Institutio Oratoria

There is also a figure styled ἑτεροίωσις (i.e. alteration of the normal idiom), which bears a strong resemblance to ἐξαλλαγή. For example, we find in Sallust phrases such as neque ea res failsum me habuit [*](Jug. x. 1. Nor did this deceive me. ) and duci probare. [*]( From a lost work. Without the context the meaning is uncertain. ) Such figures as a rule aim not merely at novelty, but at conciseness as well. Hence we get further developments, such as non paeniturum for

not intending to repent,

and visuros for

sent to see,

both found in the same author.

These may have been figures when Sallust made them; but it is a question whether they can now be so considered, since they have met with such general acceptance. For we are in the habit of accepting common parlance as sufficient authority where current phrases are concerned: for example, rebus agentibus in the sense of while this was going on, which Pollio rebukes Labienus [*](See IV. i. 11; I. V. 8.) for using, has become an accredited idiom, as has contumeliam fecit, which, as is

well known, is stigmatised by Cicero [*](Phil. III. ix. 22. Quintilian appears primafacie to regard the phrase as meaning to suffer insult. But in Plautus and Terence it means to inflict an insult, and Quintilian probably quotes the phrase in this sense. He should, however, have said adficere, not adfici, to make his meaning clear. ) : for in his day they said ad fici contumelia.

Figures may also be commended by their antiquity, for which Virgil had such a special passion. Compare his

1. vel cum se pavidum contra mea iurgia iactat

Aen. xi. 400. [*]( The figure consists in the use of vel cum to introduce an independent sentence. Even when he claims, to tremble at my taunts. )

or

1. progeniem sed enim Troiano a sanguine duci
2. audierat.

An. i. 19. [*](But she had heard that even now a raceWas springing from the blood of fallen Troy. Quintilian refers to the archaic sed enim. )

Numerous instances of the same kind might be cited from the old tragic and comic poets.

One word of this type has remained in common use, namely enimvero. I might further quote from the same author

1. nam quis te iuvenum confidentissime,

Georg. iv. 445. [*](For who bade thee, of youths most bold.) The figure consists in the opening of a speech with nam, or perhaps rather in saying nam quis for quisnam.

words which form the beginning of a speech: or

1. tam magis illa tremens et tristibus etffra flammis,
2. quam magis effuso crudescunt sanguine pugnae.

Aen. vii. 787.

1. The more the strife with bloodshed rages wild,
2. The more it quivers and with baleful fire
3. Glows fiercer.

There the sentence inverts the natural order which may be illustrated by quam magis aerumna urgent, tam magis ad malefaciendumn viget. [*]( The source of the quotation is unknown. The more calamity oppresses him, the greater his vigour for evil doing. )

Old writers are full of such usages. At the

beginning of the Eunuchus [*](Eun. I. i. 1. What shall I do then? ) of Terence we have quid igitur faciam, while another comic poet says ain tandem leno? [*]( The poet is unknown. Do you agree then, you pimp? The figure in this and the preceding instance lies in the idiomatic use of igitur and tandem. ) Catullus in his Epithalamium writes:

1. dum innupta manet, dum cara suis est,

Cat. lxii. 45. [*](While she remains unwed, so long is she dear to her own. Such is Quintilian's interpretation. The line, however, runs sic virgo, dum intacta (MSS. of Catullus), etc., and is most naturally interpreted: Even so ( i.e. like to a perfect blossom) is the maiden, while she remains unblemished and dear to her own. )

where the first dum means while, and the second means so long.

Sallust, on the other hand, borrows a number of idioms from the Greek, such as vulgus amat fieri: [*](Such things as the people love to see done. Not found in Sallust's extant works. But cp. Jug. 34: ira amat fieri. ) the same is true of Horace, who strongly approves of the practice. Compare his

1. nec ciceris net longae invidit avenae.

Sat. II. vi. 83. [*](Nor grudged him vetches nor the long-eared oat.) The gen. of respect is regarded as a Graecism.

Virgil [*](Aen. i. 67. He sails the Tyrrhene deep. The internal ace. after the intrans. navigat is treated as a Graecism, as is ace. of part concerned after saucius. ) does the same in phrases such as

1. Tyrrhenum navigat aequor

or saucius pectus (

wounded at heart

), an idiom which has now become familiar in the public gazette.

Under the same class of figure falls that of addition, which, although the words added may be strictly superfluous, may still be far from inelegant. Take, for example,

1. nam neque Parnasi vobis iuga, nam neque Pindi,

Ecl. x. 11: [*](For neither did Parnassus slope, nor yet/ The slopes of Pindus make delay for you.)

where the second nam might be omitted. And we find in Horace, [*]( Hor. Od. I. xii. 40. And Fabricius, him and Cato with locks unshorn. )

1. Fabriciumcque,
2. hunc et intonsis Curium capillis.

Similarly, words are omitted, a device which may be either a blemish or a figure, according to the context. The following is an example:

1. accede ad ignen, iam calesces plus satis;

Ter. Eun. I. ii. 5. [*](Draw near the fire and you shall be more than warm enough.)

for the full phrase would be plus quam satis. There is, however, another form of omission which requires treatment at greater length. [*]( The sense is obscure. The words are either an interpolation or illustrative matter has been lost. )