As it is a great
point of art, when our matter requires it, to enlarge and veer out
all sail, so to take it in and contract it, is of no less praise,
when the argument doth ask it. Either of them hath their fitness in
the place. A good man always profits by his endeavour, by his help,
yea, when he is absent; nay, when he is dead, by his example and
memory. So good authors in their style: a strict and succinct
style is that where you can take away nothing without loss, and that
loss to be manifest.
De Stylo.--Tracitus.--The Laconic.--Suetonius.--Seneca and
Fabianus.--The brief style is that which expresseth much in little;
the concise style, which expresseth not enough, but leaves somewhat
to be understood; the abrupt style, which hath many breaches, and
doth not seem to end, but fall. The congruent and harmonious
fitting of parts in a sentence hath almost the fastening and force
of knitting and connection; as in stones well squared, which will
rise strong a great way without mortar.
Periodi.--Obscuritas offundit tenebras.--Superlatio.--Periods are
beautiful when they are not too long; for so they have their
strength too, as in a pike or javelin.
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