To the courteous Reader.
S in the two bookes before going (gentle Reader) my mind and purpose was to set foorth vnto the learner, how much the phrase of our daylie speech by well ordering and deliuerie is graced with Figures and other ornaments of Art, and to such end and purpose, haue I in the margent of euerie Epistle, directlie against the places where they are vsed, quoted them to be seen. I haue now for better supplement of the learners knowledge, determined in this place to make a collection of them all, remembring with my selfe, that vnto such as are vnexperienced in their particular applications, they shall be but of verie slender moment in their quotations, without also they may be instructed by example, how, where, and in what tearmes, wordes or cariage, they are vsed, and wherein, and by what conueyance their efficacies are explaned. For which cause, these briefe instructions following, conteining, as in the title before going, a demonstration of their true & seueral qualities, properties and natures, are to such ende deliuered: wherein my purpose is to omit nothing, which in my poore opinion may seeme vnto this deuised Methode anie wayes furthering. And howbeit my selfe in the writing of these collections, doe well consider the want I haue of other perfections, whereby to ornifie the matter hereof, with examples correspondent, yet shall it by such meanes appeare vnto all fauourers of science, what will and desire I haue to deserue with the best, confessing (as by due proofe I haue found) no speech to be accounted valuable or of weight, that is not graced with these parts. Thus hauing at large expostulated my true meaning herein, I commit the rest to your curteous censures, and my selfe to your good opinions.
Yours, A. D.
OF FIGVRES, TROPES,
and Schemes.
Figure is a certaine meane whereby from a simple and ordinarie kinde of speaking, we growe into a more cunning and excellent deliuerie.