Paeanismus.
Paeanismus is a forme of speech which the Orator, or speaker useth to expresse his joy, either for the cause of some good thing obtained, or some evil avoyded.
An example: “And the women sang by course in their play, & said, Saul hath slain his thousand, & David his ten thousand.”
1.Sam.18.7.
Another of Moses: “I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously, the Horse and him that rode uppon him hath he overthrowne in the sea.”
Exo.18.1. Here Moses extolleth the glory of the victory, and triumpheth with great joy, praising the lord, and his power which was the cause, and describing the effect which was the drowning of Pharoah and his hoste.
To this forme of speech perteineth this saying in the song of the virgine Mary: “From henceforth all generationns that call me blessed. And also this: He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent emptie away.”
Luc 1.
Another: “O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victorie?”
Cor.15.
The use of this figure.
The use of this figure hath his principall place in triumphs and
joyes for victories, and may be likened to the Trophes of martiall fame. Hence saith Horace. Et potius noua cantemus Augusti trophaea. This figure after a fort is lively represented in the Larkes song, which she singeth everie morning, in joy that the darknesse is gone and the light come.
The Caution.
Not unjust or against the poore. |
The most especiall poynt of this Caution is, tha this figure be not used to insult upon the oppression of the poore, or affliction of innocents as Davids enemies did, saying there there so would we have it, and also were is now thy God?
