Of Epistles Comminatorie. Cap. 6.
His Inuectiue seemeth to haue béene ouer sharp in the matter, but not in the maner, for the occasions thereunto inducing might peraduenture merite that and greater. And howbeit both the termes and conueyance are somewhat hard, yet is it in such cases verie tolerable, when either the vilenesse of the action, or base demeanour of the partie doth require it. And in this point there is a great Decorum principallie to be obserued, to vse a bad person with termes correspondent to his behauior & qualitie, as in any other laudable purpose to entertaine another party according to his calling or dignitie. And as this title of Inuectiue, and that of Exprobratorie before going, are néerely affianced togither: so also is the next heereunto, which is called Comminatorie. The Etimologie or signification whereof, is by menaces to threaten. Insomuch as participating with a kinde of Accusation for iniuries committed, it expostulateth not, nor reasoneth of anie circumstance, obiection or qualitie, but protesting a due desert in the partie challenged, menaceth thereupon a speedie and answerable reuengement. This, of this title is the substance and propertie. And so will we procéed to the examples.
An example of an Epistle Comminatorie.
MAster D.Exordium. I see well by some experience had of your dealings, that you haue small regarde of your honestie,Prolepsis. or welfare, two things in mine opinion, whereof each one should bee charie. Your honestie, in respect that you keepe no promise: Your welfare, in that you neglect the oportunitie, for releasment of that, which in the ende must lie vpon your owne shoulders. But seeing your inconsideration is so great, and the like respect you carrie of your owne good growne to be slender, blame not other men that breake with you vpon desert,Antanaclasis. nor mislike at all their want of pittie, that haue no meane to pittie your selfe. For my part looke for it, and you shall surelie finde it, that I will prosecute all meanes possible to arrest you, and beeing so arrested, I will not bee moued with intreatie, prayer, or other submission to release you, till you haue payed the whole debt, charges and penaltie. And whereas you sent mee worde by my man, that you could not accustome your selfe, with one that trusted you to deale treacherouslie, I answere againe, that if you make it so nice to bring him foorth to bee arested for whome you are suretie: paie then the debt your selfe, and satisfie me, and that speedilie: for if you doe not I vow I will meet with you and that verie shortlie, when to your little content you shall perceyue that in so vsing mee, you haue dealt most vnaduisedlie.Peroratiō. Thinke of it as you list, and deale with me accordinglie: and so to your best consideration of your owne safetie, I leaue you. This ninth of Iune, &c.
An other example Comminatorie containing a greater
vehemencie in the deliuerie.
VNgracious ofspring of hellish brood, whome heauens permit for a plague,Exordium.
Periphrasis.
Metaphora.
Aporia.
Emphasis.
Metonoia.
Erotema.
Ecphonesis. and the earth nourisheth as a peculiar mischiefe, monster of mankinde, and deuourer of men, what maie I tearme thee? With what ill sounding titles maie I rayse my selfe vpon thee? Thou scorne of the worlde, and not scorne, but worldes foule disdaine, and enemie of all humaine condition, shall thy villanies scape foreuer vnpunished? Will the earth yet support thee, the cloudes shadow thee, or the aire breath on thee?Aphorismus.
Anthypophora. What lawes be these, if at least wise such may be tearmed lawes, whereout so vile a wretch hath so manie euasions? But shalt thou longer liue to become the vexation and griefe of men? No, for I protest, though the Lawes doe faile thee, my selfe will not ouerslip thee,Epizeuxis.
Asyndeton. I, I am hee that will plague thee, thou shalt not scape me, I will be reuenged of thee. Thinke not thy iniuryes are so easie, that they are of all to be supported,Epitheton.
Periphrasis.
Synecdoche.
Pleonasmus. for no sooner shall that partched withered carkasse of thine, sende foorth thy hatefull and abhorred lookes into anie publike shew, but mine eyes shall watch thee, and I will not leaue thee, till I haue prosequuted that which I haue intended towardes thee, most vnwoorthie as thou art to breath amongst men,Polyptoton. which art hated and become lothsome euen in the verie bowels and thoughtes of men. Triumph then in thy mischiefes, and boast that thou hast vndone mee, and a number of others,Insultatiō. whom with farre lesse despight thou hast forced to bende vnto thee. And when by due desert I shall haue payed what I haue promised thee,Aposiopesis. vaunt then (on Gods name) of thy winnings. For my part: but I will saie no more, let the ende trie all, liue wretchedlie, and die villainouslie, as thou hast deserued,Metaphora. whome heauens hencefoorth doe shunne, and the world denieth longer to looke vpon.
Of Epistles deprecatorie. Cap. 7.
He menaces of this last Epistle you may well déeme to haue issued from a hot enraged Spirit: of which though the stile bee vehement, yet vnto men alike humorous, the same may stand for a president. Such kinde of inuentions and men so affected with such estranged passions, are as we sée diuerslie found, wherof I thought good to giue foorth this example to bee considered, the waight neuerthelesse to bee measured as in the others before to the person and matter occurrent. And nowe will we to the last of all this state Iudiciall, which are the Epistles Deprecatorie. The title of these Epistles carrieth a name, accordant to the submissiue matter in them contayned, for their efficacies are onlie carried by entreatie, request of fauour, good opinion, allowance or pardon of anie iniurie or offence conceyued or committed. In good natures, it is a thing proper to weigh with themselues, howe much anie waies they stand charged, whether by respect of person, dutie, friendship or soueraigntie, accordinglie thereupon to frame their speeches or writings. Yet is not the matter hereof Supplicatorie, as growing by waie of petition. But rather an honest and gentle submission to the good liking, estimate or friendlie respect of such, vnto whome, or by whome we are either accused, tied, charged, or constrained, clearing, if it may be, or honestly otherwise mitigating or auoyding what sinisterly, or vpon some intended conceit, may be drawne to be against vs, and of the vse hereof to be spoken let this now be sufficient.