XXVIII. CONCLUSION. These remarks only aim at pointing out some of the commonest and most obvious faults to be avoided in Greek Prose composition. Many of them indeed might seem too elementary to need stating, did not experience prove the contrary. Quintilian, in writing on style, says 'Prima virtus est vitio carere' (viii. 3, 41). It is prima indeed, but of course it is very far from being ultima. To shun gross mistakes and steer clear of grammatical inaccuracies is one thing. It is another thing to attain excellence and fluency. 'Vitavi denique culpam, non laudem merui.' The object, however, of these Hints is to encourage, not to dissuade. What then is absolutely necessary? First, to remember that 'reading makes a full man ;' and, secondly, that 'writing makes an exact man.' The two must go hand in hand. It is vain to imagine that a good style can be acquired, or a bald and cramped one escaped, without constant and careful observation of the way in which the best Greek authors express themselves. And, as one branch of the writing, translating and, after a sufficient interval, retranslating from some standard author, till the habit of using the right word in the right place is gradually acquired, can hardly be too strongly recommended. Thirdly, learn by heart several of the choicest pas sages of the Greek historians or orators, such as those mentioned in the last paragraph. But whatever it be, let it be chosen because it is recognised as noble and beautiful in itself, and felt to approach perfection. Continuing the words of Horace, we may say in conclusion Vos exemplaria Græca Nocturnâ versate manu, versate diurnâ. I. The Englishmen who were in three battels, lying on the ground to rest them, as soon as they saw the Frenchmen approach, they rose upon their feet, fair and easily, without any haste, and arranged their battles. Also the same season there fell a great rain and a clyps, with a terrible thunder, and before the rain there came flying over both battles a great number of crows for fear of the tempest coming. Than anon the air began to wax clear, and the sun to shine fair and bright, the which was right in the Frenchmen's eyen and on the Englishmen's backs. Whan the Genoese were assembled together and began to approach, they made a great leap and cry, to abash the Englishmen; but they stood still and stirred not for all that. Than the Genoese again the second time made another leap and a fell cry, and stept forward a little; and the Englishmen removed not one foot. Thirdly again they leapt and cried, and went forth till they came within shot. Than they shot fiercely with their crossbows. Than the English archers stept forth one pace and let fly their arrows so wholly and so thick that it seemed snow. Whan I. Οἱ δὲ Αγγλοι, τρία μέρη ποιησάμενοι τοῦ στρατεύ ματος, χακαὶ κλιθέντες ἀνεπαύοντο· τοὺς δὲ Γαλάτας ἐπειδὴ τάχιστα καθορῶσιν ἐγγὺς χωροῦντας, εὐθὺς ἀνιστάμενοι καλῶς τε καὶ εὐπόρως, οὐ μετὰ ταραχῆς, παρατάσσονται ὡς πρὸς μάχην. κατὰ δὲ τὸν αὐτὸν τοῦτον καιρὸν ἐγένετο πολύς τε ὑετὸς καὶ ἔκλειψις ἡλίου μετὰ βροντῆς ἐκπληκτικοῦ· καὶ πρὶν ὖσαι, ἦλθον πετόμενοι ὑπὲρ ἀμφοτέρων τῶν στρατοπέδων μέγα πλῆθος κοράκων, ὡς φοβούμενον τὸν ἐπιόντα χειμῶνα. μετὰ ταῦτα δ' εὐθὺς, αἰθρίων γιγνομένων τῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, ἤρξατο ἐλάμπειν ὁ ἥλιος καθαρᾷ τε καὶ εὐαγεῖ τῇ αὐγῇ, τοῖς μὲν Γαλάταις καταντικρὺ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν ἐν νώτοις δὲ τῶν Αγγλων. οἱ μὲν οὖν Λιγύες, αθρόοι ἤδη ὄντες, ἐγγυτέρω προσέρχονται θρώσκοντές τε ἐπὶ μέγα καὶ ἐγκραγόντες, ὥστε καταπλῆξαι τοὺς πολεμίους· οἱ δὲ κατὰ χώραν μένοντες οὐδὲν μᾶλλον ἐκινοῦντό τι. ἔπειτα Λιγύες αὖθις τὸ δεύτερον πηδῶντες καὶ ὠμῇ κραυγῇ χρώμενοι μικρόν τι προβαίνουσιν· οἱ δὲ οὐδ ̓ ὁπωστιοῦν ἀναχωροῦσιν οἱ Ἄγγλοι. ἔτι δὲ τὸ τρίτον καὶ θρώσκοντες καὶ βοῶντες καὶ δὴ καὶ πλησιάσαντες, μέχρι οὗ ἐφικέσθαι αὐτῶν ἠδύναντο, τοῖς βέλεσι προθύμως ἐτόξευον. *Αγγλων δὲ οἱ τοξόται, τῷ ἑτέρῳ ποδὶ προιόντες, οἰστῶν |