And he judged right; for Sir Piercie Shafton no sooner heard him
speak, than he exclaimed, "Thy death-hour has struck--betake thee to
thy sword--Via!"
Both swords were unsheathed, and the combatants commenced their
engagement. Halbert became immediately aware, that, as he had
expected, he was far inferior to his adversary in the use of his
weapon. Sir Piercie Shafton had taken no more than his own share of
real merit, when he termed himself an absolutely good fencer; and
Glendinning soon found that he should have great difficulty in
escaping with life and honour from such a master of the sword. The
English knight was master of all the mystery of the _stoccata,
imbrocata, punto-reverso, incartata_, and so forth, which the
Italian masters of defence had lately introduced into general
practice. But Glendinning, on his part, was no novice in the
principles of the art, according to the old Scottish fashion, and
possessed the first of all qualities, a steady and collected mind. At
first, being desirous to try the skill, and become acquainted with the
play of his enemy, he stood on his defence, keeping his foot, hand,
eye, and body, in perfect unison, and holding his sword short, and
with the point towards his antagonist's face, so that Sir Piercie, in
order to assail him, was obliged to make actual passes, and could not
avail himself of his skill in making feints; while, on the other hand,
Halbert was prompt to parry these attacks, either by shifting his
ground or with the sword.
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