H6: The four guards (Vier Lieger)
Mark the Four Lieger (Hutten), that is, the Four Guards from
which you shall fence.
Ox (Ochs), Plough (Pflugh), Fool (Alber), From the Roof (Vom Tag)
Here he (Liechtenauer) mentions the four guards
(Leger or Hut), which he considers useful. But first of all, one
should not lie in these for too long, because Liechtenauer has a
proverb: "Who lies there, is dead and who moves is still alive."
And this relates to the guards-a man should rather move with
fencing attacks and techniques than waiting in the guards...
The first guard is called the Ox, position yourself thus
with it: stand with your left foot before and hold your sword
near your right side, with the hilt before your head so that
your thumb is under the sword, and hang the point in against
his face.
Mark, the other guard is called the Plow, there position
yourself thus with it: stand with your left foot before and hold
your sword with crossed hands, with the pommel below you
near your right side on your hip, so that the short edge is
above and the point stands in against his face.
Mark, position yourself thus in the guard called Fool: stand
with your right foot before and hold your sword with
stretched arms before you, with the point on the earth so that
the short edge is turned above.
Mark, the guard is called From the Day, therein position
yourself thus: stand with your left foot before and hold your
sword on your right shoulder, or with up-stretched arms high
over your head, and stand thus in the guard.