PRECEPT I.Place adjectives, relative pronouns, participles, adverbs, and explanatory phrases near enough to the words to which they relate, and in a position which will make their reference clear.

No precept bears on its face clearer marks of coming from the genuine Jesus, than that of selling all and following him.

Again, an agricultural precept enjoins the farmer to "Set trees poor

thy young years, and all thy wants supplied; Whose every precept breath'd affection kind, And to the friend's, a father's love allied.

Your idle precepts mocking, Get out my needle and my yarn And, caring not a single darn.

Axicchus the philosopher was bold and courageous all his life, and gave good precepts de contemnenda morte, and against the vanity of the world, to others; but being now ready to die himself, he was mightily dejected, hac luce privabor?

PRECEPT III.Have regard also to the relative position of clauses, or members; for a weaker assertion should not follow a stronger; and, when the sentence consists of two members, the longer should be the concluding one.

Should learned leech with solemn air unfold Thy leaves, beware, be civil, and be wise: Thy volume many precepts sage may hold, His well fraught head may find no trifling prize.

Then, let me never grieve Thy love, Nor ever disobedient prove; Watchful Thy pleasure to obey, Thy precepts study night and day; Thy will at all times gladly do: I will.

PRECEPT I.Avoid verbosity; a concise style is the most favourable to strength.