Frequently it is desirable first to determine the sizes of the margins. These depend on various considerations of the position and office of the MS., but more particularly on the size of the sheet and the character of its future environment[14] (see p. 351).
The _top_ and _side margins_ may be of equal width--or the _top_ may be a little less (see _a_, fig. 70). Ample space should be allowed for the _foot margin_, which is generally about twice the width of the _top_, but may vary in different cases, according as the text falls short of or encroaches upon it (see pp. 352, 342). For a plain _foolscap_ sheet: _sides_ (each) 2-1/2 inches, _top_ (approx.) 2 inches, and _foot_ (approx.) 4 inches, may be taken as suitable margins (fig. 65).
The _width of the sheet_ (13-1/2 inches) less the two _side margins_ (2-1/2 inches each) gives _the length of the writing lines_ (13-1/2 - 5 = 8-1/2 inches). One or two such lines are written experimentally in a suitable script (say, 5/16 inch), and _the average number of words per line_ (four) is found.
The number of words in the complete text (fifty) will determine the number of lines: an extra line or so may be allowed for safety (50/4 = 12-1/2, say, _thirteen_). The spacing of these is calculated--
5/16 in. writing requires about 7/8 in. (close) spacing (p. 79): _Thirteen_ lines at 7/8 in. gives 11-3/8 in. = _depth of text_: 11-3/8 in. from 17 in. leaves 5-5/8 in.[15] for _head_ and _foot margins_
--and if the space is not sufficient, the writing is made a little smaller. If, on the other hand, the [p095] marginal depth left over were excessive, the writing _might_ be made a little larger in order to fill up the space.
_To write out_ "_He that is down, needs fear no fall_," _in a formal round-hand on a sheet of foolscap_ (i.e. 17 _inches high_ × 13 1/2 _inches wide_).
Here there are three verses of four lines each: these with two space lines, left between the verses, give a total of fourteen lines (fig. 67).
A poem has a given number of lines of various lengths, and only very strong reason or necessity can justify our altering its proper form (_e.g._ by breaking up the lines) in order to make a mass of equal lines. Such theoretical margins as are possible in the treatment of prose can therefore seldom be observed in writing out a poem, and, unless the height or the width of the sheet can be altered, there is apt to be an excess of margin in one or the other direction. When such excess margin is obviously unavoidable, no objection can be made to its appearance. _Poetry may conveniently be treated as "fine writing"_ (see p. 263).