Comparatio.
Comparatio is a word of large and ample comprehension, and therefore it may stand as a generall head and principall of many figures, but namely of those which do tend most especially to amplifie or diminish by forme of comparison, as either from the greater to the lesse, from the lesse to the greater, from equall to equall, or by opposition of contraries, I will first begin with Comparison, as it is usually and specially taken.
Comparatio.
Comparatio is forme of speech, which by apt similitude sheweth ye the example brought in, is either like, unlike or contrarie: like things are compared among themselves, unlike from the lesse to the greater in amplifying, and from the greater to the lesse in diminishing, and contaries by opposing one against another.
1. Comparison of like thinges, as Camillus by his vertue did drive away the Barbarians and set up againe the Romane Empire, being sore opprest, and almost brought to utter destructions: even so Laurentius Valla restored the Latine tongue to the former puritie, which through the ignorance of the Barbarians was corrupted, suppressed, and almost quite extinct: As James and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these resist the truth, men of corrupt mindes reprobate concerning the faith.
2 Comparison of unlike things: Brutus put his sons to death, for that they conspired treason: Manlius punished his sonne for his vertue. Contrarie thus: Marcellus resstored to the Syracusans his enemies their ornaments: Verres tooke away the same from his friends and companions. The whole is not only compared with the whole but also the parts be compared one with another. Cicero for Milo. Did that most noble man Scipio (being a private person) slay Tiberius Gracchus: not much corrupting the common wealth? and shal we being Consuls suffer Catiline, that would williingly destroy all the world with sword and fire?
Here Catiline is compared to Gracchus: the state of the common wealth to the whole world: a mean corrupting to slaughter, fire, and destruction, and a private person to the Consuls.
3 From the lesse to the greater: “Wherefore if God so clothe the grasse of the field which is to day, and to morrow is cast into the Oven: shall he not do much more for you, O ye of little faith?”
Mat 6.
“If they have called the maister of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his houshold?”
Mat.10.25.
“For if the blood of Bulles and of Goates, and the ashes of an Heifer sprinkling them that are uncleane, sanctifieth as touching the purifying of the flesh: how much more shal the blood of Christ which through the eternal spirit offered up himselfe without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead workes to serve the living God?”
Heb 9.13.14.
4 From the greater to the lesse: “If God sapred not the Angels that had sinned but cast them downe into hell, and delivered them into chaines of darknesse to be kept unto damnation, neither spared the old world, & c. much lesse will he spare the wicked which walke after the flesh in the lusts of uncleannesse? & c.”
2.Pet.2.4.
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodlie and sinner appeare? If the law of God doth not justifie, mush lesse man traditions.
If the shepheard be not able to resist the wolfe, much lesse are the sheepe able: If the mightie mountaines be not able to stand against the wrath of God, much lesse man, which is the image of weaknesse.
The use of this figure.
This forme of speech of mightie force and power both to move by example, & to persuade by reason, for the partes of the comparison being brought together, their likenesse or unlikenesse, their equalitie or inequalitie is as plainly discerned, as things
which are fixed and judged by the ballance. The use hereof is verie great and mightie in whatsoever cause it handleth, whether it be in praising or dispraising accusing, reprehending confirming, confuting, moving affection, perswading, or in anie other like: and no one forme of speech more apt and excellent to amplifie.
The Caution.
In desiring to make a like or equal comparison, we must take heed that the partes be not unlike or unequall. Secondly, in
making comparison from the greater to the lesse, we had need to forsee, that we put not a lesse for a greater: and so likewise in comparing from the lesse to the greater, which sometime falleth so out through ignorance and want of knowledge in the things compared. Lastly, it is behovefull to take heed that our comparisons be not so applied as they may move offence in the hearers, for there is an old saying and a true, that comparisons be odious, which is still verified either by the folly of the speaker, or pride of the hearer.
Similitudo.
Similitudo, is a forme of speech by which the Orator compareth one thing with the other by a similitude fit to his purpose Cicero: Even as the light of a candle, is opprest with the brightnesse of the Sunne, so the estimation of corporall things must needs be darkened, drowned, and destroyed by the glorie and greatnesse of vertue. As in daungerous sayling the helme is not committed to him that is richest or noblest in birth, but to him that hath the best knowledge in guiding the ship: even so is it requisite and behovefull not to give the principalitie of government to him that is of more wealth then others, or of nobler blood, but to him that excelleth other men in wisedome and loyaltie.
It is even Judges, as if you should give a sharpe sword to a
litle childe, or to a feeble olde man, who by his owne strength can hurt no mans person, but yet if he come to a naked mans bodie, he may be the sharpnesse of the point and wight of the weapon wound it: even so was the consulship as a sword given to weake and fearful men, who could never by their own might, have bene able to do so much as pricke a man, but being armed with the name of the honourable Empire, they have cruelly murthered the common wealth.
As if maketh no matter whether you laie a sicke man in a bed
made of plaine wood, or in a bed gilt and garnished with gold, for whither soever you remove him, he carrieth his disease with him: even so is it all one whether the mind which is sicke with insaciable avarice, be placed in riches or in povertie, for while the disease hang still upon it, it findeth no rest.
As the lion become sometime a praie to smal birds, and as thin rust consumes thicke yron, lo is there nothing so sure, what is
not subject to his inferiour.
The use of this figure.
The use of Similitudes is verie great, yelding both
profite
and pleasure, profit by
their perspicuitie, and pleasure by
2 The value of
similitudes. |
their proportion. They serve to many and sundry
endes, as to praise, dispraise, teach, to exhort, move, perswade, and
to many other such like effects: of all formes of speech, they are
best conceived, most praised, and longest remembered.
The Caution.
The principal care in making similitudes, ought to be in foreseeing
that the things compared, be not unlike in that part
wherein they be compared.
Secondly, that they be not straunge and unknowne, by the one there is an absurditie, by the other obscuritie.
Dissimilitudo.
Dissimilitudo, is a forme of speech which compareth diverse things in a diverse qualitie.
An example of the Prophet Esay: “The oxe hath knowne his
owner, and the asse his maisters cribbe: but Israel hath not knowne,
my people hath taken no heed.”
Esay.1.3.
Another of Jeremy: “The storke in the aire knoweth his appointed time, the turtle dove, the swallow and the crane, consider the time of their travell, but my people will not know the time of the Lords punishment.”
Jerem.8.7.
Another of our Saviour Christ: “The foxes have holes, and the fowles of the aire have nestes, but the sonne of man hath not where to laie his head.”
Luc.9.58.
The use of this figure.
Mightie in amplification. |
This forme of speech is of great use and utilitie in amplification, and it is verie convenient for praise or dispraise, reprehension and confutation.
The Caution.
The grace of this figure how impaired. |
The grace of a dissimilitude is much impaired, when the unlikenesse is verie little, or when the parts are straunge, or unaptly compared.
Antithesis.
Antithesis, a figure which Quntilian calleth contention, and it is a proper coupling together of contraries, and that either in words that be contrarie, or in contrarie sentences.
1 In contrary words: He is gone but yet by a gainfull remove, from painfull labour to quiet rest, from unquiet desires to happie contentment, from sorrow to joy, and from transitory time to immortalitie.
2 An example of Cicero: And may you then preferre the unknowne before the knowne, the wicked before the just, strangers before neighbours, the covetous before the contented, hirelings before free helpers, the prophane before the religious, the most malicious enemies to this Empire and hnour, before vertuous companions, and faithfull Citizens?
3 So well sighted were the eyes of his minde, that by them he saw life in death, an exaltation in falling, florie in shame, victory in destruction, a kingdome in bondage: and a glorious light in the midst of darknesse.
4 In contrary sentences: Art thou rich? then robbe not the poore: if thou beest strong, tread not the weake under thy feete: if wise, beguile not the simple: if publike by authoritie, oppresse not him that is private.
Another: What is more odious then labour to the idle, fasting to the glutton, want to the covetous, shame to the proude, & good lawes to the wicked.
The use of this figure.
This is a most excellent ornament of eloquence, serving most
aptly to amplification, it graceth and bewtifieth the Oration
with pleasant varietie, and giveth singular perspicuitie and light
by the opposition, it is so generall that it may serve to amplifie and garnish any grave and weightie cause.
The Caution.
In the use of this exornation, it behoveth to moderate the number
of comparisons, lest they growe to too great a multitude, which bewrayeth affectation, a fault which ought to bee shunned.
Secondly, to provide that we impaire not the beautie and
2 Diverse in stead of contraries. |
strength of this figure by opposing things differing, in stead of contraries.
Syncrisis.
Syncrisis, is a comparison of contrary things, & diverse persons in one sentence.
An example of the holy scripture: “Behold my servants shall eate, and you shall suffer hunger, behold my servants shall drinke, and you shall abide thirst, behold my servants shall rejoyce and you shall you shall be put to shame, behold my servants shal be glad through joy of heart, & you shal cry through sorrow of heart, and waile through contrition of spirit.”
Esa.65.13.14.
Another of the penitent theefe hanging on the crosse, saying thus: “We are indeed righteously here, for we receive things worthie of that we have done, but this man hath done nothing amisse.”
Luc.23.41.
Here in this example the guiltie is opposed against the just, and injurie against equitie.
Another: The suttle commit the fault, and the simple beare the blame.
Many of Salomons Proverbes are compounded and garnished with this exornation: as these and many mo such like: “Wise women uphold their house, but a foolish woman pulleth it downe.”
Prov.14.1.
A wise sonne maketh a glad father, but an undiscreet sonne is a heavinesse to his mother.
“The curse of ye Lord is in the house of the ungodly, but he blesseth the dwellings of the rightuous.”
Prov.10.1.
“The same use and Caution may serve to this figure, which do pertaine to Antithesis last observed.”
Enthimema.
Enimema, is a forme of speech which Quintillian enterpreteth a comment, forasmuch as it may wel be called the whole action & sentence of the minde, & it is as Cicero saith, when the sentence concluded consisteth of contraries thus: Our elders made warre, not onely that they might be free, but also that they might rule: but thou thinkest warre may be left off, that we might be made bondslaves to serve.
Another: If great wealth bring cares, and povertie wretched miserie, then the meane between these two extremities is the greatest happinesse.
Another: They which may do me good, wil not, and they whcih are willing, cannot, therefore my distresse remaineth.
The use of this figure.
This exornation may be applied to diverse ends, but most specially to confirme, or confute.
The Caution.
In the use of this figure it behoveth to have this care, that the premises be true, wherupon a right conclusion may be inferred.
Intersepugnantia.
Intersepugnantia, is a forme of speech by which the Orator reproveth his adversarie, or some other person of manifest unconstancie, open hypocrisie, or insolent arrogancie. Cicero for Roscius: IN which cause seemest to me, to be unconstant and foolish that wouldest both hurt a man and also commend him, and both call him an honest man, and also a varlet.
Thou therefore which theachest another, teachest not thy selfe: “thou that preachest a man should not steale, yet thou stealest: thou that saist that a man should not commit adultery, yet thou breakest wedlocke: thou abhorrest images, and yet robbest God of his honour. Thou makest boast of the law, and through breaking the law dishonourest God.”
Rom.2.
Another of James the Apostle: “Out of one mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing, my brethren these things ought not so to be: doth a fountaine send forth at one place sweet water and bitter?”
Jac.3.10.
The use of this figure.
This figure pertaineth properly to reprehension, as to represse
boldnesse in the rude, pride in the arrogant, secutitie in the hipocrite, and unconstancie in the unwise.
The Caution.
The opposed partes both true. |
The chiefe and principall regard in the Caution of this figure is, to looke that the partes opposed and repugnant be both true, otherwise the reprehender deserveth reprehension.
Antimetabole.
Antimetabole, is a forme of speech which inverteth a sentence by the contrary, thus: It behoveth thee to eate that thou maist live, and not to live that thou maist eate.
Another of the holy scripture: “Neither was the man created for the womans sake, but the woman for the mans sake.”
1 Cor.11.
Another: “The children ought not to laie up for their parents, but the parents for their children.”
2 Cor. 2
An example of Cicero: Of eloquent men Crassus is counted the most learned Lawyer, and of Lawyers, Scaevola most eloquent.
The use of this figure.
The use hereof serveth properlie to praise, dispraise, to distinguish, but most commonly to confute by the inversion of the sentence.
The Caution.
In using this forme of speech, it is requisite and behoveful that the sentence inversed be not false, or that it be not perversely put contrary to the truth & meaning of the speaker through the fault of memorie.
Peristasis.
Peristasis, a forme of speech by which the Orator amplifieth by circumstance, and circumstances are either of a person or of a thing, a person hath these: Parentage, nation, Countrie, kinde, age, education, discipline, habite of bodie, fortune, condition, nature of the minde, studie, foredeeds, name, & c.
1. Parentage: Thou ar of a noble blood, and hast thou made thy selfe a companion of most lewd men.
2. Nation: art not thou worthie of blame being an Englishman borne to despise the practice of shooting, knowing that it hath been of long time the principall cause of English glory?
3. Countrey: To be borne in Crete and to hate the vice of lying is praise worthy. To be borne in Asia among Turkes and to favoure and imbrace Christian religion, amplifieth the vertue of that man.
4. Kinde: Boldnesse, unchast speech, manlike apparell and gesture are all unseemely in women, and woman kind.
5. Age: Lying, lightnesse and lust are three evils intollerable in youth, how much more in gray heads and old age?
6. Education: To be well brought up, and vertuously trained in youth, and after to digresse and become wicked as did Nero, amplifieth the fault and increaseth the shame.
7. Discipline: A Judge to corrupt lawes and wrest judgement, a professor of divinitie to teach errors and maintaine heresies, a Phisition to destroy life by the abuse of Phisicke, a Captaine to forsake his Prince, and take part with the enemie: all these are great offences in any sort of men, but yet far greater, when the profession and the transgression be compared together.
8. Habite of bodie: God hath indued thee with a bewtifull fairnesse, and why dost thou live in so foule manner, and blemish that which he hath bewtified?
Thou hast a lustie and strong bodie, art thou not ashamed to beg thy bread?
Thou art a tall and mightie man, why art thou then fearefull to fight for thy countrey?
Little David slew great Golia, which was wonderfull.
9. Condition: Being a servant and to strike his maister, is he not worthy to be punished? How dare you being a private person resist your magistrate? a rich man to steale, a poore man to be proud, are offences much encreased when their condition or estate is considered.
10. The nature of the mind: God hath given you a valiant heart, and shall carefull thoughts overcome you? you have had alwaies a constant mind, and shall trifles quench your old frendship?
11. Studie: You studie the law which is the maintenance of right, with what face or conscience can you offer this wrong?
12. Foredeedes: When a man hath in his youth and former part of his time been vertuous, well geven, liberall and pittifull, valiant and hardie, and now to fall from all vertue to all vice, to become hard, cruell, cowardly, slouthfull and carelesse, amplifieth greatly these crimes by which those excellent vertues are oppressed.
13. You counselled them to take this ungracious enterprise in hand, and therefore your punishment is like to be thereafter.
By his counsell the armie was directed, the Cittie beseiged, won and conquered, the greater is therefore the fame of his wisedome.
14. Name: Is thy name Salomon, and hast no more wisedome? doest thou feare to be a souldier, and thy name Alexander?
Circumstances of things.
1 Cause: Judas was the cause of betraying Christ, therefore he had the more sin.
2. Place: They bought and sold in the temple the house of praier, and therefore they were reputed theeves, and the temple called their denne.
3. Time: In the time of praier to be exercised in wicked works, lewd wordes, or wanton behaviour is offensive to good men, and cursed before God. To abuse the tune of peace with tumults and sedition, is an heinous offence.
4. Occasion: To watch the oportunitie of darkenesse to do mischiefe betokeneth a pretended purpose, to use the helpe of solitudes as Cain did, when he slew Abel his brother, doth take away all excuse of ignorance and pretence of infirmitie.
5. Instrument, to slay with a dag or privie weapon, to murder by poisoning or by strangling doth argue a deepe and cursed malice of the murderer.
The use of this figure.
The use of circumstances is verie profitable for amplifying, extenuating, for expressing plainely, for proving & confirming.
The Caution.
The most necessarie admonition concerning the use of circumstances
Too long stay in circumstances maketh the oration barren. |
is to take heede of long and tedious stay in them, as about who, what, when, where, how, and such like, which by, prolixitie is wont to make the oration barren.
Auxesis.
Auxesis is a forme of speech by which the Orator amplifieth by putting a greater word for a lesse, as to call a proude man Lucifer, a dronkard a swine, an angrie man mad, a covetous man a cutthroate: In praising, as to call an honest man a Saint, a faire Virgin an Angell, good musicke heavenly harmonie.
This figure is chiefly set forth by tropes of words, forasmuch as they paint out things by similitudes, and make them more
evident by setting images before the eies, as when we call a craftie fellow a Foxe, a favenous person a cormorant, a patient man Job, but chieflie by Hyperobole, which maketh a large and most ample comparison.
The use of this figure.
The use hereof helpeth mightily to expresse a matter which requireth either great praise, or dispraise, and it is oftentimes in great and grievous complaints, signifying the greatnesse and excesse of suffering, examples whereof are found in the complaints of holy men, but chieflie in Job, David, and Jeremie.
The Caution.
The true use hereof is required in great causes, and not to amplifie everie small matter and foolish trifle, which is a vanity
To amplifie smal matters. |
to be shunned, for that common custome to amplifie small things, is more fit for a common liar, then meete for a grave and modest Orator.
Meiosis.
Meiosis contrary to
Auxesis when a lesse word is put for a greater, to make the thing appeare lesse then it is, or verie litle, as to call a learned Doctor a prettie scholler, a great wound a scratch, a flat fall a foile, a raging railer a testie fellow: as
Auxesis doth magnifie and lift up, so doth this diminish and pul downe: the other of small thnges, maketh great matters, so this of great matters maketh but trifles.
The use hereof serveth to sundry effectes, to excuse by extenuation, also to remove despaire, and plant hope, as doth the
Phisition in comforting his despairing patient, by calling his
3. To comfort by extenuation. |
disease a matter of no danger, no cause of any feare, an obstruction easily remedied, an inflamation quickly quenched, whereby the Phisition doth much relieve and lighten the heavie spirits of his feeble Patient, by decreasing the causes and diminishing the danger.
The Caution.
He that regardeth his credite must take heede that aswell in
augmenting as in decreasing he respecteth the truth, and diligently observe the Poets warning, vt ne quid nimis: in diminishing regard ought to be had, that in coveting too great a decrease, the speaker fall not into that fault of speech, which is usually called Tapinosis, that is when the dignitie or majestie of a high matter is much defaced by the basenesse of a word, as to call the Ocean a streame, or the Thames a brooke, a foughten field a fray, great wisedome prettie witte, and Oration a tale, or as if one should say to a King: may it please your mastership: To this is opposed Bomphiologia, which giveth high titles to base persons, and great praises to small deserts. There is another faultie tearme of speech, called Paradiastole, which in this place may well be mentioned, for that it also opposeth the truth by false tearmes, and wrong names, as in calling dronkennesse good felloship, insatiable avarice good husbandrie, craft and deceit wisedome and pollicie.
This vice of speech is a fit instrument of excuse serving to selfe-love, partiall favour, blinde affection, and a shamelesse person, which for the better maintenance of wickednesse useth to cover vices with the mantles of vertues.
Incrementum.
Incrementum is a form of speech, which by degrees ascendeth to the top of some thing or rather above the top, that is, when we make our saying grow, & increase by an orderly placing of wordes making the latter word alwaies exceede the former in the force of signification, contrarie to the naturall order fo thinges, for that ever putteth the worthiest, and weighiest words first, but this placeth them alwaies last, as in this example
: O my Parmeno the beginnger, the enterpriser, performer and accomplisher of all my pleasures.
Another: Neither silver, gold, nor precious stones might be compared to her vertues.
There was never yet a noble Captaine, Prince, king or Emperour, whose honorable fame and renoune hath spred far & wide, and also long continued, that may over match this worthie man in vertue or honour.
The use of this figure.
This figure is both apt to bewtifie the speech and to amplifie the matter for in forme it is neere to Articulus, and in force to comparison, and it as it were the Orators scaling ladder, by which he climeth to the top of high comparison: neither is it unlike to fire whose propertie is alwaies to ascend as big as matter can carie it.
The Caution.
In thie figure order must be diligently observed, that the stronger may follow the weaker, & the more worthie the lesse worthie otherwise the signification shal not encrease, which this figure doth especially respect, but become a Congeries which respecteth not the increase of matter but multitude of wordes.
Anthypophora.
Anthypophora, when we grant to an objection, bringing in another thing which maketh the same objection tollerable, Cicero: I confesse i tooke that thing upon me, peradventure a matter of great importance, and also dangerous unto me: yet notwithstanding a cause worthie, for which I was bound to straine the strength of my age & diligence.
Another: I grant there is in it great labours, and many perils, yet by painful travel and valiant adventures therein shal ensue immortal glorie.
I cannot denie but the way to learning and wisedome is long and painful, the ascent steapie and slipperie, the season darke and mistie, false turnings many, beside stops, and many other kindes of discouragements: yet by labour and constancie o nce attained, it bringeth with it a plentiful harvest, I meane both of profit and pleasure.
The use of this figure.
The propertie of this figure is to moderate extremities, and to
arbitrate between comparative contentions.
The Caution.
A Speciall regard ought to be had that the latter clause or part
1. The later not weaker then the former. |
of the sentence be not weaker then the former, for if it be, then the former part remaineth single in it selfe, and the oration is made verie weake and feeble.
Synaeceosis.
Synaeceosis is a figure which teacheth to conjoine diverse things or contraries, and to repugne common opinion with reason, thus: The covetous & the prodigall are both alike in fault, for neither of them knoweth to use their wealth aright, for they both abuse it, and both get shame by it.
Fluttonous feasting, and starving famine are all one, for both weaken the bodie, procure sicknesse, and cause death.
The use of this figure.
The proper use hereof serveth to couple contrarie evils together
To waite contaries and condemne them both. |
, & to condemne them both by shewing a reason, which is taken from their unitie in working and consent in some effect.
The Caution.
In using this figure it is needfull to foresee and be sure wherein they consent, that one and the same reason may condemne them both.
Dirimens copulatio.
Dirimens copulatio, when we bring forth one sentence with an exception before it, and immediately joyne another after it that seemeth greater: Cicero in his oration in which he gave the Romane people thankes for his returne; You have (saith he) not onely taken away my calamitie, but also seeme to augment my dignitie.
“Wherefore you must needes obey, not onely for feare of vengeance, but aslo for conscience sake.”
Rom.13.
“Behold, I have not laboured for my selfe onely, but for all them that seeke wisedome.”
Eccle.24.39.
The use of this figure.
This exornation hath some affinitie with incrementum, for
that they both increase the signification by placing the manner first, and the worthier last: but yet they have their difference. Incrementum increaseth by degrees of words, this by sentences: that by wordes of like nature onely, this both by like wordes and by diverse thinges.
The Caution.
Heed ought to be taken that the latter sentence be not weaker
1. The latter sentence weaker then the former. |
or lesse worthie then the former, which is a necessarie point to be regarded: for it were absurd to say, he is not onely a tirant, but also verie troublesome, or to make the latter the same that the former is, as to say he is not onely idle, but also
he loveth to sit still and do nothing, then to speake thus: it were better to sit still and say nothing.
Correctio.
Correctio, is a figure which taketh away that that is said, and putteth a more meet word in the place, whereof there be two kindes, the one is when a word is corrected before it is said.
An example of Cicero in his 7. action against Verres: We have here brought before you Judges, to have your judgement, not a theefe, but a violent robber, not an adulterer, but a breaker of all chastitie, not a spoiler of church goods, but a ranke enemie to al godly religion, not a quarelling ruffin, but a most cruell murderer.
An example of the holy Scripture: “You declare that you are ye epistie of Christ ministred by us, and written not with inke, but wit the sprite of the living God, not in table of stone, but in the fleshly table of the heart.”
2. Cor. 3.3.
Correction after the saying, Paul to the Romanes: By what law of workes, nay, by what law of faith?
To the Ephesians: “But after you have knowen God, nay rather are knowen of God.”
Ephes. 4.
For this thy shamfull and most cursed fact, what shall I call thee, a wretch, nay a beast, a beast, nay a poisonnous serpent, yet none of these are fit enough for thee, a devil, thou art both in respect of thy malice which thou doest possesse, and of the sundry mischiefes which thou doest daily commit.
The use of this figure.
This figure also doth effectually amplifie by the orderly encrease,
but chiefly, by casting by mightie wordes, and by
putting mightier in their roomes, aslo it maintaineth attention, for while ye hearer vieweth the going out of one word, he straight expecteth the comming in of another.
The Caution.
1. To reject the better & place the meaner a follie. |
Concerning both the dirst forme of Correction, and also the second, it behoueth that the latter wordes be mightier then the former, for to reject ye mightier and place the weaker betokeneth want of discretion in the Orator, or to put needlesse & fond wordes to be corrected is a signe of follie.
Metania.
Metania is comprehended under Correction, and it is saith Rufinianus a description of things by reprehension, thus: He sheweth himself a man amongst his enemies, nay a lyon But of other Authours it is taken for a forme of speech by which the Orator repenting himselfe of some word or saying past, by fault of memorie, or want of due consideration, craveth leve to resume it, and to recite it, and to place a fitter word in stead thereof. Hereupon it is called Poenitentia Dicit, which repentance is many waies signified, and the leave to call words back is diversly expressed, according to the pleasure and devise of the Orator.
Sometime the Orator blameth himselfe, as doth Cicero in his Oration for Milo: We are fooles that do presume to compare Drusus Africanus, Pompeius, and our selves with Clodius.
The use of this figure.
The use of this figure serveth the Orator, when either through,
1. To correct errors of speech. |
rashnesse of affection, weaknesse of memorie, or imperfection of speech, he hath said some thing amisse, to resume it, and amend
2. To expresse more largely. |
it, or under pretence of misliking, to take occasion to expresse his minde more largely.
The Caution.
It behoueth the Orator to take heede that he utter no heinous,
wicked, and slanderous words, with entent to correct them, for a word of offence is like a wilde bird which hath escaped thy hand and cannot be called againe.
Paramologia.
Paramologia, of some called Paralogia, it is when the speaker granteth many things to his adversary worthie of commendation, and at the length bringeth in some notable crime, which oppresseth and quencheth all that was granted before. Cicero for Flaccus: Notwithstanding this I say concerning the whole nation of the Greekes, I grant unto them learning, I grant unto them the knowledge of many Artes, I take not from them the comely grace of speech, fine wittes, singular eloquence. And futhermore, if they challenge unto themselves any other thing, I will not deny it them, yet religion and faith that nation never favoured, what vertue, what authoritie, what waight there is of all this matter, they know not.
Also it is by this gifure when the speaker in his conclusion bringeth in that whcih was not looked for, or that which is contrary, or at least farre distant from the premises. As for example, Salomon rehearseth the partes of his felicitie, he mentioneth his riches, possessions, sumptuous buildings & pleasures: but suddenly he concludeth that all this is but vanitie and vexation of spirit. This conclusion commeth unlooked for, and verie unlike to have ensued such premises, the expectation tendeth rather to heare what felicitie followed all this wealth and great possession: and not what vanitie or vexation of sprit.
The like example of this manner of speaking is in the 21. of Job, where he first describeth the prosperitie of the wicked, and then concludeth that suddenly they go downe to the grave.
The use of this figure.
The utilitie of this figure, consiseth chiefly in confuting and removing the opinion of the hearer from some liking or error
To confute by detraction. |
deeply rooted in his minde and affection, which the Orator confuteth by a conclusion suddenly inferred, for which respect it may be compared to the practice of undermining, which as it is hardly perceived till it hath wrought sudden subversion, so this figure maketh no shew of the purpose till it concludeth.
The Caution.
It is a necessarie poynt to foresee that we graunt not the greater, and infer the lesse, or being in but one evil thing, to subvert
and overwhelme many good: or to inferre small faultes, to disgrace & drowne great vertues: for it were to kindle that which we cannot quench, or plant that we cannot pull by, and briefly to confirme that which we desire to confute.
Metabasis.
Metabasis, is a forme of speech by which the Orator in a few words sheweth what hath been alreadie said, and also what shalbe said next, and that diverse waies.
1 From the equall: The matters which you have alreadie heard, were wonderfull, and those that you shall heare, are no lesse marvellous.
2 From the unequall: I have declared unto you many of his commendable deserts, yet wil I tell you of many mo, and farre more excellent.
3 From the like: I have hitherto made mention of his n oble enterprises in France, and now I will rehearse his worthie actes done neare to Rome.
4 From the contrary thus: As I have spoken of his great adversitie and miserie, so will I now speake of his happy prosperitie, which at length ensued, as the bright day doth the darke night, and warme sommer cold winter.
5 By prevention or occupation: Peradventure you think me long in the threatenings of the law, I will now passe to the sweet promises of the Gospell.
6 By reprehention: I have staied too long in lamentable matters, I wil now make mention of some pleasant reports.
7 From consequents: You have bene tolde how he promised, and now I will tell you how he performed: you have heard how greevously those cities offended, and it resteth now to heare how justly they were punished.
The use of this figure.
This exornation is profitable in two respects it both putteth in
what hath been said, & also prepareth the hearer to the rest following.
The Caution.
The greatest care and regard in the use of this figure, ought to
1 Long repetitions are tedious and irksome. |
be in observing these pointes. First, to be brief in the rehearsal of the matter already said, and likewise of that which shall next follow. Secondly, to provide that the matter which followeth be neither of lesse importance nor lesse plausible then the
2 Less matters following, quench attention. |
matter going before, for a long rehearsall becommeth tedious, and warieth the hearers, and the promise of a matter of lesse importance or lesse pleasant quencheth attention and turneth away expectation.
Aedela.
Medela, when seeing the offences of our friends, or of them whom we defend, to be so great that we cannot honestly defend them, or so manifest that we cannot well deny them, we seeke to heale them with plastures of good words and pleasing pseech: When there was a greater luxuritie and ryot objected against Caelius, then Cicero durst defend, and more evident then he could deny: not withstanding he did extenuate the fault with gentle words, and as much as he could pacified the judges, who were vehemently kindled against him, he said that those things were partly the vices of times rather then of the man, he contended that soem thing ought to be yelded to age, he opposeth against the offence a hope of future regard and diligence. And also as a remedie against new sprung envy, by the acts and enterprises which now Caelius tooke upon him, he applieth his own expettation of Caelius modestie and honest behaviour for the time to come.
The Apostle Paul giveth a verie good example of this figure in his Epistle to Philemon, where he useth sundry reasons & diverse meanes to salve and cure the fault of Onesimus, and to appease and pacifie the displeasure of Philemon: which example may be a very good president for the use for this figure, both in respect of the forme, and also of the equitie & lawfulnesse of the effect, which are two points necessarie to be observed in all formes of speech.
The use of this figure.
This figure or forme of speech pertaineth properly to extenuate offences, to excuse infirmities, to appease displeasure, and reconcile friends offended.
The Caution.
It behoveth the vertuous Orator to regard these necessarie observations in Caution, that he never defend things unlawfull, nor denieth matter evident, nor excuse offences that be wilful, nor extenuate transgressions that be great, otherwise he shal appeare both impudent and wicked: notwithstanding which of all these faults will not blind affection, selfelove, evil conscience, and corrupted indes take in hand, and either subtilly worke, or audaciously performe.
Exuscitatio.
Exuscitatio, is when the speaker being much moved with some vehement affection in himselfe, doth shew it by the utterance of his speech, and thereby moveth the mindes of his hearers, and it is used when persons or matters do require either great praises, or dispraises. In praises
thus: What man is he? be he never so envious, never so malicious, never so ambitious of honour, but must needes commend this man, and acknowledge him to be most vertuous, most learned, most wise, who for the safegard of his country, the defence of his citie, and the riches of the common wealth, did most willingly put and yeeld himselfe to great and cruell dangers, whose learning was proved in defending, whose wisedome was wondered at, in accomplishing so dangerous an enterprise. In dispraising
thus: Who is of so carelesse a minde, that seeing these things can hold his peace and let them passe? you put my father to death before he was condemned, and being so put to death, you registred him among condemned men, you thrust me out of mine owne house by violence, you possessed my patrimony, what will you more? came you not to the seate of judgement as you do now, to put to death or at least to condemne Sextus Roscius?
The use of this figure.
This figure is verie generall, and may serve to manie and
sundrie purposes, but chieflie to praise or dispraise, it maie bee used to accuse, reprehend, to defende, and justifie.
The Caution.
Not to be hot & vehement without cause. |
Forasmuch as this forme of speech is alwaies vehement, it si not meete to be used but in causes necessarily requiring vehemencie. For it is a cleare signe of folly to be hotte, vehement, and clamarous in a clame cause, or small matter.
