Repeat often what we have formerly written; which beside
that it helps the consequence, and makes the juncture better, it
quickens the heat of imagination, that often cools in the time of
setting down, and gives it new strength, as if it grew lustier by
the going back; as we see in the contention of leaping, they jump
farthest that fetch their race largest; or, as in throwing a dart or
javelin, we force back our arms to make our loose the stronger.
Yet, if we have a fair gale of wind, I forbid not the steering out
of our sail, so the favour of the gale deceive us not. For all that
we invent doth please us in conception of birth, else we would never
set it down. But the safest is to return to our judgment, and
handle over again those things the easiness of which might make them
justly suspected. So did the best writers in their beginnings; they
imposed upon themselves care and industry; they did nothing rashly:
they obtained first to write well, and then custom made it easy and
a habit. By little and little their matter showed itself to them
more plentifully; their words answered, their composition followed;
and all, as in a well-ordered family, presented itself in the place.
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