To make a _poem_ graceful, many things help; but few an _oration_. For to a _poet_ it sufficeth, with what _words_ he can, to set out his _poem_. But an _orator_ must not only do that, but also seem not to do it: for else he will be thought to speak unnaturally, and not as he thinks; and thereby be the less believed; whereas _belief_ is the scope of his oration. The _words_ that an _orator_ ought to use are of three sorts; _proper_, such as are _received_, and _metaphors_. _Words_ taken from foreign languages, words compounded, and words new coined, are seldom to be used. _Synonymes_ belong to _poets_, and _equivocal_ words to _sophisters_. An orator if he use _proper_ words, and _received_ and _good metaphors_, shall both make his oration _beautiful_, and not seem to intend it; and shall speak _perspicuously_. For in a _metaphor_ alone there is _perspicuity_, _novity_, and _sweetness_. Concerning _metaphors_ the rules are these: 1. He that will make the best of a thing, let him draw his _metaphor_ from somewhat that is better. As for example, let him call a _crime_ an _error_. On the other side, when he would make the worst of it, let him draw his _metaphor_ from somewhat worse; as, calling _error_, _crime_. 2. A _metaphor_ ought not to be so far-fetched, as that the similitude may not easily appear. 3. A _metaphor_ ought to be drawn from the noblest things; as the _poets_ do, that choose rather to say _rosy-fingered_, than _red-fingered Aurora_. In like manner the rule of _epithets_ is, that he that will adorn, should use those of the better sort; and he that will disgrace, should use those of the worse. As Simonides being to write an _ode_ in honour of the victory gotten in a course by certain mules, being not well paid, called them by their name, Ἡμιόνους, that signifies their propinquity to asses: but having received a greater reward, styles them the _sons of swift-footed coursers_. ========== CHAPTER III. OF THE THINGS THAT MAKE AN ORATION FLAT. The things that make an oration _flat_ or _insipid_, are four: 1. _Words compounded._ And yet a man may compound a word, when the composition is necessary for want of a simple word, and easy, and seldom used. 2. _Foreign words._ As for example, such as are newly derived from the Latin; which though they were proper among them whose tongue it is, are foreign in another language: and yet these may be used, so it be moderately. 3. _Long_, _impertinent_, and _often epithets_. 4. _Metaphors indecent_ and _obscure_. _Obscure_ they are, when they are far-fetched. _Indecent_, when they are _ridiculous_, as in _comedies_; or _too grave_, as in _tragedies_. ========== CHAPTER IV. OF A SIMILITUDE.