and to the hi)h )eneral# $omposed of t,o )enerals: the )eneral of narro,in)# and the )eneral of ,ea+ a-ove the stron). Considerin) these t,o )enerals# and doin) them man times# I $ame to &nderstand that the hi)h )eneral then ields vassala)e to the lo, )eneral# and th&s this -lo, deserves the name of &niversal# as all ield vassala)e to it# and ,itho&t it nothin) $an -e ,or+ed ,ell# ,ith sin)le s,ord# as ,ell as ,ith do&-le arms# and ,ith its help# all is )ood# ad"&sted# firm# and in reason. I have so m&$h e/perien$e of it# that if one had to $o&nt that ,hi$h happened to me# it ,o&ld pro$eed infinitel . 9&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0# respondin) to a letter that he re$eived of mine on A&)&st 22 in the ear of 4567# amon) man thin)s that he ,rites me# as s&$h a person so ,ise and dis$rete# there is a $hapter that sa s: If o& ,ere an an)el# and the dis$iples Adam and %olomon# in ,hom God imparted s$ien$e# o& $o&ld not ma+e a man a diestro in t,o months. I don;t sa that I ,ill ma+e him a $ons&mmate diestro# -&t that I ,ill pla$e him in s&$h a state that is eno&)h in order to -e s&perior to the diestros that ,ill not -e ta&)ht - this mode of tea$hin). .indin) m self in Cadi0# and that I ,o&ld have ne$essit of transferrin) this -oo+# in order to -rin) it to print# and that some da s of solit&de ,ere important to me# I a)reed to )o to the villa)e of Rota. I ,as seen in it# and man dis$iples ,ere led# onl at ni)ht# - -ein) men of the field# and - -ein) -etter ass&red in the val&e of this &niversal# I ,anted to ma+e and have made s&$h dili)en$e# that onl revie,in) the steps# an)les# movements# and the seven )enerals# red&$in) all to this &niversal# and to the mode that I )ive of tea$hin)# ma+in) them pla - the opposition of this &niversal. And it is s&$h that men and -o s in fields and or$hards# and in the villa)e# onl dealt ,ith it# in the form that the same admirin)

4Hr fathers $ame to m ho&se and ,anted to see their sons ta+e a lesson# and )ive a$$o&nt of the steps# an)les# movements# and the seven )enerals. With this )eneral# the ,o&nded all the v&l)ar post&res that I )ive themA seein) them ma+e fo&r $on$l&sions# and ma+in) them ,ith s,ord# da))er# and -&$+ler# some pla in) ,ith others ,ith )reat vi)or# and as the sa, m little interest# and the pleas&re ,ith ,hi$h I do it# ea$h of these o&n) men -ro&)ht his dis$iples# and I have s,ords to their p&rpose. %eein) the pla ers that had s&$h fame in the pla$e separated to one side# sa in): %ir# this is fi)htin)# and this pla is so no-le# so s&perior to the rest# so ad"&sted to reason# that some pla in) ,ith others most of the ni)ht# -e$a&se I never tire of this art# and I have not had dis)&st# nor a -lo,. At the -e)innin)# the s+illed people of the pla$e entered to seeA I don;t re$o&nt lon) thin)s or events that happened to me ,ith them# -&t as the sa, tea$hin)# and dire$tin) them to pla ,ith ,ide# )ro&nd# and sharp s,ords# small -&ttons# onl the ed)es removed in the mill# the sa, that I said: A pie$e of hat or head falls on this floor# the attri-&ted to havin) a tho&sand misfort&nes. After# the have ,ondered at the firmness and 8&iet. Th&s I sa # that the virt&es of this -lo, $annot all -e said# onl that it is the la-orio&s -e)innin) of &nderstandin)# and man ,itho&t +no,in) it# thin+ that the +no, it# and all the rest that are done# )o to the end of +no,in) this -lo, -etter. I have alread said that onl these fo&r )enerals# and -lo,s that I too+ from the 1oo+ of the Greatness of the %,ord are the -est that have -een dis$overed. Provin) and seein) it -etter# that of the fo&r# line in $ross and ,ea+ -elo, the stron) are -est. This no, fort ears# o&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0 )ives and +no,s them -etter than the other t,o# findin) in them -od # and fa$&lt of havin) thirt @three separate -lo,s# s&-"e$t to these t,o# and in the rest he didn;t find

4Hv s&$h fa$&lt # nor -od # more than for ei)ht separate. In the prolo)&e of ea$h one# he that ,ill -e $&rio&s ,ill -e a-le to see# as o&r a&thor )ives them -etter. 1e$a&se the have not )iven &s a mode of tea$hin)# the a&thors have not -een &nderstood# that the nat&ral movements have not left &s settled in this s$ien$e and )iven se$&rit . Th&s# removin) a man;s nat&ral movements and introd&$in) the artifi$ial has to -e first# in order to -e a-le to +no, these seven )enerals. I don;t i)nore that there are masters that do these )enerals# -&t never ,ith these re8&isites.

23r

!ATHE!ATICAL DE!9N%TRATI9N
of the )eneral of line in $ross.

.TER havin) instr&$ted the dis$iple in the steps# an)les# movements# and atajos in a $ir$le# as is said# the master ,ill -rin) him to &nderstand the atajo that he has made on the $ir$&mferen$e to his ri)ht side# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# the -od remainin) profiled# the arm strai)ht# the s,ord offline# as the demonstration ,ith ,hi$h ,e )o dealin) si)nifies# He ,ill also -rin) him to &nderstand that the )eneral of line in $ross is a t pe of atajo# ,hi$h he ,ill not -e a-le to la$+# -ein) helped - the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# and that these t,o -lo,s# as I have said# are the -e)innin)# middle# and end of this s$ien$e. It is the se$&re door of the tea$hin)# the road that the master has to follo,# &ntil pla$in) the dis$iple in a state of &nderstandin) the s$ien$e.

23v These three )enerals have to -e ta&)ht to the dis$iple in the form that their demonstrations si)nif # as I ,ill sa that the line in $ross is done: havin) $hosen meas&re of proportion on point A# he ,ill )ive a $&rved step on the $ir$&mferen$e to his ri)ht side to point 1# passin) the s,ord -elo, the opponent;s# ma+in) an atajo on it# as its demonstration si)nifies I step# -od # and s,ord at the same time. The )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron) is done - havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# onl p&ttin) the point of his s,ord -elo, his opponent;s stron) and 8&illons# the -od profiled. The lo, )eneral is $omposed of these t,o )enerals# and is done - havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion# )ivin) a $&rved step from point A to point 1# passin) the s,ord -elo, the opposin)# -e)innin) - the )eneral of line in $ross# &ntil pla$in) his point G on his opponent;s point 6# ma+in) a ro&nded $ir$le ,itho&t stoppin) the s,ord# &ntil pla$in) it in the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron). This -rin)s him to &nderstand ho, the one is opposed to the other# and that ,henever the s,ord is in line in $ross# the other ma+es &se of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# as the are the oppositions as remains said. There is an a&thor that sa s that the )eneral of line in $ross is not opposed to the ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# nor the )eneral of narro,in) to the )eneral of ,ea+ a-ove the stron)# and he is de$eived# as the ones have the same fa$&lt as the others# in order to -e opposed. In the same $hapter# he sa s that the atajo destro s the )enerals# and it is ver -a$+,ard# as in the arms there are no more atajos than the seven )enerals that I have said# ,ith ,hi$h he is de$eived in that. Whenever the dis$iple has -een as+ed a$$o&nt of the steps# an)les# and movements# and of the ro&nded atajos of spiral lines# to one side and the other# and that the )ive a$$o&nt of the )enerals# all ,ith )reat $alm and pre$ision# one ,ill ret&rn to revie, the )enerals# to the end of ma+in) oppositions of the )eneral of line in

24r $ross and the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# ,ith )reat pre$ision and $a&tion. Dire$tin) him to ta+e a tajo# rippin) the s,ord# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side# the -od remainin) profiled# and the master is re$eived# +illin) the movement a-ove# he pla$es the s,ord $&rved in o-t&se an)le and dire$ts the dis$iple that he thro,s thr&sts# and Andal&sian thr&sts ,ith the arm strai)ht# in the $onformit that remains said# - his o,n steps. .rom here# he ,ill )o pro-in) the dis$iple# as the )eneral of narro,in)# )eneral of ,ea+ a-ove the stron)# hi)h )eneral# and )eneral atajo# and all the other parti$&lar -lo,s# ea$h one in its form# all ield vassala)e to the )eneral of line in $ross and )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# as ,ill )o )ivin) a$$o&nt in this -oo+. I al,a s de$lare the fear that I have that the have not -een a-le to &nderstand me in this t pe of -lo,# - the thin)s that happen to me ea$h da . Those that &nderstand me least are the masters and the men that are tho&)ht of as diestros and +no, these )enerals# -&t don;t +no, to )ive to the dis$iple a$$o&nt of the parts of ea$h one. It is that as the have nat&rali0ed their o,n nat&ral movements# and are in that -ad se$tA the a-ove are the )reatest enemies that I have. %o seein) me# and satisf in) them# and seein) that men that didn;t +no, the arms# in a month the $ompete ,ith them# even ,ith all this# the spea+ in a-sen$e. 1&t s&$h diestros that# ,ith reason# $alm# and pre$ision# loo+ at ea$h thin) ,ill see their de$eit ,ith ease and ,ill ta+e the -est. As soon as the dis$iple ,ill -e dire$ted to the oppositions that ,e have said# that ,hen his s,ord is -elo,# he has to -e on ed)e# and firm# the point stopped# and the point of his s,ord lo,. When it is a-ove# the s,ord has to -e soft in o-t&se an)le# ma+in) &se of the offline. .inall # ,henever it is a-ove# he ,ill &se the line in $ross# and ,hen it is -elo,# the ,ea+ -elo, the stron).

24v 1lo, of perfe$t end.

AVING made atajo of line in $ross# ,hi$h is the first f&ndamental of this s$ien$e# the dis$iple has to -e )iven a$$o&nt of fo&r -lo,s that are possi-le in order to )o satisf in) it and ad"&stin) in the form that ea$h one is done. Havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion# ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# )ive a step from point A to point 1# passin) the s,ord -elo, the opponent;s# ma+in) a half $ir$le# &ntil -ein) pla$ed in )eneral of line in $ross. In the master leavin) -elo,# the dis$iple ,o&nds strai)ht in the $hest or fa$e# -e$a&se he ,ill -e in the proportionate meas&re# and ,ill have )ained the de)rees of profile# and al,a s ,o&ndin) him strai)ht. It is $alled a -lo, of perfe$t end# -e$a&se that ,hi$h the diestro ,anted happened# ,hi$h ,as to leave ,ith -revit # so it ,as $&t short ,itho&t ta+in) a step# ,hi$h

22r is a $&stom that man have of fleein) the s,ord# and not -ein) s&-"e$t. Not -ein) a diestro# he leaves ,itho&t +no,in) to ta+e point of )eneral ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# ne$essaril -ein) ,o&nded. 1lo, of perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e.

AVING made atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# the master;s s,ord ,ill -e still# and he ,ill sa to the dis$iple# that he ta+es a step from point 1 to point C on the $ir$&mferen$e to his ri)ht side# ma+in) a perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e a-ove the master;s s,ord# ,ith ,hi$h it ,ill -e ne$essar to defle$t the s,ord. At the defle$tion and str&))le# he dire$ts the dis$iple to $over the point ,itho&t ta+in) the s,ord -elo,A rather# he has to profile the -od and pla$e the arm ti)ht# pla$in) and lo,erin) the point of the s,ord -elo, the master;s stron) and 8&illons# -rin)in)

22v him to &nderstand that the are in the ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# )ivin) a -lo, in the $hest or fa$e. A $on$l&sion is also possi-le# )ivin) a thr&st or tajo# )ivin) a transverse step ,ith the left foot to the left side. .or the thr&st# the 8&illons have to -e ta+en a-ove# and for the tajo# the 8&illons have to -e ta+en -elo,. A verti$al tajo is also possi-le# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side# the -od remainin) profiled. All this fits in the str&))le that he does# ,hen the )o to ,o&nd him in the fa$e# -&t the dis$iple# - -ein) so ne,# ,ill onl -e told of the -lo, of the demonstration at present# -rin)in) him to &nderstand that the )eneral of line in $ross is fo&nd in the ,ea+ -elo, the stron). Thr&st of half $ir$le.

26r

AVING made a perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e# it ,ill -e ne$essar to defle$t the s,ord# and at the defle$tion and str&))le that the master ,ill ma+e# the s,ord voids -elo,# )ivin) a -lo, in the $hest or fa$e. %o that the dis$iple remains more &nderstandin) and +no,s the val&e and -rotherhood that the )eneral of line in $ross and the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron) have# he is dire$ted that he is $overed from the point# and +no,s that in order to ,o&nd# he passed - the ,ea+ -elo,# onl to ,o&nd strai)ht. In la$+in) the s,ord# it ,ill -e ne$essar that he ma+es a point of the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# in order to -e a-le to ,o&nd freel # -e$a&se altho&)h his s,ord $omes to have rea$h# -e$a&se of the master -ein) free and ,ise in ,o&ndin) and profilin) the -od # it ,ill -e ne$essar to pass his s,ord a-ove the diestro;s 8&illons# and he ,ill -e ,o&nded# havin) $overed the point ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h it. This is the -lindness of man diestros# and I had it for man ears# appearin) to me that in me la$+in) the opposin) s,ord# appl in) m s,ord to the ri)ht an)le and profilin) m -od # I ,o&ld remain defended and ,o&ndA this is the -est of the s$ien$e. 1&t if the ,ise opponent made a point of the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# ti)htenin) the arm# profilin) the -od # )ivin) a small step to his ri)ht side# in s&$h $ase the ri)ht an)le ,ill not -e a-le to serve# onl the opposition. This# or the atajo# s&its that m&$h is parried in it.

26v Parti$&lar thr&st# $apt&rin) the 8&illons.

AVING made a perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e# he ,ill )o to defle$t# p&t in the left foot# )ivin) a $&rved step to Point C and to his left side# ma+in) a movement of in$rease on his s,ord# the hand $apt&rin) the 8&illons. It has to -e p&t in a-ove# and the thr&st has to leave -elo, the master;s $ollateral. The -od has to remain in profile# -ro&)ht $lose to the master;s s,ord# in s&$h $onformit # that altho&)h he ma have a da))er of three 8&arters in the left hand# he doesn;t rea$h to ,o&nd. The perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e has to -e ver firm# in order to o-li)e him to ma+e for$e# and at the for$e that he ,ill ma+e# the -lo, is done ,ith se$&rit . These -lo,s have the -e ta&)ht to the dis$iple ver slo,l # &ntil he &nderstands them# and to the end of him -attlin) - the opposition of the lo, )eneral# ,hi$h s&its.

2Er Verti$al tajo to the head# $apt&rin) the 8&illons.

AVING made a perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e# if he ,ill )o to defle$t at the stron)# ma+e to diminish the movement# loosenin) the s,ord# onl -rin)in) it $lose to the opponent;s# t&rnin) the hand fin)ernails@do,n# en$ir$lin) one;s o,n -od ,ith the s,ord# )ivin) a transverse step# p&ttin) in the left foot# ta+in) a verti$al tajo. The tajo has to leave - the point of the opponent;s s,ord# as &nited to it as the -lo, ,ill re8&ire. If this -lo, is &nderstood# it is -etter and more se$&re than the previo&s. This $an serve ,ith -&$+ler# and da))er# and ,ith da))er alone doin) it is ver important. If it ,ill appear to some s+illed and $&rio&s friend that ,hat I ,rite is not ne,# respond to me# $itin) ,here these -lo,s ,ill -e fo&nd ,ritten ,ith these de$larations# ,hi$h ,ill ma+e me ver pleased.

2Ev 1lo, of verti$al tajo to the head# or dia)onal to the fa$e.

AVING made atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross from point A to point 1# he ,ill not leave# ma+in) a perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e# +eepin) to the re8&isites that ,ere said in the first -lo, of these# and at the defle$tion and str&))le of the opponent# he )ives a step to point C# )ivin) a tajo in the head. At the defle$tion# a thr&st is also possi-le# the diestro5s point passin) -elo, the opponent;s 8&illons# profilin) the -od # and the arm ver strai)ht. !an thin)s have -een offered to me# -&t ma+in) these -lo,s in )reat $alm# pre$ision# and serenit # in order to -e a-le to -e)in to &nderstand this s$ien$e# he ,ill dis$over the rest. These -lo,s have to -e honed and done man da s# ,hi$h to the dis$iples it appears that in t,o or three months the +no, them# and the are de$eivedA this happens to me ea$h da . I have alread said in other parts# and I ,ill al,a s )o repeatin)# that the master has to -e

2Fr a)reea-le and ver rela/ed ,ith his dis$iples# &ntil the are e/perts in the art and s$ien$e. Dire$t them to -attle# and - the -attle he ,ill +no, the 8&alit of ea$h one# and ,ill see if he +no,s the )enerals or not# and if ,hat the dis$iple +no,s ,ill -e ri)oro&s. I have +no,n masters ,ho# in order to )ive a lesson# p&t on 8&ilted "er+ins and steel -reastplates# sho,in) ri)ors ,ith the dis$iplesA it is -e$a&se the don;t +no, to )ive them s$ien$e# the )ive them vanit and sa that ,ith that the are made valiant. Tea$h him s$ien$e# and ,hen he -attles the $annot ,o&nd himA this ,ill ma+e him ,ise and valiant. Parti$&lar -lo, a)ainst the for$e of the opponent.

2Fv

IRECT the dis$iple to ma+e an atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross# -ein) pla$ed in point A ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h this s$ien$e# and to )ive a step to point 1. In this time# the master ma+es for$e on the dis$iple;s s,ord# over$omin) it &ntil he passes it to this other $ir$&mferen$e and the master;s ri)ht side# ,hi$h is ,hat stron) men ,ho +no, little do# ,antin) to s&-"e$t their opponent. 1rin) him to &nderstand that he doesn;t have to str&))leA rather# in feelin) the for$e of the opponent# he has to let the s,ord )o# and in the same time that it is led# he has to profile the -od # ti)hten the arm# $overin) the point and pla$in) the point of the s,ord -elo, the master;s stron) and 8&illons# remainin) in ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill have a -lo, in the opponent;s $hest. In this same str&))le# the fo&r -lo,s that ,ere )iven in the previo&s -lo, of perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e ,ill -e possi-le. .rom here# man other -lo,s are offered to me# ,hi$h e/er$ise ,ill &n$over# -&t it has to )o satisf in) that the dis$iple# in la$+in) line in $ross# ,ill -e fo&nd in ,ea+ -elo, the stron). This is the most important that has to -e done in order to ass&re the dis$iples in this tr&th.

25r Parti$&lar -lo, of 8&arter $ir$le on the inside

AVING made atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross# )ivin) step from point A to point 1 ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the s$ien$e# the master $overs the point# liftin) the 8&illons# the hand fin)ernails@&p# and lo,erin) the point of the s,ord# ,hi$h ma+es &se of the a$&te an)le. The dis$iple ,ill )ive a 8&arter $ir$le a-ove the master;s s,ord# movin) the hand fin)ernails@&p# and p&ttin) the point of his s,ord -elo, the master;s $ross)&ard# ti)htenin) the arm# and profilin) the -od # )ivin) a -lo, in the $hest. The master ,ill remove this thr&st ,ith the $ross)&ard of the 8&illons# dra,in) in the -od # and lo,erin) the hand fin)ernails@do,n# so that the point of the dis$iple;s s,ord leaves - the master;s ri)ht $ollateral. At this time# three -lo,s that

25v the master ma+es ,ill -e possi-le in the str&))le# ,hi$h are rippin) a verti$al tajo or ma+in) t,o $on$l&sions: one ,ith a thr&st and the other ,ith a tajo# as ,as said in this str&))le. 1&t he dire$ts the dis$iple# that at removin) the -lo, of a verti$al tajo# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side# and the master remed in) the tajo# +illin) the movement# that the dis$iple )ives a thr&st# passin) the s,ord -elo, the master;s 8&illons# ti)htenin) the arm# and profilin) the -od . With this# the master ,ill prove to the dis$iple that his opponent -ein) in the ri)ht an)le is the -est post&re that he $an have# and - means of the atajo# he ,ill dis$ompose him and ta+e him from it.

! " # $ T % R I I + & ' T " % V 3 L G # R (ostures that the master must ma/e in order to teach the disci()e+

have said in other parts that the intention of o&r a&thors ,as al,a s to defeat and end the v&l)ar# as men that +ne, the harm that res&lted from it for one that +no,s and &ses it. Not onl did the not th,art it# -&t instead the have a&)mented it# and some ,ise v&l)ars have -een $reated# ,ho are the )reatest enemies of this s$ien$e toda # sa in) and professin) that ,hat the +no, is the tr&th# and that the follo, Commander Geronimo de Carran0a. 9thers sa that the follo, don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0# and to tell the tr&th# neither follo,s either one# -e$a&se in order to follo, the intent and fo&ndation of these t,o a&thors# the ne$essaril have to follo, this -oo+. It ,ill ma+e me happ that there are some $&rio&s that ma+e )ood on these reasons# and ,ant to $ontest it ,ith me# seein) me if possi-le# or ,ith letters# as I +no, that I ,ill satisf him in a ,a that he is satisfied.

2Gr In m ,ritin)s# I $all s&$h masters ,ise v&l)ars# that as the have +no,led)e of the tr&th# the are po,erf&l enemies# and the resist -ein) told that the are all more or less the same# -&t reason $an defeat them. As the have nat&rali0ed their nat&ral movements# the do not ,ant to -e red&$ed to or s&-"e$t to reason# -&t he that is s&-"e$t# and ,ill -e s&-"e$t# to reason ,ill see $learl the de$eit in ,hi$h he lives# as those that $ome into m hands see it. I tr&st in God that I have dis$overed s&$h a mode of tea$hin) ,hi$h ,ill -e eno&)h to finish and $ons&me this -ad v&l)ar se$t# -&t there is a -lemish on it. Th&s# the master has to tea$h it to the dis$iple and )ive him a$$o&nt of the post&res in ,hi$h the opponent $an -e esta-lished# and the remedies a)ainst them. V&l)ar post&re that the master has to do in order to tea$h his dis$iple# and the remedies a)ainst it.

2Gv

LL the time# the dis$iple has to -e esta-lished strai)ht and a$hieve his -lo,s and atajos $onformin) to ,hat the ,ill )o sa in). The master ,ill -rin) the dis$iple to &nderstand that ,ith onl the lo, )eneral# $omposed of t,o )enerals# ,hi$h are the )eneral of line in $ross and the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# he ,ill -e a-le to defeat them all# ,ith the s,ord alone# as ,ell as ,ith do&-le arms. He ,ill -e planted v&l)arl # in the form that the present demonstration si)nifies# ,hi$h ,ill -e in o-t&se an)le# the pommel -elo, the -lade of the hand# in the form of the v&l)ar. Parti$&lar -lo, ,hi$h is $alled to the -od and to the s,ord.

27r

HE master havin) -een planted in a v&l)ar manner# the s,ord in o-t&se an)le# $lose to his ri)ht thi)h# and the dis$iple strai)ht# as said# he dire$ts him to ma+e atajo ,ith the )eneral of line in $ross on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side# )ivin) a $&rved step from point A to point 1 in this form. Havin) -een esta-lished strai)ht# the point of the dis$iple;s s,ord $lose to the lo,er $ross)&ard of the masters 8&illons# in order to ,o&nd the opponent# the point of the s,ord ,ill travel a-ove the master;s 8&illons# )oin) to ,o&nd him strai)ht. The -od to the atajo# and the s,ord to the master;s -od # and -e$a&se of that it is $alled a -lo, that )oes to the -od and the s,ord. It has to -e advised# that ,henever that the diestro ,ill not find the s,ord strai)ht# in order to do the )eneral of line in $ross on it# it has to -e $alled line in $ross# onl )ivin) a $&rved step from point A to point 1# the point of the s,ord travelin) to the opponent;s nose and fa$e# reservin) another -lo, in the arm that has to pass and ma+e &se of the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron).

27v Parti$&lar -lo, that $omes to -e ,ea+ -elo, the stron)

HE master havin) -een planted $&rved and the dis$iple in ri)ht an)le# if he ,ill )o to ,o&nd him in the fa$e# as is said# )ivin) a $&rved step from Point A to Point 1 ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# it ,ill -e ne$essar to defle$t. Dire$t the dis$iple# that he $overs the point# and ti)htens the arm# profiles the -od # pla$in) the point of his s,ord -elo, the opponent;s stron) and 8&illons# )ivin) a -lo, in the fa$e or $hest# $overin) the point# and ,ith )reat speed. Ho,ever# so that the dis$iple )oes fi/ed in the )enerals# he ,ill remain in the ,ea+ -elo, the stron). Here# fo&r -lo,s are possi-le in the str&))le that the opponent ma+es# ,hi$h ,ill -e of that ,hi$h has -een said: a verti$al tajo#

2Hr )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side# and t,o $on$l&sions# p&ttin) in the left foot# one ,ith a tajo# ma+in) a movement of $on$l&sion# ta+in) the s,ord -elo,# and another ,ith a thr&st# ta+in) the 8&illons a-ove. V&l)ar post&re# ,hi$h is testin) CtentarD the s,ord# and the remedies a)ainst it.

HE master has to al,a s s&ppose that the most important is to defeat the v&l)ar# so that the dis$iples are diestros# and the s$ien$e remains fi/ed# destro in) this -ad se$t# and &ndoin) the de$eit in ,hi$h men live. The master has to -e$ome v&l)ar on o$$asion# tea$hin) the dis$iple the name that this post&re ,ill ta+e as he ,ill stri+e# remainin) free# -e$a&se ,henever he is offered to -attle ,ith the pla ers ,hi$h the v&l)ar $alls old pla ers

2Hv $&d)ellers# he is not fo&nd short# rather he ,o&nds him ,ith se$&rit and $o&ra)e# as he ,ill +no, the advanta)e that he has. The master ,ill dire$t the dis$iple to -e planted in ri)ht an)le ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# and the master is planted $&rved# pla$in) the point of the s,ord over the dis$iple;s# as the present demonstration si)nifies# and he ,ill -rin) him to &nderstand that havin) made this atajo# he left to ,o&nd# )ivin) a step to his left side# ,hi$h ,ill -e ,hat ,ill appear -est# - -ein) his o,n nat&re# and that ,hi$h the masters and ,ise a&thors tea$h. Dealin) ,ith this same -lo, in their -oo+s# the )ive it as a $o&nter# that in him ma+in) the atajo# ,ith a step of three feet to his ri)ht side# the )ive a -lo, in the opponent;s ri)ht e e. It is a nota-le error# -e$a&se in leavin) -elo,# the one )ivin) the atajo ,ill ma+e another atajo# )ivin) the dive Czam.u))idaD or a $on$l&sion. %o that the dis$iple is fi/ed in this s$ien$e# the master ,ill dire$t him to leave to ,o&nd ,ith this false step# and ret&rn to )ive atajo to the s,ord on the o&tside# ma+in) said thr&st# that is done fin)ernails@do,n# ,hi$h is that ,hi$h the $ele-rate m&$h# ,hi$h the diestro ,ill remain ,o&nded. .&rther# leavin) - said step# - onl -ein) pla$ed in ri)ht an)le# he ,ill ,o&nd him# -e$a&se he )oes see+in) the len)th of his arm and his profile. This t pe of -lo,# ,ise tea$hin)# serves for defense from the diestros that )ive atajo - the tr&e destreza# and it ,ill -e ne$essar then to ma+e &se of the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# and if not# the ,ill -e ,o&nded. It ,ill -e ta&)ht in this form: the master havin) made this post&re and atajo of the present demonstration# the dis$iple ,ill leave to ,o&nd# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side# ta+in) the s,ord -elo, the master;s# onl pla$in) it strai)ht to the fa$e. 1e ,arned that the master sometimes has to ma+e an atajo ma+in) a -a$+,ard step# and other times -ein) still ,itho&t ta+in) the step. 9ther times he has to $&t it short )ivin) a step ,ith a $&rved atajo#

63r others strai)ht# p&ttin) himself in ,ith it# in order to tea$h the dis$iple ,hen he has to leave ,ith the s,ord to the fa$e# )ivin) a -a$+,ard# for,ard# or lateral step. With this# he ,ill not -e fo&nd $onf&sed in the -attle. It tea$hes him that if the opponent p&ts himself in to the atajo too m&$h# to ma+e a $on$l&sion. In the dis$iple $omin) to &nderstand this t pe of -attle# he ,ill -e defended ,ith ease from all t pe of post&res and +no, the little val&e that the have. Parti$&lar -lo,# that is named to the -od and to the s,ord.

HE master havin) v&l)arl tested the s,ord# havin) it in o-t&se an)le# the feet disproportionate# he ,ill dire$t the dis$iple to ta+e the s,ord -elo, his 8&illons# the arm strai)ht# onl -ein) pla$ed strai)ht to the master;s fa$e#

63v )ivin) a $&rved step on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side from point A to point 1. It ,ill -e ne$essar for the master to remove it and ma+e a defle$tion# and ,ith this# the dis$iple;s s,ord ,ill remain in the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill ,o&nd ,ith a thr&st or tajo. He al,a s has to $a&tion the dis$iple that# in passin) his s,ord -elo, the opponent;s# he has to $hoose the point of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# profilin) the -od # and ti)htenin) the arm. This is important in order to ass&re him in the s$ien$e# and $a&tion him that ,hen the opponent ma+es these post&res# that he al,a s has to reserve for$e in the armA ma+in) an atta$+ of a -lo, ,ith said atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross# the e/e$&tion of the -lo, has to -e ,ith the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron). !athemati$al demonstration of the verti$al tajo.

64r This -lo, follo,s from the previo&s# havin) )one to ,o&nd the fa$e ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# at the defle$tion )ive a verti$al tajo# )ivin) another $&rved step to his ri)ht side# from point 1 to point C# the -od profiled and the arm strai)ht. At the defle$tion of the tajo# tea$h the dis$iple that he )ives a thr&st in the $hest or fa$e# passin) the s,ord -elo, the 8&illons of the master;s s,ord# and the master ,ill remove the thr&sts to one side or the other# havin) the s,ord in o-t&se an)le. The thr&sts have to -e havin) the hand fin)ernails@ &p# the arm strai)ht# the -od &pri)ht# made ,ith onl the ,rist. The master ,ill thro, himself -elo,# to p&t himself in# in order to $at$h the 8&illons. He tea$hes that he doesn;t flee# rather -ind his s,ord ,ith the master;s# p&ttin) in the left foot# ma+in) a movement of $on$l&sion. Demonstration of the v&l)ar -lo, of al,a s $rossin) the s,ord to the -od .

64v

T has -een $&stom# not onl amon) v&l)ar masters# -&t in the )reater part of men# to sa ,hen one )oes to fi)ht# he ,ill invite C))amarD him# thro,in) a ripped tajo Crom(idoD# the -od remainin) &n$overed. It ,ill -e thro,n to me li+e this to ,o&nd me# thin+in) to -rin) me r&nnin)# and in the time that it is thro,n# he ,ill ,ithdra, the s,ord# p&ttin) it to me# )ivin) a -lo, ,ith it. It ,ill -e done ,ell - man # - $omin) a$ross fearf&l men. I find this to -e part of s$ien$e# and that ,hi$h ,as ta&)ht to me# ,ith ,hi$h I defeated man # that ,ere said to have the tr&th. Th&s# it s&its that the master )ives a$$o&nt to the dis$iples of the post&res and de$eits# -e$omin) the v&l)ar# rippin) a tajo# pla$in) the s,ord a$ross his $hest# dire$tin) the dis$iple to -e planted in ri)ht an)le on point A# and to )ive a step to point 1# the s,ord strai)ht to the master;s fa$e. Defle$tin) the point in order to p&t in -elo,# ,hi$h is ,hat the desire in order to ma+e their -lo,# the dis$iple ,ill re$eive it ,ith the point of the s,ord# $omin) to &nderstand that he passed - the ,ea+ -elo, the stron).

62r 1lo, of ,ea+ -elo, the stron).

AVING made a perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e# )ivin) a $&rved step from point A to point 1# that he ,ill )o to defle$t# it ,ill -e ne$essar to ta+e the point of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# )ivin) him a -lo, in the $hest# the -od ver strai)ht and profiled. He ,ill also -e a-le to )ive a verti$al tajo# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side. At the remed in) of the tajo# a thr&st in the $hest is possi-le# passin) the s,ord -elo, the opponent;s 8&illons# ma+in) a -a$+,ard C. These seven -lo,s are eno&)h in order to defeat the v&l)ar# ta&)ht in this form that I ,ill sa . The master havin) dire$ted the dis$iple to do one of these te$hni8&es# he ,ill )ive him this endA ,hen the dis$iple ,o&nds him# he ,ill remove the s,ord in the v&l)ar mode a-ove# havin) his in o-t&se an)le# and it ,ill -e

62v removed to one side or the other. The dis$iple thro,s thr&sts ,isel # feintin) one and )ivin) another# the arm strai)ht# the hand fin)ernails@&p# and ,ith these thr&sts# he does not have to let the v&l)ar in# as it is al,a s his desire to enter in order to ,o&nd fin)ernails@do,n ,hi$h# as the are $&rved# $annot ,o&nd at len)th# and th&s the desire to enter. Ho,ever# ,e )o ,ith him enterin)# p&ttin) in the left footA tea$h him that he doesn;t defle$t the s,ord# rather that he ma+es firmness on it# p&ttin) in the left foot# )ivin) a transverse step to his left side# $apt&rin) the 8&illons. This does not have to -e pardoned# as it is the diestro5s safet . Also# tea$h him that if he doesn;t ,ant to $at$h the 8&illons# he )ives a lateral and -a$+,ard step to his ri)ht side# ,o&ndin) him ,ith a thr&st# -&t for no,# it is -etter to tea$h him to $at$h the 8&illons. .inall # follo, the oppositions of the )eneral of line in $ross and ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# ,hi$h is the &niversal of this s$ien$e# as in la$+in) it# he la$+s ever thin). As ,ell as I have said# the master has to involve all his intent in it# and in this form# he ,ill -e a-le to &nderstand and th,art all the post&res that a man $an ma+e# travelin) - these )enerals# al,a s attendin) to the ri)ht an)le# formin) -lo,s from the opponent;s movements.

66r 1lo, of verti$al tajo.

HE dis$iple havin) made an atajo of line in $ross# )ivin) a $&rved step from point A to point 1# the master leavin) to ,o&nd ,ith a thr&st# rip a tajo# helpin) it ,ith his o,n movement# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side. At the defle$tion of the tajo# )ive a thr&st in the $hest# passin) the s,ord -elo, the master;s. Altho&)h the master leaves ,ith a tajo# the tajo is possi-le ,ith the same movement# and step.

66v %a)itta# ,hi$h is the opposition of line in $ross.

LL -lo,s have their oppositions# ,hi$h are $alled $o&nters in $o&rse lan)&a)e. Th&s# the master ,ill )ive a$$o&nt to the dis$iple# )oin) to ma+e an atajo of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1. At the -e)innin) of the movement# the master ,ill )ive another step# also from point A to his point 1# )ivin) a thr&st -elo, the arm# or in the $hest# the arm tense# and the -od profiled.

6Er With the demonstration a-ove# this -lo, of reves ,ith a deviation ,ill -e &nderstood.

LL these -lo,s are done for the p&rpose of +no,in) ho, to do the )enerals -etter. Havin) made the atajo of line in $ross# )ivin) a $&rved step from point A to point 1# the master leavin) to ,o&nd the $hest# the dis$iple ,ill )ive a transverse step to point C# ma+in) a ne, atajo in a $ir$le# follo,in) the s,ord# ver &nited to it. At the end of ma+in) the $ir$le# he ,ill ma+e a deviation to,ard the point of the opposin) s,ord# )ivin) a reves in the head ,ith a ro&nded $ir$le# and at the remed in) of the reves# a tajo is possi-le# ma+in) a movement of $on$l&sion# or )ivin) a tajo# removin) the foot# and profilin) the -od . At the ori)ination of this reves# the opponent $an $reate another reves ,ith the ,rist# defle$tin) the s,ord# )ivin) a $&rved step ,ith the left foot to the left side. A tajo is also possi-le a)ainst this reves# ta+in) it to the -ase of the left thi)h# ,hi$h ,ill arrive first - havin) less to )o. It is ,hen he ma+es the deviation in order to )ive the reves# ta+in) the tajo. The &se ,ill )o &n$overin) this.

6Ev 1lo, of ,hole $ir$le# $apt&rin) the 8&illons.

AN( a&thors have not follo,ed this )eneral - not +no,in) its val&e# and ,hat is important in order to +no, this s$ien$e. It is done - havin) made an atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross# )ivin) a $&rved step from point A to point 1 ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art. The master leavin) to ,o&nd# he ,ill )ive a transverse step to Point C ,ith the left foot# $apt&rin) the 8&illons# ma+in) a ne, atajo on the s,ord in a $ir$le ,itho&t separatin) from it# &ntil p&ttin) in the hand# or the da))er# -&$+ler# or $loa+.

6Fr The demonstration pre$edin) this# ,hi$h is the -lo, of ,hole $ir$le# $apt&rin) the 8&illons# serves for the present -lo,.

1lo, of half tajo to the fa$e.

L%9 havin) made an atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross# from point A to point 1# the master leavin) to ,o&nd# ma+e a ne, atajo# )ivin) a $&rved step to point C# p&ttin) in the left foot# )ivin) a half tajo in the fa$e. At the defle$tion of the half tajo# )ive another tajo# removin) the foot# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side# the -od remainin) profiled# or $apt&re the 8&illons ,itho&t movin)# )ivin) a tajo# and pla$in) the s,ord strai)ht to the fa$e# and the hand firm on the s,ord.

6Fv Thr&st ,ith a movement of in$rease# $apt&rin) the 8&illons.

HE thr&st that ,e )o dealin) ,ith is done from havin) made an atajo from point A to point 1. The master ,ill leave to ,o&nd# and the dis$iple ,ill ma+e a movement of in$rease# &nited to his s,ord# r&nnin) it -elo,# $lose to the master;s 8&illons# p&ttin) the left foot to point C# ma+in) a movement of $on$l&sion# )ivin) a thr&st. The hand has to $at$h the 8&illons a-ove# and $over the point at the movement of in$rease.

65r 1lo, of tajo of se$ond intention# $apt&rin) the 8&illons.

HE !aster has to tea$h the dis$iple in the ad"&stment of this )eneral# that it is made - havin) the dis$iple )ive an atajo from point A to point 1A the master ,ill leave to ,o&nd# and the dis$iple ,ill )ive a transverse step ,ith the left foot to point C# -rin)in) his s,ord $lose to the opponent;s# and to his o,n -od # t&rnin) the hand fin)ernails@do,n. He ,ill )ive a tajo# $apt&rin) the 8&illons# and the hand has to -e p&t in -elo,.

65v Verti$al tajo at the -e)innin) of the movement.

L%9# ,hen he )oes to ma+e an atajo from point A to point 1# )ive a step from point A to point 1# )ivin) a tajo. With this the arm is e/er$isedA it )oes ma+in) a man lord of this s$ien$e# and the masters ,ill ma+e room for these -lo,s so that he does and &nderstands them# &ntil he is a diestro. The ri)ht an)le &ndoes all this# &nited ,ith the )enerals# -&t it is ne$essar that one has to s&ffer# and another has to ,or+# in order to -e a-le to )o &nderstandin) this s$ien$e# in order to -e a-le to ,or+ ,ith ri)or after.

6Gr

1lo, of movement of in$rease.

-lo, is also possi-le at the -e)innin) of the movement in this form: ,hen the opponent )oes to ma+e the line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# r&n the s,ord -elo,# p&ttin) the left foot to point C# $apt&rin) the 8&illons# )ivin) a thr&stA the s,ord has to -e ta+en a-ove. Also# ,hen he )oes to ma+e the )eneral of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# )ive a $&rved step to point C in the same instant ,ith a movement of in$rease# ta+in) a tajo# and $apt&rin) the 8&illons.

#tajo of movement of de$rease a)ainst the line in $ross.

T is $ertainA ,hen he )oes to ma+e an atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1 on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side# at the -e)innin) of movement# $reate ne, for$e# ma+in) a movement of de$rease# slidin) the s,ord to,ard the point of the opponent;s &ntil pla$in) it on point 6 of the opponent;s# and his on point G# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# as the $ir$le# +e # and )overnor si)nifies# ma+in) the same atajo to the adversar . Ho,ever# it is then a-le to -e transferred to the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# ,hi$h is ,hat remedies all# and ,hi$h is eno&)h# +no,in) it ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h it. 9ne ,o&ld -e ,ell a-le to repl to me# that as I have said in man parts# that onl this# and the )eneral of line in $ross# ,ere eno&)h# so that the are done s&$h# and so different. To that I respond that

6Gv it is onl done so that the diestro is satisfied and +no,s all the movements and post&res that men $an do in tr&th# and in tri$+s# and that nothin) is altered or )iven $a&tion in order to +no, ho, to do it -etter. To this end# all these demonstrations are done. In the diestro &sin) them# e/er$ise ,ill satisf him of all# and ,ill )ive him man others ,hi$h I $annot pla$e - demonstrations. Th&s# it has to -e s&pposed all the time# the man not -ein) in the $ertaint of the steps and atajos# +no,in) the seven )enerals# the opposition of them# and the dis$o&rse of all these parti$&lar -lo,s# in the form that ea$h one ields vassala)e. Insom&$h as the s,ord has to a$$o&nt that it is )lass# ,hat is important is that it is not -ro+en# altho&)h one has to $onsider that it is steel in order to ,or+. All this is )ood for the diestro to +no,# and he has to learn it ,ith serenit and pr&den$e# &ntil -ein) fo&nd in it# and after he ,ill -e a-le to ,or+ it ,ith ri)or and $o&ra)e# as ,hoever $omes to &nderstand it.

67r 1lo, of 8&arter $ir$le from strai)ht to strai)ht.

EING esta-lished strai)ht# havin) the s,ord o$$&p in) the a$&te an)le# the diestro ,ill -e esta-lished strai)ht# $hoosin) the meas&re of proportion. Conformin) to the pre$epts of the art# he ,ill pla$e the point of his s,ord to the o&tside of the &pper $ross)&ard of the opponent;s s,ord# in the form that he $an ,o&nd him ,ith onl a for,ard movement# and this ,ill -e movement in the ,a . This -lo, is possi-le ea$h time that the opponent ma+es room - the post&re. The oppositions of this -lo, are threeA at the time that he )oes ma+in) to t&rn the hand fin)ernails@do,n# the same ,ill -e )iven to the opponent. At the time that it is -ein) done# )ive a step to the ri)ht side# onl voidin) the s,ord# and he ,ill find it a-ove and ,ill -e a-le to )ive a tajo or half reves to the fa$e# or a thr&st. Also# at the )oin) to ma+e this

67v atajo# void the s,ord ,ith li-eralit # -ein) pla$ed strai)ht to the fa$e# and he ,ill ,o&nd free. I have alread said man times that all this s&its in order to +no, the )enerals -etter# and to lose fear. General of narro,in) is the present demonstration.

HI% -lo,# ,hi$h is the )eneral of narro,in)# ,ill -e ne$essar for &s to &se for the tea$hin) of this s$ien$e# as it is one of the prin$ipal points of it. It is done in this form: havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion on point A# )ive a $&rved step on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side to point 1# passin) the s,ord a-ove the opposin)# )ivin) it a t&rn aro&nd# ma+in) a ,hole $ir$le ,ith onl the ,rist. Havin) the -od al,a s -ehind the s,ord# the hand has to remain fin)ernails@&p# the s,ord in o-t&se an)le# in s&$h $onformit that the opponent;s point is $lose

6Hr to the diestro5s 8&illons# as the present demonstration si)nifies. Pla$in) the hand fin)ernails@&p appears to me to -e -etter than fin)ernails@do,n# -e$a&se ,henever the opponent narro,s me in )eneral atajo# I ,ill ma+e &se of the )eneral of narro,in)# - onl ma+in) a movement of de$rease# t&rnin) the hand fin)ernails@&p# and )ivin) a lateral and -a$+,ard step to m ri)ht side# ,ith ,hi$h one ,ill remain defended and ,o&nd his opponent. General of ,ea+ a-ove the stron).

HE )eneral of ,ea+ a-ove the stron) is done in this form: havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion as is said# )ive a step from point A to point 1 on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side# the -od profiled# onl pla$in) the point of the s,ord

6Hv a-ove the opponent;s stron) and 8&illons# remainin) in the proportionate meas&re# that ,ill -e ,o&ndin) freel . This -lo, is ver $omforta-le for those that esta-lish v&l)arl # ,hi$h is in the mode of de$eit that -aits them# appearin) to them that t&rnin) the hand fin)ernails@do,n# the ,ill )ive a -lo, in the fa$e or $hest# p&ttin) in the left foot. As the $hest or fa$e is so $lose to the point of the diestro5s s,ord# he is fo&nd ,o&nded ,itho&t thin+in). Ea$h da rare thin)s happen to me# that I ,on;t re$o&nt so that this is not lon). It is ver important that the dis$iple +no,s these t,o )enerals# that are points ,here the have to al,a s -e)in to pla # - one of the seven )enerals that ,e )o dealin) ,ith in this -oo+. Altho&)h these are s&-"e$t to line in $ross and ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# as ,ill -e seen in -e)innin) to -attle ,ith them# that then he ,ill -e fo&nd in line in $ross and ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# and these are -lo,s that the dis$iple onl has to +no,# and no more# &ntil he is a diestro+ In -e)innin) to tea$h others# it is nota-l harmf&l# as d&e to the lon) e/perien$e that I have# I find that the have in some form part of the v&l)ar nat&re of man# and ,ith these it is eas for a man to )o to the v&l)ar. I have proven this ,ell# and I find infinite st&dio&s masters that all -e)an to tea$h - the )eneral of narro,in)A the ta&)ht me the tr&th - it# as I had also ta&)ht# &ntil I dis$overed this method. 1e)innin) - it is nota-l harmf&l# and the dis$iples ,ill -e v&l)ar )rafts# and this ,a the onl have to -e revie,ed and ad"&sted &ntil he is a diestro.

E3r Hi)h )eneral# $omposed of t,o )enerals.

HE hi)h )eneral is $omposed of these t,o said )enerals# and is done in this form. Havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion in point A# )ive a $&rved step on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side to point 1# passin) the s,ord a-ove the opponent;s# ma+in) a ro&nded $ir$le# -e)innin) - the )eneral of narro,in)# and not stoppin) the $ir$le &ntil lo,erin) and pla$in) his s,ord in the )eneral of ,ea+ a-ove the stron)# from ,here he ,ill ,o&nd freel . I pla$ed this as the hi)h )eneral# $omposed of t,o )enerals# -e$a&se it is started a-ove and finished a-ove.

E3v The dis$iple has to -e dire$ted to )ive a$$o&nt of# do# and ad"&st to these )enerals. In doin) this )eneral# deviations and -lo,s are possi-le# that he ,ill dis$over the &se of# as I have said. 1lo, of perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e.

AVING made the atajo and )eneral of narro,in) )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# as is said# the s,ord remainin) in o-t&se an)le# if he ,ill not leave# )o to ,o&nd him in the fa$e a-ove his s,ord# ,itho&t separatin) from it. At the liftin) of the 8&illons# )ive him a thr&st in the $hest# $overin) the point. If he ,ill defle$t to the inside# a thr&st in the fa$e is possi-le# passin) the s,ord -elo, his 8&illons. At the defle$tion# a reves ,ith the ,rist to the head or arm is possi-le.

E4r At the defle$tion# a verti$al tajo is possi-le# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side. At the defle$tion# a thr&st $apt&rin) the 8&illons# and a tajo $apt&rin) the 8&illons are possi-le. .or the tajo the hand has to -e p&t in -elo,# and for the thr&st# a-ove. %a)itta on the inside.

LL these -lo,s are done for the p&rpose of -etter +no,in) the )enerals that are done. Havin) made an atajo and )eneral of narro,in)# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# and )oin) to ,o&nd him in the fa$e# if he ,ill lift the 8&illons# drop the point to the $hest# $overin) the point# ver &nited to the s,ord.

E4v 1lo, of verti$al tajo.

T
H

HI% tajo is done in this form: havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion on point A# )ive a step to point 1# doin) the hi)h )eneral# ,hi$h is started - the )eneral of narro,in). At the end of the $ir$le# the s,ord ,ill -e fo&nd a-ove# and in that time# ma+e a deviation to,ard the point of the opponent;s s,ord# )ivin) a ro&nded tajo in the head# and at the defle$tion# a thr&st in the fa$e or $hest. Half reves to the fa$e. The previo&s demonstration ,ill -e &nderstood for this same reves. AVING made an atajo of hi)h )eneral# )ivin) a $&rved step from point A to point 1 to his ri)ht side# the s,ords

E2r remainin) in the middle of their lon)it&des# or len)th# so that the diestro5s s,ord ,ill -e a-ove# he ,ill )ive a half reves to the fa$e. !an other te$hni8&es are offered# -&t these are eno&)h in order to )o &nderstandin) -etter the seven )enerals on ,hi$h this s$ien$e is fo&nded. Thr&st at the -e)innin) of the movement# ,hi$h is an opposition to the )eneral of line in $ross.

have said in man parts that this variet of -lo,s and post&res is onl done for the p&rpose of +no,in) the )enerals -etter# ,hi$h are the fo&ndation of all this s$ien$e# and a -lo, $annot -e ima)ined that does not ield vassala)e to its prin$iple. This demonstration ,ill tea$h the dis$iple in this form# ,hat is the $o&nter and opposition of the )eneral of line in $ross. The diestro -ein) fore,arned# ,hen the opponent )oes to do the line in $ross#

E2v )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# the diestro )ives another step on the $ir$le# also from point A to point 1# )ivin) a -lo, in the $hest or fa$e. Also# it tea$hes the dis$iple the opposite of this# ,hi$h is: )oin) to )ive atajo of line in $ross# if he ,ill leave to ,o&nd# he ,ill )o to atajo ,ith $a&tion# the arm strai)ht# the -od profiled# ma+in) the atajo ,ith onl the ,rist# remittin) the s,ord# the -od -ehind the 8&illons. La$+in) the s,ord# $ome $lose to it ,ith ad"&stment# and he ,ill )ive the same -lo,. A tajo is possi-le here at the -e)innin) of movement# )ivin) the same steps from point A to point 1. All this &ndoes the ri)ht an)le. General atajo on the $ir$&mferen$e to the left side.

HI% atajo is ,hat the previo&s demonstration si)nifies# ,hi$h ,e have said in the form that the dis$iple has to )o

E6r &nderstandin) &ntil he $omes to a state of +no,in)# as he onl has to )o tea$hin) him in ro&nded atajos# as is said. All the masters tea$h - this part at the -e)innin)# and it is nota-l harmf&l to the dis$iple# altho&)h it is ta&)ht - the pre$epts of the same tr&th. Considerin) man times )oin) in vario&s tho&)hts# desiro&s of +no,in) ,hat the reason ,o&ld -e that all the masters# v&l)ar and tr&e# had al,a s ta&)ht and still tea$h on the inside# some &sin) the v&l)ar# ,hi$h is ,hen the ta+e the s,ord on the inside# )ivin) the step to his ri)ht side# ,hi$h is false# and other masters that are seen as ,ise and st&dio&s -e)in to tea$h - this part# )ivin) the steps on the $ir$&mferen$e to his left side# ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h on the same tr&thA this is nota-l harmf&l# and a )reat fail&re. %ee+in) the reason and seein) that these masters had -oo+s $a&sed me astonishment# parti$&larl that of the Greatness of the %,ord# in ,hi$h o&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o tea$hes &s# and pla$es in his fo&rth part# ,hi$h is the -est that has -een ,ritten# fort @fo&r -lo,s that all -e)in on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side. Considerin) that the masters didn;t ma+e )ood on this# seein) it so $lear# this has astonished me for some ears# and that even the ,isest a&thors# in the parts in ,hi$h the p&t more $are# that it ,as in the &niversal# the also erred in the steps and the te$hni8&es. All this -ro&)ht me )reat $onf&sion# &ntil God had -een served that I fo&nd the fail&re# ,hi$h is man;s o,n nat&re# and th&s it has to -e resisted and removed first# as is said. The ,isest masters# ,hen the ,ant to do a dis$iple more honor# tea$h him - the )eneral of narro,in)# ,hi$h is o&t of time. The had -e)&n to tea$h me - this# and all this has part of the v&l)ar# and -e)innin) to tea$h - it is a nota-le

E6v fail&re. 1e$a&se a man is nat&rali0ed# he hates the artifi$ial movements# ,hi$h are those that )ive &s advanta)e# and he flees from line in $ross# ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# and from its oppositions# this -ein) the most important and most no-le# as a man not +no,in) it ,ill remain v&l)ar. This atajo, sa s an a&thor# is s&perior to the )enerals and destro s them. He lives de$eived# as this atajo is s&-"e$t to the )eneral of narro,in) and the )eneral of line in $ross# as ,ill -e seen in the demonstrations that are opposed to it. This atajo is ver heav to +no,# and in order to +no, it# one has to +eep to the re8&isites that have -een said in the $ir$le# +e # and )overnor. No, I ,ill ret&rn to sa the most ad"&sted that I ,ill -e a-le# that this atajo is ver dan)ero&s if it is not done ,ith its re8&isites# and it is +no,n as the -est and most po,erf&l that there is in the s$ien$e. E/$ept that it is e/e$&tor# not +eepin) to the $o&rtesies that the other )enerals have to +eep to# ,hi$h after made and $hosen# it ,ill -e in the diestro5s hand to ,o&nd or not# and this ,ill -e ,itho&t losin). In this atajo it is not# as it is ne$essar to e/e$&te it ,itho&t e/e$&tin) his -lo,# his s,ord ,ill remain in ,orse stateA -&t then he ,ill -e a-le to ma+e &se of the lo, )eneral# ,hi$h is the remed of all. This atajo is done in this form: havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion on point A# )ive a $&rved step on the $ir$&mferen$e to the left side to point D# ta+in) the opponent;s s,ord on the inside# ma+in) atajo on it# the p&lse tempered# and the -od # step# and s,ord at the same time. The -od remains s8&ared# in s&$h $onformit that the left sho&lder $onfines ,ith the opponent;s ri)ht# the s,ords in the middle of their lon)it&des# or len)ths# the s,ord offline# the hand almost in front of the ri)ht thi)h. The s,ords -ein) in this form# it ,ill -e ne$essar that in order for the s&-"e$ted s,ord to leave# it has fo&r movements# ,hi$h are: one nat&ral to lo,er# one ali)nin) lateral# passin) -elo,# one violent in order to raise &p# and one for,ard to ,o&nd.

EEr The diestro5s ,ill not have ne$essit of -ein) more than one mi/ed movement in order to ,o&nd# and as one is -efore fo&r# he ,ill -e for$ed to -e ,o&nded. 1efore I +ne, this atajo# I made one# and toda I also tea$h it# ver po,erf&l# more for the men ,ho don;t let o& ta+e the s,ordA it is done in this form: the meas&re of proportion $hosen# )o to see+ the s,ord ver &nited to it# the hand almost fin)ernails@&p# the -od profiled# the arm strai)htA and in )oin) to his s,ord# in la$+in) it# ma+e a ro&nded $ir$le on it ,itho&t losin) it# and - the ri)ht an)le ,o&nd the opponent - his same ed)es. This is an important -lo, and atajo a)ainst man -lo,s# as he that ,ill ma+e &se of it ,ill see. Thr&st of perfe$t end.

AVING made atajo from point A to point D ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# if the adversar leaves

EEv -elo, to ,o&nd the $hest# ,o&nd him in ri)ht an)le# -e$a&se his s,ord ,ill travel on the ar$# and the diestro5s on the $hord. 1lo, of ,hole $ir$le.

AVING made an atajo from point A to point D ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# if the opponent ,ill have the arm ver strai)ht and leave ,ith -revit # $overin) the point to those s&$h# ,o&nd them in a $ir$le# pla$in) the -od profiled# ,itho&t losin) the s,ord. It is a ver se$&re -lo,# and more for some ver s+illed# that have it - s$ien$e that# in their s,ord -ein) -elo,# the onl ta+e it in order to pla$e it a-oveA ,ith this ro&nded -lo,# the find themselves in the air and ,o&nded. The -lo, ro&nded in a ,hole $ir$le# ,itho&t losin) the $onta$t of the s,ord# in this -lo, as ,ell as in the rest# is ver advanta)eo&s and se$&reA at the first lift# the diestro ,ill +no, the opponent;s pla .

EFr Th&s# I sa that in so far as this atajo# if the opponent ,ill have his arm ver strai)ht# ,o&nd him in a $ir$le ,ith the -od profiled# and if it ,ill -e $&rved# ,o&nd him s8&ared# a-ove his s,ord# the arm strai)ht. The diestro al,a s has to reserve for$e in his arm# and it does not have to -e thro,n to ,o&nd if he doesn;t see the -lo,# onl -ein) applied to his )enerals# ,hi$h ,ill -e dis$overed ,ith se$&rit . J&arter $ir$le on the o&tside.

AVING made an atajo from point A to point D ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art# if he ,ill raise a point ,itho&t ta+in) o&t the s,ord# and ,ill lo,er the point in a$&te an)le# )ive him a 8&arter $ir$le in the ri)ht $ollateral on the o&tside# ver &nited to the s,ord# ,itho&t losin) it# and form -lo,s from his movements.

EFv Perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e.

T is plain# that havin) made a )eneral atajo from point A to point D# if he ,ill not leave to ,o&nd# he has to atta$+ him to the fa$e# ,itho&t separatin) from the s,ord# rather ver &nited ,ith it# )&idin) the point to his fa$e# -ehind the $ross)&ard of his s,ord. At the liftin) of the 8&illons in order to $over the fa$e# )ive him a -lo, in the $hest# $overin) the point# liftin) the 8&illons# so that if he ,ill ,ant to ,o&nd# he )ives it in the 8&illons. All these -lo,s have to )o -ein) done# the one s&fferin)# and the other ,or+in)# in order to )o +no,in) more.

E5r Reves ,ith the ,rist.

T is $ertain# that havin) made a perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e# if he ,ill defle$t the point of the s,ord to the inside# )ive him a reves ,ith the ,rist in the head or arm# ta+in) the s,ord - the point of the opponent;s# ma+in) a ro&nded $ir$le ,ith the ,rist. At the defle$tion# a verti$al tajo is possi-le# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side# or a $on$l&sion p&ttin) in the left foot# )ivin) a transverse step.

E5v Verti$al tajo of se$ond intention.

T is said# that havin) thro,n the reves# if he ,ill ma+e a defle$tion# that it ,ill -e ne$essar to )ive him a verti$al tajo# )ivin) a step to point C to his ri)ht side. At the remed of the tajo# )ive him a thr&st in the $hest# passin) the s,ord -elo, the opponent;s 8&illons. Reves of se$ond intention. In this the demonstration a-ove is &nderstood. HI% reves is in the same $onformit as the previo&s# e/$ept that havin) made the atajo from point A to point D#

EGr at him ma+in) the defle$tion# )ive him a reves ,ith the ,rist# ta+in) the s,ord - the point of the opposin)# )ivin) a step to point C. When he )oes to remed the reves# )ive him a tajo# $apt&rin) the 8&illons. 1lo, of ,hole $ir$le# $apt&rin) the 8&illons.

T is $ertain# that havin) made an atajo# )ivin) a $&rved step from point A to point D# if he ,ill leave to ,o&nd# t&rn to ma+e another atajo in a $ir$le# ,itho&t losin) the s,ord or the $onta$t# &ntil the s,ords ret&rn to the diestro5s left side# p&ttin) in the left foot# )ivin) a $&rved step to point C# $apt&rin) the 8&illons. The hand has to $at$h the s,ord -elo, in a ,a that it $an -e removed - t,istin) the hand# as ,ell as - the -lo, in the fa$e. Another t,o $on$l&sions are possi-le in here# in this form:

EGv havin) made the atajo# leavin) to ,o&nd# ret&rnin) to )ive an atajo in a $ir$le# p&ttin) in the left foot# the left hand ,ill $at$h the 8&illons a-ove# ,itho&t havin) removed the s,ord from the atajo. In order to ta+e it# the diestro himself ,ill thro, a half tajo# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill ta+e the s,ord - the point of his opponent;s# )ivin) him a reves in the le)s# and tajo in the fa$e. !an other thin)s are offered to meA time and &se ,ill &n$over them. Con$l&sion of perfe$t end.

9 ,it: havin) made a )eneral atajo, )ivin) a $&rved step from point A to point D# at the leavin) ma+e a ne, atajo a-ove his s,ord# p&ttin) in the left foot to point C# $apt&rin) the 8&illons. I $a&tion that it does not have to -e the ro&nded atajo# -&t simple. !an other -lo,s are offered to me# -&t this is eno&)h so that the master instr&$ts the dis$iple in the art and s$ien$e of arms.

E7r %a)itta at the -e)innin) of the movement# ,hi$h is a $o&nter of the )eneral atajo.

HE master al,a s has to -rin) his dis$iple to &nderstand the oppositions a)ainst the -lo,s. Th&s# havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion# at the formation of the )eneral atajo# )ivin) a step from point A to point D ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h it# it is in this instant# at the -e)innin) of movement# that he )ives a step from point A to point D# ta+in) the s,ord -elo, the opponent;s 8&illons# )ivin) a -lo, of first intention in the $hest. A half tajo to the fa$e is also possi-le# ta+in) the s,ord s,ord - the point of the opponent;s# and at the remed # another verti$al tajo is possi-le# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side. A $on$l&sion is also

E7v possi-le at the formation of the )eneral atajo from point A to point D at the -e)innin) of movementA in the instant that he )oes ma+in) the atajo# )ive a transverse step ,ith the left foot to the left side# $apt&rin) the 8&illons. 1e ,arned that# in ma+in) the movement of in$rease in order to $at$h the 8&illons# the s,ord ,ill -e &nderA he has to rela/ the point of his s,ord to $over point ,ith the 8&illons &ntil havin) made the hold# and ta+in) his s,ord - the point of the opponent;s# )ive a half tajo or thr&st. All this is done to the end of +no,in) the atajo more perfe$tl # and it ,ill res&lt in the atajo -ein) made perfe$tl A the most that the diestro ,ill -e a-le to do ,ill -e to th,art it# -&t not to ,o&nd. General of narro,in) a)ainst the )eneral atajo.

EHr

AVING made the )eneral atajo# )ivin) a step from point A to point D# the s,ord that is s&-"e$tin) ,ill remain in o-t&se an)le# and not ver ti)htA the s,ord doesn;t have to -e ta+en -elo,# -&t rather he ,ill )ive a lateral and -a$+,ard step to point C# ma+in) a movement of de$rease on his s,ord# and of in$rease on mine# -ein) pla$ed in the )eneral of narro,in)# that ,ill -e done - onl t&rnin) the hand fin)ernails@&p# profilin) the -od # and -ein) pla$ed -ehind the 8&illons# the hand ver hi)h. The point of the s,ord has to remain in o-t&se an)le# ,ith ,hi$h it ,ill -e ne$essar to ,o&nd the opponent# -e$a&se he ,ill -e s8&ared and ,ill have less rea$h# and - not transferrin) to the )eneral of ,ea+ a-ove the stron)# he ,ill -e ,o&nded.

EHv General of line in $ross a)ainst )eneral atajo.

AVING made an atajo from point A to point D ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h it# s&$h that it ,ill not -e a-le to -e opposed - the )eneral of narro,in)# in s&$h $ase he has to ta+e the s,ord -elo, the opponent;s 8&illons# ma+in) a 0ero# )ivin) a lateral and -a$+,ard step to point 1# remainin) in the )eneral of line in $ross ,ith )reater rea$h# and ,o&nd. The other s,ord ,ill also -e a-le to transfer to ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# )ivin) a step to his ri)ht side. He that ,ill $ome to &nderstand these -lo,s ,ill see ho, the have different -e)innin)# middle# and end from those that the serio&s a&thors )ive# -e$a&se m pleas&re is ,ritin) ,itho&t sa in) -ad of an one# and th&s man thin)s are offered to me# and I have m&$h $loth in ,hi$h to $&t# as ,ill -e seen if it ,ill -e offered.

F3r

!"#$T%R III+ In 1hich (articu)ar .)o1s are dea)t 1ith+

HE dis$iples -ein) s+illed in all that ,as said and se$&re in it# it ,ill -e ta&)ht to them# and the ,ill )ive a$$o&nt that the $an ma+e atajos and steps as he ,ill ,ant# prote$tin) the -od ,ith the s,ord and &nitin) it to it# or in order to ma+e atajos of se$ond intention# )ivin) steps the opposite of that ,hi$h m&st -e )iven# -&t ,ith reserve that the step is of s&$h 8&alit that he $annot -e ,o&nded. The te$hni8&es are in error - the dis$iple not +no,in) the s$ope# ,hi$h is +no,n - means of the &se and tea$hin) that the master has made to the dis$iple# -rin)in) him thro&)h the $ir$le# )ivin) steps# and ma+in) atajos to one side# and the other. In the oppositions of lo, )eneral# the master ,ill -e)in to tea$h him the different varieties in order to )o more fi/ed in this s$ien$e. He ,ill -e ta&)ht that he ma+es an atajo of hi)h )eneral# and from there atta$+s the fa$e and ret&rns to the atajo# and the master leave to ,o&nd him# and he thro,s thr&sts -elo,# and he ,ill have the s,ord# the hand fin)ernails@do,n strai)ht to the opponent;s fa$e# the 8&illons lo,# the point of the s,ord o$$&p in) the o-t&se an)le. In the opponent leavin) -elo, the 8&illons# )ive a step of one and a half feet# dra,in) $lose to the point of the opposin) s,ord# al,a s pla$in) the -od -ehind his s,ord. !a+in) these steps# if the fearf&l opponent ,ill $over the point# ma+e the 8&arter $ir$le# and form -lo,s from his movements. This mode of atajo# that at times I have said that it is harmf&l# at this time it is advanta)eo&s -e$a&se of the man alread -ein) firm in the tr&th.

F3v In all the times that a man ,ill $ome to -e lord of a s$ien$e# he ,ill -e a-le to ma+e different ad"&stments and dis$o&rses on it in order to )o +no,in) it -etter. If he ,ill ,ant to $at$h the s,ord# and )ive atajo to those that -oast of fleein) it ,ith speed# and he ,ill not ,ant to ma+e &se of the ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# ,hi$h is that ,hi$h $&ts the lines# to he that ,ill not let o& ma+e atajo# onl atta$+in) in it# he ,ill remain $&t short# and ,o&ndin). It ,ill tea$h the diestro to ma+e atajos of se$ond intention v&l)arl more tr&e# -e$a&se the tr&th remains in the -od # ,hi$h is in this form. We )o to ma+e a )eneral atajo to a man# and it is so -rief that the s,ord is not fo&nd. We have alread said in other parts that in not findin) the s,ord# the -od is so&)ht# -&t no, in order to entertain &s and )o +no,in) more# ,e do this# and it is that in order to find the s,ord# and )ive it atajo# ,e $onsider the $ir$le that is ima)ined -et,een the t,o $om-atants. The line of the diameter is ei)ht feet strai)ht from point A to point A# ,hi$h ,ill -e t,ent @ fo&r feet aro&nd# ,hi$h has ei)ht steps of three feet# and its lines. To this end# ,e ,ill find an atajo of line in $ross to the opponent# )ivin) the step opposite# ,hi$h ,ill -e on the infinite line and on the $ir$&mferen$e to the left side to point .# ,ith ,hi$h the -od ,ill remain &n$overed -&t ,ill not -e a-le to -e ,o&nded# -e$a&se the opponent ,ill not have rea$h. In the opponent leavin) to ,o&nd# he ,ill )ive a step to point D onl # -ein) pla$ed in )eneral atajo# from ,here he ,ill ne$essaril ,o&nd. =sin) and ,or+in) this man times# the diestro ,ill +no, it# and also ma+e a )eneral atajo# t&rnin) it in a $ir$le# ,itho&t losin) the s,ord# the -od profiled# the arm strai)ht# and at the end of the atajo# ,o&nd strai)ht to the fa$e. If he ,ill lift the 8&illons in order to defle$t the point# a 8&arter $ir$le is possi-le. If he ,ill defle$t dire$tl # -rin)in) his 8&illons and the opponent;s point to the side of his left sho&lder# a thr&st in the fa$e is possi-le# passin) the s,ord -elo, the 8&illons. A reves ,ith the ,rist is also possi-le# and at the

F4r defle$tion of the reves, a tajo is possi-le# ,hether $apt&rin) the 8&illons# )ivin) a $&rved step ,ith the left foot to the left side# or )ivin) a lateral and -a$+,ard step# )ivin) a verti$al tajo. I ,anted to ma+e an atajo of line in $ross to a man that didn;t let me $at$h the s,ordA to this# ma+e a )eneral atajo# )ivin) the step opposite on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side to point . on the infinite or finite line# ,here the opponent $an;t rea$h. At the s,ord fleein)# drop over the opponent;s s,ord# )ivin) a strai)ht@line step to point D# the -od remainin) ver profiled# ma+in) the )eneral of line in $ross# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill ne$essaril ,o&nd# $onsiderin) that at the se$ond atajo# one has to ,o&nd ,ith speed# and strai)ht. Also do line in $ross# do&-lin) the atajo# ma+in) t,o ro&nd $ir$les# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill -e ,o&nded. I do the dive Czam.u))idaD - the tr&th# in this form: havin) $hosen meas&re of proportion# )ive a step from point A to point 1# ma+in) an atajo of line in $ross# and at the opponent leavin) to ,o&nd# )ive a $&rved step to point C to the left side# and ,ith the left foot# t&rnin) to red&$e the s,ord. In the middle of the se$ond $ir$le# void the s,ord -elo, the opponent;s 8&illons# )ivin) a -lo, in the $hest# and $apt&rin) the 8&illons. Whenever the diestro is fo&nd in that state# he ,ill -e a-le to do the -lo,# $on$l&din) ,ith the hand# da))er# or -&$+ler. I do the $&rved CenarcadaD# havin) made a )eneral atajo from point A to point D# atta$+in) the fa$e# and at the remed of the -lo,# $&rve the arm# )ivin) a -lo,# and $apt&rin) the 8&illons. This serves for the -&$+ler# $loa+# da))er# or $on$l&sion. End of the se$ond part.

F4v

F2r

T H I R D

P A R T

9N TEACHING 9. !A%TER% IN THE

philosophi$al s$ien$e of the mathemati$al s+ill of armsA 1 the Li$ensed L&is Dia0 de Viedma# native of the $it of G&adi/# ,here one friend ,ill -e a-le to ver easil tea$h another ,itho&t a master.

PR9L9G=E T9 THE THIRD PART.

( first intention >)entle reader? has -een to -rin) to li)ht in this s$ien$e a ne, mode of tea$hin)# ver advanta)eo&s for man. When# - m little in)en&it # I ma not -e a-le to pla$e it in the state that it deserves# I ,ill -e happ to have )iven motive so that others more +no,led)ea-le $ontin&e it. Altho&)h this desire over$omes me# it prevents the diffi$&lt that ,ill -e in the envio&s masters# $ens&rin) that ,hi$h the are not to do# ,antin) ,ith their dama)ed intentions to ma+e r&ins of the edifi$es that others have rea$hed - st&d and )ood 0eal. Those -ein) enemies of the $onservation and seatin) of their o,n profession and s$ien$e# stop prote$tin) he that desires to improve it# instead ,antin) to $ons&me him# &n)ratef&l and envio&s of he that st&dies and ,or+s ,ith 0eal at servin) God# his +in)# and nation# -&t o&r lord ,ill $asti)ate those s&$h firstl and after time. In man parts I sa that m desire is to s&$$eed# and m pleas&re is that the ,isest is en$o&ra)ed and ta+es the pen# ma+in) another dis$o&rse# -e$a&se I am satisfied that &p to no, there is nothin) ,ritten of the arms that is not learned from this -oo+# and that no one has -een a-le to ,rite an thin) that these seven )enerals does not s&-"e$t. Whoever ,ill have a different opinion# ,rite and )ive

F2v the reason for it ,ith the ad"&stment that is d&e# ,hi$h ,ill -e of nota-le pleas&re for me# as m prin$ipal intent is to as$ertain and ori)inate the reformation of the tea$hin) of this s$ien$e. I al,a s desire to see st&dio&s afi$ionados that intend to see to ,hat end the f&ndamentals# prin$iples# and effe$ts of ea$h $hapter are said and done# and to ,hat end ea$h one of the te$hni8&es is done so that the dis$iple re$eives advanta)e from some and re$eives harm from others. As for the da))er# -&$+ler# and $loa+# I have not fo&nd ,ritin) &p to no, that is to m p&rpose. Th&s# I ,ill sa the -est that I ,ill -e a-le# in the mode of m tea$hin). If it ,ill appear -ad to some $&rio&s# ad"&st to it# loo+ at it# and learn itA - not ad"&stin) to it# loo+in) at it# and learnin) it# his reason he ,ill not -e a-le to -e admitted# -e$a&se a man $annot )ive an opinion on ,hat he doesn;t +no,. This miser $at$hes this s$ien$e - means# -e$a&se the most -ar-aro&s# i)norant# and vain# ,ho +no, least are all ta+en as ,ise in it# and ,ant to )ive their vote. Ho,ever# if one ,ill find an other -etter@ad"&sted thin) ,ritten toda # advise me# $itin) -oo+s and folios# not tellin) the air that this is an old and often@&sed thin)# as some diestros have said of a $ompendi&m that I made in order to )ive to m dis$iples# ,itho&t )ivin) reason or parts ,here it is ,ritten in that form and $omposition. The have said in m a-sen$e# that a mode is often@&sed# -ein) so ne, that these da s the same do not &se it# appearin) to them that the are fo&nd in it and that the +no, it# and it is ver m&$h the opposite of that ,hi$h the +no, and tea$h. Th&s I tr&st in God# that this s$ien$e seated# it ,ill -e the $a&se that the professors of it are removed from not ,antin) ea$h one to follo, his $o&rse# rather the are ad"&sted as -rothers# and $ome to +no, the tr&th and the error in ,hi$h the live.

F6r

F I R

T ! " # $ T % R & ' T " % da**er, .uc/)er, and c)oa/+

N all the arms# I ,ill -e happ to a$hieve ,ith m little in)en&it pla$in) them in a state that ,as of nota-le advanta)e to the $&rio&s afi$ionado of this s$ien$e. Th&s# I sa that as for the da))er# -&$+ler# and $loa+# I )ive some of their o,n te$hni8&es# and the ,ill all -e $on$l&sions# ,ith the da))er# $loa+# or -&$+ler doin) the offi$e that the hand does. The da))er has to -e lon)# at least half a vara, ,hi$h is of nota-le advanta)e. The post&re has to -e over the arm# $lose to the $hest# in a form that the s,ord doesn;t lose its strai)htness# nor the -od its profile. It doesn;t have to serve more than at its time and -lo,# pla$ed on the $hestA onl for some parti$&lar -lo,s ,ill it have to -e pla$ed at the part that the adversar ;s s,ord has to leave# so that the -lo, is so -rief that it almost $an;t -e +no,n - the opponent# as o&r a&thors sa . The -lo, is as $o&ra)eo&s as less +no,n to the opponent. These -lo,s are of first intention# and are +no,n - the post&re of the opposin) s,ord# and ,ill -e made ,ith movements in the ,a # as has -een said in other parts of this -oo+. The master tea$hin) the -lo,s of $on$l&sions# ,hi$h are the parti$&lar -lo,s of the da))er# -&$+ler# and $loa+# and the mode of )oin) - the )eneral ,ill &n$over the rest. The first that the master has to do is that the dis$iple )oes in opposition of the )eneral of line in $ross and ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# in this form. It has alread -een said that the da))er has to -e on the $hestA ma+in) an atajo of line in $ross# the master ,ill leave to ,o&nd# and the dis$iple ,ill $at$h the s,ord -elo,# pla$in) the da))er a-ove# )ivin) a step from point A to

F6v point D in the same $onformit that said oppositions of line in $ross and ,ea+ -elo, the stron) have to -e done# e/$ept that the steps have to -e )iven opposite# al,a s $omin) $lose to the point of the opponent;s s,ord. When the s,ord has -een ta+en# the da))er has to -e a-ove: the hands# s,ord 8&illons# and da))er in an e8&al# and thro,in) the -lo, to the master;s $ollateral# the da))er ret&rns to the $hest. This t pe of opposition has to -e ta&)ht to the dis$iple first# so that he ma +no, it to -e transferred# as this &niversal )eneral has to serve after $o&nters of all the -lo,s# and this ,ill -e done - the dis$iple for ei)ht da s# &ntil he is disposed in order to re$eive the -&$+ler or $loa+. These oppositions ,ill -e pla$ed in this form: ,hen m opponent;s s,ord is in the )eneral of line in $ross# it -e ne$essar for mine to -e in the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# ,ith ,hi$h I ,ill pla$e m -&$+ler a-ove m s,ord# -ro&)ht $lose to m 8&illons# $overed ,ith the -&$+ler# so that I ma see m opponent on the ri)ht side of m -&$+ler or $loa+# and from there I ,ill -e a-le to )ive a thr&st in m opponent;s $hest# fa$e# or ri)ht $ollateral# ,herever he )ives me more spa$e. If he ,ill ma+e a parr ,ith his -&$+ler# da))er# or $loa+# pla$in) it -elo, his 8&illons# ,hi$h ,ill -e -est# in this $ase# prote$ted - m -&$+ler# I ,ill )ive a -lo, to the shin Ccani))azo7, or reves in the le)s# ta+in) note that in the reves passin)# it is appropriate to )ive a tajo to the head in -et,een the t,o arms# that appears and is hi)h to lo, Ca)ti.ajoD# as the old ones $alled it. In order to tea$h the dis$iple# it ,ill onl -e done in this form: ,hen his s,ord is in the )eneral of line in $ross# he pla$es his -&$+ler on his ri)ht $ollateral# ,hi$h is ,here he $an -e ,o&nded. When he is in the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# he pla$es his -&$+ler a-ove his s,ord# -ro&)ht $lose to his 8&illons. !a+e oppositions and atajos of this +ind man da s# as in this ,a he ,ill -e ta&)ht and a,a+ened in order to

FEr re$eive the -lo,s# ,hi$h is the most important# ,hi$h I ,ill )o sa in) the -est that I ,ill -e a-le. After havin) instr&$ted the dis$iple in that# the -lo,s ,ill -e)in to -e ta&)ht. 4 Havin) $hosen meas&re of proportion# )ive a step from point A to point D# ma+in) a )eneral atajo on the $ir$&mferen$e to his left side. The opponent ,ill leave to ,o&nd# and ,itho&t separatin) the s,ord# ma+e a ne, atajo on it# p&ttin) in the hand# da))er# -&$+ler# or $loa+# and p&ttin) in the left foot# thro,in) a -lo, to the fa$e. At the defle$tion ,ith the da))er or -&$+ler# he ,ill void the s,ord o&tside in a $ir$le# ,o&ndin) in the $hest# and the s,ords have to remain to the diestro5s ri)ht side. 2 Havin) made an atajo from point A to point D# if he ,ill leave the s,ord and da))er -ein) ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h# the opponent ,ill leave to ,o&nd. In this time# ,itho&t movin) the s,ord hand# the diestro ,ill ma+e a movement in the ,a # and -rin) the da))er a-ove his ri)ht arm# ma+in) a ,o&nd in the $hest# the opponent;s s,ord remainin) pinned - this -lo,. A tho&sand reasons are offered here# -&t e/er$ise ,ill &n$over them. 6 Havin) made an atajo from point A to point D# if he ,ill leave to ,o&nd# ma+e a ne, atajo, not in a $ir$le# -&t a-ove# p&ttin) in the left foot and the da))er# -&$+ler# or $loa+# ,o&ndin) the opponentA the s,ords have to remain at the dietro5s ri)ht hand. There are man other -lo,s from this side and $ir$&mferen$eA the &se and these ,ill dis$over it# and all these ,ere remedied )ivin) a -a$+,ard step# remainin) in the )eneral of ,ea+ -elo, the stron). E Havin) made an atajo of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# at the adversar leavin)# ma+e a ne, atajo, )ivin) a transverse step ,ith the left foot to point C# ma+in) a ne, atajo, ,o&ndin) ,ith the da))er# or pla$in) the da))er dra,n $lose to the 8&illons# ,o&ndin) ,ith the s,ord. The same ,ill

FEv happen if the adversar leaves ,ith a thr&st -elo, or a tajo a-ove. F Havin) made an atajo from point A to point 1# if he ,ill leave to ,o&nd# )ive a transverse step to point C# p&ttin) in the left foot# rippin) ,ith a tajo, and the hand# da))er# or -&$+ler -elo,# ,o&ndin) in the head. At the remed # ,o&nd him in the $hest. 5 Havin) made an atajo of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# if the adversar leaves to r&n a movement of in$rease# p&t the da))er# -&$+ler# or $loa+ a-ove# )ivin) a thr&st# ta+in) the s,ord -elo, the 8&illons# )ivin) a step to point C. G Havin) made an atajo of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# if he ,ill leave ,ith a thr&st or tajo, t&rn to re$eive it ,ith the t,o arms in the form of opposition of )eneral# and at the re$eivin) of it# )ive him a thr&st in the $ollateral. 7 Havin) made an atajo of line in $ross from point A to point 1# if he ,ill leave ,ith a tajo# +ill the movement# )ivin) a transverse step ,ith the ri)ht foot to point C ,ith the t,o arms# )ivin) him a thr&st in the fa$e in the form of )eneral atajoA it has to -e at the +illin) of the movement. 9&r a&thor spea+s of this -lo, in his -oo+. H 1oth -ein) esta-lished in ri)ht an)le# pla$in) the da))er level# the point $lose to the 8&illons# ta+in) the opponent;s s,ord on the o&tside# thro,in) the opponent;s s,ord a-ove m ri)ht arm# )ive him a -lo, -elo, his s,ord in the $hest# )ivin) a for,ard step. 43 It is ordinar for most men that are not of m art then that esta-lish to pla$e the s,ord over the diestro5s on the inside. In this time# a fin)ernails@do,n thr&st is possi-le# )ivin) a for,ard step or p&ttin) in the left foot# appl in) the da))er# -&$+ler# or $loa+# and pla$in) it a-ove the opposin) s,ord# $&rvin) the arm.

FFr The ,or+ to &nderstand these -lo,s ,ellA &se ,ill dis$over man others. 44 It is ordinar for men that do not deal ,ith this tr&th to -e esta-lished# havin) the s,ord in o-t&se an)le and the da))er $lose to the 8&illons# ,hi$h the $all iron )ate. The master ,ill -e esta-lished this ,a # and dire$t the dis$iple to esta-lish in ri)ht an)le# the point of the s,ord on the lo,er $ross of the opponent;s 8&illons# the da))er over the arm. .rom there# he ,ill ma+e a -lo, of movement in the ,a # p&ttin) the point of the s,ord a-ove the arm# )&idin) it to the opponent;s $hest# and appl the da))er to pin the s,ord. 42 The dive Czam.u))idaD is done in this form: havin) made an atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# the master leavin) to ,o&nd in the $hest or fa$e# ma+e a ne, atajo in a $ir$le# )ivin) a $&rved step ,ith the left foot to point C# and in the middle of the $ir$le void the s,ord fin)ernails@do,n# -rin)in) the da))er $lose to the opponent;s s,ord# and he ,ill ma+e the dive+ This is remedied ,ith the )eneral of narro,in). All these -lo,s have to )o -ein) ta&)ht to the dis$iple ,ith )reat pre$ision and $alm# &ntil he is fo&nd in them# )ivin) him room so that he ma+es them as he ,ill -e a-le# and to the end of mi/in) in and -attlin) ,ith it - said oppositions. After# the master ,ill -rin) him to &nderstand that ea$h time that he ma+es ,hi$hever of these -lo,s# in order to &ndo it# he doesn;t have to remed ,ith the da))er# -&t )ive a -a$+,ard step a$$ordin) to ,hat ,ill to&$h the -lo,# t&rnin) to red&$e ,ith the s,ord# -ein) pla$ed in ,ea+ -elo, the stron)# or in the )eneral that ,ill to&$h it dire$tl # as all are s&-"e$t to the seven )enerals# ,hi$h ,e have dealt ,ith. With this# the -lo, ,ill have no effe$tA rather# it ,ill -e ne$essar to remove the foot that had -een p&t in# and li+e this remain free I not doin) so# he ,ill ne$essaril -e ,o&nded. With this# the ,ill -e fo&nd in the state that the -e)an to -attle. All these -lo,s $ome to -e an edifi$e that has to -e ta&)ht to the dis$iple# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill -e lord of all the post&res and -lo,s

FFv that $an -e offered to him in the variet of -attle# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill ma+e in himself a ,hole# or a &niversal that defends him. Partin) to his opponent ma+es that ,hi$h ,ill -e offered# see+in) not to strip the da))er from the s,ord# nor to -e served - it more than to help the s,ord do the -lo,s# or ,o&nd ,ith the da))er# the s,ord havin) made the se$ond atajo+ The &se ,ill )o providin) and ad"&stin) to all this.

! " # $ T % R I I + &n the use that those 1ho thin/ themse)ves .rave, and most of the vu)*ar, have for fi*htin*+

have fo&nd that all men# of ,hi$hever nation and 8&alit # $ome to have the same mode of fi)htin). I have fo&nd this the lon) e/perien$e that I have ,ith it# and -e$a&se ea$h da I defeat re$+less men that are satisfied ,ith themselves that ,ith a s,ord# and a s,ord# da))er# -&$+ler# or $loa+# the ,ill do man thin)s# and have done them# and ,ill do ea$h in offerin) to fi)ht ,ith men that are not of this s$ien$e and do not +no, to red&$e the &niversal ,hi$h ,e )o dealin) ,ith. Th&s# the masters have to $onsider all these te$hni8&es in order to )ive their dis$iples the defense or offense a)ainst those that ,ill not -e professors of this art of the tr&th. All the diestros of the v&l)ar# or that are not diestros# plant themselves in o-t&se an)le# ,ith the da))er or -&$+ler $lose to the 8&illons. His onl intent is to see if he $an $at$h the opponent;s s,ord ,ith ,hi$hever of these arms in order to ,o&nd his adversar ,ith the s,ord# appearin) to him that ea$h that is fo&nd in that state has ,o&nded him# and - not +no,in) this s$ien$e# he ,ill ,o&nd him. 1&t here I ,ill ma+e fo&r te$hni8&es and -lo,s# ,ith ,hi$h the master ,ill -e a-le to $onsider the rest that $an happen from the strife.

F5r 4 Havin) -een planted ,ith s,ord and da))er# $loa+# or -&$+ler# if he ,ill have the s,ord almost all o&tside of these arms# the diestro ,ill ma+e an atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# ,hi$h is armin) his te$hni8&e# and then he then ,ill p&t in the do&-le arms in order to ,o&nd ,ith the s,ord. The diestro is al,a s ,arned that he has to )ive the -lo, -elo, his da))er or -&$+ler# voidin) the s,ord# and he ,ill al,a s -e fo&nd ,ith the s,ord in the opponent;s $hest# and he ,ill not have rea$h nor -lo,. 2 And in $ase he ,ill have the )reater part of the s,ord ,ithdra,n# )ive a step from point A to point 1# pla$in) the s,ord in the fa$e. In )oin) to defle$t in order to p&t himself in -elo,# )ive him a -lo,# voidin) -elo, his -&$+ler# da))er# or $loa+. 6 And if the left foot ,ill -e pla$ed in front# )ive the same step from point A to point 1# travelin) to his fa$e. At the defle$tion ,ith the da))er# void the s,ord -elo,# )ivin) a -lo, in the $hest. E Li+e this# no more or less# he ,ill )ive atajo from point A to point 1# and at the atta$+ to ,o&nd# he ,ill )ive a step to point C# )ivin) a tajo+ At the remed of the tajo ,ith the -&$+ler or da))er# )ive him a thr&st -elo, the da))er or -&$+ler. In this form# the ,ill -e a-le to &nderstand the other -lo,s. The master havin) the da))er and the dis$iple not# the master ,ill ma+e all the $on$l&sions# so that he sees# and it is done not havin) fear.

F5v

! " # $ T % R I I I + &n the da**er a*ainst the s1ord+

HERE have -een man diestros that sa that the ,ill remove a s,ord ,ith a da))er. That ,ill -e to ,hoever doesn;t +no, the arms# -&t to a diestro# I -elieve it is impossi-le# -e$a&se if ,e sa that a s,ord alone is eno&)h to $o&nter all the do&-le arms# as ,ill -e a-le to -e said that a da))er is -etter than a s,ord# it ,o&ld -e $ontradi$tin) o&rselves. These te$hni8&es are for a $ase that $an -e offered# as a man happens to -e fo&nd ,ith a da))er# and another ,ith a s,ord. In order to not flee >,hi$h is the most -ase a$t that a man $an ma+e?# I have determined some te$hni8&es the -est that I have -een a-le to &nderstand. No man of valor seein) another ,itho&t a s,ord ,ill atta$+ him ,ith advanta)ed armsA -&t there are men so r&de and $holeri$ that the don;t loo+ at that# rather then the r&sh into all fi)hts# and th&s it $an offer them s&$h o$$asion that it is important. Alread it had happened# that a man -ein) in his ho&se# or estate# or in the road# and th&s a man that is a))rieved# and doesn;t have valor nor dares to fi)ht# ima)ines ho, he ,ill -e a-le to ,o&nd or +ill# and that is ho, it ,ill -e. In this $ase# a man is fo&nd ,ith a da))er on the -elt# ,hi$h is the arm that a$$ompanies a man the most# and as s&$h it ,ill -e eas to remove it and -e lord of it. I am ver $ertain that an man of this 8&alit # in seein) the defense of onl a hat# it ,ill -e eno&)h. Th&s# for the tea$hin) of this I ,ill )ive some -lo,s the -est that I ,ill -e a-le# and the &se ,ill &n$over the rest.

FGr Choosin) the meas&re of proportion# da))er a)ainst s,ord.

T is important for the diestro to +no, the $hoosin) of the meas&re of proportion at all times in order to -etter form his te$hni8&es. With the &se# he ,ill ma+e in himself a ,hole that ,ill -e &niversal for his defense# and that the te$hni8&es ,ill not -e a-le to miss - the &se ,ith $holera# or ,itho&t itA I +no, this lon) e/perien$e. The diestro has to ens&re that the point of the opposin) s,ord doesn;t pass the pommel of his da))er# and from there he ,ill form an atajo on the s,ord# &nitin) to it# the -od al,a s remainin) -ehind the s,ord. When he )ives an atajo on the $ir$&mferen$e to the ri)ht side ,ith the )eneral of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# the -od has to remain profiled. When he )ives an atajo from point A to point D# the -od has to remain s8&ared in order to form his -lo, ,ell.

FGv General of line in Cross.

AVING $hosen meas&re of proportion# )ive a step from point A to point 1# ma+in) the )eneral of line in $ross# -od and s,ord at the same time# the da))er remainin) offline# and the -od -ehind the da))er pla$ed in profile.

F7r 1lo, of ,hole $ir$le.

AVING made an atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point 1# if he ,ill leave to ,o&nd# ma+e another atajo in a $ir$le ,itho&t losin) the s,ord# )ivin) a transverse step to point C# $apt&rin) the 8&illons.

F7v 1lo, of ripped tajo+

AVING )iven a step to point 1 from point A# -ein) pla$ed in the )eneral of line in $ross# if he ,ill leave to ,o&nd# help his movement# )oin) ,ith his o,n s,ord# ,itho&t separatin) the da))er from it# )ivin) a ta"o a-ove or a thr&st -elo,# )ivin) a transverse step to point C ,ith the left foot. If he has to )ive a tajo, he has to p&t the hand -elo,# and if he has to )ive a thr&st# he has to p&t the hand a-ove.

FHr General atajo on the $ir$&mferen$e to the left side.

AVING $hosen the meas&re of proportion in point A# ma+e an atajo to point D# the -od remainin) -ehind the s,ord in the $onformit that the demonstration of the )eneral atajo si)nifies# he ,ill ma+e t,o -lo,s: the one t&rnin) to red&$e the s,ord ,itho&t losin) it# ma+in) a movement of $on$l&sion# and the other is a-ove# ma+in) a ne, atajo, as ,ill -e said in them.

FHv 1lo, of perpet&al end.

AVING made an atajo from point A to point D# if he ,ill leave# t&rn to )ive an atajo# )ivin) a step to point C# p&ttin) in the left foot# $apt&rin) the 8&illons. This -lo, is done in the form that the $on$l&sions ,hi$h have -een dealt ,ith are done# and th&s all these -lo,s that serve for the hand# also serve for s,ord and da))er# for -&$+ler# or $loa+# or a)ainst them.

53r 1lo, of ,hole $ir$le.

AVING made the atajo from point A to point D# if he ,ill leave to ,o&nd# t&rn to atajo in a $ir$le# ,itho&t losin) the s,ord# p&ttin) in the left foot# $apt&rin) the 8&illonsA this has to -e done ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h the art. This is done for that ,hi$h $an happen to a man# in ,hi$h the -est is to have the s,ord.

53v

ITH this# the +no, to tea$h the dis$iple eno&)h so that he +no,s ho, to ,ield the da))er# and the &se ,ill &n$over the other variet of -lo,s that ,ill -e offered. The same master ,ill )o al,a s $onsiderin) the parts ,here his dis$iples are )iven the most advanta)eA in order to )o a$8&irin) there the tea$hin)# I have man times ha-it&all ta&)ht them that in their home# the ma+e a ro&nded $ir$le on the ,all# and in the middle of it the pla$e an artifi$e that si)nifies a $&rved arm ,ith the s,ord o-t&se in the mode of the v&l)ar. Ea$h mornin) the entertain one ho&r on onl this demonstration# -ein) planted in ri)ht an)le# the -od ere$t# the arm fin)ernails@&p# and ,itho&t ,ithdra,in) it# pla$e the point of his s,ord on the ,all to one side of said demonstration# and $ir$le# droppin) the point of the s,ord# onl rela/in) the t,o fin)ers in front &ntil passin) it -elo,# and ti)htenin) the fin)ers# it ,ill ret&rn to rise the the same $ir$le. In this ,a he ma+es and thro,s man thr&sts# ,hi$h are $alled Andal&sian thr&sts in this -oo+# )ivin) them in the $omplement of the $ir$le# $itin) one side# and )ivin) to the other. With this# the arm ,ill -e made to )ive these thr&sts# s&$h that a man is s&perior to other pla ers# that ,henever he thro,s thr&sts# the are so slo, that he sa s: there )oes one# and there )oes another. If this $ontin&es# the one ,ho ma+es atajos ,itho&t red&$in) ,ill remed all# -&t if the are vehement# he $annot remed -&t red&$e. Those that do not red&$e# and are ta+en - o&r tr&th# in -ein) seen ti)ht# ma+e &se of the strai)ht# ,itho&t +no,in) to ta+e the )ainin) C*ananciaD. Here it has to -e ta&)ht to the dis$iple that havin) narro,ed his opponent in these thr&sts# if he ,ill ma+e &se of the ri)ht an)le# that he ma+es a 8&arter $ir$le a-ove his s,ord# or that he atta$+s the fa$e# from ,here -lo,s and )lan$in) -lo,s fit. In the str&))le# -lo,s to the el-o, C codazos7 and man other vario&s -lo,s are possi-le# ,hi$h time ,ill &n$over ho, the are done. !an ,ise masters tea$h their dis$iples that ,hen his

54r s,ord is s&-"e$ted# ,hether - the )eneral of line in $ross# or )eneral atajo# the advise that the leave onl to ret&rn to )ive an atajo on the s,ord. It is a nota-le error# -e$a&se if the one ma+in) the atajo is a diestro# he ,ill +no, the pla the first time# and after# he ,ill not )o to ,o&nd strai)ht# ,ith ,hi$h he ,ill a$hieve his intent# -&t rather he ,ill ,o&nd him in a $ir$le ,ith a spiral line. With this# he ,ill ,o&nd free# -e$a&se -ein) s&-"e$t in atajo of line in $ross# if he left -elo, onl to ret&rn to atajo the s,ord a)ain# and the diestro stops ,o&ndin) strai)ht# instead travelin) -elo, his s,ord and 8&illons &ntil he ,o&nds him in the fa$e# he ,ill ne$essaril -e ,o&nded -e$a&se he ,ill not -e a-le to ma+e t,o a$tions in one time# ,hi$h is to ret&rn to the s,ord and -e defended. Rather# in see+in) the s,ord# he ,ill find himself ,o&nded. The same ,ill happen - )eneral atajo, as I have said in other parts.

! " # $ T % R I I I I + &n the teachin* that the master has to *ive in order to teach and counter the )efties that dea) 1ith this science of arms+

T has -een the opinion amon) the v&l)ar that the left has an advanta)e over the ri)ht in arms. The opinion has -een ,ell@ re$eived# -e$a&se the v&l)ar tea$hin) is# and has -een# so far from reason that I find -ein) a left@handed man -etter than -ein) a diestro of the v&l)ar. 1ein) a left is one of the )reatest misfort&nes that a man $an have# and as I have proven in this s$ien$e# the nat&ral movements do not let &s +no, this s$ien$e. The left >a man ,e $all -a$+,ard? &ses the movements of his defense ,ith )reat profile of the -od and strai)htness of the s,ord# and the ri)ht@handed man# - his o,n nat&re# pla$es the s,ord o-t&se# and the -od s8&ared# ,ith ,hi$h the left has an advanta)e. 1&t the diestro that ,ill $ome to +no, this s$ien$e ,ill easil -e

54v lord over the left # and th&s I ,ill )ive some -lo,s so that the master $an tea$h his dis$iple the mode that the have to have to pla ,ith lefties. These ,ill -e ,ith the master ta+in) the s,ord in his left hand# em-od in) the master# ,hi$h is to provide the a$tions and post&res that the left $an ma+e. Wor+in) it ,ell# and )ivin) to ea$h -lo, the -e)innin) and end that it deserves# he ,ill see that the same -lo,s ,ill serve in favor of the left # onl that the appear to -e done oppositeA these ,ill -e the )enerals ,hi$h ,e )o dealin) ,ith. I am one of the men that have a-horred lefties most in this ,orld. I am not s$ared that a man is left@handed# -&t in this I pla$e the -lame on his parents for not remed in) it tr&l # as ,ith this it ,ill -e eno&)h in order to not -e so. We )ive if that a man ,as fo&nd left@handed# he m&st -e$ome ri)ht@handed# or at least -e left@ and ri)ht@handed. As ,ell as it is a fa&lt to -e left@handed# it is an honor to -e ri)ht@handed# and to do ,ith t,o hands. If &ntil no, it has -een diffi$&lt for a left to -e$ome a ri)ht # in this -oo+ ,ill -e fo&nd s&$h ease ,ith little tea$hin) and $ontin&o&s &se# that in t,o months he ,ill have reason and ,a in order to -e a ri)ht . It is in s&$h a state that I dare someone to ma+e a left@handed man a ri)ht and diestro ,ith more fa$ilit s+illed in arms# that red&$es to a v&l)ar o-stina$ . It ,ill -e si/ ears that# - variet of m fort&ne and events of m ,or+s# I -e$ame a master of this s$ien$e# and in this time I have made more than one@h&ndred men ri)hties# havin) it almost - $hoi$e# and I have made thirteen lefties - misfort&ne that has happened to them in their arms. There $omes a left to tea$h# and he tells me: %ir# I have not $ome to learn - sa in) that o& donKt ,ant to tea$h if first the don;t ta+e the s,ord ,ith the ri)ht hand# and this is so impossi-le for me that it ,ill never -e a-le# as I am so left@handed that

52r I am $ertain not to ta+e a stra, from the floor ,ith the ri)ht# and th&s onl )ive me lessons ,ith the left. I tell him >and as one ,ho hasn;t sp&n onl one arn of these?: %ir# it is not important to me# onl that it is an oath that I have made that I don;t have to tea$h an left &nless he first ta+es the s,ord ,ith the ri)ht hand. If ,e are in a)reement# he ,ill pa me for the tea$hin) of the left # ,hi$h that other ,ill -e m pleas&re# and for nothin). Th&s he ,ill -e dire$ted to p&t the s,ord in the left hand# and ,ill -e )iven a lesson in the same form as to a ri)ht # ma+in) his steps to one side and the other# and after ,ith the s,ord in the hand his atajos and spiral lines# and in their time the )eneral oppositions. .rom then I ma+e him -attle - them# and to the -est dis$iples admonish them that the -rin) him - the )enerals# and that at the present the don;t ,o&nd him# and in ta+in) ,ith the left# that the are ri)oro&s in ,o&ndin) him. With that# in a fe, da s# he ,ill see that he pla s -etter and is defended more ,ith the ri)ht handA this is important. In order to tea$h the left # he has to -e dire$ted to ta+e the s,ord in his left hand# ,hi$h ,ill -e o&r ri)ht# and )iven a$$o&nt of the $ir$le that is ima)ined -et,een the t,o $om-atants# )ivin) him a$$o&nt of the parts that to&$h it# as remains said. Then# dire$t him to -e planted in point A# and to )ive a for,ard step to point P# and a -a$+,ard to point R# and then to )ive a step aro&nd the $ir$le from point A to point D# and point C# and point 1# &ntil ret&rnin) to point A# the -od profiled# and this is a step of the )eneral of line in $ross. Also# he )ives a step from point A to point 1# and point C# and point D# &ntil ret&rnin) to point A# the -od s8&ared# )ivin) him a$$o&nt that it is the )eneral atajo+ 1ein) in these atajos# the s,ord ,ill -e pla$ed in the hand# )ivin) him a$$o&nt of the an)les and movements# and dire$tin) him to -e planted in ri)ht an)le# and to ta+e the s,ord on the inside# )ivin) a step from point A to point D# the -od remainin) profiled. In this ,a # he ma+es man

52v atajos of spiral lines in a $ir$le# ,itho&t losin) the s,ord. Also# dire$t him to -e planted in point A and to ta+e the s,ord on the o&tside# )ivin) a step to point 1# ma+in) a )eneral atajo, the -od remainin) s8&ared# the s,ord alon) their len)ths# and in this ,a he ma+es man atajos to one side and the other. 4 Lno,in) these atajos and steps# he ,ill dire$t him to -e planted in point A# the s,ord strai)ht# ,ith the re8&isites that to&$h it# and to ma+e a )eneral of line in $ross# ,hi$h ,ill -e ta+in) the s,ord on the inside# )ivin) a $&rved step to point D# and at the leavin)# ,o&nd him strai)ht in the fa$e. 2 Havin) made an atajo from point A to point D# if he ,ill not leave# havin) the s,ord strai)ht# the hand some,hat fin)ernails@&p# )ive a 8&arter $ir$le in the master;s ri)ht $ollateral. 6 Havin) made an atajo, as said# if he ,ill not $over the point# )ive him a -lo, in the fa$e# and form -lo,s from his movements. E Havin) made an atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross from point A to point D# -&t he leaves# ,o&nd him perfe$tl in the fa$e# and at the defle$tion )ive him a tajo, and at the defle$tion of the tajo )ive a fin)ernails@&p thr&st. F Havin) made a )eneral atajo of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point D# if he ,ill leave ,ith -revit # )ive him a verti$al tajo in the head# )ivin) a step to point C# and at the remed of the tajo )ive a thr&st. 5 Havin) made an atajo of the )eneral of line in $ross# )ivin) a step from point A to point D# at the leavin)# )ive him a tajo, helpin) his o,n movement# $apt&rin) the 8&illons# ,hi$h serves for da))er# -&$+ler# or $loa+. G He ,ill also -e ta&)ht the )eneral atajo that is done havin) $hosen meas&re of proportion in point A# )ivin) a step to point 1# ta+in) the s,ord on the o&tside# and at the leavin)# ,o&nd him strai)ht. 7 Havin) made a )eneral atajo from point A to point 1#

56r if he ,ill not leave# ma+e a perfe$t atta$+ to the fa$e# and at the defle$tion )ive him a mando.)e, removin) the s,ord ,ith the ,rist - the point of the opposin)# and at the parr # )ive a strai)ht thr&st# passin) the s,ord -elo, the opponent;s. H Tea$h him the )eneral of narro,in)# ,hi$h is made in this form: havin) $hosen the meas&re of proportion in point A# )ive a step to point D# passin) the s,ord a-ove# ta+in) it on the o&tside# ma+in) in it a ro&nded $ir$le# &ntil remainin) in the )eneral# and form -lo,s from his movements. These same te$hni8&es serve the ri)ht a)ainst the left # onl that the atajos have to -e reversed# as in order to do the te$hni8&e# ,hen the left )ives a step from point A to point D# the ri)ht has to )ive it to point 1. It ,ill -e a-le to -e &nderstood li+e this# and the ad"&stment and e/er$ise ,ill &n$over the rest.

! " # $ T % R V + &n the e)ements that the master has to have+

T is s&ita-le that the master that ,ill have to tea$h this s$ien$e is ,ise in the destreza# +no,in) the elements that ea$h -lo, has# and this not in $ase# -&t ,ith m&$h $ertaint # -e$a&se one $annot -e said to +no, that ,hi$h he doesn;t +no, to )ive the $omplement that it deserves. It also s&its that he is rational# $alm# and of mat&re &nderstandin) and eno&)h e/perien$e# spendin) his time in st&d # ,hi$h is the father of the s$ien$es# -e$a&se havin) these properties and $apa$it # he ,ill -e a-le to ad"&st and resist the thin)s that ,ill -e offered to him ea$h da ,ith men# or tena$io&s in that evil that the have learned# ,itho&t $onsiderin) that he la$+s ad"&stment and reason. It appears to men ,ith fear# arro)an$e# and emptiness >all of ,hi$h is $holera of this s$ien$e in itself? that it is )ood# and that that ,hi$h has more voi$es ,ill have more reason#

56v a $a&se ver $ontrar to that ,hi$h it is# and happens ea$h da in the men of reason# $apa-ilit # and &nderstandin). Readin) the -oo+s of Geronimo de Caran0a man times# I ,as an)r at seein) s&$h nota-le events as a$$o&nt that passed ,ith the v&l)ars# attri-&tin) that he ,as anno ed in his ,ritin). No, that some of this dis$o&rse has passed thro&)h me# I sa that it ,as short# -&t in order to )ive advi$e to the dis$iples and masters# I ,ill tell some events# altho&)h it ,ill -e ver moderate -e$a&se of that ,hi$h happens to me in the novelt of men of little st&d # -elievin) that the are ,ise. To others li+e them# I sa -e$a&se of this s$ien$e# the are more fond of nonsense and a-s&rdities than their o,n ad"&sted reason# and I ,ill tell some of the events that have happened# and do happen to me ea$h da # that to spea+ of them ,ill -e a pro$ession to infinit . 1ein) in m s$hool in ver )ood opinion ,ith s+illed dis$iples# a v&l)ar master $ame# a man $ele-rated as a ver valiant and -rash diestro, that in his $omposition and mode appeared to those that sa, him to -e a man terri-le of lan)&a)e# si0e# and person# ,ho str&$+ fear# and some $onsiderin) his talent -elieved that ,ith one -lo,# he ,o&ld +ill a h&ndred men. !ost of the people ,anted to see &s ,ith the s,ord in hand# -&t the master that alread in other parts ,e have seen# ref&sed and said that he didn;t have to ta+e the s,ord ,ith me# ,ho ,as his friend. After# he ,ent to m ho&se ,ith friends and said: %ir# I ,ill )ive a lesson in order to fi)ht ,ith fift # and ,ith t,ent # and I have )iven lessons that reli)io&s don;t $onfess to me# and all in this distri$t +no, ,ho I am. I responded to him: !aster# %ir# that is not important to o&r -&siness# and nevertheless ,hen I too+ the s,ord# he $onfessed to me to not +no,. %ome men &nderstood this man as a diestro# and most rational# and that is foll . 9thers said# this itself is for a master# that tea$hes ,ha$+s# and God help me# and -lo,s that don;t $onfess it - them# and sa s that

5Er he has learned from no one the te$hni8&es that he +no,s. At this time# a $ertain )entleman $omin) to the $it in -&siness of His !a"est ,as $a&)ht - ni)ht $lose to a farm. He sta ed on said farm# ,here some afi$ionados dealt ,ith the arms and said# God# so@and@so -ro+e the s,ord on the -od of master ,hat;s@his@ name# and that his )eometr and arithmeti$ didn;t save him. The )entleman as+ed the reason and $a&se of that ,hi$h happened# -e$a&se he alread +ne, me: and th&s one of them said: %ir# the masters pla ed# and at the first -lo,# he thre, it there ,ith all his +no,led)e. 1e$omin) diffi$&lt# he replied: he sa, ,hat I saidA he said: I sa, it# and I tell the tr&th. Another da he $ame to the $it # and ,ith $a&tion made a $all to those that had -een present and +ne, that s&$h master had said that he didn;t +no, that s$ien$e# that if he ,o&ld have -een o&n)er he ,o&ld learned it# and that he didn;t have to -e more masterf&l# and it ,as s&-"e$t to reason. The )entleman# referrin) to that ,hi$h the i)norant of the field had said# findin) it to -e tr&e# said: %ir# as I sa, it so arro)ant# I tho&)ht it ,o&ld happen that I ,as not there. This is the spee$h of the i)norant v&l)ar# and th&s I leave the $a&ses that happen to me ea$h da # that - not -ein) tired I don;t tell them# more than that i)noran$e is in the men as in his point# re)ardin) this s$ien$e# that pleases the -ad more than the )ood. The most serio&s and +no,led)ea-le has to $onfess it to me in $omin) to &nderstand this s$ien$e# and has to sa that he lived de$eived in it# and the $a&se of this is his o,n nat&ral movements# -&t in +no,in) the atajos and movements that pertain# then he ,ill +no, reason. Th&s I as+ and implore the rep&-li$s and the prin$ipal men that ,ill have to $hoose masters for their sons# to ens&re that the have s&$h elements that the ,ill -e a-le to as+ them a$$o&nt and ad"&stment of the -lo,s and s$ien$e that the tea$h# as the life )oes to the dis$iple in it at least. Whi$hever father# desiro&s that his son is ,ise# ,ill -e a-le to -& a -oo+ on this s$ien$e# and as in it

5Ev he is ad"&sted to a$$o&nt and reason# r&le and meas&re# it ,ill easil -e a-le to -e seen if the master follo,s that same ,a # -ein) red&$ed to the pre$epts that it sa s# and -ein) ad"&sted to themA +no,in) it# it ,ill -e "&st to esteem him as s&$h# and )ive him the pla$e that prin$es )ive to their masters. %o that the $&rio&s afi$ionados of the same tr&th# enemies of the ra)in) arro)an$e of the novelt @lovin) v&l)ar# $an easil see and ad"&st to ,hatever master of arms - the reason and $ertaint of this -oo+# I ,ill )ive one of the $ases that happened to me. I pla$ed a s$hool in an Andal&sian $it # ,here there ,ere three masters# and as the ,ere older in the $it # the had the )entlemen on their side# and thro&)h disasters of m fort&ne I had left m home# arrived to said $it # and told them: %irs# I have to -e in this $it some da s# and it ,ill ma+e me happ that ,e $hat a-o&t this s$ien$e alone in order ad"&st to it -etter. Ho,ever# ,hen the sa, me ,or+# it appeared to them that the -est ,as to thro, me from the $it # -e$a&se their opinion and fame ,o&ld -e lost# sin$e the hadn;t et learned. This is one of the )reatest i)noran$e of the ,orld# and that ,hi$h -rin)s this s$ien$e do,n most# ,antin) to s&stain the a-s&rdit and falsehood - not -ein) s&-"e$ted to learn. Th&s# the )entlemen and "&sti$e tried to e"e$t me from the pla$e# and for this the )ave a$$o&nt to the persons to ,hom the )ave lessons# sa in) that there ,as a man that ta&)ht arms ,itho&t -ein) an e/amined master# that said it to -e )eometr # arithmeti$# and s$ien$e# and that he ta&)ht - a ro&nd ,heel# and said that the s$ien$e ,as there# and that he de$eived the ,orld. As the )entlemen heard tell of somethin) ne, from another master# the later ,ent to m lod)in) to find me. I spo+e to them# and the honored me# formin) a $omplaint that I hadn;t )iven them a$$o&nt of m person. .inall the too+ the arms# and a master as+ed me if I ,as e/amined# and man other ,ell@e/$&sed reasons.

5Fr I told him that I ,as not. I as+ed him if he ,as e/amined. He said: es sir# - don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0. I had seen them dis$&ss# and told him# so that these lords see that the do not follo, don L&is Pa$he$o: ta+e this -oo+ and )ive a lesson - it# and ta+e note that here he doesn;t have to val&e o&r reason or mine# onl the ,ritten. The ,ondered and -e)an to sa that the had fo&)ht ,ith man # all tal+in). This is the mess that those that +no, little see+# tal+in) a-o&t s$ien$e and reason# fleein) from red&$in) it to that ,hi$h it is. %eein) the s&spension# I too+ from m po$+et a pen$il and loosened a -and# and I tied it ,ith a +not to a s,ord at the point and pla$ed it in the middle of the hall# ma+in) a $ir$le of t,o $ir$les# and then I ran the lines to it# and made the letters and steps# distin)&ishin) ,hat ea$h thin) ,as# and ,ith the s,ord in the hand I )ave a$$o&nt of the f&ndamentals on ,hi$h this s$ien$e ,as -ased# the nat&re of men# and ho, it has to -e resisted and removed. In s&mmar # m do$trine and s$ien$e seen as -ein) )ood# the envied the others that learned it. Th&s# I sa that the $&rio&s afi$ionado# as the tr&th is ,ritten in this -oo+ - letter and ad"&stment of steps and mathemati$al demonstrations# ,ill -e a-le to see the master that he $hooses for himself and his sons# as+in) him a$$o&nt of reason.

AGAIN%T !99R%.

N%9.AR as fi)htin) a)ainst !oors# o&r a&thor don L&is Pa$he$o de Narv<e0 dealt ,ith it in the fo&rth part of his -oo+ Greatness of the %,ord# )ivin) it to &s - pre$ise and mathemati$al demonstrations# so ad"&sted to a$$o&nt and reason as the -oo+ tells it# and its demonstrations si)nif # that there is no ne$essit of dealin) ,ith more than ,hat is there. Th&s# the diestro ,ill $onsider that# positioned to fi)ht in $lose $om-at ,ith a !oor#

5Fv he has a )reat advanta)e d&e to the lon) ,eapon# as ,ell as -e$a&se all the times that he -rin)s the s,ord in ri)ht an)le and free# he ,ill ,o&nd him ,here he ,ill ,ant# -e$a&se the first intent of the !oor is no more than seein) if he $an )ive a -lo, to the s,ord in order to $&t or r&in it. Th&s# the s,ord has to flee# )ivin) him a -lo,A the diestro ma $onsider that it is almost the same that has -een learned a)ainst the v&l)ar. With this# I thin+ it is eno&)h in this $ase# -e$a&se ,henever the !oor thro,s the -lo,# as it is s&$h a heav ,eapon# it ,ill ma+e room and $avit in order to -e a-le to ,o&nd him freel .

9N THE !9NTANTE.

N a$$o&nt of the montante# it is a ,eapon that men no lon)er $ommonl $arr # -&t it is )ood to +no, three or fo&r r&les so that it $an -e offered. The sa in) that one $an defend a)ainst a montante ,ith a s,ord# as that is a te$hni8&e that $annot -e done ,itho&t nota-le dan)er to the $om-atants# I have never done it. The montante is a ,eapon of little $o&rtes # and an enem of its o,n ,ielder# -e$a&se in -e)innin) to fi)ht ,ith it# one $annot +eep to $o&rtesies. Th&s other,ise a man is for$ed to defend his life and see if he $an have safet of his person ,itho&t havin) respe$t for an one. It is )ood for this# or for ma+in) spa$e. I ,ill )ive somethin) the -est that I am a-le. .irstl # the montante ,ill -e pla$ed in the dis$iple;s ri)ht hand# standin) in the middle of a hall# ,ho ma+es a for,ard movement ,ith the montante# then passes the montante and his hand a-ove his head# t&rnin) his fa$e over his ri)ht sho&lder in a manner that he $omes to see the point of the montante ,ith the ri)ht e e. C&ttin) ,ith it# he r&ns a tajo, )ivin) a step ,ith the ri)ht foot in front# havin) pla$ed the left hand on the pommel of the montante+ Witho&t movin) the left foot#

55r he ma+es tajos, ,hi$h have to leave from his ri)ht sho&lder. He also $han)es the montante to the left sho&lder and ma+es reveses, ta+in) the ri)ht foot -a$+ ,ith steps to,ard the rear# and this has to -e ,itho&t movin) the left foot. He ,ill do this for ei)ht da s. 2 He ,ill also dire$t him to ret&rn to ta+e the montante and ma+e the same movement of in$rease# and passes it a-ove his head# t&rnin) his fa$e# that al,a s has to loo+ at the point of the montante, and to )ive a simple tajo &ntil the montante ends on the left sho&lder# )ivin) a step for,ard# and from there# to )ive a reves, )ivin) another step ,ith the left foot. He ,ill )ive fo&r or five steps li+e this thro,in) tajos and reveses+ He ret&rns in the same manner to &ndo them# &ntil ret&rnin) to ,here he left# and from there $han)es the montante, thro,in) thr&sts to one side and the other. After he does it# dire$t him to do this same te$hni8&e do&-le# ,hi$h ,ill -e tajo and tajo, reves and reves, ea$h set of t,o tajos or reveses fittin) in one step# &ntil he ret&rns to ,here he left and ma+es the thr&sts. 6 He ,ill also -e ta&)ht that it ma+es spa$e# en$ir$lin) himself# as the sa # o&tside )entlemen# and from here he ,ill -e a-le to )ive lon) or short steps# to one side and the other. Whenever it seems the end of the te$hni8&es# he ,ill -e a-le to pla$e the montante either on his ri)ht or left sho&lder# or on the headA man pla$e it on the head# ,hi$h the sa )&ards the -a$+. !an other thin)s ,ill -e a-le to -e dealt ,ith# -&t &sa)e ,ill &n$over them.

55v

N9TE% T9 THI% 199L.

have al,a s desired to s&$$eed ,ith no more interest than to )ive advanta)e m nation in a thin) that# -ein) $ommon to it# ma+es it sin)&lar amon) the rest. I $an onl do this in the s$ien$e of arms that I profess that# altho&)h not learned in &niversities# nor $omm&ni$ated or $onferred ,ith learned men# onl e/perien$e and m&$h e/er$ise to)ether ,ith the nat&ral desire of +no,in) and tea$hin) the tr&th of this s$ien$e# has made me $ome to not onl the +no,led)e of it# -&t also the mode and st le of tea$hin) it as it m&st -e ta&)ht# -ein) no $ommon thin)# -&t ver ne,. It has -een# and is ta&)ht even no,# ,ith e/tensive and disso$iated r&les# ,hose $on$epts ma+e a))re)ation in the &nderstandin) ta+e a ver lon) time >as a))re)ation is the ha-it of the s$ien$e?# -e$a&se of )oin) so disso$iated as I have said. 1 the )lor of God I have fo&nd a mode of tea$hin) it ,ith -rief and $ompendio&s r&les and pre$epts# not disso$iated# -&t so &nited and interlo$+ed# as the are lin+ed# in )ra--in) one of the lin+s# all )o after that. This is ,ith s&$h $larit and distin$tion# not o-f&s$atin) the &nderstandin) or en$&m-erin) the memor # that in a -rief time the ma+e s&$h a))re)ation# and to)ether ,ith the &nderstandin)# ,ith little $ost# a man is fo&nd ,ith the ha-it of the s$ien$e# ,itho&t some en$&m-ran$e# $onf&sion# or do&-t# as re$&rrin) to the prin$iples one $annot &ntie it. =ntil no,# this has not -een ta&)ht li+e this# then it ,ill -e somethin) ne, and &n$ommon. If - some havin) seen a $ompendi&m that I made onl in order to )ive to the dis$iples that assist me# as it is advanta)eo&s to onl them# the ,ise masters of this s$ien$e "&d)in) me as not havin) ta+en somethin) ne, in it# -e$a&se in s&$h -rief ,ritin) more ,as not a-le to -e done than that ,hi$h he has# -&t in ,hi$h he $ites all the

5Gr diffi$&lties that $an -e offered ,ill -e fo&nd# and the ,ill see there the ne, that I have fo&nd in this s$ien$e. 1&t in order to ma+e some part of a response and ease the ,a of the afi$ionado that ,ill ,ant to respond to me# I ,ill )ive a$$o&nt of some points of it amon) the ,ise persons and masters that responded to me of ho, the -oo+ appeared to them. He that provided it -est ,as his lordship the lord don Antonio 98&endo# ro al admiral of the armadas of His !a"est # ,ith more than thirt @five ears in offi$e# havin) had most of this time at his $har)e the )overnan$e of )eneral# from ,hi$h the )reat advanta)es that His !a"est has re$eived is ver notorio&s# and toda re$eives the val&e of s&$h an eminent soldier# as his o,n $enter is famo&sl ,ar and the ,aters of the sea. The response of these lords and masters ,as to sa that it ,as )ood# -&t that there ,asn;t an novelt in it. He ,ho responded -est to me ,as his lordship don Antonio 98&endo# that - his o,n $hapters $ompared and $ited itA ma+in) me to his lordship response# remained ver satisfied in all# and -e$a&se of that# I have determined in these $hapters and ta-le to )ive a -e)innin) of response# and a motive of st&d to ,hi$h an afi$ionado ,ill )o to +no,.

T A 1 L E

9 .

T H E

CHAPTER% 9. THI% 199L.

HE prolo)&e is a dis$o&rse and re$ompilation in order to $onsider the diffi$&lties that have -een passed &ntil -ein) fo&nd in this tr&thA it s&its to ,or+ it and repair in it.

.IR%T PART.

Ch. I. 9n the movements that have to -e done in order to &nderstand the tr&th of this s$ien$e# and that ,hi$h is important that a man is $apa-le of these movements. It has never -een ,ritten in this form. fol. 4 Ch. II. 9n ho, o&r a&thor dis$overed this &niversal no, fort ears amon) other -lo,s. fol. 2 Ch. III. 9n the an)les# and movements that the diestro m&st +no,# and o&r a&thor deals ,ith this thoro&)hl . 6 Ch. IIII. 9n the -lo,s on ,hi$h this s$ien$e is -ased. I have not fo&nd this thin) ,ritten. F Ch. V. 9n the v&l)ar te$hni8&es. The ,ill not -e fo&nd ,ritten in the form in this -oo+. 5 Demonstration I. 9n the ri)ht an)le rea$hin) more than the o-t&se or the a$&te. 7 Demonstration II. 9n the $ir$le. I have not fo&nd this ,or+manship# nor distin)&ished in this form# and he that ,ill read ,ill see it. 44 Demonstration III. 9n the $hoosin) of the meas&re of proportion. 9&r a&thor dealt ,ith it ver ,ell# -&t never de$lared to &s that the nat&re of man ,as to pla$e the s,ord -elo, the -lade of the hand. 46 Demonstration IIII. 9n the )rad&ation and stren)ths of the s,ord. The demonstration ,ill -e fo&nd ,ritten in vario&s parts of -oo+s of A)rippa# Carran0a# and o&r a&thor# -&t distin)&ished in this ,a in none. 45 Ch. VII. 9n the mode of ,al+in) the $ir$le. It has not -e fo&nd ,ritten in this form. 45

%EC9ND PART.
Demonstration I. 9n the &niversal +e of this s$ien$e# ,hi$h is the lo, )eneral# ,hi$h is $omposed of t,o )enerals# ,hi$h are the )eneral of line in $ross and the )eneral ,ea+ -elo, the stron). The name and val&e of this -lo, ,ill not -e fo&nd ,ritten. 4G Demonstration II. 9n the )eneral of line in $ross. This demonstration ,ill not -e fo&nd ,ritten in this ,or+manship# nor ,ith these parts. 23 Ch. II. 9n the v&l)ar post&res. The -lo,s and post&res provided and red&$ed in this part# as important as the are# ,ill not -e fo&nd ,ritten. 25 Demonstration III. 9n the hi)h )eneral# ,hi$h is $omposed of t,o )enerals: the )eneral of narro,in) and the )eneral of ,ea+ a-ove the stron). The t,o are named the hi)h )eneral# ,hi$h has never -een ,ritten. E3 Demonstration IIII. 9n the )eneral atajo. I have onl fo&nd it ,ritten in the -oo+A he that ,ill ,or+ it ,ill see if it is ,ith distin$tion# and -lo,s. E2 The ro&nded )eneral atajo# the -od profiled# ,ill not -e fo&nd ,ritten. Ch. III. In ,hi$h parti$&lar -lo,s are dealt ,ith. F3 T H I R D P A R T ( In ,hi$h the da))er is dealt ,ith. I have not fo&nd an thin) ,ritten on this that satisfies me. Ch. I. That deals ,ith the da))er# -&$+ler# or $loa+. It ,ill not -e fo&nd ,ritten in this form. F6 Ch. II. 9n the mode of fi)htin) some men# and that ,hi$h it s&its the dis$iple to +no,. The ,ill find nothin) of this ,ritten. FF Ch. III. 9n the da))er a)ainst s,ordA I have not fo&nd it ,ritten. F5 Ch. IIII. 9n the tea$hin) of the left A I have not fo&nd it ,ritten. 54 Ch. V. 9n the elements that the master has to have. 56 End of the ta-le.

%o desiro&s of the ad"&stment of this s$ien$e# I ,ant to see the st&dio&s fo&nd in it. In this $it of Cadi0# I have made dili)en$e ,ith all the diestros that are and have -een as a port ,here men more e/perien$ed in this s$ien$e of all the ,orld $ome to)ether# liti)atin) this tr&th ,ith all# desirin) to s&$$eed. =p to no,# this mode of tea$hin) has satisfied all# -e$omin) ne, to them# never seen. It doesn;t appear to the most ast&te that this has -een made hidden# and that it has not -een liti)ated ,ith the same lord of this s$ien$e# ,ho +no,s that this that I follo, is the -est that has -een a-le to -e dis$overed in the art# and that his dis$iple ,ill -e the onl one that ,ill follo, this -oo+ and tea$hin). I $onfess it to -e ta+en from its )eni&s# and for that I $ite parts and the -oo+ ,here it has -een ,ritten# $onfessin) o&r a&thor to -e the -est. I have ,ritten this -oo+ ver morall ,ith the reason that all t pes of professors of this art $an &nderstand it# - it -ein) so diffi$&lt# and most masters that have p&-li$ s$hools and ta+e the pla s to the pla0as are men of little st&d . It appears to me that the ,ise also ,ill find that ,hi$h s&its# re$eivin) m )ood desire of s&$$ess# and th&s ,ill pardon the errors that the ,ill find in it# that in the third# that I promise to )ive 8&i$+l # I ,ill tr to enhan$e it the most that I ,ill -e a-le in ad"&stment# lan)&a)e# and philosoph .

PRAI%E G9D.