Next to this, the facts being clear, both as to their nature and degree, it follows that we excite the hearer to passion; such as are, pity, terror, anger, hatred, envy, emulation, and contentiousness: the elements of these also have been stated above. So that it merely remains to awaken a recollection of what has been before stated. And this we are to do here, in the way in which some erroneous teachers say we should in the exordium: for in order that the facts may be readily perceived, they bid us state them frequently. Now there [in the exordium], indeed, we ought to state the case at full, in order that it may not be unknown to the hearer upon what the trial turns; here, however [in the peroration], merely the means by which it has been proved, and that summarily. The commencement of the peroration will be that one has made good what he undertook; so that it will be to be stated, as well what one has adduced, as for what reasons. And it is expressed either by means of a juxtaposition with the adversary's statements; and draw the comparison either between every point whatsoever, which both have stated relative to the same thing; or else not by a direct opposition. "He, indeed, on this subject said so and so; but I so and so, and for such reasons.» Or, by a kind of bantering: thus, "He said so and so, and I so and so." And, "What would he do, had he proved this, and not the other point!" Or by interrogation: :-"What has not been fully proved on my side?" or, "What has this man established?" Either in this way, then, must the speaker conclude, or he must, in natural order, so state his reasoning as it was originally stated; and, again, if he please, he may state distinctly that of the adversary's speech. And, for the close, the style without connectives is becoming, in order that it may be a peroration, not an oration: "I have spoken,-you have heard,— the case is in your hands,-pronounce your decision.» All the foregoing are from the translation of Buckley in the Bohn Library. |