ABSTRACT

And now we are come to that parte of Rhetorique, the whiche above al other is most beautifull, wherby 5 not onely wordes are aptly used, but also sentences are in right order framed. For whereas Invencion, helpeth to finde matter, and Disposicion serveth to place argumentes: Elocucion getteth wordes to set furthe invencion, and with suche beautie commendeth the matter, 10 that reason semeth to bee clad in purple, walkyng afore, bothe bare and naked. Therfore Tullie saieth well, to finde out reason, and aptly to frame it, is the part of a wise man, but to commende it by wordes, and with gorgious talke to tell our conceipte, that is 15 onely propre to an Orator. Many are wise, but fewe have the gift to set furthe their wisedome. Many can tell their mynde in Englishe, but fewe can use mete termes, and apt order: suche as all men should have, and wise men will use: suche as nedes must be had, when 20 matters should be uttered. Now then what is he, at whom all men wonder, and stande in a mase, at the viewe of his wit? Whose doynges are best estemed? Whom do we moste reverence, and compt halfe a God emong men? Even suche 25 324a one assuredly, that can plainly, distinctly, plentifully, and aptly utter bothe wordes and matter, and in his talke can use suche composicion, that he maie appere to kepe an uniformitie, and (as I might saie) a 5 nomber in the uttering of his sentence. Now an eloquent man beyng smally learned, can do muche more good in perswading, by shift of wordes, and mete placyng of matter: then a greate learned clerke shalbe able with great store of learnyng, wantyng wordes to set furth 10 his meanyng. Wherfore I muche marvaile that so many seke the only knowlege of thynges, without any mynd to commende or set furthe their entendement: seyng none can knowe either what thei are, or what thei have, without the gift of utterance. Yea, bryng them to 15 speake their mynde, and enter in talke with suche as are said to be learned, and you shal finde in them suche lacke of utterance, that if you judge theim [y2; Fol. 86] by their tongue, and expressyng of their mynde: you must nedes saie thei have no learnyng. 20 Wherin me thinkes thei do, like some riche snudges, that havyng great wealth, go with their hose out at heeles, their shoes out at toes, and their cotes out at bothe elbowes. For who can tell, if suche men are worth a grote, when their apparel is so homely, and al 25 their behavior so base? I can call them by none other 325name, but slovens, that maie have good geare, and nether can, nor yet will ones weare it clenly. What is a good thyng to a manne, if he Barbarous clerkes, no neither knowe thuse of it, nor better then slovens. yet (though he knowe it) is able at 5 all to use it? If we thinke it comelinesse, and honestie to set furthe the body with handsome apparell, and thynke theim worthie to have money, that bothe can and will use it accordyngly: I cannot otherwise se, but that this part deserveth praise, whiche standeth wholy 10 in settyng furthe matter by apte wordes and sentences together, and beautifieth the tongue with greate chaunge of colours, and varietie of figures.