Were it not a dishonour to a mighty
prince, to have the majesty of his embassage spoiled by a careless
ambassador? and is it not as great an indignity, that an excellent
conceit and capacity, by the indiligence of an idle tongue, should
be disgraced? Negligent speech doth not only discredit the person
of the speaker, but it discrediteth the opinion of his reason and
judgment; it discrediteth the force and uniformity of the matter and
substance. If it be so then in words, which fly and escape censure,
and where one good phrase begs pardon for many incongruities and
faults, how shall he then be thought wise whose penning is thin and
shallow? how shall you look for wit from him whose leisure and head,
assisted with the examination of his eyes, yield you no life or
sharpness in his writing?
De stylo epistolari.--Inventio.--In writing there is to be regarded
the invention and the fashion. For the invention, that ariseth upon
your business, whereof there can be no rules of more certainty, or
precepts of better direction given, than conjecture can lay down
from the several occasions of men's particular lives and vocations:
but sometimes men make baseness of kindness: As "I could not
satisfy myself till I had discharged my remembrance, and charged my
letters with commendation to you;" or, "My business is no other than
to testify my love to you, and to put you in mind of my willingness
to do you all kind offices;" or, "Sir, have you leisure to descend
to the remembering of that assurance you have long possessed in your
servant, and upon your next opportunity make him happy with some
commands from you?" or the like; that go a-begging for some meaning,
and labour to be delivered of the great burden of nothing.
Pages:
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117