 | CHAP. VII. An Introduction to the Art of Rhetorick |  |
7. CHAP. VII.
A Figure is a kind of Elocution by which the form of a speech is changed from its right and plain use.
A Figure is either of A Word, or A Sentence.
A Figure of a word is that by which an Oration or speech is composed of words aptly and sweetly suitable to one another. And this consists either in the Dimension or Repetition of sounds or words.
A Figure in the Dimension of sounds is the sweet number of sounds in a sentence.
Number is either Poetical or Oratorical.
A Poetical number is that, which is confined to a perpetual observation of certain spaces.
A Number Poetical is either Rhyme or Meter.
Rhyme is a poetical number containing a certain number of feet, without any regard to the quantity of Syllables whether long or short. But here many times
A fault that needs it most, grows two thereby.
A Meter is a poetical number consisting of certain feet, of which the last foot hath the last Syllable indifferent or common, that is, long or short.
In this kind of Poetical number, there is a liberty granted for a certain Metaplasm or transformation of a word, namely when there is something wanting in it, or when there is too much, or when there is something changed.
There are four kinds of Metaplasms.
1. By Elision or taking away something from the end of a word; in the scanning of a verse.
And this is either, Synalæpha or Ecthlipsis.
Synalæpha is an elision or striking out of one vowel before another in divers words; as, 'tis, for it is.
Ecthlipsis is when the letter m with his vowel is taken away, because the word following beginneth with a vowel; as, Syncer'est, for Syncerum est.
2. The second kind of Metaplasm is by
Prosthesis, Aphæresis, Epenthesis, Syncope, Paragoge, and Apocope.
Prosthesis is the adding of a letter or Syllable to the beginning of a word.
Aphæresis is the taking away of a letter or a Syllable from the beginning of a word.
Epenthesis is the putting of a letter or Syllable into the middle of a word.
Syncope is the taking away of a letter or Syllable from the middle of a word.
Paragoge is the putting of a letter or syllable to the end of a word.
Apocope is the taking of a letter or syllable from the end of a word.
3. The third kind of Metaplasms is by dividing and contracting of words, the one is called Diæresis, the other Synæresis.
Diæresis is that which maketh two syllables of one.
Synæresis is the contracting of two syllables into one.
4. The fourth kind of Metaplasms is by changing something in a word, and of this there are five kinds. Imesis, Metathesis, Antithesis, Diastole and Systole.
Imesis is that which divides the parts of a
Metathesis is the transposition or misplacing of a letter in a word.
Antithesis is the putting of one letter for another.
Diastole is that which maketh a short syllable long.
Systole is that which maketh a long syllable short.
Oratorical number doth indeed consist of feet, but not of any certain number of feet, but of as many or as few as the Orator pleaseth. And although for testimony or delight he may sometimes recite the verses of others, yet must he not make verses, when he writeth prose. He should not make the beginning or the end of a verse to be either the beginning or end of prose. But a greater care is to be had of the close than either of the beginning or middle of a speech, for in that the perfection of number doth chiefly appear; but these things will be better understood by the practice of the meanest Orator, than the precepts of the most skilful.
What the Figure of a word is, in the Dimension of the sound thereof, hath been shewed: now followeth the Figure of a word in respect of the repetition thereof.
And this is twofold, Like, or Unlike.
A Figure of a word in the repetition of like sound is either with or without intermission.
Repetition of like sound without intermission is either an Epizeuxis or an Anadiplosis.
An Epizeuxis is, when a like sound is repeated in the same sentence witht intermission, and that either a part or a whole word.
An Epizeuxis or repetition of a whole word may be in the beginning, middle or end of a sentence; as, Ezek. 21. 9, 27. A sword, a sword is sharpened &c. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it. And thus David bewaileth the death of his son Absolon in 2. Sam. 18. 33. O my son Absolom, my son, my son Absolom; would God I had died for thee, O Absolom, my son, my son.
An Anadiplosis is, wen a like sund without intermission is repeated in divers sentences, that is when it ends one and begins another; as, in Dr. Donne's Poems, Page 210.
Aske her again, why she did not unmask?
And in the use of this Figure there is sometimes a Climax; as when an Anadiplosis is continued with many degrees. Pro Milon: Nor did he only render himself to the people, but to the Senate: nor to the Senate only, but to the publick Garisons and Armies: nor to these only, but even to him, with whom the Senate hath intrusted the common-wealth. Ad Heren: What hope of liberty now remaineth; if it be lawful for them to do what they please, and that they can do what is lawful, and dare do, what they can, and actually do, as much as they dare, and you like whatever they do? Wherein we thought each line, each word, each syllable breath'd out the passions of a clear and candid soul. Howels Ep. 3. Epist.18.
Repetition of like sound but with some intermission is either in the same or in divers places.
Repetition of like sound with intermission in the same place is either an Anaphora, or an Epistrophe.
An Anaphora is, when a like sound is repeated in the beginning of sentences; as,
By art the Charriot runs; by art love's guided.
'Tis safe and frequent, but deserveth blame.
An Epistrophe is, when a like sound is repeated in the close of sentences; as, 2 Cor 11. 22. Are they Hebrews? so am I: are they Israelites? so am I: are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.
From an Anaphora and an Epitrophe joyned together is made another figure called Symploce; which is, when a like sound is both in the beginning and the ending of several sentences; as, Can the host of heaven help me? can Angels help me? can these inferiour creatures help me.
Repetition of like sound and with intermission, in divers parts or places, is either an Epanalipsis or an Epanados.
An Epanalipsis is, when a like sound is repeated in the beginning and ending of the same sentence; as, In sorrow was I born, and I must die in sorrow. 1. Cor. 3. 21, 22. All things are yours, whether things present, or things to come, all are yours.
An Epanodos is, when the like sound is in the beginning and ending of divers sentences,
Or else the cruel mother?
The mother worst, the child accurst,
As bad the one as th' other.
Hitherto of the Figure of a word repeated of like sound, now follow two figures more made by the repetition of sounds somewhat unlike, Paronomasia and Polyptoton.
Paronomasia is, when a word being changed in a letter or a syllable, it is also changed in sence and signification; as, Though you advise me to repent, I have not grace to follow your advice. Eminent men of great note, are now a days most subject to imminent dangers. 'Tis not so tedious to me as to others, to be thus immur'd, because I have been inured and habituated unto troubles. Howels Epist. 1. Volu. sect. 6. Epist. 50.
A Polyptoton is, when words of the same original are reiterated but with some variation, whether it be in mood or tense or person or number or any other; as, Vanity of Vanities, all is vanity. Deceiving and being deceived. The Lord when he visiteth, in visiting will visit you.
| CHAP. VII. An Introduction to the Art of Rhetorick | |