The Art of Rhetoric, Book 3 · Part 1 · Section 8 – Section 25

The Art of Rhetoric · Book 3 · Part 1 · Section 8 – Section 25

Of the fyrste vse of Tropes.

WHen learned and wise menne gan firste to enlarge their tongue,Tropes how they wer fyrst …ounded▪ and sought with greate vtteraunce of speache to commende causes: they founde full ofte muche wante of wordes to set out their meanynge. And therfore remembrynge thinges of like nature vntounto those wherof they spake: they vsed suche wordes to expresse their minde, as were most like vntounto other. As for example. If I shoulde speake against some notable Pharisee, I might vse translation of wordes in this wise: Yonder man is of a croked iudgment, his wyttes are clowdie, he liueth in deepe darkenes, dusked altogether wyth blynde ignoraunce, and drowned in the raginge sea, of bottomeles superstition. Thus is the ignoraunte set out, by callinge hym croked, clowdye, darke, blinde, and drownde in superstition. All whiche wordes are not proper vntounto ignoraunce, but borowed of other thinges, that are of lyke nature vntounto ignoraunce. For the vnskilfull man hath his wytte set oute of p. 91order, as a mannes bodye is set out of ioynte, and therupon it maye be sayde to be croked. Likewyse he maye be called clowdye, for as the clowdes kepe the Sunne shinynge from vsus, so dothe his Ignoraunce kepe him blindefolde from the true vnderstandinge of thinges. And as when the eyes are oute, no manne can see anye thinge: so when perfecte iudgemente is wantinge, the truthe can not be knowen. And so likewise of all other. Thus as necessitye hath forced vsus to borowe wordes translated: so hath time and practice made theim to seeme moost pleasaunt, and therfore thei are mucht the rather vsed. Yea, when a thynge full ofte can not be expreste by an apte and mete woorde, we do perceyue (when it is spoken by a woorde translated) that the likenes of that thynge whiche appeareth in an other worde, muche lighteneth that, which we woulde most gladly hauehave perceyued.

And not onelyonly do menne vse translation of wordes (called Tropes) for nede sake, when thei can not finde other: but also when they maye hauehave mooste apte wordes at hande, yet wyll they of a purpose vse translated wordes. And the reason is this. Menne counte it a poynte of witte to passe ouer suche woordes as are at hande, and to vse suche as are farre f…tcht and translated: or elles it is, because the hearer is led by cogitacion vponupon rehearsall of a Metaphore, & thinketh more by remembraunce of a word translated, then is there expreslye spoken: or elles because the whole matter semeth by a similitude to be opened: or last of al, bicause eueryevery translation is commenly, & for the most part referred to the senses of the body, & especially to y^e sense of seing, which is the sharpest and quickest aboue all other. For whē I shal saye that an angrye manne fometh at the mouthe, I am brought in remembraunce by this translation to remember a bore, that is fightyng vseth muche foming, the whiche is a fowle and lothelye sighte. And I cause other to thinke that he brake pacience wonderfully, when I set out his rage cō parable to a bores fominge.

An other beinge offended wyth checkes geuen, will saye, I maruaile sir what you meane to be euer snarringe at me, wherein is declared a brutishenes, consideringe he speaketh biting wordes, as muche without reason & as vncomelye, as a dogge dothe, when he snarreth, the whiche wee see is nothing semely. There is nothing in all the worlde, but the same maye hauehave the name of some other worde, the whiche by some similitude is lyke vntounto it. Notwithstandinge there ought muche warenesse to be vsed in chosyng of wordes tanslated, that the same be not vnlike that thing, wherunto it is applied, nor yet that the translation be vncomely or suche as may geue occasion of any vncleane meaning.

A Trope.

A TropeTrope what it is. is an alteration of a word or sentence from the proper significatiō to that whych is not proper.

The diuision of Tropes.

Tropes are either of a word,Deuision of Tropes. or or a longe continued speche or sentence.

Tropes of a worde are these.

A Metaphore or translation of wordes.

A worde makinge.

Intellection.

Abusion.

Transmutation of a word.

Transumption.

Chaunge of a name.

Circumlocution.

Tropes of a longe continued speache or sentence are these.

An Allegorie, or inuersion of wordes.

Mountinge.

Resemblinge of thinges.

Similitude.

Example.

Vvhat is a Metaphore.

A MetaphoreMetaphora is an alteration of a woorde from the proper and naturall meanynge, to that whiche is not proper, and yet agreeth therunto, by some lykenes that appeareth to be in it.

p. 92An Oration is wonderfullye enriched, when apte Metaphores are gotte and applied to the matter. Neither can anye one perswade effectuouslye, and winne men by weyght of his Oration, withoute the helpe of woordes altered and translated.

The diuer…itye of translations.

FIrste we alter a worde from that which is in the minde, to that which is in the bodye. As when we perceyue one that hath begiled vsus, we vse to saye: Ah sirrha, I am gladde I hauehave smelled you oute. Beinge greued with a matter, we saye communelye we can not digest it. The Lawyer receiuing money more then neadeth oftentimes, will saye to his Client wythout any translation. I fele you wel, whē the pore man thinketh y^t he doth well vnderstand his cause, and will helpe him to some good …nde. For so, communelye we saye, when we knowe a mans minde in anye thinge. This kinde of mutation is muche vsed, when we talke earnestlye of any matter.

From the creature wythout reason, to that whyche hathe reason.

THE seconde kinde of translation is, when we goo from the creature wythout reason to that whiche hathe reason, or contrarye from that whiche hathe reason, to that whiche hath no reason. As if I shoulde saye, such an vnreasonable brawler, did nothinge elles but barke like a Dogge, or like a Fore. Women are saide to chatter, churles to grunte, boyes to whyne, and yonge men to yell. Contrariwise, we call a Foxe false, a Lyon proude, and a Dogge flatteringe.

From the lyuynge to that whyche hath no lyfe.

FRom the liuynge to the not liuynge, we vse many translations. As thus. You shall praye for al men dispersed throughoute the face of the earthe. The arme of a tree. The syde of a Bancke. The lande cryeth for vengeaunce. From the liuinge, to the not liuing: Hatred buddeth emonge malicious men, his wordes flowe out of his mouthe. I hauehave a whole world of busines.

In obseruing the worke of Nature in al seueral substaūces we maye finde translations at wyll, then the whiche nothinge is more profitable for anye one that myndeth by hys vtteraunce to stirre the hartes of menne either one waye or other.

A worde makingeword making. called of the Grecians Onomatopeia is when we make wordes of oure owne mynde, suche as be deriued from the nature of thinges. As to call one Patche or Cowlson, whom we see to do a thinge folyshelye, because these two in their time were notable foles. Or when one is lustye to saye Taratauntara, declaringe therby that he is as lustye, as a Trumpette is delitefull, and styrringe: or when one woulde seme galaunte, to crye hoyghe, whereby also is declared courage. Boyes beynge greued will saye some one to an other, Sir I wyll cappe you, if you vse me thus, and withholde that frome me whyche is myne owne: meanynge that he will take his cappe from him. Againe, when we see one gaye and galaunte, we vse to saye, he courtes it. Quod one that reasoned in diuinitie wyth his felowe, I like well to reason, but I can not chappe these textes in scripture, if I shoulde dye for it: meaning that he coulde not tell in what chapiter thinges were conteyned, althoughe he knewe full well that there were suche sayinges.

Intellection.

INtellectionIntellection. called of the Gretians, Synecdoche, is a Trope, when wee gather or Iudge the whole by the parte, or part, by the whole. As thus. The king is come to London, meaning therby that other also be come with him. The Frenche man is good to kepe a Forte, or to skyrmishe on horsebacke, wherby we declare the Frenchmen generally. By the whole y^e part, thus. All Cambridge sorowed for the deathe of Bucer, meaninge the most parte. All Englande reioyseth that pilgrimage is banished, and Idolatrye for euer abolished: and yet all England is not glad, but the most parte.

The like phrases are in the Scripture, as when the Magians came to Jerusalem, & asked where he was that was p. 93borne Kyng of the Iewes. Herode starte vp beeyng greatly troubled, and al the citie of Ierusalem with hym, and yet al the Citie was not troubled, but the most part. By the signe we vnderstande the thyng signified, as by an Iuie garlande, we iudge there is wyne to sel. By the signe of a Beare, Bul Lyon, or any suche, wee take any house to be an Inne. By eatyng breade at the Communion, wee remember Christes death, and by Faith, receiue hym spiritually.

¶Abusion.

ABusion,Abusion. called of the Grecians Catachresis, is when for a certaine proper woorde we vse that whiche is most nighe vntounto it: As in callyng some water, a fishe ponde, though there be no fisshe in it at all: or elles when we saie, here is long talke, and small matter. Whiche are spoken vnproperly, for we cannot measure, either talke, or matter by length, or breadth.

¶Transmutacion of a worde.

TRansmutacionTransmuta…ion. helpeth much for varietie, the whiche is when a woorde hath a proper signification of the owne, & beyng referred to an other thyng, hath an other meanyng, the Grecians cal it Metonymia the whiche is diuerse waies vsed. When we vse the au…hor iof a thyng, for the thyng selfe. As thus. Put vponupon you the Lord Iesus Crhiste, that is to say, be in liuyng suche a one, as he was. The Pope is banished England, that is to saie, al his superstition, and Hypocrisie, either is, or shoulde be gone to the Deuill by the Kynges expresse will, and commaundement. Againe when that whiche doeth conteyne, is iivsed for that whiche is conteined. As thus. I hauehave dronk an hoggeshead this weeke: Heauen may reioyce, and hell may lament, when olde men are not couetouse. Contrarywise, iiiwhen the thyng conteined is vsed for the thyng conteinyng. As thus. I praie you come to me, that is to say, come to my house. Fourthely, when by the efficient cause, the effecte is iiiistreight gatherde thereupon. As thus. The Sonne is vp, that is to saie, it is day. This felowe is good with a long bowe, that is to saie, he shouteth wel.

¶Transumption.

TRansumption is, when by digrees wee go to that, whiche is to be shewed. As thus: Suche a one lyeth in a darke doungeon, now in speaking of darkenesse, we vnderstand closenesse, by closenesse, we gather blackenesse, and by blackenesse, we iudge depenesse.

¶Chaunge of name.

CHaunge of a name, is when for the propre name,Antonomasia. some name of an office, or other calling is vsed. As thus: the Prophete of God saith: Blessed, are they who…e synnes be not imputed vntounto them, meanyng Dauid. The Poete saieth: It is a vertue, to eschew vice, wherein I vnderstande Horace.

¶Circumlocution.

CIrcumlocution is,periphrasis a large description either to sette forth a thyng more gorge…uslie, or els to hyde it, if the eares cannot beare the open speakyng: or when with fewe wordes we cannot open our meanyng, to speake it more largely. Of the first thus. The valiaunt c…urage of mightie Scipio subdued the force of Carthage and Numā tia. Henry the fifte, the most puissaunt Kyng of Englande, with seuen thousand men toke the Frenshe Kyng prisoner with al the flower of nobilitie in Fraunce. Of the seconde, When Saule was casyng hymselfe vponupon the grounde, Dauid toke a peece of his garment, tooke his weapon that laie by hym▪ and might hauehave staine hym. Suche a one defiled his bodie with suche an euill woman. For the thirde parte, the large commentaries written, and the Paraphrasis of Erasmus englished: are sufficient to showe the vse therof.

¶Vvhat is an Allegorie.

AN Allegorie is none other thyng, but a Metaphore vsed throughout a whole sentence, or Oration. As in speakyng against a wicked offendour, I might say thus. Oh Lorde, his nature was so euill, and his witte so wickedly bente, that he ment to bouge the shippe, where he hymselfe sailed, meanyng that he purposed the destruction of his owne countrie. It is euill puttyng strong wine into weake vesselles, that is to say it is euill trustyng p. 94some womē with weightie matters. The English Prouerbes gatherde by Ihon Heywood helpe wel in this behaulf, the whiche commenly are nothyng elles but Allegories, and darcke deuised sentences. Now for the other fower figures because I mynde hereafter to speake more largely of them, and Quintilian thynketh them more meete to be placed emong the figures of Exornacion, I wil not trouble the reader with double inculcation, and ewyse tellyng of one tale.

¶Of Schemes, called otherwyse sentences of a worde and sentence.

I Might tary a longe tyme in declaryng the nature of diuerse Schemes,Scheme what it is. whiche are woordes or sentencies altered, either by speakyng, or writyng, contrarie to the vulgare custome of our speache without chaungyng their nature at all: but because I knowe the vse of the figures in word is not so great in this our tōgue, I wil run them ouer with asmuche haste as I can.

¶The diuision of Schemes.

STraunge vsyng of any worde or sentence contrarie to our daiely wont, is either when we adde, or take away a sillable, or a word, or eucrease a sentence by chaunge of speache cōtrarie to the commune maner of speakyng.

¶Figures of a worde.

THose be called figures of a word, when we chaunge a worde, and speake it contrarie to our vulgare and daily speache. Of the whiche sorte, there are sixe in nom…er.

i. Addition at the first.

ij. Abstraction from the first.

iij. Iuterla…yng in the middest.

iiij. Cuttyng from the middest.

v. Addyng at the ende.

vi. Cuttyng from the end.

OF Addition. As thus. He did all to berattle hym.Prosthe…s. Wherein appereth that a sillable is added to this worde (rattle.) Here is good nale to sel, for good ale.

Of Abstraction from the first, thus.Apheresis. As I romed al alone, I ganne to thynke of matters greate. In whiche sentence, (ganne) is vsed, for beganne.

Interlacyng in the middest. As. Relligion, for religion.…penthesis. Cuttyng from the middest.Syncope. Idolatrie, for Idololatrie. Addyng at the end.Proparalepsis Hasten your busines, for, Haste your businesse.

Cuttyng from the end. A faire may,Aporope. for, maide.

Thus these figures are shortely sette out, and as for the other Schemes, whiche are vtterde in whole sentences, and expressed by varitie of sreache: I wil set them forth at large emong the coloures & ornamentes of Elocution, y^t folowe.

¶Of coloures and ornamentes to commende and sette forth an Oration.

NOW, when we are able to frame a sentence handsomly together,Coloures of Rhetorique. obseruyng number and kepyng cō position, suche as shal lyke best the eare, & do know the vse of Tropes, and can applie them to our purpose: than thornamentes are necessarie in an Oratiō, & sentences woulde bee furnished with moste beautifull figures. Therfore to thende that they may be knowne, suche as most commende and beautifie an Oration: I wil set them forthe here in suche wise as I shal best be able, folowyng the order whiche Tullie hath vsed in his Booke made of a perfite Oratour.

¶Restyng vponupon a poyncte.

WHEN wee are earnest in a matter,Commor…io. and feele the weight of our cause, wee rest vponupon some reason, whiche serueth best for our purpose. Wherin this figure appereth most, & helpeth muche to set forthe our matter. For if we stil kepe vsus to our strongest holde, and make ofterecourse thither, though we be dryuē through bytalke to go from it nowe and than: we shall force them at length, either so auoide our strong defence, or elles to yelde into our handes.