You have two ways with this Guard to defend your self, either by Parying or using Contraries to what your Adversary plays, as I shall more fully shew you when I come to discourse of the five Parades; however here observe in the strait Guard, which is most in use, to keep a thin Body, which is done by shewing your Right-side to your Adversary, managing your feet in a strait Line from him; so that for your Right he cannot see your Left-leg, yet set them not too wide, for that will make your Elong the shorter; nor too close, for that will hinder the firmness of standing; and let the Point of your Right foot be turned somewhat outwards from the strait Line, but the broad side of your Left must look towards your Adversary. You are also to sink with your Thighs your Left-knee, a little more bent than your Right, which may be done by your leaning somewhat back on your Left-thigh; when you present your Sword, you must hold it with your Nails upwards, as has been directed in Quart. The Hilt of your Sword must be as High as your Right-pap, keeping your Arm a little bent, for the better and easier pursuing your Adversary; or for the quicker giving in a Thrust: The Point must be towards your Adversaries Right-side, two or three Inches lower than the Hilt, your Left-hand held up as high as your Left-ear, about half a Foot from it, the Palm directly against your Adversaries Face, your Fingers pointing as it were towards him.
The Quart-guard, with the sloping Point.
In this Guard you must stand much straiter than in the former, the Point of your Sword sloping within half a Foot of the Ground, your Hilt as low as your Wast, your Arm bended, and the Nails of your Sword-hand between Terce and Quart; Here you are also to make use of your Left-hand, and therefore the more readily to do it, you must advance your Left Shoulder almost as far forward as your Right, keeping your Belly in as much as may be, so that it stand well, and your Breast out, your Left-hand as high as the side of your Head, though about half a Foot from it. This is a very open Guard, yet to those that know not how to pursue it, it is much Surprizing. And you may pursue this;
First, by raising up or gathering your Adversaries Sword.
Secondly, by striking at his Sword, and making half Thrusts at the Body, by which he will be doubtful when you intend to give in your Thrust, and finding an Opportunity give it home; and ever when you persue this Guard, let your Left-hand be in a readiness to Parie your Opponents Thrust, if he Thrust just as you are Thrusting, which is the main defence on this Guard.
Thirdly you may give a stroak at his Left-hand; after you give a beat at his sword, and see if by so doing, you can force him to betake himself to another Guard.
Fourthly, You may Volt, and in your so doing, give him the Thrust, which being clearly done, will mainly surprize him.
The-Terce-guard, with the Point higher than the Hilt.
In this you must hold the Nails of your Sword-hand downwards, as in Terce, and your Hand lower than in the Quart-Guard, with a strait Point, presenting the Point of your Sword towards your Adversaries Left-shoulder; if he be a tall Man; but if Short, then to his Left-eye, keeping your Arm somewhat bent, for the better persuing: Lean therefore a little forward with your Body, and make use of your Left-hand for a Parade, holding it somewhat lower than in the former Guard. The rest of your Body being kept, as in the Quart-Guard, with the strait Point.
This Guard may be pursued either with Striking, Binding, Volting, or Passing, for a Feint on this Guard will signifie little or nothing if your Adversary understand it; for as in no Guard, he is to answer Feints, least of all in this, the Right defence being to secure your self without your Sword, which is done by presenting your Sword to the Left-shoulder of your Adversary, or as said, his Eye, so that your Body be quite covered without your Sword.