arrangement is used, the utterance of the word "great" arouses those
vague associations of an impressive nature with which it has been
habitually connected; the imagination is prepared to clothe with
high attributes whatever follows; and when the words, "Diana of the
Ephesians," are heard, all the appropriate imagery which can, on
the instant, be summoned, is used in the formation of the picture:
the mind being thus led directly, and without error, to the intended
impression. When, on the contrary, the reverse order is followed,
the idea, "Diana of the Ephesians" is conceived with no special
reference to greatness; and when the words "is great" are added,
the conception has to be remodeled: whence arises a loss of mental
energy and a corresponding diminution of effect. The following verse
from Coleridge's 'Ancient Mariner,' though somewhat irregular in
structure, well illustrates the same truth:

"Alone, alone, all, all alone,
Alone on a wide, wide sea
And never a saint took pity on
My soul in agony."

16. Of course the principle equally applies when the predicate
is a verb or a participle. And as effect is gained by placing
first all words indicating the quality, conduct or condition of the
subject, it follows that the copula also should have precedence.
It is true that the general habit of our language resists this
arrangement of predicate, copula and subject; but we may readily
find instances of the additional force gained by conforming to it.
Thus, in the line from 'Julius Caesar'

"Then burst his mighty heart,"