For there are three things at least that at the same
instant strike the ear,—the note, the time, and the word or
syllable. By the note we judge of the harmony, by the
time of the rhythm, and by the word of the matter or subject of the song. As these proceed forth altogether, it is
requisite the sense should give them entrance at the same
moment. But this is certain, where the sense is not able to
separate every one of these and consider the effects of each
apart, there it can never apprehend what is well or what is
amiss in any. First therefore let us discourse concerning
coherence. For it is necessary that coherence accompany
the discerning faculty. For judgment of good or bad is
not to be made from notes disjoined, broken time, and
shattered words, but from coherence. For there is in
practice a certain commixture of parts which commonly
are not compounded. So much as to coherence.
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