The art of rhetoric, with A discourse of the laws of England by Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury.

CHAP. XV.

Of the Narration.

THe Narration is not always continued and of one Piece; but sometimes, as in Demonstratives, interrupted, and disper∣sed through the whole Oration.

For there being in a Narration something that falls not under Art; as namely, the Actions themselves, which the Orator in∣venteth not; he must therefore bring in the Narration of them where he best may. As for Example, if being to praise a Man, you would make a Narration of all his Acts im∣mediately from the beginning, and without

interruption, you will find it necessary af∣terwards to repeat the same Acts again, while from some of them you praise his Va∣lour, and from others his Wisdom; where∣by your Oration shall have less variety, and shall less please.

'Tis not necessary always that the Narra∣tion be short. The true measure of it must be taken from the matter that is to be laid open.

In the Narration, as oft as may be, 'tis good to insert somewhat commendable in ones self, and blameable in ones Adversary: As, I advised him, but he would take no Coun∣sel.

In Narrations, a Man is to leave out what∣soever breeds compassion, indignation in the Hearer besides the purpose; as Vlysses in Ho∣mer, relating his Travels to Alcinous, to move compassion in him, is so long in it, that it consists of divers Books: but when he comes home, tells the same to his Wife in thirty Verses, leaving out what might make her sad.

The Narration ought also to be in such words as argue the Manners; that is, some virtuous or vicious habit in him of whom we speak, although it be not exprest; As, setting his Arms a kenbold, he answered, &c. by which is insinuated the Pride of him that so answered.

In an Oration a Man does better to shew his affection than his Judgment: this is, 'Tis better to say, I like this; than to say, This is better. For by the one you would seem wise, by the other good. But favour follows Goodness; whereas Wisdom procures Envy.

But if this Affection seem incredible, then either a reason must be rendered, as did An∣tigone. For when she had said, She loved her Brother better than her Husband, or Chil∣dren; she added, for Husband and Children I may have more; but another Brother I can∣not, my Parents being both dead. Or else a Man must use this form of speaking; I know this affection of mine seems strange to you; but nevertheless it is such. For 'tis not easi∣ly believed, that any Man has a mind to do any thing that is not for his own good.

Besides in a Narration, not only the A∣ctions themselves; but the Passions, and signs that accompany them, are to be dis∣covered.

And in his Narration a Man should make himself and his Adversary be considered for such, and such, as soon, and as covertly as he can.

A Narration may have need sometimes not to be in the beginning.

In Deliberative Orations; that is, where soever the question is of things to come; a

Narration, which is always of things past, has no place: and yet things past may be re∣counted, that Men may Deliberate better of the future: But that is not as Narration, but Proof; for 'tis Example.

There may also be Narration in Delibera∣tives in that part where Crimination and Praise come in: But that part is not Delibe∣rative, but Demonstrative.