THE SECOND BOOK 159 



of them : for their use is not only in probation, but much 

 more in impression. For many forms are equal in 

 signification which are differing in impression ; as the 

 difference is great in the piercing of that which is sharp 

 and that which is flat, though the strength of the per 

 cussion be the same. For there is no man but will be 

 a little more raised by hearing it said, * Your enemies 

 will be glad of this, 



Hoc Ithacus velit, et magno mercentur Atridae, 



than by hearing it said only, This is evil for you. 



7. Secondly, I do resume also that which I mentioned 

 before, touching provision or preparatory store for the 

 furniture of speech and readiness of invention, which 

 appeareth to be of two sorts ; the one in resemblance 

 to a shop of pieces unmade up, the other to a shop of 

 things ready made up ; both to be applied to that 

 which is frequent and most in request. The former of 

 these I will call antitheta, and the latter formulae. 



8. Antitheta are theses argued pro et contra ; wherein 

 men may be more large and laborious : 



but (in such as are able to do it) to avoid 



prolixity of entry, I wish the seeds of the 



several arguments to be cast up into some brief and 



acute sentences, not to be cited, but to be as skeins or 



bottoms of thread, to be unwinded at large when they 



come to be used ; supplying authorities and examples 



by reference. 



Pro verbis legis. 



Non est interpretatio, sed divinatio, quae recedit a litera: 

 Cum receditur a litera, judex transit in legislatorem. 



Pro sententia legis. 



Ex omnibus verbis est eliciendus sensus qui interpretatur 

 singula. 



9. Formulae are but decent and apt passages or con 

 veyances of speech, which may serve indifferently for 

 differing subjects ; as of preface, conclusion, digression, 

 transition, excusation, &c. For as in buildings there 

 is great pleasure and use in the well casting of the 



