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.

PERIPHRASIS, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Circuml••cutio, a long circumstance, or a speaking of ma∣ny words, when few may suffice; derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, [periphrazo] circumloquor, to utter

that in many words which might be spoken in few.

* 1.1 It is the using of many words for one thing.

Periphasis is a figure when a short ordinary sense is odly exprest by more words; or when a thing is shadowed out by some equivalent ex∣pressions.

Rem circumloquitur per plura Periphrasis u∣nam: Trojani belli Scriptor. Chironis alumnus.* 1.2

This figure is made principally four wayes, viz.

1. When some notable enterprise, ones na∣tive countrey, or a sect, or strange opinion is put in stead of the proper name, &c. as in the first example,

Trojani belli Scriptor, The Writer of the Tro∣jan war, for Homer.

Chironis alumnus, he that was educated by Chiron the son of Saturn, for Achilles.

2. When by the Etymologie, to wit, when the cause or reason of a name is unfolded: as,

Vir sapientiae studiosus, a man studious of wis∣dom, for a Philosopher.

3. When by Annotation, that is, by certain marks or tokens something is described: as,

Cubito se emungit, pro Salsamentario.

Anger is a vehement heat of the minde, which brings palenesse to the countenance, burning to the eyes, and trembling to the parts of the body.

4. When by Definition a thing is described: as,

Ars ornatè dicendi, pro Rhetoricâ.

The Att of eloquent speaking, for Rheto∣rique.

Legum ac civium libertatis oppressor, pro Tyran∣no.

An oppressor of the laws and liberties of the people, for a Tyrant.

Other English Examples of Periphrasis.

Thus, for, having risen early, Having striven with the Suns earlinesse.

So in stead of Mopsa wept ill-favouredly, Mopsa disgraced weeping with her counte∣nance.

To sleep among thieves; by this figure thus,

To trust a sleeping life among theives.

When they had slept a while, thus;

When they had a while hearkened to the per∣swasion of sleep; where, to be inclined to sleep, is exprest by a Metaphor (which is very help∣ful in this form of speech) taken from one who moves and inclines by perswasion.

Thus instead of Plangus speech began to be suspected, it is said;

Plangus his speech began to be translated into the language of suspicion.

Scriptural Examples of Periphrasis.

2 Pet. 1.14. To put off or lay down this Tabernacle, (i. e.) to die.

Josh. 23.14. I am going the way of all the earth, for that none can escape it: (i. e.) death.

Eccles. 12.3, 4. Surely I will not come in∣to the Tabernacle of my house, nor go up in∣to my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eye-lids, untill, &c. the sense is, I will not rest untill, &c.

Rom. 4.11. The Father of the Faithful, (i.e.) Abraham.

1 Tim. 2.7. A Teacher of the Gentiles, (i.e.) Paul.

Joh. 21.20. The Disciple whom Jesus lo∣ved; (i. e.) John.

Mark 14.25. The fruit of the Vine: (i. e.) Wine.

Job 18.14. The King of terrors; (i. e.) death.

Notes

• * 1.1

  What∣soever may be more briefly signified, & is with eloquence more am∣ply mani∣fested, is a Periph••a∣sis.
• * 1.2

  Far••aby.