Naming of Attacks
All the principles of art are found in nature and are the fruit of observation. It is the same in the art of arms. The attack which all men thrust naturally is that of prime (see plate II). Two individuals who have not received any principles will thrust a sword in a movement of anger; they thrust their weapon poking with a hand in tierce; one makes the attack, the other parries in the same position, which is prime, the first attack in the natural order. In the same position, on the opposite side, which by being open calls to the point, will be seconde or second (see plate III). In the same position, that is to say always with a low point and the hand in tierce, the play which is found underneath, and the same when thrusting, will be tierce or third (see plate IV) in which position the hand does not change, good that the point is high; the play inside will call the sword, and this thrust will be quarte-inside the-arm or fourth (see plate V) which parries a hand in quarte.
Here then are the good natural attacks; it is the art and observation which gives the others which are all derived from these first.
If one parries in quarte the nails are turned upwards, you will uncover the inside and the point is out of line with the body. Then thrust hand in tierce above the hand to parry while sweeping, this is called quinte or fifth ( see plate VI). This attack having no point in opposition must not be thrust in the case where the point of he who parries will be found in direct line with the body. As it is thrust while sweeping it always parries always with the nails in tierce to form a large angle which divides the tip of the body. We know this to be called quinte.
When the play is found on top it is called quarte-over-the-arm or sixte (see plate VII); it is parried with the hand in quarte, while opposing quarte to quarte, but without touching.
Suppose that one is engaged in quarte-inside and when one thrusts under the hand that is low-quarte (see plate VIII) which is parried with demi-circle. This blow is septime; to thrust quarte in the play of the opposing side to this parry of septime one thrusts octave (see plate IX), the eight attack, which is parried with a hand in quarte, the nails entirely turned to quarte thus to form the angle well.
These are the attacks with weapons in every position where the hand can thrust or parry; one knows not to add to these, rather to reduce them; when one thrusts a little high or a little too low these will always be the same.
These eight attacks are however the parries and the oppositions. Double parries cut two lines; demi-circle cuts three, even four. Double parries are made when uncertain and by habit one will come to judge and parry simple. in the assault the attacks will be very quick one will not have time to make the counter, however parry more slowly will make the point pas in front of your body, where it passes, after your quickness-of-eye, take the simple and it will always be one of the eight attacks detailed above or one of the eight parries.
It is rare that one cannot draw a parry against a thrust made with speed with a parry of the same name, or by opposition; it is thus a reason to not exclude one or other parry.
Masters must not teach the names of these attacks to their pupils until they are in a state ready to understand, that is to say at the end of some months in lessons.
To Hit and Not Be Hit 