Kitap 9
2.6
What is more common than to ask or enquire? For both terms are used indifferently, although the one seems to imply a desire for knowledge, and the other a desire to prove something. But whichever term we use, the thing which they represent admits a variety of figures. We will begin with those which serve to increase the force and cogency of proof to which I assign the first place.
2.7
A simple question may be illustrated by the line: quanquam, Spalding: quam cum, A: cum, B. But who are ye and from what shores are come? On the other hand, a question involves a figure, whenever it is employed not to get information, but to emphasise our point, as in the following examples: pro. Lig. iii. 9 and in Cat. i. 1. What was that sword of yours doing, Tubero, that was drawn on the field of Pharsalus? and How long, Catiline, will you abuse our patience? and Do you not see that your plots are all laid bare? with the whole passage that follows.
2.8
How much greater is the fire of his words as they stand than if he had said, You have abused our patience a long time, and Your plots are all laid bare. We may also ask what cannot be denied, as Was Gaius Fidiculanius Falcula, I ask you, brought to justice? pro Cluent. xxxvii. 103. Or we may put a question to which it is difficult to reply, as in the common forms, How is it possible? How can that be?
