Cornelii Valerii Ultraiectini In universam benedicendi [sic] rationem tabula, summam artis rhetoricae complectens

What a brief narration is. It is brief in which nothing is redundant.

Briefly, a narration will be brief if we do not repeat the matter from higher up than is necessary, and if we stop where there is need: if nothing is said outside the cause: if we narrate in summary, not in detail. But a measure must be retained, so that brevity does not obscure the matter itself, or

What a clear one.

more is said than is appropriate. It will be clear, or perspicuous and plain, if it uses proper and common words, if the order of time is preserved, and if nothing is said in a convoluted, disturbed, or ambiguous way. It will be probable or

What a probable one.

believable and tempered if it is consistent with persons, times, and places: if it is consistent with nature, law, and customs: if things are narrated adapted to the rumor of the masses and the opinion of those who are listening: if the reasons for plans are sound: if the causes for every deed are brought forward. It will be pleasant if it contains new, unexpected, great, and grave things.

What a pleasant one.

When narration should or should not be used, that is a matter of judgment. Cic. book 2. de Oratore.

One must not use narration unless it is useful, which pertains to the prudence of the speaker: so that it is not applied when it either hinders or does not help: and one must narrate in the way and order that is expedient, and also as much as is needed and as much as is enough. Sometimes a diexodos digression/excursion or parekbasis digression follows the narration, namely when the narrated matter contains within itself the greatest atrocity, or when preparation before the question can be useful: but because it is not necessary, one must ensure that we do not digress anywhere unless prudently and usefully, and we must see that we return conveniently once we have digressed.

Concerning the proposition and partition.

What a proposition is.

A PROPOSITION is that by which the state and the sum of the entire cause is briefly comprehended. This is the head of all confirmation, which can never be omitted. If

What a partition is.

the proposition is not simple, a partition is added, which is a brief