Galateo espagnol, or, The Spanish gallant instructing thee in that which thou must doe, and take heed of in thyusuall cariage, to be well esteemed, and loved of the people. Written in Spanish by Lucas Gracian de Antisco servant to his Majesty. And done into English by W.S. of the Inner Temple Esquire. Full of variety, and delight, and very necessary to be perused, not only of the generous youth of this kingdom, but also of all such as are exercised in their gentile education.

To know how to speake well.

2. And this Knowledge to speake well must consist, not in differencing or extreme altering the voyce, nor in imitating of actors of Playes. But it is necessary for him that will speake well, to remember well the matter, story, or History, and to have ready and fitting words, that hee may not speake from the purpose, As some use to doe, after this manner. And so my Lords, as I sayd, and to the end, that such an one, or another what doe you call him, helpe mee pray, to name him: tell me his name, &c. All which are ill customes, and are offensive to an understanding audi∣ence. And if he repeate an accident, wherein were many names, hee must not speake thus; such a one sayd thus, another spake so, or such a one an∣swered in this manner, for all of them may bee sayd to bee one or an∣other. And hee that heares it, may easily erre, in not understanding of

whom he speakes, and therefore, he that relates such a passage, must re∣cite the names precisely, and therefore must take heede he forget them not.

3. It falls out in like manner, that some are so carelesse, that they for∣get what they were speaking of, by suffering their thoughts to rome up∣on other matters, so that they will aske you, what were we talking of, I have forgot what I was saying. This cannot bee done, without blame to him that was thus discoursing: even as he that recites an oration or other speech, and never mindeth what he is doing. For it seemes that he that is thus forgetfull, doth lit∣tle esteem the content of his Auditors.

4. Besides this, a man must take heede, that hee speake not super∣fluities, and things of no substance, or which make nothing to the mat∣ter in hand, As if when the auditors are waiting for the successe of the story, he that relates it shall speake thus, such an one that was the sonne of such a man, that went many times, to such a Merchants house, that was married to a leane Woman, that was called by such a name, did you not

know her? how is it possible you should not? you had better bin ig∣norant in another matter: A good old Woman, very streight, that had a very thick hayre: and well combed, and such stuffe as this. For if they make not much to the businesse, it is (at best) but to wast the time, for by it, they hinder the pleasure, which might o∣therwise be taken, in their discourse, and is of little benefit to them, that listen to them; But especially if they bee urgent, and desirous, to know the close of the story; we ought not to punish them so much in circumlo∣quutions, whereas all such their dis∣course tends to no more, then that such an one, was the sonne of Peter or of Iohn.

5. And a famous Rhetoritian, was of opinion, that in telling of Tales, or storyes, if there must be a relation in them, of many things, in the first place we must order, and dispose of the names, and sirnames, and after it shall be enough, onely to repeate the Christian names, because they are given, according to the will of their Parents, and the surnames ac∣cording to the quality and decency

of the persons. And if the person bee not very well knowne, in the place where wee speake of him: wee ought to frame our discourse, and story, as if the thing were done in another place: and to fit the names, as wee please, that wee may tell our stories, with relish, and without interrup∣tion, or making rubbes, or pawses in them.