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[4]
But paraphrase from the Latin will also be of
much assistance, while I think we shall all agree that
this is specially valuable with regard to poetry;
indeed, it is said that the paraphrase of poetry was
the sole form of exercise employed by Sulpicius.
For the lofty inspiration of verse serves to elevate
the orator's style and the bold license of poetic
language does not preclude1 our attempting to
render the same words in the language natural to
prose. Nay, we may add the vigour of oratory
to the thoughts expressed by the poet, make good
his omissions, and prune his diffuseness.
1 Lit. “forestall the power of using the language of ordinary prose.”
Quintilian. With An English Translation. Harold Edgeworth Butler. Cambridge. Cambridge, Mass., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1922.
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