The following are the full number of guards or parries in which the edge must invariably be used: they are evidently dividable into two; (1) Head (with face) Guards, and (2) Body Guards:-- I. Prime (p. 38), so called because it is the “first” position of defence after drawing the blade, that which the unpractised man would naturally assume to defend his head. It is the 7th Guard of the ‘Infantry Sword Exercise.’ In practice the point is more inclined to the horizontal line than when the blade is unsheathed; the edge is carried somewhat inside or to the left; the arm is shortened and so raised that the eyes look under it, but the head remains upright. The recruit must be careful _not_ to “bend the body;” _not_ to “draw in the chest and neck;” and _not_ to “bring the left shoulder a little forward.” The defect of Prime is its being a “Hanging guard,” rendering the riposte or reply difficult, and modern practice prefers “High Tierce.” II. Seconde (4th Guard), so termed because following Prime: the arm is extended, the edge is carried to the outside or to the right; in practice the hilt is lowered, and the point, threatening the opponent’s loins, is depressed to the half of a right angle. This position must be learned for the sake of feinting: as a parade it is not much used, because it defends only the hip and leg, and a good swordsman will never expose himself to exceeding danger by making low cuts. Modern practice prefers “low Tierce.” III. Tierce (2nd Guard) has been described (p. 39) under “Standing on Guard” and “Engaging Guards;” it defends the outer lines, arm, shoulder, and back. IV. High Tierce is a head-guard: the hand is raised to above the shoulder to the maximum level of the swordsman’s right eye, and the blade is carried at an angle of 45° with the edge up and the point to the left. V. Low Tierce is a flank-guard; the arm is shortened, the hand is depressed six inches; the opposition is to the outside, and the point is held vertically or almost vertically, as the attack demands. VI. Carte (1st Guard) has been described (p. 40) under “Engaging Guards,” as defending the inner lines, chest and stomach. For the purposes of parrying, the arm is withdrawn till the elbow, almost touching the belt, forms an equilateral triangle with the hilt and the left side. VII. High Carte is a head-guard like high Tierce: the hand is raised to the left of the left eye, and the blade, crossing the face at an angle of 45°, carries the edge up, and the point to the right. VIII. Low Carte is a stomach guard. As in Low Tierce the arm is shortened, the hand is depressed six inches; the opposition is to the inside, and the point is held vertically or almost vertically, as the attack demands.