如果“精炼是优美风格的第一要素”，

If " compression is the first grace of style, "

那么，你正具有这种品质。蜷缩

you have it. Contractility is a virtue

正如谦卑，也是一种美德。

as modesty is a virtue.

那不是一件饰物，能从身外取得

It is not the acquisition of any one thing

用以装扮自己，

that is able to adorn,

也不是时隐时现的气质

or the incidental quality that occurs

说话得体时自会出现──

as a concomitant of something well said,

人们认为好风度不能没有这种气质；

that we value in style,

不，它是一种原则，隐藏在你

but the principle that is hid:

看不见的足部里，“那是一种收尾法”；

in the absence of feet, " a method of conclusions " ;

“是对原则的通晓”，它隐藏在

" a knowledge of principles, "

你头后部那对触角这古怪的现象里。

In the curious phenomenon of your occipital horn.