Of Nounes in generall, namely of Substantiues, and of the vse of them.

A Noune is properly any thing of Essence or Substance, which may either be touched, seene, or imagined, as Árbore, Córno, Fióre, Sásso, &c. Sóle, Lúna, Ciẻlo, Stélla, &c. Dío, Ánima, Speránza, Paradíso, &c.

Note that all Italian Nounes, both Substantiues, Adiectiues, and Proper, be either of the Masculine or Feminine genders, and that most of them be either meerely Latine, or deriued of the Latine. Those that be Latine, haue only the Ablatiue case singular of the same, which serueth for all cases singular of the Italian, and only the Articles distinguish both genders and numbers; so that whosoeuer knowes the Articles perfectly, and learneth to decline but one Noune, shall thereby know how to decline all. I will not therfore be tedious.

Note that all Masculine Nounes in the singular number, end and terminate either in O. or in E. or in A. and all in I. in the Plurall, except some few heteroclites, whereof shall be spoken hereafter, as for example. Il Castẻllo, Il Ciẻlo, Il líbro, Il tẻmpo, L'ódio, L'orgóglio, &c. I castẻlli, I ciẻli, I líbri, I tẻmpi, Gl'ódij, gl'orgógli, &c. Il fiúme, Il nóme, Il pádre, Il sángue, Il túrbine, &c. I fiúmi, I nómi, I pádri, I sángui, I túrbini, &c. Il Dúca, Il Poẻta, Il Profẻta, l'Euangelísta, &c. I Dúchi, I Poẻti, I Prophẻti, Gl'Euangelisti, &c.

Note that most of Italian Feminine nounes end in the singular either in A. or in E. if in A. then in E. in the plurall. As for example, La bálla. la cárta. la tẻrra. la táuola, &c. Le bálle. le cárte. le tẻrre. le táuole. &c. L'ácqua. L'ánima. L'ácque. L'ánime. &c. And if in E. in the singular, then in I. in the plurall, as for example, La consuetúdine. La mádre. La ménte. La salúte. &c. Le consuetúdini. Le mádri. Le ménti. Le salúti, &c. L'occasióne. L'occasióni. One only Feminine noune endeth in O. that is, La máno, which in the plurall endeth in I. as Le máni.

Note that all Feminine nounes that in their Ablatiue case singular of the Latin end in Áte, or V´te. The Italians (namely in prose) reiect and loose the last sillable Té, and take the rest, euer placing an accent ouer the last A. or V. making Singular and Plurall all one, which they distinguish by the Articles, or by the Adiectiues, or by the Pronounes ioyned vnto them, as for example, La Città. La qualità. La quantità. La realità. &c. Le città. Le qualità. Le quantità. Le realità. &c. La giouentù. La seruitù. La vertù. &c. Le giouentù. Le seruitù. Le vertù. &c. Yet obserue that Poets may, and doe often dispence with this rule: for at their pleasure they may vse both, yea and often change Te into De, as for example. La città. la cittáte. la cittáde. La qualità. la qualitáte. la qualitáde. La vertù. la vertúte. la vertúde. &c. Le città. le cittáti. le cittádi. Le qualitá. le qualitáti. le qualitádi. Le vertù. le vertúti. le vertúdi. &c.

Note that all Italian Feminine nounes that end in Ántia or Éntia, may at the pleasure of the speaker or writer, end in Anza or Enza, and Tuscans count the latter the best, as thus Abondántia, Abondánza. Vigilántia, Vigilánza, &c. Diligẻntia, Diligẻnza, Patiẻntia, Patiẻnza, &c.

Note that all Italian Masculine Nounes, that in the singular end in Io. whereof there are many, should in the plurall end in ij. as for example. Essẻrcítio, Ódio, Ótio, Vítio, Essẻrcítij, Ódij, Ótij, Tẻmpij, Vitij, &c.

Note that most of those Latine Nounes that in their Ablatiue case singular end in Ine. as Flúmine, Nómine, Sánguine, the Italians loose and reiect that sillable Ne, and changing the I. into E. they say. Fiúme, Nóme, Sángue, excepting Hómine, whereof they frame Huómo in the singular, and Huómini in the plurall, yet vse they to say, Fúlmine, Túrbine, Fúlmini, Túrbini.

Note that adding an Article of the Masculine gender to any Infinitiue moode, the same becommeth a Noune substantiue, a thing much vsed among the Italians, as also by putting a Pronoune demonstratiue before them, as thus. Il mio descináre non mi cósta núlla. Il dormíre di giórno non ẻ sáno. L'amáre il móndo non piáce a Dio. Quésto tánto studiáre non vi gióua. Quésto vóstro lẻggere vi darà nóia. Quéllo Córrere in frétta fà cadére, &c.

Note that the Italians haue a certaine liberty in framing Substantiues or rather Nicknames, according to their diuers humours or capriccios, a thing much vsed among them: and that is, by taking the third person singular of the Present tence of the Indicatiue moode of any verbe of the first Coniugation, or else the scond person singular of the same Tence and Moode of all Verbs of the second, third, and fourth Coniugations, and putting any substantiue noune to the same, as for example. Vn Caua-dẻnti, a Tooth-drawer. Vn Spázza-camíno, a Chimney-sweeper. Vn Vendi-légna, a Wood-seller, Vn Sórbi-bródo, a Broth-supper, &c.

Note that in Nounes of Trees and Fruits in the Italian tongue, the trees should euer be of the Masculine gender, and the fruits of the Feminine. As for example, Castágno, a Chesse-nut-tree, Castágna, a Chesse-nut, Mándorlo, an Almond-tree, Mándorla, an Almond, Péro, a Peare-tree, Péra, a Peare, Póomo, an Apple-tree, Póma, an Apple, Pẻrsico, a Peach-tree, Pẻrsica, a Peach, Prúno, a Plum-tree, Prúna, a Plum, &c.

Note that taking the name of any manuall thing or wrought by hand, so it be euer made to end in A. as Bottóne, Bótte, Capẻllo, Guánto, Líbro, Candéla, Cárta, Sẻlla, Spáda, &c. and ioyning Ro. or Io. vnto it, you make substantiuely the professor or workeman of that trade, as thus. Bottonáro, Bottonáio, Bottáro, Bottáio, Capẻlláro, Capẻlláio, Guantáro, Guantáio, Libráro, Libráio, Candeláro, Candeláio, Cartáro, Cartáio, Sẻlláro, Sẻlláio, Spadáro, Spadáio.

Note that taking the Participle of any verbe actiue, and putting Re. vnto the same, you make a substantiue that expresseth the actor of that verbe, as thus. Balláto, Danced, Ballatóre, a Dancer, Amáto, Loued, Amatóre, a Louer, Cantáto, Sung, Cantatóre, a Singer, Gouernáto, Gouerned, Gouernatóre, a Gouernour, Lẻtto, Read, Lẻttóre, a Reader, Scrítto, Written, Scrittóre, a Writer, Vdíto, Heard, Vditóre, a Hearer, &c. All which you may make of the Feminine gender by changing, Tóre into Tríce. as thus. Amatríce, Ballatríce, Cantatríce, Gouernatríce, Lẻttríce, Scrittríce, Vditríce. &c.

Note that some late good writers haue quaintly vsed to conuert Adiectiues into Substantiues, which being discreetly placed some deeme it a very elegant Italianisme, and that is by adding an Article to any Adiectiue, namely the Mas. gender, and Sing. number. As for example, Cól púro dél cuóre, con il cándido dèll ánimo, ẻt con il víuo déll'affẻtto, Io ámo il sincẻro délle vóstre vertù, il dólce del vóstro procédere, mà non il dúro délla vóstra rigidézza, &c.

Note that the Italians haue foure Sustantiues of one sillable, that is to say Piè, Rè, Fè, and Grù, deriued of Piẻde, a Foote; of Rége, a king; of Féde, Faith, and of Grúe, a Crane. The first two are of the Mas. and the other two of the Fem. gender, and serue for both numbers and are euer accented.

Note that taking the name of manageable thing, so you make it of the Feminine gender ending in A. and ioyning Ta. vnto it, you may elegantly expresse substantiuely the power, effect, or blow of the same, as this, Arco, a Bow; Arcáta, a Blow or effect of a bow. Bastóne, Bastonáta, Coltẻllo, Coltẻlláta, Palétta, Palettáta, Pugnále, Pugnaláta, Sásso, Sassáta, &c.

Note that for as much as the Italians vnto certaine Nounes substantiues of the Masculine gender, besides their owne and proper plurall, they giue them another, which in sound and writing seemeth to be of the Feminine gender and singular number ending in A. and yet hath the Article, the Pronoune, or Adiectiue, that must gouerne the same of the Feminine gender and Plurall number, which they call heteroclites: and because this Feminine plurall is deemed to be the most elegant, and that there be but some few of them, I have therefore set downe here as many as I could remember, as followeth alphabetically.

Il Bráccio.I Bráccij.Le Bráccia.
Il Budẻllo.I Budẻlli.Le Budẻlla.
Il Calcágno.I Calcágni.Le Calcágna.
Il Cárro.I Cárri.Le Cárra.
Il Castẻllo.I Castẻlli.Le Castẻlla.
Il Ceruẻllo.I Ceruẻlli.Le Ceruẻlla.
Il Cíglio.I Cíglij.Le Cíglia.
Il Córno.I Córni.Le Córna.
Il Díto.I Díti.Le Díta.
Il Fíco.I Fíchi.Le Fíca.
Il Fílo.I Fíli.Le Fila.
Il Fondaménto.I Fondaménti.Le Fondaménta.
Il Frútto.I Frútti.Le Frútta.
Il Ginócchio.I Ginócchij.Le Ginócchia.
Il Lábbro.I Lábbri.Le Lábbra.
Il Légno.I Légni.Le Légna.
Il Múro.I Múri.Le Múra.
Il Mẻmbro.I Mẻmbri.Le Mẻmbra.
L'Orécchio.Gl'Orécchij.Le Orécchia.
L'Ósso.Gl'Óssi.Le Óssa.
Il Páio.I Páij.Le Páia.
Il Páro.I Pári.Le Pára.
Il Peccáto.I Peccáti.Le Peccáta.
Il Púgno.I Púgni.Le Púgna.
Il Quadrẻllo.I Quadrẻlli.Le Quadrẻlla.
Il Rastello.I Rastẻlli.Le Rastẻlla.
Il Ríso.I Rísi.Le Rísa.
Il Stáio.I Stáij.Le Stáia.
Il Stáro.I Stári.Le Stára.
Il Strído.I Strídi.Le Strída.
Il Vestígio.I Vestígij.Le Vestígia.
Il Vestiménto.I Vestiménti.Le Vestiménta, &c.

There be some others that I remember not. Yet note that there be ancient Poets that make some of them end in Óra, as these, Láto, Cámpo, Luógo, Órto, Córpo, Práto, Rámo, &c. and in the Plurall say, Campóra, Corpóra, Latóra, Luogóra, Pratóra, Ortóra, &c. In steede of Cámpi, Córpi, Láti, Luóghi, Órti, Práti, &c. but are not generally allowed.

Note that the Italians haue a peculiar priuiledge more liuely to declare, and more succinctly to expresse the proper forme and quality of any primitiue, positiue, or radicall Noune, then all other nation or languages, and which among them is very much vsed, both in speaking and writing, and is counted very quaint and elegant; and because it was neuer yet noted of any, and is so frequently vsed, I deeme the knowledge thereof to be most necessary, and thinke it behoofefull to be declared vnto your soueraigne Maiesty; which is, by adding certaine terminations or sillables vnto any primitiue or positiue nounes, as for example, Íno, Étto, V´ccio, Ótto, Óne, Áccio; for these are most used. What noune soeuer endeth in Íno, sheweth the same to be very little, small, and the least that may be. What noune soeuer endeth in Étto, declares the same to be both very little, and therewithall quaint and pretty. What noune soeuer endeth in V´ccio, importeth the same to be poore, miserable, wretched, and deseruing compassion. Whatsoeuer noune endeth in Ótto, implieth the same to be handsomly big, well compact, and indifferently goodly. What noune soeuer endeth in Óne, doth manifest the same to be great beyond reason, bigge and ouer great, farre exceeding due proportion, huge aboue measure. What noune soeuer endeth in Áccio, argueth the same to be ugly, lothsome, contemptible, filthy, and odious. Let these few examples serue for all the rest.

And so of all the rest: but remember, that if you will haue them end in Ótto, or Óne, you must make the Feminin positiue to end in O. as Donnóne, Casóne, Spadóne, Tauolóne, of Dónna, Spáda, Cása, Táuola, &c.

Note also that if the primitiue noune end in No, or Re, as Ásino, Pastóre, to expresse a kind of diminution or prettinesse and littlenesse, you may make them end in Ello, as Asinẻllo, Bastoncẻllo, Pastorẻllo, &c.

Note that all Nounes ending in Lo. Le. Ro. Re. or Ne. except the last vowell require an accent, the said vowell may be left out, and at pleasure both in speaking and writing, in steed of Búffalo. Cauállo. Mále. Quále. Tále. Amáro. Cáro. Colóre. Honóre. Buóno. Sáno. Máno. Cáne. Páne. as also all Infinitiue moods, as Amáre. Cantáre. Tenére. Vedére. Córrere. Tẻssere. Dormíre. Vdíre. you may very well say, Buffal'. Cauál'. Mál'. Quál'. Tal'. Amár'. Cár'. Colór'. Honór'. Buón. Sán'. Mán'. Cán'. Pán'. Amár'. Cantár'. Tenér'. Vedér'. Córrer'. Tẻsser'. Dormír'. Vdír'. &c. For L. N. and R. are among the Italians counted the principall liquids in which words may end, though some count M. and T. liquids also. For some make the first persons plurall of Verbes end in M. leauing out the O. as you shall see better in Verbes, as also because the Coniunction copulatiue ended in T. namely before consonants, as hath alreadie beene said.

Note also that all plurals of most masculine words, whose singulars end in Llo, or Le, may at the pleasure of the Speaker or Writer end in Gli. Li. or I. as Cauállo. Cauágli. Cauálli. Cauái. or Cauá'. Capẻllo. Capẻgli. Capẻlli. Capẻi. or Capẻ'. Quéllo. Quégli. Quélli. Quéi. or Que'. Tále. Táli. Tái. Ta'. &c.

Note that where the Latins vse in diuers of their words the letter E. after the first consonant of the first sillable, as Melle. Felle. Feno. Leto. Pede. Sedet. Tenet. the Italians for elegancy sake put an I. betweene the said consonant and the E. and say and write, Miẻle. Fiẻle. Fiẻno. Liẻto. Piẻde. Siẻde. Tiẻne. &c.

Note also that where the Latines haue the open or round O. for the second letter after a consonant, as in these wordes: Bono. Corde. Foco. Homo. Mouére. Sono. Tono. Nocére. &c. the Italians commonly put an V. before the O. and say and write, Buóno, Cuóre, Fuóco, Huómo, Muóuere, Nuócere, Suóno, Tuóno, &c.

Note that where the Latins vse in diuers words the letter L. after C. F. and P. the Italians change the L. into I. and in steede of Cláro, Claritáte, Clamáre, Claue, Conclusione, Flamma, Flóre, Flumen, Plano, Planta, Plombo, Templo, &c. they say, Chiáro, Chiarità, Chiamáre, Chiáue, Conchiusióne, Fiámma, Fióre, Fiúme, Piáno, Piánta, Piómbo, Tẻmpio, &c.

Note that when an Italian word beginneth with S. and that any other consonant followes the same, as in these examples, Sbandáre, Scacciáre, Sconsoláto, Sfacẻndáto, Sfórzo, Smenticáto, Spauẻnto, Stẻrmináto, Stroménto, Sueniménto, &c. the best Italians for Elegancies sake, place and pronounce an I. before the S. and say, Isbandáre, Iscacciáre, Isconsoláto, Isfacẻndáto, Isfórzo, Ismenticáto, Ispauẻnto, Istermináto, Istromẻnto, Isueniménto, &c.

Note that where the Latins vse in many words these two consonants together, Bf. Bn. Bs. Bt. Ct. Dm. Mn. Pt. which the Italians call Aspre consonánti, of most of their Latin wordes following, they make Italian wordes by losing the first of them, and euer doubling the latter consonants, as for example.

Obfuscáre.Offuscáre.
Abnuntiáre.Annontiáre.
Obsẻruáre.Ossẻruáre.
Obtẻstáre.Ottẻstáre.
Obtúso.Ottúso.
Doctrína.Dottrína.
Admonitione.Ammonitióne.
Aduẻrsitate.Auuẻrsità.
Omnipotẻnte.Onnipotẻnte.
Optatiuo.Ottatíuo.
Optimo.Óttimo.

and infinite others: yet remember that in these two Latine wordes, Omnis, and Somnium, the Italians change Mn. into Gn. and say, Ogni, Sógno, Sognáre, &c.

Note also that where the Latines vse the letter X. betweene two vowels, as Alexandro, Exemplo, Dixi, Prolixitate, Sáxo, Taxatio, &c. the Italians change the X. into double SS. and say, Alessándro, Essẻmpio, Díssi, Prolissità, Sásso, Tassatióne, &c.

Note that adding Dis. In. Is. or S. vnto any actiue or possessiue word or verbe, the same becommeth of the priuatiue sense, as appeareth by these examples.

Fáre.Disfáre.
Proportióne.Disproportióne.
Felíce.Infelíce.
Costánte.Incostánte.
Memoráto.Ismemoráto.
Consoláto.Isconsoláto.
Conoscẻnte.Isconoscẻnte.
Vólgere.Suólgere.

And infinite others.