University of Virginia Library

9. CHAP. IX.
Of Secundary Figures.

To these Primary Figures of words and sentences there may some secundary figures be added in both kinds.

The Secundary figures of a word are eight.

1. Ellipsis.
2. Pleonasmus.
3. Asyndeton.
4. Polysyndeton.
5. Hyperbaton.
6. Zeugma.
7. Antithesis.
8. Græcismus.

An Ellipsis is, when some necessary word, to express the passion, is omitted in the construction; as, Isaiah 1. 13. I cannot iniquity, that is, I cannot bear iniquity.

A Pleonasmus is, when there is some word in an oration, more than it seemeth to need; yet doth emphatically and eminently express some vehemence and certainty; as, I saw it with these eyes. And that which hath not such an emphasis is idle and vicious.

An Asyndeton is, when in a number of words, a conjunction copulative is omitted, either through hast, or vehemence of speech; as, By thy folly and wickedness thou hast lost thy substance, thy good name, thy friends, thy parents, and offended thy Creator.

A Polysyndeton is, when for gravity sake, more conjunctions are used than seem needful, but not without some Emphasis; as, overmuch sleep also, and wine, and banquets, and queans, and bathes enervate and enfeeble the body and mind.

An Hyperbaton is a Transposition of words from the right order of construction, into some more neat and compact form, for elegancy and variety sake; as, Ephes. 1. And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.

A Zeugma is, when some verb or adjective but once expressed in a sentence, is supposed to be referred to several others of divers genders, numbers or persons, agreeing with that which is nearest; as; lust overcometh modesty, boldness fear, and passion reason.

This is threefold.

Prozeugma, when this common word is set in the beginning; as, For neither art thou he, Cataline, whom shame could at any time call back from dishonesty, fear from perils, or reason from madness.

Mesozeugma, when in the middle; as, What a shame is this, that neither hope of reward, nor fear of reproach could any thing move him, the perswasion of his friends, nor the love of his Country?

Hypozeugma, when in the end; as, the foundation of freedome, the fountain of equity, the safeguard of wealth, and custody of life is preserved by law.

An Antithesis is, when the things Opposed do answer one another; as, Flattery procureth

friendship, truth hatred.

A Græcimus is when the proper Idiom of the Greek is used in another speech or language; as, Edm. Spencer Chap. 13. For not to have been dipt in Lethe lake, could save the son of Thetis from to die; that is, Achilles.

To these may be added

An Hyperologia or an Hyteron Proteron, when that which in the natural order should be first spoken, is brought in last; as, he is in health and alive, for, he is alive and in health.

An Antiprosis, when one case is put for another.

An Hypallage, when two words do commute or change cases with one another; as, Thou hast hid their heart from understanding, Job 17. 4. that is, thou hast hid understanding from their heart.

The Secundary figures in a sentence are ten.

1. Parrhesia.
2. Erotesis.
3. Parenthesis.
4. Parathesis.
5. Periphrasis.
6. Synonymia.
7. Hypotyposis.
8. Præmunitio.
9. Transitio.
10. Rejectio.

Parrhesia is a free and a bold speaking of

such things in their presence whom we should fear or reverence, as are displeasing or may provoke them to envy.

And this is either when we confidently acknowledge and defend a fault not proved against us, or when we boldly upbraid and rebuke others, for faults by them committed.

Erotesis is a manner of speech, whereby we either,

1. Demand a question; as, How oft shall any brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Matth. 18. 21. Or when we

2. Earnestly affirm and reprehend; as, O faithless Generation! how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? Mark 9. 19. Or when we

3. Vehemently avouch the contrary, whether the interrogation be affirmative or negative; as, can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? that is, the blind cannot lead the blind, they shall both fall.

Parenthesis is the interposing of one or more words of perfect sence, within another sentence, for the perfecting thereof; without which interposition, the sence would yet be perfect and entire.

Concerning which, two rules are observeable, viz.

1. That the interposition should neither be long, nor frequent, because it will render the sentence obscure.

2. That one parenthesis be but seldome inserted within another; as, Are they ministers of Christ (I speak as a fool) I am more; 2 Cor. 11. 23.

Parathesis, is a figure of construction, whereby one substantive is for declaration and distinction sake added unto another in the same case; as the river Isis, or the river Wye. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot. John 14. 22.

Periphrasis, is the explication of a thing by more words, which may be expressed by one.

This figure is principally made four ways.

1. When some notable enterprise, ones native countrey, or some strange sect or opinion, is put instead of the proper name; as The writer of the Trojan war for Homer.

2. In Etymology, when the cause or reason of a name is unfolded; as, a man studious of wisdom, for a Philosopher.

3. In Annotation, when by certain marks or tokens something is described; as Anger is a vehement heat of the mind, which brings

paleness to the countenance, burning to the eyes, and trembling to the parts of the body.

4. When a thing is described by definition; as, the art of speaking eloquently, for Rhetorick. An oppressor of the laws and liberties of the people, for a Tyrant.

Synonymia or Palilogia, is a heaping together of many words of one signifcation; as, Wisdome in a Poor man lyes as a thing despised, rejected, oppressed, buried and utterly extinct.

Hypotyposis is a figure by which a whole matter is particularly and orderly expressed, as that it seems to be represented unto ocular inspection, as, It is a place which now humbling it self in fallowed plains, now proud in well husbanded hills, marries barren woods to cultivated valleys, and joyns neat gardens to delicious fountains, &c.

Præmunition or preparation is, when we presuppose what may be said by way of defence for those, whom we intend to reprehend or reprove.

Transition is that by which the parts of an oration are joyned together. And this is

1. Perfect, by which is declared what hath been spoken, and what remaineth to be said; as, hitherto we have spoken of tillage and Astronomy, now we will treat of &c.

2. Imperfect, by which is declared either what hath been said, or what remaineth to be spoken.

This may be done eight several ways.

1. By something that is equal or parallel; as, Those are most pleasant, nor are these less delightful.

2. By something that is unequal; you have heard very sad things; but I shall now tell you sadder things than these.

3. By something that is like.

4. By something that is contrary; These things he did when he was young; hear now his vertuous progress in his elder days.

5. By something that is divers; as, you have heard of his behaviour, I will now inform you of his learning.

6. By preoccupation; as, We will now hasten to the rest, only give me leave to adde this one thing.

7. By reprehension; Why should I dwell on this subject; I hasten to that which is the cause of all.

8. From some consequent or relative; as, you have heard what I have done for him; hear now how he hath requited me.

Rejection is, when we deferre a thing to some other time or place or wholly reject it as absurd and impertinent, and by no

means to be admitted of; as, But of Lucuius I will speak in some other place: and I will speak so, as that my speech shall not falsely accuse him, or yet derogate from his just praise.

And thus much concerning Elocution. As for Memory and Pronunciation, which are the other two parts of Rhetorick, i purposely omit them, as being natural endowments, which may be better improved by constant practice, than by any precepts which can be given.