Epanaphora.
Epanaphora, or Anaphora, is a forme of
speech which beginneth diverse members, still with one and the same
word.
- First in long periods. An example of Cicero in the praises of
Pompey: A witnesse is Italie, which Lucius Cilla being bictor
confessed, was by the vertue and counsell of this man delivered: A
witnesse is Celicia, which being environed on every side with many and
great dangers, he set at libertie, not with terror of warre, but
quicknesse of counsel: A witnesse is Africa, which being opprest with
great armies of enemies, flowed with the blood of slaine men: A
witnesse is France, through which a way was made with great slaughter
of Frenchmen for our armies into Spaine: A witnesse is Spaine, which
hath very often seene, that by this man many enemies have ben overcome
and vanquished.
- By short periods, Examples of holy Scriptures: “The Lord
sitteth above the water floods. The Lord remaineth a king for ever.
The Lord shall give strength unto his people. The Lord shall give his
people the blessing of peace.” Psal.29.
- By Comaes. An example of Scripture:
“Whom they loved, whom they served, whom they ran after,
whom they sought and
worshipped.” Jerem.8.
- By Interrogation: “Where is the
wise? Where is ye Scribe? Where is the disputer of this
world?” 1.Cor.1.
- By a double Epanaphora in an Antithesis,
thus, The covetous man is ever poore. The contented man is alwayes
rich. The covetous man is an enemie to him selfe. The contented man
is a friend to others. The covetous man is full of care. The
contented man is full of comfort.
- By a certaine increase in the clauses following, thus, I
desire you for the love I have borne to you, for the love you have
borne to me, and for the love which our good God doth beare to us all,
that you will remember these my last words, uttered with my last
breath.
The use of this figure.
1.To repate a word of
importance. |
The use hereof is chiefly to repeate a word of
importance, and effectuall signification, as to repeate the cause
before his singular effects, or contrariwise the effect before his
severall causes,
or any other word of princiapll accompt. It serveth also
pleasantly to the eare, both in the respects of the repetition, and
also of the varietie of the new clause.
The Caution.
Although this figure be an exornation of great use, yet it may be too often used in an oration. Secondly ye repetitions ought not to be many, I meane the word ought not to be repeated too oft, as some do use it, in a most wearisome Tautalogie. Thirdly heede ought to be taken, that the word which is least worthie or most weake, be not taken to make the repetition, for that were very absurd.
