Lessons Offensive. 1. Of Approaching or Advancing.

Observe here; (when you are standing to your Guard, and your Adversary without your measure, so that without Approaching you cannot reach him) that you lift your Right-foot about a Foot Forward, and presently let your Left-foot follow close by the Ground, your Left-knee a little bowed, taking notice at the end of every step, that your Feet be at the same equal distance as when you first presented your Sword, or if in any thing you vary, let it be in bringing them something nearer; and so your Elong will come as much nearer to your Adversary as you brought your Left-foot nearer to your Right:  Always then remember to redouble this Step, or any other that is to be used on this Occasion till you think your Adversary is within your measure.  This step must be always made on plain Ground, lest you Trip and fall, which is very dangerous; but if it be on rugged uneven Ground, there is another suitable to it, called the Double Step, after this manner;

In the first place throw your Left-foot before your Right, (which may be done, by raising your Body a little on your Right-foot) about a Foot, then bring your Right-foot forward again, as far before your Left, as when you presented your Sword; these two Motions must be done immediately after the other, or else doing of this Step will appear ungraceful; and here you must keep a thin Body as possible, because the throwing your Left foot before your Right, lays your Body open, and so redouble this step, as the former, according to the distance you are from your Adversary, till you approach within his measure.

Lesson 2. Of Retiring.

This may be done three ways, first with the single Step, the same way you approach with it, only whereas in approaching with the single Step you lift your Right-foot first, here you must lift your Left-foot first, and the rest observe, as in the Approach with the single Step.

The second is, that with the double Step, and is done the same way as in the Advance, only in approaching you throw your Left-foot before Right, when in retiring you must throw your Right-foot backward behind your Left; and the rest is done as in Advancing with the double Step.

The third is done by a sudden jump backwards on the strait Line, with both your Feet in the Air at once, but you must lift your Right-foot first, and after your jump is done, stand to your Guard again, unless you find occasion to redouble your jump to be farther out of reach.

Lesson 3. Of giving in the Thrust.