This anonymous poem appears in fragmentary form in both Hans Talhoffer's personal fencing manual of 1459[1] and Hans von Speyer's 1491 anthology.[2] It shares concepts and terminology with the writings of Martin Syber and follows his New Zettel ("New Record") in Speyer's work,[3] but is absent from other presentations of his work. Its presence in Talhoffer's writings over thirty years earlier would also suggest that Syber is not the original author (or potentially that his career was much earlier than currently thought).

It is worth mentioning that the justification for considering the two poems to be parts of the same greater work is not as strong as we might wish. Out of 30 lines in the Copenhagen version and 27 in the Salzburg, only ten are common to both poems. This is a much smaller degree of overlap than we generally see in different renditions of the same work, though it is still substantial enough to reasonably conclude that the two are related in some way.

Treatise

The couplet in bold text appears out of sequence between the two versions. Its proper location cannot be determined from available information.

Poem Complete Translation

by Christian Trosclair Copenhagen Version (1459) [edit]

by Dieter Bachmann Salzburg Version (1491) [edit]

by Dierk Hagedorn 1







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Under-hew simply breaks

Middle-hew into the expanse[4]

Now look into what this means

In the changing-hew seek the gauche,

Diligently observe according to the displacement

Plunging-hew, therein you wind

If you wish to find the face open

Then, from the parter,

Strike the short edge there

To the bottom, invert the plunge-hew

Therein examine and learn

In the Iron-point,[5] take watch.

With the point, Drive up.

Delivering[6] into the unicorn another time.

Your roses in the little wheel.

yank the hits, it gives good sense

Squint-hew hits as well

The wing accosts the ears Over-hew is for the thrustUnder-hew simply breaksMiddle-hew into the expanseNow look into what this meansIn the changing-hew seek the gauche,Diligently observe according to the displacementPlunging-hew, therein you windIf you wish to find the face openThen, from the parter,Strike the short edge thereTo the bottom, invert the plunge-hewTherein examine and learnIn the Iron-point,take watch.With the point, Drive up.Deliveringinto the unicorn another time.Squint-hew hits as wellThe wing accosts the ears

Wrath-point, the chest to pierce

Shooting over to both sides

The waker will stay

Driving strokes will go

Into the roses in the little wheel

yank the hits, it gives good sense

Crooked-hew to the mouth[7]

If you have intwined him, do not rest

In the war, so you apply grips

Ox, plow: therein you do not soften

Play[8] with the carving[9] point

In the barrier-point[10] have a heart

Avert[11] in the iron-gate.

Perform a failing [upon] a buffalo, if you are agile



Bolting, running-over and the slice

That is a general teaching

Orient yourself thereupon[12]

Because if the wise perform,

The Art proclaims glories. Approaching first, racing behind is the snareBolting, running-over and the sliceThat is a general teachingOrient yourself thereuponBecause if the wise perform,The Art proclaims glories.

If you wish to enjoy the Art,

Then learn the doubled hews

Whoever follows[13] straight[14] hews,

They permit their art little rejoicing

Also [there] are the four guards

That you shall always remember

Do not fall strongly therein

Lest[15] he clash loudly, sounding over it.

Whenever one wishes to bind-upon

Then wind the short edge into forwards.







































Additional Resources

Hull, Jeffrey. "The Longsword Fight Lore of Mertin Siber." Masters of Medieval and Renaissance Martial Arts. Ed. Jeffrey Hull. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press, 2008. ISBN 978-1-58160-668-3