The Exercise of the Pike_, by word of Command,_ &c.

1. =Pikes take:  Advance your Pikes.=

To do this, as the first thing required, move in a direct Line with your Pike upward, with your Left-hand near your Side, your Right-hand almost as high as you can reach, keeping your Left by a Depression, as low as you can, your Fingers being strait out; and so raise the Pike till the Butt-end come to your Hand, then place it between your Breast and Shoulder, keeping the Butt-end close, that it may be the more steady and upright.

2. =To the Front.=

To do this, put your Left-hand on your Pike, even with the Top of your Shoulder, keeping your Fingers strait, and bring your Pike right before you with a swift Motion; drawing your Right-heel into your Left-instep, and so keep the Pike strait.

3. =Charge.=

Here you must fall back with your Right-leg, placing the Heel of your Left foot against the middle of your Right, and bring down your Pike with a quick Motion, support it with your Left-Elbow, and charge Breast high; and upon yielding your Body forward, bend your Left-knee to fix your self firmer, holding the Butt end of your Pike in the Palm of your Right-hand, your Left-Toe pointing in a Line with the Spear of the Pike, your Feet set at a moderate distance:  Then bring it down somewhat beneath your Breast, be cautious of clattering, and when it is charged, close it to your Breast.

4. =To the Right four times.=

Here turn your Left-toe to the Right, then make your Left-heel come up to your Right-instep with a sudden Motion, Recovering your Pike strait before you, and having turn’d, fall back with your Right-leg, and Charge as before.

5. =To the Right about.=

Now by turning your Left-toe, bring it to the Right about, bringing up your Right-heel; your Pike being recovered, Charge with much swiftness.

6. =As you were.=

To do this, by turning to the Left about, bring up your Left toe; so bringing your Pike recovered, observe that your Left hand be never higher than your Mouth, your Feet placed in order, and when turn’d, you must fall back with your Right-leg and Charge, bringing your Pike strait up without any clattering.

7. =To the Left four times.=

8. =To the Left about.=

9. =As you were.=

10. =Advance your Pike.=

These must be done, as has been shewed in the Right, only making your Observation of Eight Left Motions, &c.  And the better to do this, bring your Right-heel to your Left-instep; your Pike being before you, fall out with your Right-foot, and so bring your Pike to your Right-Thigh.

11. =Shoulder your Pike.=