Asteismus.
Asteisimus, in Latine Urbanitas, is a wittie
jesting in civill maner, and gracing of speech with some merie
conceipt: it is usually taken for any mirth or pleasant speech which
is voyd of rusticall simplicitie & rudenesse, and the merie & pleasant
sayings of this figure are called facetiae that is to
say, the pleasures and delights of speech: which are taken
from diverse places,
but chiefly from these, from Equivocation, as when a word
having two significations, is expressed in the one, and understood in
the other, either contrary, or at least much differing, which as it is
most wittie, so is it most pleasant. Secondly the occasion of mirth
may be taken from a fallace in sophistrie
2.Secundum quid, ad dictum simpliciter. |
called
Secundum quid ad dictum simpliciter, that is, when a saying is captiously taken, and turned to another sense, contrary or much differing from the meaning of the speaker, as in this example: To one demanding of Diogenes what he would take for
a knocke upon his pate, he made this answer, that he would take an helmet. Now he that made the demand, meant, what hire, and not what defence. To one that said, he knew not if he should be put out of his house where to hid his head: another made him answer, that he might hide it in his cap.
There are many and sundry other places from whence wittie mirth may be fitty taken, as from pleasant imitation of mens speech and fashions, from similitudes and comparisons, from pleasant reports of merrie actions and accidents, and from anie moe which I shall not here meede to rehearse. Now for to give to every particular place an example, it would be too tedious, and peradventure to some offensive. He that desireth further examples of this figure, let him reade Facetias Brusonii, Poggii, Bebelii, and Apophthegmata Erasmi Roterodami, Licosthenis, and other moe authors handling the like argument.
The use of this figure.
The use hereof is pleasant and commendable, especially among good wittes, and men of merrie and delightful natures, but yet more meete for private companie, then publike orations, if it be discreetly used with the due observation of circumstances, as place, time, persons, causes, and occasions, it ministreth grace, and pleasure, and mirth to the hearer, wherby the time is pleasantly passed, and the dull and wearisome minds of men are much refreshed.
The Caution.
Heede in the use of this figure ought to be taken, that it offend not against charitie, chastitie, nor pietie. It offendeth
against charitie, when the mirth toucheth some person to his griefe or shame, whereby he is moved to take it in evill part. It
offendeth against chastity, when the testing consisteth of unchast speech, or containeth uncchast significations, which albeit it may move laughter, yet it offendeth modest and chast minds: it committeth a great offence against pietie, when the occasion of mirth & laughter is taken from ye abuse of reverend matters, as the holy
scriptures, the judgements of God, magistrates, parents, & such like, or when sport is made at the miseries and calamities of men: by all which abuses Almightie God is provoked to displeasure and wrath, which in justice is wont to revenge al insolency & impietie.
