CHAPTER I.

OF THE ORIGINAL OF ELOCUTION AND PRONUNCIATION.

Three things being necessary to an oration, namely _proof_, _elocution_, and _disposition_; we have done with the first, and shall speak of the other two in that which follows.

As for _action_ or _pronunciation_, so much as is necessary for an orator may be fetched out of the book of the _Art of Poetry_, in which we have treated of the _action_ of the _stage_. For _tragedians_ were the first that invented such _action_, and that but of late; and it consisteth in governing well the _magnitude_, _tone_, and _measure_ of the _voice_; a thing less subject to _art_, than is either _proof_ or _elocution_.

And yet there have been rules delivered concerning it, as far forth as serve for _poetry_. But _oratorical action_ has not been hitherto reduced to _art_. And _orators_ in the beginning, when they saw that the _poets_ in barren and feigned arguments nevertheless attained great reputation; supposing it had proceeded from the choice or connexion of words, fell into a style, by imitation of them, approaching to verse, and made choice of words. But when the _poets_ changed their style, and laid by all words that were not in common use, the _orators_ did the same, and lighted at last upon words and a government of the voice and measures proper to themselves.

Seeing therefore _pronunciation_ or _action_ are in some degree necessary also for an _orator_, the precepts thereof are to be fetched from the _Art of Poetry_.

In the meantime this may be one general rule. If the _words_, _tone_, _greatness_ of the voice, _gesture_ of the body and countenance, seem to proceed all from one passion, then it is well pronounced. Otherwise not. For when there appear more passions than one at once, the mind of the speaker appears unnatural and distracted. Otherwise, as the mind of the speaker, so the mind of the hearer always.

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