CAPITVLO VNDEZIMO

EN QUE SE DEMUESTRAN ASSI LOS Medios de proporcion, como los proporcionados que ha de elegir el Dieſtro

CHATPER ELEVEN

IN WHICH BOTH THE Proportional Means, as well as the appropriate positions that the Fencer should choose, are Demonstrated

A demas de eſtos circulos, que mueſtran la juriſdiccion que tiene el cuerpo para dar ſus compaſes, y la que ſe darà al Caſtillo imaginario del Dieſtro, imaginamos otros circulos para moſtrar la juriſdiccion, y alcance de la eſpada, quando el Dieſtro eſtà afirmado con ella en Angulo recto.

In addition to these circles, which display the jurisdiction the body has to take its steps, and the one given to the Fencer’s imaginary fortress, we imagine other circles to show the jurisdiction and reach of the sword when the Fencer stands with it at a right angle.

Supongamos que la linea A.B. ſe la diſtancia del Diametro del circulo comun, que es de ocho pies, ò de la longitud de la Eſpada dos vezes; dividaſe en ocho partes iguales, que cada vna ſea de vn pie, tomeſe la diſtancia A.C. de ſeis pies, que es la longitud del brazo, y Eſpada, y deſcribaſe vn circulo con eſte intervalo, y ſerà eſte circulo de la juriſdiccion de la Eſpada, que de aqui adelante llamarèmos Orbe de la Eſpada; vayan deſcribiendoſe los demàs circulos que paſſen por D. por E. por F.G. y H. cada vno de eſtos circulos ſirve para reconocer la juriſdiccion que tiene aſſi el Dieſtro, como ſu adverſario, para dar ſus compaſes para las tretas: el circulo que paſſa por B. repreſenta el lugar que ha de tener el Dieſtro para tener elegido el medio de proporcion, como moſtrarèmos en ſu lugar; el circulo exterior de todos mueſtra el circulo que ha de cauſar el pie izquierdo, quando eſtando perfilado, ò afirmado con ſu contrario, el derecho ſe moviere por el interior.

Let’s assume that the line A.B. is the distance of the diameter of the common circle, which is eight feet, or the length of the sword twice over. Divide it into eight equal parts, each one being one foot. Take the distance A.C. to be six feet, which is the length of the arm and the sword, and draw a circle with this interval. This will be the circle of the sword’s jurisdiction, which from now on we will call the Orb of the Sword. Continue drawing the remaining circles passing through D, E, F, G, and H. Each one of these circles serves to recognize the jurisdiction of both the Fencer and his opponent, to take their steps for tricks. The circle passing through B represents the position the Fencer should be in to have chosen the middle of proportion, as we will show in its place; the outermost circle shows the circle the left foot should create when, while profiled or squared off with the opponent, the right foot moves inward.

El eſpacio que ay entre el circulo B. y el circulo 6. es la diſtancia que ay deſde el medio de proporcion al proporcionado para eſtocadas, y tiene de juriſdiccion dos pies, que es lo menos que el contrario ſe puede mover, para paſſar el vn medio al otro.

The space between circle B and circle 6 is the distance from the proportional middle to the appropriate distance for thrusts and has a jurisdiction of two feet, which is the least the opponent can move to go from one middle to another.

El epacio delineado que ay entre el circulo ſexto, y el quinto, es el lugar de los medios proporcionados para eſtocadas. El eſpacio que ay entre el quinto, y el quarto circulo ſerà para los medios proporcionados para formar tajos, reveſes, medios tajos, y medios reveſes, y para poner el atajo de mayor potencia.

The delineated space between the sixth and fifth circles is the place for the proportional means for thrusts. The space between the fifth and fourth circles will be for the proportional means to form cuts, reverses, half cuts, and half reverses, and to establish the most powerful bind.

El eſpacio que ay entre el quarto, y tercero circulo es el luhar en que ha de eſtar el contrario para hazer al Dieſtro movimiento de concluſion; mas no en qualquier parte de èl, ſi no en la que correpondiere à ſu lado derecho, como adelante ſe dirà: entiendeſe, que el contrario ocuparà la diſtancia que ay de vn circulo à otro con el pie, y eſtos eſpacios, para mayor brevedad, llamarèmos Orbes de aqui adelante.

The space between the fourth and third circles is where the opponent should stand to make the Fencer make a concluding move; however, not anywhere within it, but on the side that corresponds to his right side, as will be explained later. Understand that the opponent will occupy the distance from one circle to another with his foot, and these spaces, for brevity, we will call Orbs from now on.

El tercer circulo tiene grande vſo en la Deſtreza, porque mueſtra el lugar de los medios porporcionales que el Dieſtro ha de elegir, para paſſar con facilidad, y ſeguridad deſde el medio de porporcion à los proporcionados.

The third circle is of great importance in Fencing, because it shows the place of the proportional means that the Fencer should choose to move easily and safely from the middle of proportion to the appropriate positions.

El ſegundo circulo mueſtra haſta donde llega el pomo de la Eſpada del Dieſtro, ò la punta del contrario en el plano ſuperior, quando el contrario eſtuviere afirmado en ſu medio de proporcion, y mueſtra el menor compàs que ſe puede dar para paſſar deſde el medio de proporcion al proporcionado, por la linea del Diametro, que es la linea mas breve, ſi bien es el camino menos ſeguro.

The second circle shows how far the Fencer’s sword’s pommel or the opponent’s tip reaches in the upper plane when the opponent stands in his middle of proportion. It also shows the smallest step that can be taken to move from the middle of proportion to the appropriate position along the diameter line, which is the shortest line, though it is the least safe path.

El primer circulo es el que conſidera afirmado el Dieſtro, y ſe llama Circulo particular del Dieſtro.

The first circle is the one in which the Fencer is considered positioned and is called the Fencer’s Particular Circle.

El Orbe exterior, que eſtà entre el pie derecho, y izquierdo, ſe llama Orbe maximo, y de los medios de proporcion.

The outer sphere, which is between the right and left foot, is called the Maximum Sphere, and of the means of proportion.

Adviertaſe que otros tantos Orbes conſideramos en el contrario, y que del miſmo modo que el Dieſtro eſtà en medio de todos eſtos Orbes, ò circulos, tambien el adverſario, por ſuponere igual à èl, eſtarà en medio de los ſuyos.

Note that we consider just as many Spheres for the opponent, and in the same way that the Fencer is in the middle of all these Spheres or circles, the opponent, assuming he is equal to him, will also be in the middle of his own.

Mas ſi aora conſideramos à nueſtro Dieſtro pueſto en el centro de ſus circulo en A. y que imaginamos, que el Orbe de le Eſpada con todos ſu circulos, con ſus lineas rectas, Planos paralelos, ſe fueſſen levantando ſiempre paralelos al Orizonte, haſta que llegaſſen à nivel de ſu cabeza, hallariamos que el circulo exterior, y Orbe de la Eſpada conſu movimiento perpendicular, avria cauſado vna Superficie cilindra à modo de torreon, ò vn Caſtillo; y que los demàs circulos interiores avrian cauſado lo miſmo: y que ſi fueſſen eſtos circulos reales, como ſon imaginarios, que ſiempre los interiores haſta la guarnicion de la Eſpada ſerian mas fuertes, y harian mayor reſiſtencia, por ſe los grados de la Eſpada mas fuertes, quanto mas ſe van llegando à la guarnicion; mas tambien hallariamos, que ſi huvieſſe muchas puntas de Eſpadas, por todas las partes del circulo exterior, tambien ſe avria de confeſſar, que e hallaria muchas reſiſtencia en la expugnacion de eſte Caſtillo: la parte de èl, que eſtà entre el Orbe ſexto, y el quinto, ſe defenderà con la punta de la Eſpada, y con el corte; la otra parte, que eſtà entre el quarto haſta el ſegundo, toca deſde la ſegunda, ò media diviſion de la Eſpada haſta el pomo, y mira mas à la defenſa, que à la ofenſa.

But now, if we consider our Fencer positioned at the center of his circle at A, and imagine that the Sphere of the Sword, with all its circles, its straight lines, parallel planes, would be always rising parallel to the horizon until it reached the level of his head, we would find that the outer circle and Sphere of the Sword, with its perpendicular movement, would have created a cylindrical surface, like a tower or a castle. And that the other inner circles would have done the same. If these circles were real, as they are imaginary, the innermost ones, up to the sword guard, would always be stronger and offer more resistance, because the sections of the sword are stronger the closer they get to the guard. But we would also find that if there were many sword tips around the entire outer circle, one would have to admit that there would be much resistance in the conquest of this castle: the part of it that is between the sixth and fifth Sphere would be defended with the tip of the sword and the edge; the other part, which is from the fourth to the second, touches from the second, or middle division of the sword to the pommel, and looks more to defense than to offense.

El cilindro interior 1. ſerà à modo de coluna, en el qual ſe conſidera pueſto el Dieſtro para que ſe pueda conſiderar la ſuperficie de ſu cuerpo con alguna regularidad, para imaginar en ellas algunas lineas, que ſirven à la direccion de las tretas.

The inner cylinder 1 will be like a column, in which the Fencer is considered positioned so that the surface of his body can be considered with some regularity, to imagine on them some lines that serve the direction of the tricks.

Las lineas rectas, que dividen todos eſtos circulos en ocho partes iguales, con ſu movimiento avràn cauſado quatro Planos verticales, los quales cortando el cilindro interior, en que conſideramos al Dieſtro, cauſan en ſu Superficie ocho lineas, que imaginadas en el Cuerpo de el Dieſtro tiene cada vna ſu nombre particular.

The straight lines that divide all these circles into eight equal parts, with their movement, would have caused four vertical planes, which, intersecting the inner cylinder where the Fencer is considered to be, create on its surface eight lines. Imagined on the Fencer’s body, each one has its particular name.

La que correſponderà à linea A.B. la llamarèmos Vertical del pecho, porque conſideramos para mayor inteligencia, que el Dieſtro mira derecho à ſu contrario, que eſtà en B. La linea que correſponde à la parte del Plano que paſſar por A.2. ſe llamarà Colateral derecha. La que correſponde à la parte del Plano que paſſa por A.8. la llamarèmos Colateral izquierda. La que correſponde al que paſſa por A.3. ſe llamarà Vertical derecha. La que correſponde à A.7. fe llamarà Vertical izquierda. Las otras tres correſponden à las eſpaldas, la que correſponde à la linea A.4. ſe llamarà Colateral derecha de las eſpaldas. La que correſponde à la linea A.6. ſe llamarà Colateral izquierda de las eſpaldas. La que correſponde à la linea A.5. ſe llamarà Diametral de las eſpaldas.

The line corresponding to A.B. will be called Vertical of the chest, because for better understanding, we consider that the Fencer is directly facing his opponent, who is at B. The line corresponding to the part of the plane passing through A.2 will be called Right Lateral. The line corresponding to the part of the plane passing through A.8 will be called Left Lateral. The line corresponding to the one passing through A.3 will be called Right Vertical. The line corresponding to A.7 will be called Left Vertical. The other three lines correspond to the back; the line corresponding to A.4 will be called Right Lateral of the back. The line corresponding to A.6 will be called Left Lateral of the back. The one corresponding to A.5 will be called Diametral of the back.

La conſideracion de eſtos Planos, de eſtos Orbes, y de eſtas lineas, es de tanta conſequencia en la Deſtreza, que en ellos eſtà caſi cifrado todo lo que ay de excelencia en ella; porque como hemos moſtrado, toda la Deſtreza no es otra coſa que movimientos, aſsi de la parte, como del todo, y eſtos movimeintos ſe regulan por lineas, y planos, y todas las lineas, planos, y ſuperficies que imaginamos aqui, tienen tanta propriedad, que todas ſe ſacan, no ſolo de la Symmetria del hombre, mas tambien de la medida verdadera de la eſpada, que es el Arma con que ſe ha de ofender, y defender: con que ſe reconoce claramente la grande vtilidad que ſe ſacarà de eſta figura, para el conocimiento de eſta ſciencia.

The consideration of these planes, these spheres, and these lines is of such consequence in Fencing that almost all its excellence lies in them. As we have shown, Fencing is nothing other than movements, both in part and as a whole, and these movements are regulated by lines and planes. All the lines, planes, and surfaces we imagine here are so proper that they all derive not only from the symmetry of man but also from the true measure of the sword, the weapon with which one must attack and defend. Thus, the great utility that can be drawn from this figure for understanding this science is clearly recognized.

Por eſta figura verà el Dieſtro con facilidad como podrà formar ſus movimientos con la Eſpada, mudandola à diferentes planos, y con diferentes Angulos, y luego inmediatamente las rectitudes en que ſe pude afirmar.

With this figure, the Fencer will easily see how he can form his movements with the sword, shifting it to different planes, and at different angles, and immediately afterward the correct positions in which he can stand.

Por eſta figura podrà examinar la potencia que tiene ſu braço, y Eſpada en qualquiera de los Planos en que la pudiere poner, para aprovecharſe de eſte conocimiento para la ocaſion en la formacion de la treta, y para alcançar el verdadero conocimiento de la coſa por ſu cauſa.

Using this figure, he can examine the strength of his arm and sword in any of the planes where he might place it, to make use of this knowledge for the occasion in the formation of the technique, and to attain the true understanding of the matter through its cause.

Por eſta figura podrà examinar en qual de eſtos Planos tendrà el cuerpo mayor diſpocion para dar ſus compaſes, para tener conocimiento de la quan tendrà ſu adverſario quando le viere afirmado, y hazer juizio de la diſpocion inmediata, que tuviere para obrar.

By this figure, he can examine in which of these planes his body will have a greater disposition to take his steps, to understand how his opponent might when he sees him positioned, and make judgments about the immediate disposition he might have to act.

Podrà por medio de eſta figura habituarſe en la eleccion, aſsi del medio de proprocion, como proporcionales, y proporcionados. El medio de proporcion ſe halla entre el circulo 7. y 9. y tiene mucha ſemejança con la que llaman circunvalacion de las Plazas, ò cordon que ponen los que cercan el tal diſtancia, que ni eſtè muy cerca de la Plaza, que puiede recibir daño conſiderable de ella ni tampoco ha de eſtar tan lexos, que les aya de coſtar mucho tiempo el hazer los aproches.

One can use this figure to become accustomed to the selection of both the means of proportion, as well as the proportionals and the proportioned. The mean of proportion is found between circle 7 and 9 and closely resembles what they call the encirclement of fortresses, or the cord set by those who lay siege at such a distance that they are neither too close to the fortress, risking considerable damage, nor too far away, which would cost them a lot of time to approach.

Lo miſmo ſe guarda en eſte medio de proporcion, cuya diſtancia tiene vn cierto, que pueda ſer herido con corto movimeinto, ò tan lexos, que con vn deſcuido no pueda ofenderle.

The same principle applies to this mean of proportion, whose distance must be such that it is not so close to be easily injured with a small movement, nor so far that one could attack it without being noticed.

Los medios proprocionados ſe hallan en diferentes partes, ò ſon para eſtocadas, y eſtan en la circunferencia del Orbe de la Eſpada; ò para tajos, ò reveſes, medios tajos, y medios reveſes, y eſtan en el quinto Orbe; ò es para movimiento de concluſion, y eſtàn en el qquarto: en el tercero Orbe eſtà el proporcional, como arriba eſtà dicho. Y para que mejor ſe puedan comprehender eſtos medios, y ſu etymologia, daclararèmos eſtos terminos, y procurarèmos dar alguna razon, que ha movido à los Autores à dar eſtos nombres de proprocion, y proporcionados, y à noſotros para el proporcional, que hemos añadido.

The proportioned means are found in different areas: either they are for thrusts and lie on the circumference of the Sphere of the Sword; or they are for cuts or reversals, half-cuts, and half-reversals and are on the fifth Sphere; or they are for finishing movements and are on the fourth. The third sphere is where the proportional is, as mentioned above. To better understand these means and their etymology, we will clarify these terms and try to provide some rationale that has led authors to use these names of proportion and proportioned, and for us to add the term proportional.

Lamina quinta del Libro ſegundo

Plate five of the Second Book.