Sarcasmus.
Sarcasmus is a bitter kind of derision, most commonly used of an enemie. An example: Demothenes taketh upon him (quoth Demades) to correct me, what? Sus Mineruam? That same Minerva (quoth Demosthenes) was the last yeare taken in adulterie. He objecteth adulterie to Demades forasmuch as the Poets make Minerva a virgine.
Another: When M. Appius in his prooeme declared that he was earnestly intreated of a friend, that he should use his didligence eloquence and fedeltitie in the cause of his client. After all the plea ended, Cicero comming to Appius, sayd thus unto him, Are you so hard a man (saith he) that of so many things which your friend did request, you would performe none?
An example of the holy Scripture: “Sing us one of your songs of Sion.”
Psal. 137.
This saying was uttered in scornful and insulting manner against the poore Israelites being captives in Babylon.
Another: “Thou which doest destroy the Temple, and build it againe in three dayes, save thy self and come down from ye crosse.”
Mar.15.
Another: He saved other, him selfe he cannot save.
Let that Christ the king of Israell come downe now from the crosse, that we may see and beleeve him. These examples of the Jewes against Christ are here set down to teach the forme of this figure, and not to confirme the abuse.
The use of this figure.
1.To represse pride, follie, & rudenesse. |
The best & most lawfull use of this Trope is to represse proud folly and wicked insolencie, and sometime leud miserie: for indeed this figure is like to most bitter corrections in Phisicke,
2.Compared to bitter corrections. |
which are seldome or never applyed, but to vehement and desperat diseases, which although they be painfull and bitter, yet for the most part they bring profit, as by removing the diseases, and restoring health: even so the benefit of an enemies mocke to a wise man, is the knowledge of his fault, and the amending of it.
The Caution.
1.Not to be used without a needful cause. |
Let it be first provided that this figure be not used without some great cause which may well deserve it, as arrogancie, insolent pride, wilfull folly, shamefull lecherie, ridiculous avarice, or such like, for it is both folly and rudenesse to use derision
without cause: but to mocke silly people, innocents, or men in misery, or the poore in distresse, argueth both the pride of the mind,
and the crueltie of the heart: which evils and wicked properties, being mae knowne by wicked practise, the scorner and common mocker becommeth odious to all men.
