"We all learn the use of the sword in England; but my uncle, Monsieur Vaillant, has taken great pains in having me taught also by such French professors of arms as lived in Canterbury, or happened to pass through it; but I own that I prefer the English style of fighting.

We generally stand upright to our work, equally poised on the two feet for advance or retreat; while you lean with the body far forward and the arm outstretched, which seems to me to cripple the movements." "Yes, but it puts the body out of harm's way," Francois said.
"It is the arm's business to guard the body, Francois, and it is impossible to strike a downright blow when leaning so far forward." "We strike but little, nowadays, in single combat," the maitre d'armes said.

"The point is more effective." "That is doubtless so, Maitre Charles," Philip agreed; "but I have not learned fencing for the sake of fighting duels, but to be able to take my part on a field of battle.

The Spaniards are said to be masters of the straight sword, and yet they have been roughly used in the western seas by our sailors; who, methinks, always use the edge." The two now took up their position facing each other.

Their attitude was strikingly different.