[
73]
The methods
of hyperbole by attenuation are the same in number.
Compare the Virgilian
1
Scarce cling they to their bones,
or the lines from a humorous work
2 of Cicero's,
“Fundum Vetto vocat quem possit mittere funda;
Ni tamen exciderit, qua cava funda patet.
”
“Vetto gives the name of farm to an estate which
might easily be hurled from a sling, though it
might well fall through the hole in the hollow
sling, so small is it.”
But even here a certain proportion must be observed.
For although every
hyperbole involves the incredible,
it must not go too far in this direction, which
provides the easiest road to extravagant affectation.
