The mysterie of rhetorique unveil'd wherein above 130 the tropes and figures are severally derived from the Greek into English : together with lively definitions and variety of Latin, English, scriptural, examples, pertinent to each of them apart. Conducing very much to the right understanding of the sense of the letter of the scripture, (the want whereof occasions many dangerous errors this day). Eminently delightful and profitable for young scholars, and others of all sorts, enabling them to discern and imitate the elegancy in any author they read, &c. / by John Smith.

APOSTROPHE, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, aversio, a turning away or dislike: derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, [apo] from, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, [strepho] verto, to turn.

Apostrophe is a diversion of speech to another person then the speech appointed did intend or require; or it is a turning of the speech from one person to another, many times abruptly.

A figure when we break off the course of our speech,* 1.1 and speak to some new person, present, or absent, as to the people, or witnesses, when it was before directed to the Judges, or Oppo∣nent.

This Diversion of speech is made these nine wayes; viz. (1) To God, (2) to Angels, (3) to men in their several ranks, whether absent or present, dead or alive, (4) to the adversary, (5) to the heavenly bodies and Meteors, (6) to the earth and things in it, (7) to the Sea and things in it, (8) to beasts, birds and fishes (9) to ina∣nimate things.

Sermonem a praesenti avertit Apostrophe: et auro

* 1.2Vi potitur. Quid non mortalia pectora cogit

Auri sacra fames?

Vos Sanctissimi Angeli, testes volo meae innocen∣tiae.

Quous{que} tandem, Catilina, abutere patientiâ nostrâ?

Vos adeste ciconiae, et ingratitudinem hominum re∣darguite.

Vos agri, vos parietes obtestor; an non sudabatis, cum tantum nefas hoc loco perpetrabatur?

Per Apostrophen Poeticam mutando casum: Terretur minimo pennae stridore columba,

Vngnibus, accipiter, saucia facta tuis.

English Examples of Apostrophe.

To the people thus,

Now let me entreat any man here present, that thinks himself not exempted from the like wrong, but lyable to the like prejudice, to i∣magine himself in my case, and to undertake for my sake some few thoughts of my distress.

Herein you witnesses are to consult with your own consciences, and to enter into a true ex∣amination of your own memory.

Did you mark his speeches? did you note his looks?

Sometimes the occasion is taken from some quality, or other thing, whereto your self gives shew of life: as,

Hope, tell me, what ground hast thou to hope for, &c.

Love, be ashamed to be called Love.

Scriptural Examples of Apostrophe.

The Lord by his Prophet Hosea having long complained of Israel for their high provocations against him, doth break off from speaking of Israel, and turns his speech to Israel: as,

Hos. 13.9 O Israel, thou hast destroyed thy self, but in me is thine help.

Thus David having denounced Gods judg∣ments against the Kings and Rulers of the earth in the 2. Psalm, doth presently divert his speech to the Kings and great ones themselves.

Psal. 2.9, 10. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, &c. Be wise therefore oh ye Kings, be instructed ye Judges of the earth.

Thus Isaah finding the people to be rebelli∣ous, to whom he was speaking, diverts his speech to the inanimate creatures.

Isa. 1.2. Hear oh heavens, and give ear oh earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nouri∣shed and brought up children, and they have re∣belled against me.

David being dismayed with the number of his enemies, turns his speech to God, saying,

Psal. 3.3. But thou, oh Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

See Gen. 49.18. Psal. 33.20, 21, 22. Judg. 5.11.

Notes

• * 1.1

  This Exs¦ornation hath some affinitie with Pro∣sopopoeia.
• * 1.2

  Farnaby.