I have been very diffident in proponing any plan for their assistance, knowing that some former proposals have failed of accomplishing the end.
"Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel"
John Yeardley
Of argument, because proponing such matter as our aduersarie might obiect and then to answere it our selues, we do vnfurnish and preuent him of such helpe as he would otherwise haue vsed for himselfe: then because such obiection and answere spend much language it serues as well to amplifie and enlarge our tale.
"The Arte of English Poesie"
George Puttenham