_Of Guard._
By Guard, is meant such a Situation of all the Parts of the Body as
enables them to give their mutual Assistance to defend or attack. A
Guard cannot be perfect without a good and graceful Disposition,
proceeding from a natural Proportion of the Parts of the Body, and an
easy and vigorous Motion, which is to be acquired by Practice, and the
Instruction of a good Master.
[Illustration: Plate 1. The middling Guard.]
[Illustration: The straight Guard or flat Sword.]
As In all bodily Excercises, a good Air, Freedom, Vigour, and a just
Disposition of the Body and Limbs are necessary, so are they more
especially in Fencing, the least Disorder in this Case being of the
worst Consequence; and the Guard being the Center whence all the Vigour
should proceed, and which should communicate Strength and Agility to
every Part of the Body, if there be the least Irregularity in any one
Part, there cannot be that Agreeableness, Power of Defence, Justness, or
Swiftness that is requisite.
In order to be well in Guard, it is absolutely necessary that the Feet,
as the Foundation that conduces chiefly to communicate Freedom and
Strength to the other Parts, be placed at such a Distance from each
other, and in such a lineal Manner as may be advantageous: The Distance
must be about two Foot from one Heel to the other; for if it were
greater, the Adversary, tho' of the same Stature, and with a Sword of
equal Length, would be within Measure when you would not, which would be
a very considerable Fault, Measure being one of the principal Parts of
Fencing, and if the Feet were nearer together, you would want Strength,
which is also a great Fault, because a feeble Situation cannot produce
a vigorous Action.
The Line must be taken from the hindmost Part of the Right Heel to the
Left Heel near the Ancle. The Point of the Right Foot must be opposite
to the Adversary's, turning out the Point of the Left Foot, and bending
the Left Knee over the Point of the same Foot, keeping the Right Knee a
little bent, that it may have a Freedom of Motion.
The Body must be upright, which gives it a better Air, greater Strength,
and more Liberty to advance and retire, being supported almost equally
by the two Feet. Some Masters teach to keep the Body back in Favour of
Measure, which cannot be broke by the Body when 'tis already drawn back,
tho' it is often necessary, not only to avoid a Surprize, but also to
deceive a Man of superior Swiftness who pushes a just Length: Therefore
'tis much better to have the Liberty of retiring to avoid the Thrusts of
the Adversary, or of extricating yourself by advancing towards him and
pushing (as I shall observe in its proper Place) than to keep the Body
in one Situation at a Distance, which being fixed, cannot deceive a
Person who knows any thing of Measure; moreover, such a Retention of
the Body does not only hinder the breaking Measure with the Body, but
also the Left Leg is so oppressed with its whole Weight, that it would
find it difficult to retire upon Occasion.
The Elbows must be almost on a Line, and of an equal Height, that one
Shoulder may not be higher than the other, and that they may be both
turn'd alike; the Left Hand must be over against the Top of the Ear, the
Hilt of the Sword a little above the Hip, turning towards Half _Quart_,
the Thumb extended, pressing the Middle of the Eye of the Hilt, keeping
the Fingers pretty close to the Handle, especially the little one, in
order to feel the Sword firmer and freer in the Hand.
By feeling the Sword, is meant commanding the Fort and Feeble equally
with the Hand, in order to communicate to the more distant Part of the
Blade, as well as to that which is nearer, the Motion and Action that is
requisite.
The Hilt should be situated in the Center, that is to say, between the
upper and lower Parts, and the Inside and Outside of the Body, in order
to be in a better Condition to defend whatever Part may be attacked.
The Arm must not be strait nor too much bent, to preserve its Liberty
and be cover'd. The Parts being thus placed, the Wrist and the Point of
the Right Foot will be on a perpendicular Line.
The Point of the Sword ought to be about the Height of, and on a Line
with the Adversary's Shoulder, that is, it must be more or less raised,
according as he is taller or shorter: Some Masters raise it to one fixed
Height, which would be very well if all Men were of the same Stature;
but if we consider the difference in Height of Persons, we shall find it
evidently bad. 'Tis to be observed, that according to the Length or
Shortness of the Blade, the Line from the Shell to the Point is higher
or lower, when the Height of the Point is fix'd.
The Shoulder, the Bend of the Arm, the Hilt, the Point of the Sword, the
Hip, the Right Knee and the Point of the Right Foot must be on a Line.
The Head should be upright and free without Stiffness or Affectation,
the Face turned between full and profile, and not altogether full, as
many Masters will have it, that being a constrained and disagreeable
Figure.
[Illustration: 2d Plate. A Lunge in Quart.]
[Illustration: A Thrust in Quart.]
The Sight should be fixed on the Adversary's, not only to observe his
Motions, but also to discover his Design, it being possible to guess at
the interior Design, by the exterior Action.
It is necessary to appear animated with a brave Boldness, for nothing
requires a Man to exert himself more than Sword in Hand; and it is as
difficult to attain such an Air of Intrepidity without much Excercise,
as it is to become perfectly expert.