Firſt of letters are framed ſyllables, and of ſyllables are made vvordes, and that of diuerſe diuerſly.

Vouelles may be put in the begynning, middeſt, and ende of a vvorde: as dothe appere by this vvorde, Amore, Loue.

But cōſonantes are ſet, either in the begynning, or in the middeſt of a vvorde, and in thende very ſeldom, as hereafter is ſhevved.

Further, many conſonantes are put in ſyllables, before other conſonantes: as B, before R, in brèue in bryefe: Ténebre, Darkneſſe: Libro, a Booke. And before L, as in Oblio, Forgeatfulneſſe: Obliquo, Croked: Obligò, Bonde or duty.

C before R, as in Crudelè, Cruell: Credo, I beleue: And before L, as in Clamòre, Clamour or crying out: Inclito, Renoumed: Inclinato and Inchinato, Inclined: Conclùdo and Conchiudo, I conclude: ſo Concluſione and not Conchiuſione, is rightly ſaide.

D before R, as in Dritto, Right: Padre, a Father: Madre, a Mother: Ladro, a Theefe.

F before R, as in Frutto, Frute: Fratello, a Brother: Fraude, Fraude or diſceite.

G before N, as in Benigno, benigne: ordigno, an inſtrument: Ingegno, vvyt: Lamagna, Almaigne: Compagno, a compaignion. And before R, as in Gratia, grace or fauour: Gràto, thankefull: Gràue, grave. And before L, as in Gloria, glorye: Conſiglio, Counſaile.

P before R, as in Prègio, the price: Sèmpre, alvvays: Prudente, prudent: Lèpre, a hare. And before L, as in Contèmplo, I do contemplate, or beholde diligently: Multiplico, I do multiply.

S before B, as in Sbaſſamēto, an imbaſing: Shandito, a baniſhed man. And before C, as in Scacciàto, put avvay: Naſco I ſpring or am borne: Paſco, I feede. And before D, as in Sdègno, anger or diſdain: Sdrucito, rypte. And before F, as in Sfacèndato, vnoccupied: Sfodràto, dravvne or vnſheathed (as a ſvvorde). And before G, as in Sgomento, I feare: Sganno, I do deliuer from diſceite. And before L, as in Sleàle, vnfaithfull: Slegato, vnbounde. And before M, as Smembràto, diſmēbred: Smorto, pale or vvanne. And before N, as in Snèruo, to debilitate or make feoble: Snello, nymble: Snòdo, I do vnknitt. And before P, as in Spirito, a ſpirit: Speranza, hope. And before Q, as in Squàlido, ſluttiſhe: Squàme, the ſkale of a fiſhe. And before R, as in Sregolato, vnruled. And before T, as in Studio, ſtudye.

T before R, as in Trèmo, I tremble: Trònco, the ſtumpe or ſtem of a tree: Tranquillità, tranquillitye or reſt.

But the letter Z, neither goeth before, neither yet follovveth an other conſonant in one ſelfe ſyllable.

Further, tovvching that vvhiche belongethe to the letters, it is very neceſſary to knovve, by vvhat reaſon the letters conſonantes are doubled in a vvorde: the vvhiche I vvill ſhevve by ordre of the letters as briefly as I can, that therby the ſame may the more eaſely be commytted to memory.

B, therfore is doubled in thes vvordes, Dubbio, a doubt: Dèbbo, I ought, alſo Deggio: Sàbbia, grauell: Scàbbia, the ſkabbe: Abbète, a fyr tree: Hàbbia, he hathe, and alſo Hàggia: Robba, gooddes. & it is ſayde, Rubàre, to ſteale: But Làbbro, a lippe: Fabbro, a carpenter: Libbro, a booke: Ebbro, drōke: maye either be vvritten thus, or vvith a ſingle B. It is alſo doubled in the thirde perſonnes ſingular and plurall of the preter imperfectenſe of the ſubiunctiue mode: as Amerèbbe & Amerèbbono, Valerèbbe & Valerèbbono, Leggerèbbe, & Leggerèbbono, Vdirèbbe & Vdirèbbono: that is, he ſhold loue, they ſhold loue, he ſhold be vvorth, they ſhold be vvorth: he ſhold reade, thy ſhold reade: he ſhold heare, they ſhold heare. Againe it is doubled in this vvorde Obbietto, vvhiche is alſo ſaide Oggètto, that is, the obiect. Alſo in many verbes, vvhich are compound vvith the prepoſitiō Ad, changing the letter D, into B, vvher vvith the ſimple vvordes do begyn, as Abbàrbaglio, that is, I do daſell: Abbràccio, I do imbrace: There is excluded Abòndo, that is, I do abbounde: & Abandóno, I do forſake.

C is doubled in thes vvordes, vvhiche are taken from the latin, hauing the letter X, in the firſt ſyllable: and of excellens, is made Eccèllente, of excepto, Eccètto, and of exceptio, Eccettione. And in thes vvordes Occhio an eye, Ginocchio, a knee: vvhich haue in the plurall Occhi, & Ginòcchi: ſo Finòcchio, Fennell, & Finócchi. But here I vvill note by the vvaye, that the ſyllable Chi, is to be pronounced more mildely in thoſe vvordes, then in Stocchi, arming ſvvordes: Fiòcchi, lockes of heare or vvoll, the vvhiche hathe othervvyſe in the ſingular nomber Stòcco & Fiòcco. But this manner of pronunciation, vvho can teache by vvriting? Further this letter is doubled in Sácco a ſacke, Giáccio I lye, Ghiàccio, a froſte. Lykevvyſe in verbes compound vvith the prepoſition AD, the letter D being changed in to C, as vvee ſaide of late of the letter B, as Accòlgo, I do vvelcome: Accènno, I do nop. Accoppio, I do cople. Laſtly in verbes begynning vvith RA, as Racconciàre, to repaire: Racommandàre, to recommende.

Further, D is doubled in Cadde, vvhich is the preterperfectenſe of the indicatiue mode, and third perſon ſingular, of the verbe Cádo or Caggio, I fall: and in Càddero, vhich is of the plurall nomber. It is doubled alſo in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition AD, as are Addúco, I bring forthe: Addòrmo, I fall on ſleepe: Addolciſco, I do ſvveeten: So likevvyſe in the verbe Raddolcire. There are that do double it alſo in the verbe Traduco, but that is not allovved of vvith ſome.

Alſo, F is doubled in thes vvordes Offéſa, Vfficio, Bèffe, Affànno, and very manny ſuche like. Likevviſe in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition A D, as Afférmo, I affirme: Affrètto, I do make haſte. The ſame is to be vnderſtode of verbes compound vvith the prepoſition D I, as Differiſco, Diffido, Diffiniſco. And ſo likevviſe of many verbes, taking theire originall from latin verbes that haue in the firſt ſyllable the prepoſition O B, B being chaunged into F, in this vvyſe, Offéro, Offéndo, Offùſco.

Beſides, G is vvont to be doubled, ſo often as I and O, or I & A, do meete together in a dipthonge, ſo that they make one ſyllable: as is ſeene in theſe vvordes, Sàggio, Sàggia, ſage or vvyſe, vvhich haue in the plurall Sàggi & Sàgge. Here is to be noted that the letter I of this laſt vvorde Saggè, and ſuche like, is of very many vvrongfully placed betwene G & E, to thende they maye ſaye Sàggie, Piàggie, Grèggie: vvhere they are to ſaye Sàgge, vvyſe, Piàgge, Brymmes or Brinkes, Grègge, flockes. But contrary vvyſe vvhen I and O, do make tvvo ſyllables, the G that goeth before them ſhalbe ſingle, as Priuilégio, Régio, Litigio, Veſtigio: vvee do ſaye alſo Dionigio & Dionigi, Dennys, Ambrògio & Ambròſio. Neither is double G, vvrittē in thoſe vvords, that do ende tvvo vvayes in I, as are Pariſi & Parigi Parrys, Tùniſi and Tùnigi, Lùiſi and Lùigi, Malagiſi and Malagigi. But it is doubled in thoſe that come from the latin ending in X, as Grex, from vvhence Grègge or Grèggia, poeticall: from Lex, Lègge: But from Fex, is made Fèccia, bycauſe the latin hathe in the genitiue ſingular Fecis. And from Rex, is made Re, aſvvell in the ſingular as in the plurall nomber, although Poetes maye ſaye ſomtymes in the plural Règi. It is doubled alſo in certaine verbes ending in Gò, as Lèggo, Corrèggo, Veggo & alſo Vèggio. In fine, it is doubled in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition A D, ſuche as are Agghiáccio, Aggiùngo, Agguàglio, & Aggiornàrſi.

Ther follovveth L, vvhiche is founde double in thes vvordes, Bèllo, Caſtèllo, Fratèllo, Fàllo, Cauàllo, Metàllo, and many ſuche like. Further, it is found doubled in the thirde perſonnes ſingular of the preterperfectenſe of the indicatiue mode, in thoſe verbes that are of the firſt and fourth coniugation, vvhen in thende there is added an article, as Amòllo, Vdillo. It is doubled alſo in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition A D, as Allàrgo, Allèuio, Allòggio, Alletto, Allènto, The ſelfe ſame is donne in verbes vvhervnto there is ſet before Ra, as is Rallènto, Rallègro, Rallùmo. Alſo I vvill not omit hovv in proſe the moſte parte do vſe to vvrite, Dèllo, Allo, Dàllo, Dèlli, Alli, Dàlli, Dèlla, Alla, Dàlla, Dèlle, Alle, and Dàlle: for De lo, A lo, Da lo, De li, &c. as Poetes do vvrite. But Allùi, Dallùi, and ſuche like, I vvolde not vſe, although very many do allovve of them.

As concerning the letter M, it is doubled in theſe vvordes. Dàmma, Epigràmma, Fiàmma, Gèmma, Gieruſalèmme, Boèmme. Alſo it is doubled vvhen Mi is put to a verbe in thende: as Emmi, it is to me: Dàmmi, giue me: Fàmmi, do me. Againe in the firſt perſonnes of the plurall nomber, of the preterperfectenſe of the indicatiue mode: As Amàmmo, vvee haue loued: Valèmmo, vvee haue ben vvorthe: Leggèmmo, vvee haue redde: Vdimmo, vve haue harde: Fummo, vvee haue ben. Alſo in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition A D, as Ammaèſtro, I do teache: Ammoniſco, I do Admoniſhe: Ammiro, I maruaile. VVee ſaye Rammentáre, to call to remembrance.

Further, N is doubled in theſe noumes: Dònna, Madònna, Sònna, Anno, Affànno, Iugànno, Senno, Innocente. It is doubled alſo in theſe vvordes vvhich are deriued from the latin noumes, vvherin M goeth before N, as of Somnus Sónno, Columna Colónna, Damnum Dànno, Scamnum Scànno, Autamnus Autónno, & ſuche other like. It happeneth likevviſe ſo in the thirde perſonnes plurall, of the preſentenſe, of the indicatiue mode, of verbes that in the firſt perſon are of one ſyllable: vvherfore Ho, I haue, hath Hànno, they haue: Sto, I ſtande, hath Stanno, they ſtande: Fo, I doo or make, hathe Fanno, They doo or make: Do, I giue, hath Dànno, they giue. There is excepted So I am, vvhich hath Sóno (They are) vvith a ſingle N. The thirde perſonnes plurall of the future tenſe, in the indicatiue mode, haue alſo a double N, as Amerànno, they ſhall loue, Valerànno, they ſhalbe vvorth: Leggerànno, & Vdirànno. Lykevvyſe theſe preterperfectenſes in the ſingular nomber ſhalbe vvrittē vvith double N, Venni, I haue come: Venne he hath come: Tènni, I haue hilde: Tènne, he hathe hilde: in the plurall, Vènnero, they haue come: Ténnero, they haue hilde. Againe in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition AD, as Annottàrſi, To vvaxe night: Annidàrſi, To be neaſted: Annuntio, I do tell tydinges: Annullàre, to Adnull. Laſtly it is doubled in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition In, as Innouàre, & Innamoràrſi.

Novv follovveth P, vvhich is doubled in theſe vvordes: Zoppo, lame: Appetito, an appetite: Doppio, double: Coppia, as Vna coppia d'huomini da bene, A couple of honeſt men: Doppo After, hovvbeit Poetes do vvrite Dòpo. It is doubled alſo in theſe preterperfectenſes: Ruppi, I haue broken: Ruppe, he hath broken: Ruppero, they haue broken. Sèppi, I haue knovvne: Sèppe, he hath knovvne: Seppero, they haue knovvne. So Sàppia I may knovve: Sappiamo, vvee maye knovve: Sappiàte, you may knovv, Sappiàno, they maye knovve. Againe it is doubled in certaine noumes proper: as Filippo, Ariſtippo, Egèſippo, Ippolito, Ippodámia, Giosèppe. Alſo in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition AD, as Approuo, Appàre. And in theſe that are compounde vvith RA, as Rappòrto, I report: Rappèllo, I repeale or call backe. And to conclude, in the verbe Oppòngo, Ilaye againſt.

Neither vvil I ouerpaſſe the letter Q, for although it be not doubled in any vvorde, nevertheleſſe in theſe vvordes Acqua, vvater, Acque vvaters: Giàcqui, I haue layne: Giàcque, he hath layne: Giàcquero, they haue layne: & in like ſorte of others that haue C before Q, it ſeemeth in the pronouncing to haue a ſounde as though the Q vvere double. The ſame doth happen of theſe verbes Nocqui, I haue hurt: Nocque, he hath hurt: Nocquero, they haue hurt: Nacqui, I haue ben borne: Nàcque, he hath ben borne: Nacquero, they haue ben borne: Piàcqui, I haue pleaſed: Piacque, he hath pleaſed: Piacquero, they haue pleaſed. Againe, in the verbes Acquisto, I gette: Acquèto, as mi acqueto, I do quiet me.

R is founde diuerſly doubled in vvordes: as firſt in verbes vvhoſe thirde perſonnes ſingular of the preſent tenſe in the indicatiue mode do ende in Re, ſuche as are Soccòrre, he doth ſuccour: Abbórre, he doth abhorre: Córre, he runneth. There is excepted Móre, he dyeth. It is furthermore doubled in verbes, out of vvhoſe middeſt, for elegancy of ſpeache, there is taken avvaye the ſyllable Ne, and Glie, vvhich dyd go before the letter R, and an other R added in theire place: vvhervpon, of Tenerò is made Terrò, I ſhall holde: of Venerò is made Verrò, I ſhall come: of Coglierò Corrò, I ſhall gather: Cógliere, Córre, to gather: Venerèi, Verrèi, I ſholde come: It is alſo doubled in theſe vvordes, Càrro, a carte: Tórre, a tovver: Térra, Arra, Orrèndo, vvhich are noumes: and in verbes, as Nàrro, I ſhevve: Attèrro, I caſt to the ground: Serro, I ſhut: Afférro, I grype or holde faſt: Sottèrro, I put in to the grounde. Laſtly in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition AD, as Arreſtàrſi, to be arreſted: Arriſchio, I do haſarde: Arriuo, I do arriue: Arricchire, to enryche: Arroſtiſco, I do roſte.

S is alſo doubled, for vvee ſaye Càſſa, a cheſt: Oſſo, a bone: Foſſo, a dyche. There are alſo verbes, as Pòſſo, I can: Arroſsiſco, I bluſhe. Furthermore it is doubled in theſe noumes vvhich are takē from the latin vvordes, having the letter X: and by that means of Saxum, is made Saſſo, a ſtone: of Luxuria, Luſſuria luſt: of Fixus, Fiſſo, and Fitto fixed: of Alexander, Aleſſàndro: of Dixit, Diſſe, he hath ſaide: of Vixi, Viſſi, I haue lyved: of Rexi, Rèſſi, I haue ruled: of Texo, Teſſo, I do vveave. Againe it is doubled in noumes that come from the latines hauing P, and S: as for Ipſe, vvee may ſaye Eſſo, he: for Gypſum, Geſſo, plaiſter: for ſcripſit, Scriſſe, he hath vvrittē. But P, is retained in theſe noumes proper, Ipſifile, Ipſicratea, & Capſa the proper name of a cittye. And I ſhall note by the vvaye, hovv P is taken avvaye, vvhen it goeth before the letter S, as Sàlmo for Pſalmꝰ. Further, it is doubled in vvords that come from the latin, hauing B before S, as Aſſoluto from Abſolùtus abſolute: Aſſerto from abſorptus, ſupped vp. Aſſente from Abſens, abſent. Astèmio from abstemius, that abſteineth from drinke. Aſſéntio from abſyntium, vvormevvood. It is doubled alſo in the laſt ſyllable of the preter imperfectenſe of the optatiue mode, ſingular nomber: as Amàſſi, I did loue, or thou dideſt loue: Amaſſe, he dyd loue: and in like ſorte in thother coniugations. And alſo vvhen it is of the plurall nomber, in a middle ſyllable: as Amàſſimo, vvee did loue, Amaſſero, they did loue. Lykevviſe in the preterperfectenſe of the indicatiue mode, of verbes of the thirde coniugatiō: as Percòſſi, I haue ſtryken: Percòſſe, he hath ſtryken: Percòſſero, they haue ſtryken. Againe in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition AD, as Aſſàggio, I do aſſaye: Aſſálto, I do aſſaulte: Aſſicùro, I do aſſuer: Aſſégno, I do aſſygne: Aſsòrdo, I make deafe: Aſſomiglio, I do reſemble. VVee ſaye Raſsùmo, I take againe: & Raſſétto, I do ſet or agree.

Touching the letter T, it is foūde alſo doubled in theſe vvordes vvhich come from the latin, hauing B C, or P, before T: herevpon it is, that for Obtuſus vvee ſaye Ottùſo, dull or blunt: for obtineo Ottèngo, I do obtaine: for octo Otto eight: for doctus Dotto learned: for factus Fatto donne or made: for baptiſmus Battéſimo baptyſme: for ſeptē Sétte ſeuen: for ruptus Rotto broken: and for corruptus Corrotto corrupt. Hovvbeit Petrarke hathe vvritten Rapto of raptus, a ſnatching or taking a vvaye: VVherby he vvolde make a difference betvvene the noume Rapto, and the aduerbe Ratto, ſvvyftly. It is doubled againe in theſe diminutiues, Pouerétto, a little poure vvretche: Librètto, a little booke: Fanciullètto, a little childe: Boſchetto, a little vvood. And to conclude, in verbes compounde vvith the prepoſition AD, as Attriſto, I make ſorrovvfull: Attèrro, I caſt to the grounde, &c.

V is doubled in theſe verbes Auuētàrſi, to be caſt. Auuertire, to aduertyſe or admoniſhe. Auuicinàrſi, to Approche. Auuedèrſi, to be advvares. Auuotirſi, to make a vovve. Auualèrſi, to vſe any thing of an others or an others trauell. Notvvithſtanding, Auenire and not Auuenire, is to be vvritten as many vvill haue it: For bycauſe Auuenire, is not deriued from the verbe Aduenio, but from the verb Euenit, to happen or come to paſſe: the vvhiche ſignification dothe aptly agree to Auenire.

Further, tovvching the letters X, Y, & K: vvee ought not to be ignorant, hovve they are in no vſe vvith the Italiās, for that they are not nōbred emō geſt the other letters. For in ſteade of Y, they vſe I: for K, C: and for X, they vſe S: as vvee haue ſhevved before, either doubled in the middeſt of a vvorde, or ſometymes ſingle in the middeſt of a vvorde, and alvvayes ſingle in the begynning. And therfor in vvhat belongeth to the begynning, vve ſaye Senòcrate, for Xenocrates: Senofónte for Xenophon: and Serſe for Xerſes.

Laſtly the letter Z, vvhich is the laſt of all the letters, that the Italians do vſe, is doubled vvhen it is placed betvvene tvvo vouelles: as in Bellèzza, Dolcèzza, Gentilèzza. But vvhen any conſonant goeth before it, then is it put ſingle: as in Sperànza, Partènza, Licènza, Sapienza. But here is to be noted, that Z is not rightly doubled in this vvorde Mezo, although it be betvvene tvvo vouelles: Notvvithſtanding Petrarke hath donne othervvayes, being brought thervnto for neceſſities ſake in thendes of his verſes, for the keping of his ryſme. For vvhen vvee pronounce Mèzo, it appereth plainely (vvho that obſerueth the Italian pronunciation) not to be pronounced like vnto Pèzzo, a peece: Auèzzo, accuſtomed, and ſuche like. And bycauſe ſometymes, not onely like conſonantes are doubled in a vvorde, but alſo diuerſe: and not onely doubled, but are founde alſo tripled: therfore I do iudge it neceſſary to declare the reaſon therof. This therfore is firſt to be conſidred, hovv that the Italian ſpeache doth not ſuffer tvvo like conſonantes to be put before vvordes. For if any ſholde thus vvrite, Sſoperbo, Vuenere, he ſhould not do Italian like. And yet, there is no lack, but that tvvo diuerſe conſonantes maye be ſet before in very many vvordes, as maye be ſeene in Spèro, Stùdio, Scàrico, Crèdo, Prèzzo. Yea, and ſomtymes three alſo are founde before in Italian vvordes: as in Stràda, Stràle, Stratagèma, Stràno, Stringo, Strètto, Sprèzzo, Splendòre, Splèndido, Scriuo. Further, there cannot be put three diuerſe conſonantes in the middeſt of a vvorde, and therfore vvee ſaye not, Conſtànte, Transfórmo, Tranſmùto, Obſtácolo, Subſtègno, Poſtpòſto: But Coſtânte, Traſfórmo, Traſmùto, Oſtácolo, Soſtègno, Poſpòſto: There are excepted, Mòſtro, Sèmpre, Sepòlero, Tèmpro, Abbrèuio, Accrèſco, Attrauèrſo.

Moreouer, H thorough vſe of a knovvne aſpiration, ought not to remaine vnknovvne: and hovv that of the moſt Italian vvriters it is put almoſt in to all thoſe vvordes, that vvee receiue from the latines, and in the vvhich the latines them ſelues do vſe an aſpiration: as in Húomo, from homo: Humàno, from humanus: Ho, from Habeo, &c. But ſince in our age the cauſe is taken avvay, vvhy the vſe of a knovvne aſpiration is ſought for, ſuerly me thinketh theffecte ought to ceſſe: that is, that H be no more put in to Italian vvordes (as vvee do pronounce very fevve of them) for a ſigne of a more groſſe ſpirit. And notvvithſtanding that the vſe of this aſpiration ſeemeth to me, to be coupled to fevve vvordes, yet ſuerly it is chiefly to be retained in this vvorde Huomo, to hide the fouleneſſe, that this dipthonge VO, (being placed as it vvere in the head) ſeemeth to bring vnto this noume. Further, it is not to be remoued from this verbe Ho, I haue: and that for a difference to be had, betvvene that Ho and O, an aduerbe of calling, and O, a voice of ſeparation. Againe, betvvene Ha, (he hathe) and A, the prepoſition ſeruing to the Datiue caſe. Laſtly, to thende it maye be preſerued in theſe ſyllables, Che, Chi, Ghe, Ghi, in the vvhich aſſuredly there is a ſigne of a more groſſe ſpirit, vvherby theſe ſyllables do differ from them vvhich haue Ce, Ci, Ge, Gi. For vvhat the difference is, vvhether vvaye thou ſhalt pronovvnce: they rightlye knovve, that haue the Italian manner of pronouncing.

Touching that vvhich doth belonge to the vouelles, it is to be knovvne hovve they do cleaue togeather in dipthonges: vvhich are AV: as Aura, Làura, Màuro.

EV, as Eúro, theſt vvinde: Scèuro, deuided or ſeperated:

IE, as Viène, he cometh: Brièue, Brief: Tiéne, he holdeth: Iéri, yeſterdaye: Pièno full: Fieno heye.

IA, as Cianciàre, to babble: Ciànce, bablinges or trifles: Biànco, vvhite: Caccia, hunting.

IO, as Fióre, a flovver: Sciocco, folyſhe: Sciolgo, I looſe: Scioperàto, vnoccupied.

IV, as Ciùrma, a company: Schiuma, frothe or ſkume: Più, more: Giù, doune.

IVO, as Figliuolo, a ſonne: Giuoco, playe or ſporte.

VO, as Huòmo, a man: Vòpo, neede: Vòuo, an egge: Buòno, good: Cuoco, a cooke.

VI, as Guida, a guide: Piacqui, I haue pleaſed: Acquiſto, I geat: Quinto, fiue.

VE, as Piacque, It hathe pleaſed: Acque vvaters: Adunque, Then or therefore, Lingue, tonges.

VA, as Acqua, vvater: Lingua, a tonge: Guadàgno, gaine.

AI, as Fài, thovv makeſt: Stài, thovv ſtandeſt: Amài, I haue loued: Lài, lamentacions: Farài, thovv ſhalt make.

VAI, as Guái, vvooſe, or ſorrovves.

IEI, as Miéi, myne.

EI, as Lèi, ſhee: Coſtei, this vvomā: Sèi, be thovv.

VOI, as Tuói, thyne: Suói, thers: Buòi, oxen: Vuòi, vvylt thovv.

Here is to be remembred, that althoughe Tuò, Suò, Io, Lèi, Lùi, Nòi, Vòi, Tuòi, Sùoi, Mièi, Vuòi, Buòi, for the moſt parte be of one ſyllable, aſvvell in proſe as in verſe, yet tovvching verſe, they are alvvayes in thende tvvo ſyllables.

Neither vvill I omyt hovv farre the pronounciation of vouelles, is to be obſerued: O and E are pronounced ſomtymes more darkely, and ſomtymes more clearly. And moſt darkely in theſe vvordes Amòre, Colòre, Ardòre, and ſuche like. But E is pronounced more clearly in this vvorde Erba: and O, in this vvorde Ottima. Neuertheleſſe the manner of pronouncing, cannot be ſhevved by vvriting: vvherfore it is to be learned of him, that hath th' Italian tonge.

TH'Italian ſpeache hath certaine articles, vvhich are ſet before noumes improper: vvherof ſome be maſculine, and ſome feminine: and that, aſvvel in the ſingular: as in the plurall nomber, as herafter appereth.

It lacketh caſes: vvherin as it is like vnto the Hebrue tonge, ſo is it vnlike, either to the Greke, or Latine tonges. VVerfore in varying of the articles, by ſundry caſes, it taketh theſe prepoſitions: De for the genitiue: A for the datiue, and Da for the ablatiue. In the vocatiue, it vſeth for a ſigne of that caſe O, an aduerbe of calling. In the nominatiue and accuſatiue, Articles are alſo vſed: as hereafter it may appere.

All articles almoſt, are vſually placed before noumes cōmon. I ſaye almoſt, bycauſe ſomtymes th'article la, is placed before noumes proper: as in his place ſhalbe ſhevved.

Euery Italian noume doth end in ſome vouell, as Dio, Angelo, Cièlo, Huòmo, and others almoſt innumerable.

But yet ſomtymes they do forgo it, chieflye in vvordes, vvhere thoſe letters that the latines do call liquides, videlicet L, N, and R, do preceede the laſt vouell: as Dèbil, Fel, Mel, Fedel, Van, Penſiér, for Dèbile, Fèle, Mèle, Fedèle, Vàno, Penſièro.

And this is vſually donne, vvhen the vvorde follovving ſhall begyn vvith a conſonant: as Van deſio, Penſièr canuto: that is, a vaine deſier, a graue thought: Alſo Fedel compàgno, Mel dolce: vvhere no Apoſtropha is added, bycauſe they do not forgo theire vouelles for others follovving: and therfore vvee ſay, Gran còſa, Buòn Ghriſtiàno, San Pàolo: for Grande Coſa, Buòno Cristiàno, Santo Pàolo: vvhich laſt manner of ſpeaches are muche more improper, then the former.

But from this rule are excepted theſe noumes, Còllo a neck, Apòllo, Vòlo a flight, Affànno griefe, Ingànno deceipt, Oſcùro, Dùro, & Chiàro. For hardly vvee ſay Col, Apol, Vol, Affan, Ingan, Oſcur, Dur, Chiar: although Petrarke (and that very ſeldome) hath vſed theſe tvvo laſt.

Neyther do theſe vvordes Animo, Abiſſo, Pègno, Soſtègno, and ſuch like: ſuffer any abridging.

Further th' Italian noumes, do vſe to let ſlip the laſt vouell, vvhen the vvorde that follovveth doth begyn vvith a vouell, and for the vouell omitted, to vvrite an Apoſtropha, thus: Voſtr' òcchi, Molt ànni, &c. Whervpon, it doth appeare to be chiefly in vſe in noumes adiectiues.

Laſtly, the Italian poetes do depriue many noumes, not of theire vouelles onely, but of theire laſt ſyllables: or at leaſt do take from thoſe ſyllables L: for to obſerue number in verſe: vvhervpon it is, that they ſay ſomtymes, Anima' and Amài for Animàli: Lacciuo' for Lacciuoli: Caua' & Cauai for Caualli: Be' and Bei for Bèlli: Que' and Quèi for Quèlli: Ta' and Tài for Tali: Quà and Quai for Quàli.

Hovv beit this is nothing at all vſed, vhen the vvorde that follovveth doth begyn vvith a vouell: as the vvritinges of approued aucthors in ſundry places beare vvitneſſe.

Further, theſe ſurnames are not vſed after one ſelfe manner and therfore it ſhall not be amyſſe to ſhevv you hovv they are vſed in ſpeach: for vve ſay Pompèo Colònna, Pompey Colūna, Maria Colonna, Mary Columna. I Colonneſi: thoſe of Columna.

VVee ſay further Càrlo d'Auſtria: Quei della caſa d'Auſtria Ferrànte, d'Aragòna: Quei d'Aragona: for Aragoneſi doth ſignifie thoſe that are affected to that familie.

Tovvching the ſeconde ſorte: vvee ſay Camillo, Dèntice, Diàna, Dèntice, Il Dèntice, I Dèntici, le Dentici. Againe Andrèa Pònte, or da Ponte: Caterina Pònte, Il Ponte, or da caſa Ponte, Quel, or Quei da caſa ponte. Alſo Ercole da Eſte, Caterina da Eſte, Quei da Eſte.

The ſurnames of the third ſort are thus vſed: for vvee ſay: Còſmo Mèdici, or Còſmo de'Medici: Lucrètia Mèdici or de'Medici: Il Mèdici, I Medici:

So Francèſco Dòni, Giouànna Dòni, Il Dòni: likevviſe Aleſsàndro Piccolòmini, Il Piccolòmini, Portia Piccolomini, la Piccolomini.

VVee ſay further Piètro Quirini, or Quirino: Camilla de' Quirini, or Quirina, but not Camilla Quirini: vvhich is not in vſe. Againe it is rightly ſayde il Quirino, but not il Quirini. But if any ſhall obiecte, vvhy is it rightly ſayde? il Mèdici, il Doni: I anſvver, that the ſurnames of Medici and Dòni haue none other termination that is in vſe. But the ſurname Quirini hath bothe Quirino for the men, and Quirina for the vvomen. By this means vvee ſay Antonia Quirina, and not Quirini, but de' Quirini: vvhere, notvvithſtanding vvee may ſay Caterina Medici, and not Mèdica.

Likevviſe the examples of the fifte ſorte ſhalbe, Guido Caualcànte or Caualcànti: Il Caualcànte, I Caualcànti: Giùlia Caualcànte.

And tovvching thoſe of the laſte ſorte, vve ſay Alfónſo d'Aualo, Pietro di Tolèdo.

This noume Pàri doth belonge to bothe genders: vvherfore vvee ſay I Pàri tuoi, I Pàri vòſtri, Le pàritùe, Le pàrivòſtre: that is, thyne, or your like, and this onely in the plurall nomber. For in the ſingular vvee ſay Tùo pàri, and Tuà pari, that is thy like.

VVee ſay further, vn Pàio di Calze: duc pàia, tre pàia, quattro pàia, &c. Di polli: by the vvhich forme of ſpeaches, it is apparant vvhat difference there is betvvne Pàri, Paio, and Pàia: for Pari declareth ſimilitude, Paio and Paia, fellovvſhip.

But the reader is here to be admoniſhed, that theſe vvordes Pàio, Pari, and Paia, do belong alſo vnto the verbe Parere, to ſeeme. In this ſorte

Tovvching theſe noumes, vvhen they are of the plurall nomber, they do ende all in I, as do Huomini, Cieli, Angeli, &c. And that aſvvell vvhen they ende in O, in the ſingular nomber: as vvhen they ende in E.

Notvvithſtanding ſuch are excepted as in the plurall nomber haue double terminations: that is, in I, and are of the maſculine gender: and in A, chaunging the maſculine gēder in to the feminine as here follovving doth appeare.

But thoſe that ende in A, are moſt in vſe vvith ſuch as vvrite in proſe.

And ſuerly, noumes of the femi. gender do not ende after that māner: as it may here after appeare.

But vvhen they ende in O, they are of the maſculine gender Orècchia, and Fòglia are often in vſe, as are Cèrchio, Chiòſtro, and Gelſo: but the reſt not ſo.

Further, ſuch noumes ſhall haue I, in the plurall number, as in the laſt place haue E in the ſingular: But if in the ſingular they haue A, they ſhall haue E in the plurall. VVhere vpon it is, that thoſe that haue double terminatiōs in the ſingular number, haue them alſo double in the plurall: as here follovving it maye appere.

But Manò, thorough a certaine vſe of ſpeach, though it be of the feminine gender, doth end (in the ſingular nomber) in O, as Mano: vvhervpon it follovveth, that in the plurall it doth end in I, as Mani.

Although th' Italian tonge (as vvee haue before declared in the declining of the articles) hath neither caſes, nor declenſion of noumes as are in the Latin, and Greke tonges: yet doth it receiue all manner of variation: vvhich is ſuch, as doth depende vpon prepoſitions, either by them ſelues alone, orioyned vvith th' articles.

The 1. Example vvith th' articles ioyned to prepoſitions. Nomin. ſingul. L' Amico The frende Genit. Dell' Amico Of the frende Dat. All' Amico To the frende Accuſ. L' Amico The frende Vocat. O Amico O frende Ablat. Dall' Amico From the frende. Nom. plur. Gli Amici The frendes Genit. De gli Amici Of the frendes Dat. A gli Amici To the frendes Accuſ. Gli Amici The frendes Vocat. O Amici O frendes Ablat. Da gli Amici From the frēdes.

The 2. example vvith prepoſitions onely. Nom. ſing. Amico Frende Genit. di amico of a frende Dati. ad amico to a frende Accuſ. amico frende Vocat. amico frende Ablat. da amico from a frende. Nom. plur. Amici Frendes. Genit. di amici of frendes Dat. ad amici to frendes Accuſ. amici frendes Vocat. amici frendes Ablat. da amici from frendes.

The 3. example vvith the article IL. Nom. ſingul. Il maèſtro the maiſter Genit. del maèſtro of the maiſter Dat. al maèſtro to the maiſter Accuſ. il maèſtro the maiſter Vocat. ô maèſtro ô maiſter Ablat. dal maèſtro from the maiſter. Nom. plur. I maèſtri the maiſters Genit. De i maèſtri of the maiſters Dat. á i maèstri to the maiſters Accuſ. i maèstri the maiſters Vocat. ô maèstri ô maiſters Ablat. da i maèstri from the maiſters.

The 4. example: is of a Noume of the feminine gender, vvhich taketh the article L A, depriued of the vouell. Nom. ſing. L'ànima the ſole Genit. dell' ànima of the ſole Dat. all' anima to the ſole Accuſ. l'ànima the ſole Vocat. ô ànima ô ſole Ablat. dall' ànima from the ſole. Nom. plur. L'ànime the ſoles Genit. dell' ànime of the ſoles Dat. all' ànime to the ſoles Accuſ. l' ànime the ſoles Vocat. ô ànime ô ſoles Ablat. dall' ànime from the ſoles.

The 5. examples is of a Noume of the ſame gender vvith the article L A, vvholye. Nom. ſing. La mènte the minde Genit. della mènte of the minde Dat. alla mènte to the minde Accuſ. la mènte the minde Vocat. ô mènte ô minde Ablat. dalla mènte from the minde. Nom. plur. Le mènti the mindes Genit. delle mènti of the mindes Dat. alle mènti to the mindes Accuſ. le mènti the mindes Vocat. ô mènti ô mindes Ablat. dalle menti from the mindes.

I vvill adde here, in vvhat ſorte moſt of the noumes that vvee do vſe, are deriued vnto vs from all the declenſions of the latin noumes. But I vvilbe more briefe herein, then peraduenture the matter ſhall ſeeme able to ſome: bothe bycauſe I deſier breuity: as to thende the reader inſtructed in the latin, vvhen by theſe, that I ſhal novv tovvche he ſhall as it vvere in ſearching take holde, he may by hym ſelfe call more to remembrance.

Th' Italian ſpeache doth lack noumes comparatiues: But in ſtedde therof they vſe the poſitiue, vvith the aduerbe Più, more: thus, Più dotto, Più bèlle, Più fórte. VVhoſe ſignification is increaſed by adding of the aduerbes, Molto, and Aſſai: as Aſsài più or Mòlto più, or Aſſai molto più, or Molto Aſſai più Dotto: euery one of theſe vvayes is rightly ſaide.

But tovvching their vſe, they do requier a genitiue caſe, in this ſorte: Io ſo no più dòtto di te, I am better learned then thou. Alſo, Ciceròne fu più eloquente di Ortènſio, Cicero vvas more cloquent then Hortenſius. VVee haue alſo theſe manner of ſpeaches in the comparatiue degrees: Tu non sèi il più dòtto del mòndo: Tu sèi il più ricco della compagnia: Io sòno amico de i più dòtti: Tu sèi de i più dotti: Tu sèi ſtimàto tra i più dotti: Tu ti puòi paragonàre à i più dòtti.

The ſuperlatiue is not ſo vſed, as it can declare compariſon, but vvorthynes: For vve ſaye not, Ciceròne fu eloquentiſſimo de' Romàni, ſince ſuch a phraſe of ſpeache is all together latin: But vvee ſay Ciceròne fù eloquentiſsimo: vvithout addition of any other perſon, in compariſon of vvhome Cicero may be.

Vno, is of the ſingular nomber, Vni of the plurall, and bothe of the maſculine gender. Vna, is of the ſingular nomber, Vne of the plurall, and both of the feminine gender. And vvee do vſe Vno, and Vna, vvhen vvee nomber: But Vni and Vne, in this ſorte: as L'ùne e l'àltre: Gli ùni e gli àltri, bothe thone and thother none othervvayes then the latines do vſe Vtrique and vtraeque.

Due, and in verſe (vvho that vvill) Duò: neuer Dùa, or Duoi, though many do vſe them. Further they do belong to either gender: the vvhich is likevviſe to be vnderſtode of all the other numbers that follovve. VVee ſay alſo Ambidùe: vvhich is vnderſtode of tvvo males, or at leaſt th'one of the tvvo being a male: and Ambedùe of tvvo females. But Ambodùe, Amendùe, Amendùne, and Amēdùni: although approued auctors do vſe them: yet vvold not I vvillingly vſe them.

VVee ſaye further Ambo: in the ſame fignification that the latines doo.

Further, vve ſay Vn pàio, due paia, a couple, tvvo couple: Vn centinàio, due centinàia, one hundred: tvvo hundredes: Vn migliàio, due migliaia: one thouſand, tvvo thouſandes, &c.

Alſo: Vna decina, due decine: one tenthe tvvo tenthes, &c. Vna dozina, due dozine: one doſen, tvvo doſen, &c. Vna ventina, due ventine, one ſkore tvvo ſkore, &c. Vna trentina, due trentine: one therty, tvvo thertyes, &c.

Il Quàle & la Quale, are noumes that are moſt often placed in ſpeache, and alvvayes are referred to ſomthing that vvent before: and therfore of the Grammarians are called relatiues. They are alvvayes ioyned vvith an article: for Quale vvithout an article, is rather a noume of quality, then a relatiue. Further it maye be declined, in ſuche ſorte, as is ſet out by the example follovving.

But in the oblique caſes there is alſo Cùi: that dothe belonge to bothe genders, and nombers. And maye be declined in this vvyſe.

Genit. Di Cùi, of vvhome, vvhoſe. Dat. A Cùi, to vvhome. Accuſ. Cùi, vvhome. Ablat. Da Cùi, from vvhome.

And although this noume dothe lacke his nominatiue caſe, and is declined onely in the oblique caſes by adding of prepoſitions, as vvee haue before ſhevved: yet you ſhall here and there finde emongeſt good aucthors theſe formes of ſpeache: Il cùi valore: la cùi bontà: I cùi amòri: le cùi ricchezze: And thus it is needeful to declare them: as, Il valòr di cùi, the vvorthyneſſe of vvhome, La bontà di cùi, the goodneſſe of vvhome, Gli amòri di cui, the loues of vvhome: Le ricchèzze di cùi, the riches of vvhome.

It may alſo be rightly ſaid by the oblique caſes: as, Del' cui valore, for Del valore di cui, vvhoſe vvorthineſſe, Della cùi bontà, for Della bontà di cùi, vvhoſe goodneſſe, Dei cui amòri, for De gli amòri di cui, vvhoſe loues: Delle cùi ricchèzze, for Delle ricchezze di cui, vvhoſe riches, &c.

For by vvhome that vvill, it maye be runne thorough all the caſes in like ſorte, vvhich I do omit for breuities ſake: but hereby it may eaſly be ſeene that the articles Il, La, I, and Le, do not in thoſe phraſes of ſpeache properly belong to the noumes Cùi, but to the noumes Valóre, Bontà, Amòri, and Ricchezze.

Further, it is vſed in the datiue caſe vvithout a prepoſition, in this ſorte: Cùi non bàſta for a cùi non bàſta, to vvhome it ſuffiſethe not: cùi diède il Re poteſtà, &c. for a cùi diède, &c, to vvhome the king gaue povver.

But touching the vſe of the noume Il Quale, there is no cauſe vvhy I ſholde curiouſly endeuour my ſelfe to alleadge many thinges: ſince it is al one vvith the latin relatiue. Therfore I vvill here note hovv that, Che, for the moſt parte is put in place therof: And that in the nominatiue and accuſatiue caſes of bothe the numbers, in this ſorte: L'huòmo, che pènſa èſſer ſàuio, mòlte vòlte è ſciòcco, the man that thinkethe hym ſelfe vvyſe, many tymes is a foole. Againe L'huòmo, ch'io àmo, è dòtto, the man that I loue, is learned. The like examples may be brought of the plurall number.

But ſithence vvee haue made mention of Che, it is to be noted, that theſame may ſomtymes be ioyned vvith prepoſitions in this vvyſe: di Che, à Che, da Che, in Che, con Che, per Che. It is alſo ioyned vvith articles, thus: Ilche, Delche, Alche, Nelche: But vve do not ſay Colche, ſo neither Per il che, bycauſe the firſt is not in vſe; & the later is vſed but thus, Il perche. And no bodie, but ſuch as lack iudgement of the eare, vvill confeſſe that Per il Che, is more rightly ſaid, then Il perche: hovvbeit Boccace doth vſe this often tymes, in his manner of ſpeach, but th' other neuer.

Somtymes Che is doubled in this ſorte Che che, and ſignifyeth Qualúnque coſa, as Che che ſià, vvhat ſoeuer it be, Che che hàbbia détto, vvhat ſoeuer he hath ſaid.

Againe, therof is made Chiúnque, vvho ſoeuer: and is of three ſyllables. But betvvene Chiunque and Qualunque, this is the difference, that thone is not ioyned to a ſubſtātiue, but the other is: and yet, that alſo ſomtymes is ſeperated from it. For Petrarke ſpeaketh thus, Chiúnque albérga, vvhoſoeuer hoſteth: vvhere Chiunque is of it ſelfe vvithout adding of any noume ſubſtantiue. Againe, he ſaiethe aftervvardes, Qualúnque animàle, vvhat ſoeuer liuing creature: vvhere Animàle, a noume ſubſtātiue is ioyned to the noume Qualúnque. Yet he ſaid ſomtymes, and that but once: Gióir di qualunque, the gladding of vvhat ſoeuer.

From this Che taking E, and adding I, is made chi: the vvhich is put often tymes for Colui, Quéllo, Coléi, Quella, Coloro, Quélli, & Quèlle pronoumes: in this vviſe: Chi ha ſmarrita la ſtràda, tórni indiètro: for Colúi, or Quello, il quàle ha ſmarrúa, &c. vvho that hath myſſed his vvay, let hym retourne back.

Further Chi doth many tymes ſignifie, vvho? an interrogation, and that thoroughout all the caſes: as.

Beſides vvee ſay: Chi qua e Chi là, ſome here, & ſome there: Chiſpogliàua quèſto, e chi quèllo: ſome did ſpoile this man, and ſome that man.

Laſtly vvee ſay Chi cheſia, vvho ſoeuer it be.

A Pronoume vve call that vvorde, that is vſed in the ſtedde of a noume: ſuch as is alſo a pronoume bothe vvith the Greckes & latines. VVherfor ſome are primatiues, and ſome deriuatiues: they haue alſo nombers, genders, and perſonnes, as haue the Grecke & Latin pronoumes. But vvhat they haue that is either like, or vnlike vnto them, the diligent reader may eaſly perceiue, aſvvell by the handling novv of them, as by the types here follovving.

The 1. example. Nom. ſing. Io, I, Genit. di me, of me, Dat. à me, to me, Accuſ. me, me, Ablat. da me, from me, Nom. plu. Nói, VVee, Genit. di nói, of vs, Dat. à nói, to vs, Accuſ. nói, vs, Ablat. da nói, from vs.

The 2. example. Nom. ſing. Tu, Thovv, Genit. di te, of thee, Dat. à te, to thee, Accuſ. te, thee, Vocat. tu, thovv, Ablat. da te, from thee. Nom. plu. Vói, You, Genit. di vói, of you, or yours, Dat. à vói, to you, Accuſ. vói, you, Vocat. vói, you, Ablat. da vói, from you.

The 3. example. Genit. Sing. and Plu. di Se, Of hym, or his; of them, or theirs. Dat. à Se, To hym, to them. Accuſ. Se, Hym, them. Ablat. da Se, From hym, from them.

The 4. example. Nom. ſing. Egli, Ei, E', Quéllo Colúi, He. Genit. Di lúi, colúi, quello, of hym, or his. Dat. à lúi, colúi, quello, to hym. Accuſ. lúi, colúi, quéllo, hym. Ablat. da lúi, colúi, quéllo, from hym. Nom. plu. Eglino, Quélli, coloro, They. Genit. di Loro, coléro, Quélli, of them, or thers. Dat. à Lóro, colòro, Quèlli, to them. Accuſ. Lòro, colòro, Quelli, them. Ablat, da Lòro, coloro, Quelli. from them.

The 5. example. Nom. ſing. Ella, Colèi, Quèlla, Shee. Genit. di Lèi, colèi, quèlla, hers, or of her. Dat. a Lèi, colèi, quèlla, to her. Accuſ. Lèi, colèi, quella, her. Ablat. da Lèi, colèi, quella, from her. Nom. plu. Elleno, Colòro, Quelle, They, Genit. di Lòro, coloro, quelle, of them, or thers. Dat. à Lòro, colòro, quelle, to them. Accuſ. Loro, colòro, quelle, them. Ablat. da Lòro, colòro, quelle, from them.

Touching th'other pronoumes, that is, the deriuatiues, they follovve altogeather the declenſiō of thoſe noumes, that do ende in O, if they be of the maſculine gender, or in A, if they be of the feminine gender.

But the pronoume Ciò, is alvvayes of the ſingular number, and neuter gender.

Theſe Pronoumes Egli, Ei, E', and Ella do alvvayes ſarue to the nominatiue caſe: as Egli diſſe, he hath ſaid: Ella volſe, ſhe hath torned.

The like is of theſe pronoumes Eglino, & Elleno, (vvhich Orators & ſuch as vvrite in proſe do vſe) for they alſo ſarue to the nominatiue caſe: and vve ſay Eglino diſſero, they haue ſaid: Elleno vòlſero, they haue torned.

Againe: theſe pronoumes Egli, and E, ſomtymes are filling vvordes, and are rather vſed for a grace in ſpeach, then of any neceſſity: as Egli non ha guàri di tempo, for Non ha guàri di tempo, it is no longe tyme: Againe, Eparrà mēzògna, for Parrà menzògna, it ſhall ſeeme a lye.

Further the articles, Li, gli, and Le, are often tymes vſed for theſe pronoumes, Lúi and Léi: And that onelye in the datiue caſe, in this vviſe: Le di, or dille, for di à Léi, tell her: Dà gli or Dàlli, for Dà à Lúi, guie hym: and remember that theſe articles Gli, and Le, vvhich are of the plurall number, are vſed for Lúi and Léi: pronoumes of the ſingular nomber.

Againe the articles Lo, La, Gli, and Le are vſed for theſe pronoumes Lúi, Léi, and Loro: and that in the accuſatiue caſe onelye, thus: Lo batté, and Battéllo, for Batté lúi or Quéllo, he hath beaten hym: La Baciò, & Baciòlla, for Baciò Lei or Quella: he hath kiſſed her: Gli percoſſe, and Percòſſegli, for Percoſſe Loro, or Quelli, he hath ſtriken them: Le baciò, and Baciòlle, for Baciò loro or Quelle: he hath kiſſed them.

But this Pronoume Se, is often ioyned vvith Stéſſo, in the ſingular nomber, and maſculine gender: and Stèſſi, in the plurall nomber, the ſame gen der. Alſo Steſſa in the feminine gender, and ſing. nom. and steſſe, in the plurall nomber, and the ſame gender: the vvhich is done thorough out all the oblique caſes, except the vocatiue, in this vvyſe.

Di Se steſſo, of hym ſelfe: Di ſe steſta, of her ſelfe: Di ſe ſteſſi, of them ſelues: Di ſe ſteſſe, of them ſelues. Alſo Aſe ſtèſſo, to hym ſelfe: A ſe ſteſſa, to her ſelfe: A ſe ſteſſi and A ſe ſteſſe, to them ſelues. Againe, Se ſtèſſo, hym ſelfe: Se ſteſſa, her ſelfe: Se ſteſſi and Se ſteſſe, them ſelues. To conclude, Da ſe ſteſſo, by hym ſelue: Da ſe ſteſſa, by her ſelfe: Da ſe ſteſſi, and Da ſe ſteſſe, by them ſelues. The ſame is to be vnderſtode of Medèſimo, Medèſima, Medèſimi, Medèſime:

Theſe are alſo ioyned to all other pronoumes: for vve ſay: Io steſſo or medeſimo, I my ſelfe: Di me ſtèſſo, or medeſimo, of my ſelfe: And ſo in like ſorte thorough out all the caſes, the vocatiue except. In the plurall number vve ſay, Noi ſtèſſi or medeſimi, vve our ſelues: Di noi ſtèſſi, or medèſimi, of vs our ſelues: &c. Alſo Tu ſteſſo, Tu ſteſſa, thovv thy ſelfe: Io ſteſſà, I my ſelfe. Nòi ſtèſſe, vve our ſelues: Di nòi ſtèſſe, of vs our ſelues: Di vòi ſtèſſe, of you your ſelues.

Egli ſteſſo, he hym ſelfe: Di lùi ſtèſſo, of hym ſelfe: Ella ſtèſſa, ſhe her ſelfe: Di lei stèſſa, of her ſelfe: &c. Eglino ſtèſſi, they them ſelues: Di lòro ſtèſſi, of them ſelues, &c. Elleno ſteſſe, they them ſelues: Di lòro ſteſſe, of them ſelues, &c.

But to vvhat ende do I ſtaye vpō ſomany examples: ſince theſe vvordes do not onely accompanye all the Pronoumes, but Noumes alſo? For many tymes vve ſpeake in this vviſe, il Re ſteſſo, or medèſimo, the king hym ſelfe: La Regina ſteſſa, or medeſima, the Queene her ſelfe: i Cieli ſtèſſi or medeſimi, the ſelfe heauens: Le ſtèlle ſteſſe, or medeſſime, the ſelfe ſtarres.

Neither is it to be omitted hovv that Steſſo doth receiue in the beginning the letter I, vvhen an article goeth before it, that doth ende in a vouell, the vvhich article doth forſake his vouell, and taketh an Apoſtropha.

Hovvbeit all theſe, except the Nominatiue caſe vvere better explained by the Pronoumes Lúi, Léi, and Lóro: ſo that one ſholde ſpeake more rightly in this ſorte: Lo mi ricòrdo di lúi, Léi, Lóro: L'ho dáto à lúi, Léi, Lóro: Ho vedúto Lúi, Léi, Lóro: L'ho riceuúto da lúi, léi, lóro.

Further thoſe Pronoumes, are ioyned to certaine Noumes thoroughout all the caſes, the vocatiue except: as appereth by this tipe follovving.

Laſtly, thus th' Italians do ſay, Con eſſo Lùi, Lèi, Lèro: for con Lùi, Lèi, Lòro, vvith hym, her, them. Alſo, Con éſſo téco, for Con tèco or Téco, vvith thee: Con èſſo mèco, for Con mèco or meco, vvith me: Con èſſo ſéco, for Con ſéco or Seco, vvith hym. Againe, Con èſſo nói, vvith vs: Con èſſo voi, vvith you.

They ſay alſo Con èſſo le màni, vvith the handes. Con èſſo vn còlpo, vvith one blovve. And not a fevv of theſe kinde of ſpeaches, do th' Italians vſe, they chiefly that inhabit Tuſcane: Hovvbeit, I vvolde not haue them to be generally vſed.

Theſe Pronoumes Quèſti, Quèi or Quègli, are accuſtomed for the moſt parte to be put in ſtedde of the Pronoumes, Quèſto, Quèllo; or Costui, and Colui: & that many times in the Nominatiue caſe, and by it ſelfe, vvithout the adding of any ſubſtantiue: Hovvbeit they are alvvayes referred to ſome man, that a little before hathe ben mencioned: as by a fevv examples ſhall plainely appeare. For vve ſay, Ciceròne fu non ſólo Oratòr ſ • mmo, ma anchòra óttino cittadino: Questi giouò mòlta alla ſua patria: Cicero vvas not onely an excellent Orator, but a very good Citizen: this man hathe greatly profited his contry. Alſo, Quégli parlo, he hathe ſpoken. And ſuche like almoſte inumerable, thovv ſhall finde, in the Tuſcane vvriters. But (to ſpeake frely vvhat thinke) I can ſkarſe be brought to allovv of it: For to me it ſeemethe a kinde of ſpeache to greatly affected.

Therfore Quésto and Quéllo, vvhen they are of the maſculine gender, do requier a noume ſubſtā tiue: as Quésto Re, this King, Quéllo préncipe, that prince. But vvhen they are of the neuter gender, they put avvay the noume ſubſtantiue, and therfore vve ſay Quèsto che io dico, è coſi this vvhich I do tell, is thus. Againe Quéllo non è cosi, that is not ſo.

Touching the vvhich Pronoumes, this is not to be forgotten, that vvhen they are expreſſed by the genitiue plurall, they are vvont to be depriued of theire helpes: that is (vvith the Tuſcanes) of the prepoſition Di, in this ſorte: A càſa quésti vſurài, for à càſa di questi vſurài: to the houſe of theſe vſurers.

The Pronoume Cio, the vvhich vve haue ſaid before to be the neuter gēder: is vſed in theſe ſortes of ſpeache: as Cioè, that is: Sopra ciò, thervpon: Oltre à ciò, beſides that: Ciòche, vvhatſoeuer: Acciòche, to thende that: Perciòche, bycauſe that: Perciò, therfore.

But in vvhat belongethe to the Pronoume Cotèsto, it is geuen to thinges and perſonnes, that are out of the pronouncer, vverfore vve ſay to hym, vvith vvhome vve ſpeake: Cotéſto libro, il quale tu hai nelle màni, è bello, that booke, vvhich thovv haſt in thy handes, is a faire booke. VVee vſe this Pronoume alſo in the neuter gender, in this vviſe, Cotésto, che tu dici, é véro, that that thovv ſaieſt, is tru.

To conclude, it ſemeth behouefull to ſpeake not a little of Ci and Ne, vvich are vſed for Noi, Mi for Me, Vi for Voi, and Ti for Te. But bycauſe they are for the moſt parte fixed to verbes, as it often happeneth in the Hebrue tonge: therſore vve do referre them to that place vvhere vve ſhall entreat of thoſe verbes.

There are fovver cōiugations of Verbes, vvhich are chiefly knovvne bytheire infinitiue modes.

The firſt cōiugation is of Verbes that in th'infinitiue mode haue A, long before RE: as Amare, to loue: Cantare, to ſing: Volare, to fly: Mangiare, to eate, &c.

The ſecōde is of Verbes that haue E, lōg before RE: as Valére, to be vvorthe: Hauére, to haue, Teuére, to holde, &c.

The thirde is of Verbes that haue E, ſhorte before RE: as Léggere, to reade: Scriuere, to vvrite: Viuere, to liue: Ridere, to laugh, &c.

The fourthe is of Verbes that haue I, longe before RE: as Vdire, to heare: Morire, to dye: Finire, to ende. &c.

Theſe they are Mi, Ti, Si, Ci, Ne, Vi: The vvhich, vvith vvhat elegancy they cleaue vnto Verbes, and vvhat theire ſignificatiōs are, ſhall clearly appeare by that, vvhich ſhalbe ſaid of the vſe of them.

Firſt, they are comonly ſet before and after Verbes: as Mi àma, amami, Ti àma, àmati, Si àma, àmaſi, Ci àma, àmaci, Ne àma, àmane, Vi àma, amaui. But this ought to be donne vvith iudgement: For it is not allvvayes, nor in euery place vvell ſytting. For this manner of ſpeache ſhalbe leſſe affected, Che ti diſſe colui? then Che diſſeti colui? vvhat hath he ſaid vnto thee? Alſo vvee ſhall ſpeake vvith leſſe curioſity, to ſay, Se tu mi àmi non ti nuocerà, then Se àmimi non noceràtti: If thovv loue me it ſhall not hurte thee. But ſuche à iudgement can hardly be taught, or not at all by preceptes, ſince it ought to be compared vvith the often reading of Aucthors, and vſe of the tonge. And yet this is to be maked, that ſo oftē as theſe vvordes do follovve the verbe, they do depende on the accent, as if they vvere all one vvorde: as Amami, Amati, Amaſi, Amaci, Amane, Amaui.

Further they do double the conſonant, vvhen they are ſet after Verbes, hauing the accent in the laſt ſyllable: as Amommi, Amòtti, Amòſſi, Amòcci, Amònne, Amònni: of the Preterperfectenſe Amò, he hath loued. And ſo likevvyſe Ameràmmi, Ameràtti, Ameràſſi, Ameràcci, Amerànne, Amerànni: of the Future tenſe Amerà, he ſhall loue.

Beſides, Mi, Ti, and Si, do allvvayes retaine the letter I, vvhen they cleaue to a verbe hauing none other vvorde ſet betvvene them: as by th'examples follovving may appeare. But if any other vvorde come betvvene them, the then change I, into E, vvherof this is an example: Me non battèſti tu, thovv haſt not beaten me. The like dothe happen in comparing of perſonnes togeather: vvhervpon vvee ſay, Tu conòſci me & lui, thovv haſt knovvne me and hym. Tu vedi me & io vèggio te, thovv ſeeſt me, & I ſee thee. Tu feriſti me, & quello non toccaſti, thovv haſt vvounded me, and haſt not toutched hym.

In like ſorte they are vſed, vvhen a verbe of the Infinitiue mode doth follovv them: For vvee ſay, Ragionàſi, Me hauèr prèſo mòglie, It is reported that I haue takē a vvife. còrre fàma, Me eſſere inamoràto, the rumor is, that I am in loue. But theſe ſpeaches ſholde be more rightly expreſſed thus: Ragiònaſi, che io ho prèſo moglie. And Còrre fama che io ſòno inamorato.

Laſtly, they chaunge I into E, vvhen the Adverbe Come, goeth before them, In this ſorte: Io non ſóno auàro come te, I am not couetous, as thovv art. Tu non ſéi liberále, come me, thou art not liberall, as I am.

Toutching their ſignification and the vſe of them: it ſhalbe more plainely ſhevved by theſe types follovving.

Here is to be remembred hovv that theſe a forſaide vvordes are many tymes vſed for ornamēt ſake: as Io mi crèdo, for Io crèdo. Tu ti penſi, for Tu pènſi. Egli ſi crède, for Egli crede. And Boccace doth thus ſpeake: Natural còſa, è di ciaſcuno, che ci nàſce, for che nàſce.

Theſe vvordes follovving do linke togeather, and are many vvayes vttred in ſpeach: & that vvith no meane elegancy. And therfore hovv that is to be donne, may eaſly be perceiued by theſe types that follovve.