A SPECIAL HELP TO ORTHOGRAPHIE.
Such words as are alike in ſound, and unlike both in their ſignification and writing, are expreſt by different Letters, in theſe examples following.
- TO aſſent or agree. An aſcent or going up. A ſent or ſavour.
- A peece to ſhoot withall. A piece of bread. Two loaves apiece.
- Let him that hath a loud voyce, be allow'd to ſpeake aloud.
- I have not received aught thereof. You ought not to doe it.
- The air is cleer. The heir of all his goods.
- He ſhot an arrow, into a narrow place.
- An eye to ſee withal. A nigh or neer kinſman. An I and a U will either of them make a ſyllable alone.
- Take a note of it. Take an oat-cake for your ſupper.
- A notion or an inward knowledg. An ocean of water.
- To tithe Mint and Anniſe. Agnes, a womans Chriſten name.
- An idle perſon ought not to eate. Anne, a womans Chriſten name.
- Alas, that ever I did it! A laſſe, or a Maid.
- An altar for ſacrifice. To alter ones minde.
- A ledge of a Table. Alledge what thou canſt againſt me.
- A lie, or a falſe ſpeech. My neer allie, or kinſman.
- A light in a darke place. Alight from thy horſe.
- To caſt a lot. To allot, or appoint for ones ſhare.
- A loan, or lending of money. Why doe you ſit alone?
- A lure for a Hawk. To allure or intice.
- Adieu, or farewel. A due debt ought to be paid.
- 2He adjoyn'd me to do it. A joyn'd-ſtool.
- A Judge of a Court. Adjudge him to be worthy of it.
- Aſſoon as ſhe came in, ſhe fell into a ſwoun.
- That which the Shoomaker got with his awl, he ſpent it al, (all)
- To aſſault or ſet upon. A ſalt-eel.
- To aſſigne. To give a ſigne.
- Attainted of treaſon. A tainted piece of fleſh.
- Shee was ſumptuouſly attired. A tired Jade.
- A mate or companion. To amate or daunt.
- A maze, or an intricate way, or labyrinth. To amaze.
- A reſt for a Muſquet. Arrest him for the debt.
- A peaſe bloſſom. Appeaſe his wrath.
- A peal well rung. Appeal to Ceſar.
- A tract, or diſcourſe. Attract the iron with the load-ſtone.
- An abbetter, or upholder. A better colour than the other.
- Appear the next Court-day. A Peer of the Realm.
- A wait-player. A wait his comming. A weight to weigh withal.
- Tread not awry. A wry-mouthed Plaiſe.
- Such a queint diſcourſe, as I ſhall acquaint you withall.
- To bow the knee. The bough of a tree.
- If you be comne ſo ſoone to work, it wil alſo become you to be diligent therein.
- The boughs of trees. He boweth his knees. To bowze or tiple (tipple)
- The ſweat of his brows. The bullock did browze.
- Barbarie, a Countrey ſo call'd. Barbara, a womans Chriſten name. Barberie, a red fruit ſo call'd.
- Brute, a mans name. A brute beaſt. A bruit, or report.
- To baul, or to make a rude noiſe in ſpeaking. Baal, an idol ſo call'd. A bal to play with. Bal, a mans name (Ball, ball)
- Good and bad. Who bade him doe it?
- A bead. Bede, a mans name.
- A beaker to drinke in. Becher, one of the ſons of Benjamin. The hawk did beak her ſelf.
- Ale and beer. A biere to cary a dead corpſe.
- A Straw-berie. Sud-bury, Canter-bury, &c.
- By whoſe authority was it done? Buy it for me in the Market.
- Set meat on the board. Let the hole be bor'd.
- The bird was bill'd like a hawk. To build a houſe.
- To bolt the door. To boult, or ſift meal.
- To be wel bred, or brought up. To earn his owne bread.
- 3He was weary in beholding of it. You are much beholden to him.
- A Coney-burrow. The Borough of Southwark.
- Coney-Burrows. Boroughs or Towns.
- A blue-colour. The wind blew it away.
- Cox, a mans ſirname. Cocks and Hens. Cocketh up the hay.
- A coat of diverſe colours. A ſheep-cote. To quote a place of Scripture.
- Cotes, a mans name. Childrens coats. He quoteth the place.
- The clauſe of a ſentence. The bird claweth him with her claws.
- The Butcher did cal, for the caul of the liver. (call)
- Take your courſe. Let them bury the corpſe.
- To take good courſes. He courſeth his horſe. Dead corpſes.
- I cool'd his courage. I could not doe it.
- The collar of a coat. I wil cool your choler.
- A culler of Apples. A colour, died in grain.
- A couſin or neer kinſman, will ſometimes cozen his neer kinred.
- The Kings Council. Give him good counſel.
- It is a common thing for men, to commune or talk one with another.
- The Wheat is ful of cockle and darnel. A cochle-ſhel.
- He behaved himſelf like a valiant Champion, in the champain field.
- To chooſe a fit companion. The Ox cheweth the cud.
- A wicked crue or company. The cock crew.
- The hounds did chaſe the Deer, which were in the Chace.
- You come but now, but he is comne already.
- Wicked crues or companies. A cruſe or pot to drink in.
- A cruel maſter to his ſervants. A cap wrought with crewel.
- He gave his conſent, to have a concent of muſick.
- The young birds ſit under their dam. To damne or condemne.
- A fallow-deer. A dear friend.
- A deep pit or hole. Diep, a town ſo call'd.
- There are diverſe men which are skilful divers.
- A buck and a doe. His cake is dough.
- Concerning the word deſcenſion, there hath beene much diſſenſion.
- It is not worth a dollar. Ful of dolour and griefe.
- There is a fiſh that is call'd a dolphin. The Daulphine of France.
- Who was the deviſer of this, to multiply the quotient by the diviſour?
- Eaſter and Whitſontide. Queen Heſter and Mordecai.
- John Eaton hath eaten up all the meat. A Scholar of Aeton.
- 4There were eight ſwans egs found in the ait. (iſlet)
- Canſt thou earn thy bread? His bowels did yern.
- Emerods, a kinde of diſeaſe. Emeralds, a kinde of precious ſtone.
- He doth exerciſe himſelfe in reading. To exerciſe or adjure.
- I eat my meat to day, better than I ate it yeſterday.
- The cattel did feed. His Atturney was fee'd.
- Pay your fees. She feeth her Atturney.
- I would fain finiſh my worke. She did feign her ſelf ſick.
- They did finde much gold. They were fin'd very much.
- Their naves and their felloes, were not fellows.
- Take heed leſt Philip give you a fillip.
- Put the ſheep into the fold, when the Mare hath foal'd.
- I fore-tel this unto thee, that I wil reſtore him four-fold.
- To ſet forth a mans praiſe, to the fourth degree.
- Heate the oven with furze. He furreth his gown rich with furs.
- Our hearts are very foul. Fiſh and fowl.
- His ſon Francis and his daughter Frances came to ſee him.
- If it freeze, put on your frieſe-jerkin. Shee freeth him from danger.
- To kil a flea. To flay of the skin. (off)
- Lice and fleas. She fleaeth her cloaths. She flayeth the Rabbet.
- To fleer and laugh. A flee'r away in battel.
- A ſweet ſmelling flour. The fineſt wheat flower.
- Sweet ſmelling flours. The beer floureth in the cup.
- I gueſt, that he would be a very welcome gheſt.
- A ghoſt or ſpirit. Thou go'ſt but lamely.
- Some take delight in their fooliſh jeſts. Geſts or worthy acts. He jeſteth, and taketh delight in fooliſh jeſting.
- Ox-gals. The gauls upon the horſes back. He gauleth his horſe.
- A gage or pledge. To gawge a veſſel.
- A gilt-cup. The guilt of ſin troubleth the conſcience.
- She did ſigh and groan becauſe her corn was not wel-growen.
- To gliſter like gold. The Phyſician hath preſcribed a clyſter.
- A guiſe or faſhion. Mr. Guy's man told me of it.
- Hart, a mans name, or the name of a beaſt. Mans heart is deceitful.
- A hard heart muſt be broken. I heard his voyce.
- The hounds do hunt the hare. Men are forbidden to wear long hair.
- Hie thee home. High and low. Heigh-ho.
- 5Thou hieſt thee about thy work. The higheſt fourm in the School.
- Hide not thy talent. Shee hied her about her work.
- Make haſte to doe it. Why haſt thou done it?
- A hole wherein things are hidden. A part for the whole.
- Holy men and women are Saints. A work that is wholly finiſht.
- When he was in the hollow, he began to whoop and hollaw.
- Stay not long from home. To whom ſhall I give it? A holme tree.
- To goe to their long homes. Holmes, a mans name.
- I hope to ſee my worke finiſht. I holp him to do his work.
- The hoops of a tub. He hoopeth the tub. He whoopeth and hollaweth.
- Let him ſing the hymne, that can ſing beſt.
- The bread doth hoar. She played the whore.
- Avoid the company of whores. The bread, or any thing that hoareth.
- To change his hue. Hughe, a mans Chriſten-name.
- They have changed their hues. Hughes, a mans ſirname.
- A herald of arms belonging to King Harold.
- If hee come wel and happily home, I may haply come and ſee him.
- I and thou are wel agree'd. Eye me in the doing of it.
- To incite or provoke one to do a thing. To bee always in ſight.
- Inure thy ſelfe to do it. Put this in ure. In your account it is but folly.
- Not in earneſt but in jeſt. A Geſt or worthy act. In their Geſts they uſed too many jeſts.
- Shee loveth to jet up and down. A jeat-ſtone.
- The juice or ſap of any thing. A joice to beare up the boards.
- Let the houſe bee made a jakes, for Mr. Jaques.
- Shee is of a gentle or milde diſpoſition. A gentil, or magot.
- A jointer, a tool to work withal. A womans jointure during her life.
- A jurdon, or chamber-pot. The river Jordan.
- Mr. Knox, hee knocketh many knocks at the door.
- A kennel for dogs. Sweep the chanel very clean.
- Give me leave to kil a deer. The bricks are in the brick-kilne.
- The Latine-tongue is very uſeful. A latten-ladle.
- The cow lowed after her calf very loud.
- Take the leaſt and leave the greateſt, leſt hee bee angry.
- Lemans or concubines. Lemons and Orenges.
- If hee cannot teach him his leſſon wel, you muſt leſſen his wages.
- 6The litter of whelps, were caried in the horſ-licter.
- The〈◊〉of wine or oyl. To leeſe, or looſe ones labour.
- 〈…〉that can leap very wel. Lepers that are ful of leproſie.
- 〈…〉in the fitteſt time. High and low, rich and poor.
- 〈…〉, or command. One that is lower of ſtature.
- A〈◊〉after evill things. A bright luſtre or ſhining.
- The man that was out-laned, deſerved neither laud nor praiſe.
- At his Maneur-houſe, al things were done in a very good maner.
- He hangd his mantle upon the mantel-tree of the chimney.
- The Medes and Perſians. Meads or Meadows.
- Meat and drink muſt be had. A mete-yard to mete withal.
- The Lawyer ſent a meſſage, concerning the meſſuage.
- A meater that giveth meat to the cattel. A corn-meter. A meteor in the air.
- Martin, a mans ſirname. Marten, the name of a fowl.
- Mr. Marſhal had good skil in martial diſcipline.
- Hee did mone and bewail himſelfe, when his corne was mowen.
- Moe or more. Take the ſithe to mowe it down.
- The cat wil mouſe wel, when ſhe is amongſt the corn-moughs.
- Hawks-mites. He mueth his hawk. To muſe or meditate.
- The poor widows mite. Wee have no might nor power of our ſelves.
- If hee had had a good minde, hee would not have ſo under-mined mee.
- His man Maurice did dance the morice.
- Murrain, a diſeaſe amongſt cattel. Murion, a head-piece.
- Thouſands and Millions. Musk-melons.
- Naſh, a mans ſirname. To gnaſh the teeth.
- It was not for nought, that the figs were ſo naught.
- Yea and nay. The horſe did neigh.
- O my friend remember me. Oh that my friend would remember me! Owe nothing to any but love.
- Gold-ore. The water-mans oar. The ower of a debt.
- A pair of oars. The owers of debts.
- The ordure was laid upon the ground in good order.
- Our life beeing ſo ſhort, every hour thereof ought to bee wel ſpent.
- Neither ours nor yours, wil bee done in three hours.
- To pare the cheeſe. A pair of turtle doves.
- To pauſe a litle. The lions paws. The lion paweth with his paw.
- 7The palat of his mouth was down, when he lay upon his pallet.
- Peter and Paul. Pal, a kinde of robe ſo call'd. (Pall)
- A Parſon or Vicar, may either of them bee a comely perſon.
- A faithful Paſtor, will feed his ſheep in a good paſture.
- 〈◊〉is not ſeemly for a fool. The lions preys. The lion preyeth upon the lambe. Hee prayeth for help from above.
- The Judge of the Common pleas, cannot pleaſe every one.
- Mr. Pierce, did pearce it with a ſword. The ſcholar did perſe and conſtru•…his leſſon.
- Shee weareth her patens, and ſhee hath obtained Letters patents.
- Pillars to up-hold a building. Cater-pillers.
- Pride goeth before deſtruction. Hee pried or lookt into it.
- What profit can we receive, by a falſe Prophet?
- The propper of it up, was a very proper man.
- He hath no power to powre it out.
- The rain that refreſheth the earth. The rein of a bridle. The Reign of a King
- The reins of the back. The Reigns of Kings. The King reigneth. If it raineth get into a houſe.
- He that was of a noble race, did raſe the wals.
- The raies of the Sun. It is not good to raiſe contention.
- Some herbs are ranker than other. Rancour and malice.
- A red colour. What Authours haſt thou read?
- A reddiſh colour. A radiſh root.
- Can you give a reaſon, why a fig is better than a raiſin?
- Strong reaſons. He reaſoneth very well. Figs and raiſins.
- It is as good a ream of paper, as any is in the whole Realm.
- Reams of paper. Realms wel governed. Rhemes, the name of a place.
- Mr. Ri•e took a riſe, and leapt over, where the rice was ſold.
- A rite or a ceremony. Right and wrong. To write and reade.
- A wheel-vright. Wright, a mans ſirname.
- Rites and ceremonies. Men will defend their rights. Wheel-wrights. He righteth himſelf. He writeth a letter.
- The rine wherein the brain lieth. The rinde of a pomegranate. The river Rhine.
- Roe, a mans ſirname. A roe-buck. A row of trees.
- The ro•and hindes of the field. Rowes of trees. He roweth upon the water. A red-roſe. Roſe a womans Chriſten-name.
- When there was a rot amongſt the ſheep, I wrote him a letter.
- He•••aught it from of the ſhelf, when hee wrought with me. (off)
- 8I had a riding rod in my hand, when I rode upon the high-way.
- When I rode along the road, I bought ſome fiſh that were hard-roed; and I diſcerned, that the Watermen, which caried my daughter Rhode, rowed apace.
- The roads, or common high-ways, that are in the Ile of Rhodes. (Iſle)
- The higheſt room in any houſe, of the City of Rome. (roume)
- Shee went round about, and rowned him in his ear.
- Shee that did wear a tiffany-ruf, did alſo wear a rough garment. (ruffe)
- When ſhee heareth the bels ring, ſhee wil wring her hands.
- When the bels were rung, thee wrung her hands.
- Hee rued the time, that ever he was ſo rude.
- Hee that had ſo many cheeſes in the cheeſe-rack, did alſo ſuffer Ship-wrack.
- Hee that made ſlight of it, had a ſleight in the doing of it.
- Hee was no ſaver in buying ſuch commodities, though they had a ſweet-ſavour.
- Savors and looſers. Sweet ſavours. Hee ſavoureth not that which is good.
- The Seas have divers names. To ſeize upon a mans goods.
- Ceaſing from ſtrife. Ceſſing him to pay a great ſum. (ſumme)
- Wil you not ceaſe talking? Why do you ceſ him ſo much? (ceſſe)
- The buyer and the ſeller do oftentimes offend. A wine-cellar.
- The one Sutler, was ſubtiller than the other.
- There was no ſigne, either of a ſine or tangent.
- A Cenſor or reformer of maners. Aarons cenſer. To cenſure or judge.
- The third Centurie. An herb that is call'd centory.
- Hee did ſheer the ſheep, which he had in Buckingham-ſhire.
- Cite him to appear. The ſight of the eye. The fite of an houſe.
- Hee was cited to appear. Quick-ſighted. A houſe wel ſited.
- A ſyren or mermaid. Simon of Cyrene.
- A lute and a cittern. A lemon or a citron.
- Mount-Sion. A ſcion or graf which is to be grafted into a ſtock. (graffe)
- A ſink to convey the water. The Cinque-ports.
- Why wil you have it ſo? To ſowe the ſeed. To ſewe a garment.
- The ſole of a ſhoo. The ſoule and body.
- The ſoles of his ſhoos. Hee ſoleth his ſhoos. Soules and bodies.
- Bought and ſold. The ſhoos were ſol'd.
- His body was very ſound. He fel into a ſwoun.
- I was in ſuch a ſtrait, that I was forc't to take the crooked for the ſtreight
- A ſloe-tree. Hee goeth but a ſlow pace.
- 9A ſore which cannot be healed. Hee ſwore or ſware an oath.
- A ſly-fellow. Sligh, a mans ſirname.
- A hedge and a ſtile. A ſtyle or form of writing.
- The hawk did ſoar aloft. The ſower did ſow the ſeed.
- To ſhoot an arrow. A ſute of apparel. A ſuit in Law. Shute, a mans ſirname
- Hee had three ſhoots with his bowe. Sutes of apparel.
- Suits in Law. Hee ſhooteth with his bowe. Hee ſuteth himſelf with apparel. Hee non-ſuiteth him at the Law.
- What ſuccour can we look for, from a bloud-ſucker?
- Some would be glad, if they had but ſuch a ſum of money. (ſumme)
- When the Sun ſhineth, my Son wil walk into the field. (Sunne, Sonne.)
- To make a wilde beaſt tame. Thame, a town ſo call'd.
- A tamer beaſt than the other. Thamar, Judahs daughter in law.
- A tax or tribute. Hee tacketh it together with ta•ks.
- The treble and the tenor. A tenour or form of words. The tenure whereby a man holdeth his land.
- There was one, that was of their acquaintance.
- Hee had more knowledge in hens and turkeys, than he had in an emerald or a turquois.
- We ought to redeem the time. Thyme, an herb ſo call'd.
- Take heed you looſe not the tide. The horſes were tied together.
- A foot and a toe. Shee ſpinneth flax and towe.
- The feet and toes. Bee careful how you toſe the wool.
- A toad. Fingred and toed. Hee towed his Barge.
- Go tole the bel. To pay tol or tribute. (toll)
- I told him of it when I toled the bel.
- It is too much for two men, to write in one day.
- A tract or litle treatiſe. I trackt him home to his houſe.
- A ſmall treatiſe, containing diverſe treaties, concerning peace.
- I had then more work than I could do.
- The King was thrown from his throne.
- It was through your help, that I came thorow.
- His throat wil bee in danger, if he throw't away.
- It is a vain thing, to let blood in a wrong vein.
- A venter or utterer of commodities. To venture or hazard.
- Venters of commodities. Ventures at Sea. He ventureth it.
- When you fill'd the vial, I playd upon the viol.
- A way to walk in. A weigh of cheeſe.
- Ways to walk in. Weighs of cheeſe. Hee weigheth the cheeſe.
- Fire and water are good ſervants. Walter, a mans Chriſten name.
- Deep waters. Hee watereth his garden. Walters, a mans ſirname
- To wait upon his maſter. To ſel by weight.
- The waits, or wait players of the City. Juſt weights and bal•…es. He waiteth his turn.
- If you were wiſe, you would wear warmer cloaths.
- A wich-tree and a haſel-tree. A witch ought not to live.
- When you go to the wood, I would go along with you.
- When he wooed her, he was almoſt woode.
- A wad of ſtraw to lie upon. Woad to die withall.
- A bowe made of yew. You and I are good friends. Ʋ and I are vowels.
- Yews, or yew-trees. Ʋſe thy friends courteouſly.
- Your friends are wel. Put this in ure. A baſon and ewre.
- Neither ours nor yours. Baſons and ewres. Hee in-ureth himſelf to it.
- Yee that are wiſe, uſe yea and nay in your communication.
Such words which are ſo neer alike in ſound, as that they are ſometimes taken one for another; are alſo expreſt by different Letters, in theſe examples following.
- ASk the carpenter for his ax, whereby he hath done ſuch ſtrange ac•…
- Abel was not able to do it.
- It will amaſe you, to ſee him cary a mace.
- It is al-one, whether it be in company or alone.
- His actions were not anſwerable to his axioms.
- Bowes and arrows. Cloth of arras.
- Give your advice, and adviſe mee for the beſt.
- The valley of Achor. An acre of ground.
- The ant is a wiſe creature. An uncle and an aunt.
- Since I learned my Accidence, there have bin ſtrange accidents.
- 11Some are in their behaviour, as a wilde aſ. (aſſe)
- To play at bowls. To drinke in boles.
- An Earl and a Baron. A barren wombe.
- A wheel-barrow. To lend and borrow. The Borough of Southwark.
- Hee ſpent ſo much upon barley, that he went but barely.
- Boyſe, a mans ſirname. Boys and girls.
- A bath to bathe in.
- The voluntary Bands were unwilling to come in bonds.
- A threed-bare garment. To bear a burden.
- The childe did begin, to pul of his biggin. (off)
- Our breath is the cauſe why we breathe.
- If he looſe his bauble in going to Babel, hee wil bable. (babble)
- His bile brake, when the pot did boyl.
- John Bruce did bruiſe his leg, when hee ate the brewis in the brewhouſe.
- The litle childe began to batle, when his father went to the battel.
- I did bore a hole, thorow the noſe of the wilde boar.
- Who will ſend an arrant knave, to do an errand?
- Bowes and arrows. Boughs and branches.
- The ſauſe for the bittern, was made very bitter.
- Proud boaſters, may ſometimes want pillows and bolſters for their beds.
- They both went into a boothe.
- You think that you have taken the beſt, but another beast may be as good
- Your book is not ſo wel boſt, that you ſhould have cauſe to boaſt.
- They put on their boots, when they went into their boats.
- Write your copies, and get you to play in the copiſe.
- If you cannot leave coughing, you will ſoon bee put into a coffin.
- When hee cough't, I caught him by his coat.
- To tithe mint and cummin. To bee long in coming.
- Before I played at cheſ, I unlockt the cheſts. (cheſſe)
- His chaps were ful of chops.
- It was a good chare, to ſet him in a chair, and give him good cheer.
- A capital or great offence. The Capitol, a place in Rome.
- Currants to cary away the water. Raiſins and corrants.
- By a neceſſary conſequence, they may prove dangerous conſequents.
- Spare no coſt, to travel into every coaſt.
- What were the cauſes, that the cauſeys were no better lookt unto?
- The dun colour was wel done.
- 12Hee was but a dunſe, that knew not the duns from the other colours.
- Comely and decent. Of a noble deſcent. To diſſent or diſagree.
- Concerning the word deſcenſion, there hath bin much diſſenſion.
- When you diſcomfite your enemies, it is no diſcomfort to mee.
- Bucks and does. Let him take but one doſe.
- It was ſuch a fine device, as none could deviſe a better.
- Before his deceaſe, hee was ſick of a dangerous diſeaſe.
- Thou art but duſt and aſhes, why doſt thou lift up thy ſelf?
- In the time of a dearth, not long before his death, hee was ſo deaf that hee could not hear.
- It was not without deſert, that hee was robb'd in the Deſart.
- In looking toward the Eaſt, ſhee ſpilt her yeeſt.
- Shee doth earn her living, by ſpinning of yarn.
- You muſt either take out of the hedge, the ether or the ſtake.
- His ears were deaf, for many yeers together.
- If you had not meaſured ſo many els, you ſhould elſe have wronged your ſelf.
- The moſt eminent man, was in the moſt imminent danger.
- When I was with him but even now, he gave mee good words inow, but money little inough.
- The two ſons of Eli. The Ile of Ely. (Iſle)
- It was a falſe report, that you had ſo many fals by the way.
- The Cook hath more skil in a froiſe, than a phraſe.
- The watermen had many fares, to cary to the fairs.
- His houſe in the fens, was without a fence.
- When I fought with him, I committed a fault.
- The hounds do follow the fallow deer.
- A gown lined with fur. A fir-tree. (furre, firre)
- To farm or make clean. A form of words. A fourm to ſit upon.
- Pharez, a mans name. Fairies and hobgoblins.
- The Farmer ſold his former yeers crop.
- A ſmal flie may flee into a narrow place.
- The fiſhes had fins and ſcales. The fiends of hel.
- The Gallants did drink many gallons of wine.
- The child went into the garden, and there hee found his Guardian.
- A glaſ to drink in. To ſet a fair gloſ upon any thing. (glaſſe, gloſſe)
- It was but a fooliſh geſture, that was uſed by the jeſter.
- 13The carman that did wear a jerking, never left jerking his horſe.
- John Howel did howl, when he was thrown into the hole.
- Whoſe hoſe and ſhoos are theſe?
- He was but a homely man, which read the Homilie.
- To hallow or make holy. A hollow place in the ground.
- I do gueſ that I ſhal have gheſts. (gueſſe)
- The beadle that whipt the whores, beeing very hoarſe, when he went away he rode upon a horſe.
- Shee tooke away all that was his. The ſerpents and the ſnakes did hiſ. (hiſſe)
- Let them drive away the hens from hence.
- Holly and Ivie. Holy men and women are deſpiſed in this world.
- Hepher, a mans name. A young heifer.
- His man James, did break the jambs of the wal. (wall)
- A man that is ingenious and witty, ought alſo to bee ingenuous and Gentleman-like.
- The way is not impaſſable, nor the thing is not impoſſible.
- It doth imply aſmuch, as that hee ought to imploy himſelf wel.
- Why is it not yet done?
- An idol is not to bee worſhipt. An idle perſon ought not to eat.
- As you have work inough to do, ſo you have men inow to do it.
- His eyes cannot ſee the ice.
- Joice, a womans Chriſten-name. The joys of heaven.
- I know that the dog can gnaw a bone.
- It is wel known, that the bone was wel gnawn.
- The knots are faſt tied. The gnats are very buſy in hote weather.
- The lines are fairly written. His loyns are girded about.
- A man of a lowe ſtature. The Ox did low.
- A man of lower ſtature. Why do you lowre upon me?
- When the lead was layd, hee led mee by the hand.
- The leas were added to his leaſe.
- Hee that told many lies, his cloaths were ful of lice.
- I was very loth to do it, yea, I did loathe to do it.
- When the leaſes are made, give them to the Leaſſees.
- The day before Marie did marry, ſhee appointed the bones that were ful of marrow, to bee boyl'd on the morrow.
- They that wrought in the mines, made knowne their mindes.
- To mince the meat. The Mints where money is coined.
- I did miſ the fight of him, by reaſon of the miſts. (miſſe)
- To mowe down the corn. A mough of corn.
- The maids went to gather ruſhes in the meads.
- The one mower did mowe more than the other.
- Moles that caſt up the earth. Moulds wherein metals are caſt.
- When hee had the myrrhe and aloes, hee was ful of mirth.
- A rat and a mouſe. Barley moughs.
- To riſe betimes in the morning, in a day of mourning.
- The hawks-mues. A muſe.
- Her miſtreſ did reveal many myſteries. (miſtreſſe)
- It is neither you nor I, that can lift the nether milſtone.
- The nones of a moonth. It was done for the nonce. (moneth)
- Some of the needles which ſhee uſed, were needleſ. (needleſſe)
- His neece did neeſe very much.
- I was never a whit the neer, for al the labour which I beſtowed.
- Hee thought it inough to do it once, but every ones minde is not alike.
- Hee that was the owner of it, gained much honour by it.
- You ought to have done it very oft.
- Hee did owne one of them on the firſt day, but not on the ſecond.
- Pare the aple, but not the peare.
- The woman that went upon her patens, had very good paterns.
- Such as are Patients, have much need of patience.
- The feathers of the pullen, were ready for pulling.
- The way is paſſable; and the thing is poſſible.
- Hee had more pens to write withal, than hee had pence in his purſe.
- In taking away the beans and peaſe, hee diſturbed the peace.
- Hee layd a plot, how to take away his plat of ground.
- The principal man of al others, taught the firſt principle.
- Forget not to powre out thy drink to the thirſty, and to relieve the poore.
- A Prince is to bee honoured. The prints may eaſily bee ſeen.
- Kings and Princes. A Princeſ, the daughter of a King. (Princeſſe)
- 15Hee removed out of his place, that the plaiſe might bee dreſt for ſupper.
- The time was paſt, before the paſte could bee made.
- Before hee came into his preſence, hee ſent him many preſents.
- Hee ſold that for a good price, which hee had taken before as a priſe.
- Hee had many puls at the bel-rope. Let mee feel your pulſe.
- Writen both in verſe and proſe. A man ful of proweſ. (proweſſe)
- To pearce it with a ſword. The Peers of the Realm.
- Pontius Pilate. A skilful Pilot to guide a ſhip.
- They laid a plot for his life. A pleaſant plat of ground.
- A paraſite, is not altogether ſo bad as a paricide.
- The leaves of a poplar. A popular applauſe.
- In al his promiſes, hee had no reſpect to the premiſes.
- Some folks are hard to pleaſe. Plays are out of requeſt.
- The heads upon the Bridge are ſet upon poles. Pauls ſteeple.
- Some when they have playd al day, wil plead for themſelves.
- To truſt in a broken reed. To reade and write.
- Hee wrought hard when hee wrote his copie, but hee learned his leſſon by rote.
- To raſe the wals. To raiſe the ſiege.
- A barbers raſour. A raiſer of ſedition.
- A mouſe and a rat. The ſheep die of the rot.
- A man that is real in his word. It is worth a ryal. The bloud-royal.
- A child reverent to his Parents. A reverend or grave man.
- Hee was wroth, becauſe ſhee was ful of wrath, ſo rathe.
- When they had fill'd their ſives, with onions and cives.
- They whetted their ſithes: and beeing ful of grief, they fetcht many ſighes.
- It belonged to his ſcience, to have knowledg in grafs and ſcions.
- I lent him my ſignet, when I gave him the cygnet.
- Cypreſ-trees. (Cypreſſe) Cipers hatbands. To ſtand for ciphers.
- Go to ſirra, Sir John wil talk with you, when you come into Surrey.
- When you ſowe your ſeed, drive out the ſow and her pigs.
- When the ſower went to ſowe his ſeed, I gave him a bunch of ſowre grapes.
- When the ſows had pigs, al the ſowſe was eaten.
- Their ſores were al healed. A ſourſe.
- 16Hee put eight ſleaves of ſilk, into his wide ſleeves.
- Shee ſeeth that the pot is ready to ſeethe.
- To ſay wel and do wel. The Sea is never quiet.
- A woman is the weaker ſex. There are ſeveral ſects.
- When the ſteed is ſtoln, he wil ſtand you in no ſtead.
- At his work hee is very ſlowe. Hee is faln into a ſlough.
- I gave unto the ſpies, great ſtore of ſpice.
- They ſawed them with ſaws. The Cook made good ſauſe.
- The ſenſe of the words muſt bee underſtood. Sweet ſents.
- The Seas are dangerous. When wil you ceaſe talking?
- Seizing upon his goods. Ceaſing from ſtrife.
- Why do you wear out your ſhoos, to ſee the ſhewes?
- Have no ſociety with him. The ſatietie of the rich hurteth them.
- When they gathered ſloes, they fel into the ſloughs.
- Sir John ſent for the Surgeon. (Chirurgion)
- His daughter Cicelie, went into the Countrey of Sicilie: and afterwards ſhe journeyed from Cilicia, into Sileſia.
- Al the ſheep were caried into the ſhip.
- Hee hath bin very ſory for his ſins, ever ſince.
- Counted by tens. Mood and tenſe. To dwel in tents. To pay the tenths.
- The fire-ſhovel and the tongs. Wee do often offend with our tongues.
- A trough for cattel to drink in. A trophie, as a token of victory.
- The firſt tome of a book. An epitaph upon a tombe.
- To bee toſt up and down. Make a toaſt for the ale.
- When thy thigh is out of joynt, ſend for the Surgeon.
- The ſcholar had more skil in a trope, than in a troop. (troup)
- Thou deſireſt to do it, though it bee to thy hinderance.
- The volley of ſhot, which they gave in the valley, was of litle value.
- When ſhee was in the vale, ſhee put a vail over her face.
- In al the long vacation, hee followed his vocation.
- The verges or brims of things. The verjuice and the vineger.
- His vitals began to fail for want of victuals.
- The wilde-man, was able to wield a great ſword.
- The dog was weary, when hee did wory the ſheep.
- Whether of theſe two wil yee have? Whither wil yee go?
- 17By their ſubtil wiles, they drew them into the wildes.
- They took away the fiſher-mens weels, againſt their wils.
- The wines were al caſt away, by reaſon of the windes.
- The wick of a candle. The days in a week.
- Thou waſt unwiſe to make ſo much waſte.
- Hee did a wicked deed, in opening the wicket.
- Hee did wreſt his wriſt.
- The man that was in the wood, was almoſt woode.
- I wiſt not that he was there, but I wiſht that he might bee there.
Examples of ſome words, wherein one ſound is expreſt diverſe ways in writing.
Sea-ted, con-cei-ted, cea-ſing, ſei-zing, ſe-rious, Sce-va, ce-dar, Manaſ-ſeh Phari-ſee, Wool -〈◊〉ſche-dule.
See-ded, ſuc-cee-ded, ſie-ſings, over-ſe-ers, pur-ſey or fat men, mer-cie, (or mer-cy)
Si-niſter, ſy-nagogue, Sci-pio, Scy-thian, Cy-prian, ci-vil, Ce-cil, Se-vern, pur-ſui-vant.
Si-lence, ci-ted, quick-ſigh-ted, ſig-ning, ſci-ence, ſy-ren, Cy-rene, ſa-ti-ety.
Theſe ſyllables aforegoing, may ſuffice, to give a taſte, of al the others in this kinde.
Some ſpecial obſervations, very needful to bee known, for the help of True-writing.
TAke heed that you never put a double conſonant with an e, in the end of any word: for there is no neceſſitie thereof. And the rather wee may be the bolder ſo to do, becauſe the Learned, both in Printing and Writing, do dayly practiſe it. Therefore, you muſt not write ſuch words as theſe, thus, ladde, bedde, lidde, rodde, budde, but thus, lad, bed, lid, rod, bud: and in like manner, you are to write al other words which end18 with any other conſonant: as al, hal, bal, wal, gal, cal, ſtal: only for your ſatisfaction heerin, you are to know, that whenſoever a cometh before l, in the end of any word, it muſt bee pronounc't like au: and then, what need wil there be of a double l, in the word cal, when it ſignifieth as a verb, to cal, more than there is in caul, the ſubſtantive, when it ſignifieth a caul or tire to wear upon the head? Beſides, foraſmuch as wee uſe to write the word al, with a ſingle l, in al-moſt, and al-together, by the ſame reaſon, wee may aſwel write al with a ſingle l, when it is a ſimple word, as when it is compounded. Only in ſuch words, as end with f, or ſ, they are commonly writen, with a double f and an e, and with a double ſ and an e, as in chaffe and braſſe: yet I ſee no reaſon, why cuſtom ſhould bee offended, if the two words aforegoing were writen thus, chaf and braſ; & ſo, al other words of this kinde: but I ſubmit my ſelf to the judgment of the Learned: and therefore, howſoever I have practiſed the ſame, in the Work aforegoing, yet I have withal, ſet do•n each word, as it is the other way writen, that ſo both ways may bee known.
Howſoever (as I ſaid before) there is no neceſ•…y, why a double conſonant with an e, ſhould bee put in the end of a word, yet for ſome Proper names, there is an exception, as in theſe two, Anne and Emme; but though they are ſo writen, they muſt bee pronounc't like An and Em.
But I muſt not heer forget to tel you, that the obſervations aforegoing, which were for the writing of a ſingle conſonant alwayes, in the end of a word, are meant onely of ſuch conſonants, whoſe forces are certainly known, and not of ſuch as are not: for there are ſome, whoſe forces are very uncertain, as g in tar-get, hath a different force from g, in the laſt ſyllable of gor-get: and therefore our cuſtom is, that whenſoever the force which g hath in the laſt ſyllable of gor-get, doth come in the end of any word, with a ſhort vowel before it, it is expreſt by dge, as in badge, ledge, ridge, lodge, judge: and not thus, bag, leg, rig, log, jug: for, the force which g hath in the laſt ſyllable of gor-get, is not expreſt in the latter words, but it is according to the force of g in tar-get. And therefore I wiſh, that every one would take ſpecial notice heerof, that they may ſee how needful it is, to have all the letters ſo diſtinguiſht, as that their ſounds and forces, might bee certainly known, the one from the other: for, then ſuch words as theſe, which were mentioned before, bag, leg, rig, log, jug, (if cuſtom would allow it) might be pronounc't, as if they were writen thus, badge, ledge, ridge, lodge, judge: but as for things of this kinde, I have ſpoken at large, in another Work, which I intend yer long to publiſh. As I have ſhewed before, how uncertain the force of g is in many19 words, ſo alſo, I muſt ſpeak ſomething concerning the force of c, though it bee not altogether ſo uncertain as the other: for, c is always known to have the force of ſ, before e and i, and might wel bee ſo call'd, if it were diſtinguiſht accordingly; but c before any other letters, muſt bee pronounc't like k, and ought ſo to bee call'd: for, what difference is there between the force of c, in theſe Latine words, lac, nec, ſic, hoc, huc, and the force of ck, in theſe Engliſh words, lack, neck, ſick, lock, buck? yet you are to know, that our cuſtom is always to write ck, in the end of a word, whenſoever it cometh after a ſhort vowel; (as in the words before) except it bee after the vowel oo when it is ſhort, as in cook, hook, book, and the like. And now foraſmuch as the force of c and k, is al-one, and yet our cuſtom is to write them both, as in lack, neck, &c. it may be demanded, which might beſt bee ſpared? To this I anſwer, that in regard of the force, which is proper to either of them, the one might be as well ſpared as the other; for, we might aſwel write lac as lak, and hac as hak; yet of the two it were better, to write lak than lac, and hak than bac, becauſe the force of k, is better known than c: but foraſmuch as cuſtom wil allow neither, we muſt (for the preſent) write both, as in lack, deck, lick, lock, luck: and ſo al others of this kinde.
And foraſmuch as it is our cuſtom, to expreſ the force of k, after a ſhort vowel by ck, I may fitly take occaſion heerby, to ſhew when que ought to bee writen, to expreſ (expreſſe) the force of k, in the end of a word, and the rather, becauſe it is ſo frequently uſed; as in Logique, Rhetorique, Arithmetique, publique, Catholique, and the like: where there is no reaſon, why it ſhould bee writen in any of them, as alſo in many others: The beſt help to know, how to write ſuch words, is to know thoſe words which are derived of them, for if we write Logician, Rhetorician, Arithmetician, publication, &c. by the ſame reaſon, wee ought to write Logick, Rhetorick, Arithmetick, publick; and not Logique, Rhetorique, &c. But in ſome words we muſt write que for k, as in relique, oblique, traffique.
You ought to obſerve alſo, that ch hath two ſeveral forces belonging thereto, the one properly belongs to Engliſh words, and the other to Hebrew and Greek: or to ſuch Engliſh words as are borowed from thence. The force which ch hath in Engliſh words, is expreſt in the beginning of theſe words, namely, in charge, cheſt, chip, chop, chalk, choak, choſe, chooſe, churn. But when the force which ch hath, in the words aforegoing, dooth come in the end of a word, after a ſhort vowel, it is expreſt by tch: as in theſe examples, namely, in catch, fetch, ditch, botch, hutch. Theſe words onely are excepted, namely, rich, which, ſuch, much:20 and alſo the word touch, which is to bee pronounc't ſhort like tuch.
The force which ch hath in Hebrew and Greek words, or in ſuch Engliſh words, as are borowed from thence, are expreſt in theſe examples, namely, in Cha-os, Che-dor-la-o-mer, Al-chy-miſt, choler, cholerick, ſchool, ſcholars, character, Chriſt, Chriſtian, Chro-ni-cle, eccho, Eunuch, (which is pronounc't by many like Evnuke:) Shadrach, Lamech, Enoch, Ach-ſah, me-cha-ni-cal, Mo-narch, Mo-nar-chie, ſe-pul-chre, or ſe-pul-cher, Arch-angel, Mel-chi-ſe-de•h: Yea, whereſoever ch is writen, in the names either of men, women, or places, thorowout the Old or New Teſtament, it muſt always bee pronounc't like k: as alſo, in al other words whatſoever, which are borowed, either from the Hebrew or Greek: a fewe onely excepted, which cuſtom hath exempted; as namely, Ra-chel in the Old Teſtament, where the laſt ſyllable thereof is pronounc't like the laſt ſyllable in ſa-chel: but I rather think, if the pronunciation thereof muſt not bee according to the other words, it ought to bee pronounc't thus, Ra•hel. The word Che-ru-bin is alſo excepted. And in the New Teſtament Ty-chi-cus: and no more do I remember. Likewiſe ch in Architect, muſt not bee pronounc't like k: nor in any word beginning with arch, as Arch-duke, arch-enemy, and the like: Arch-angel (as I have ſhewed before) is onely excepted.
It is alſo needleſ, (needleſſe) to put a double conſonant in the midle of ſuch words as theſe, namely, in ſaddle, meddle, fiddle, cobble, bubble: but rather write them thus, ſadle, medle, fidle, coble, buble: for what uſe is there of a double b, in bubble, more than there is in double and trouble?
I give you farther to underſtand, that if the vowels were ſo diſtinguiſht one from another, as that their ſounds might bee certainly known, when they are long, and when they are ſhort, there is no neceſſitie that any word whatſoever, ſhould have a double conſonant, either in the midle, or any part of it, unleſ it bee to ſhewe the Etymologie thereof: and this may plainly appeare, even by our own practice, in the writing of many Engliſh words: as for example, what uſe is there of a double: in dittie, more than there is in Citie; or of a double d in ruddy, more than in ſtudie; or of a double d in ſodden, more than there is in troden? But foraſmuch as our vowels are not ſo diſtinguiſht, as to know when they are long and when they are ſhort, wee are inforc't to uſe a double conſonant, where a ſingle might ſerve: as for example, theſe two words, fill'd and fil'd, as they are expreſt in fill'd up to the brim, and fil'd with a file, they might either of them, bee writen with a ſingle l, if their vowels were ſo diſtinguiſht, that the long vowel in the one word, might bee known from the ſhort vowel in the other: as alſo, theſe two words,21 pinn'd and pin'd, might either of them bee writen with a ſingle n, if there were the like diſtinction. Multitudes of examples might bee given in this kinde, but theſe may ſuffice.
But although the ſounds of our vowels, are not ſo diſtinguiſht one from another, as they ſhould bee, yet I ſee no reaſon, why a double l, ſhould bee writen, in any derivative word, where the vowel in the ſimple word, is known by cuſtom, to bee long of it ſelf, as for example, in theſe three ſimple words, namely, cal, wal, fal, where the vowel a is wel known to have the ſound of au: and therefore, why may not theſe three derivatives, ca-ling, wa-ling, and fa-ling, bee ſo writen; foraſmuch as their ſyllables are to bee pronounc't, like cau-ling, wau-ling, and fau-ling? Again, foraſmuch as the ſound of o, is wel known to bee long before I, in the end of many ſimple words, as in roll, poll, toll, which may as wel bee writen thus, rol, pol, tol, why may not their derivatives bee writen thus, ro-ling, to-ling, po-ling? But heerin, (as in other things before) I ſubmit my ſelf to the judgement of the Learned.
You are to know alſo, that whenſoever e cometh in the end of any Engliſh word whatſoever, except the article the, it hath no uſe for ſound of it ſelf; and therefore might bee altogether left out, if wee had long vowels to expreſ our words withal: but foraſmuch as this is wanting, wee are inforc't to make uſe of e in the end of a word, to ſhewe thereby, the vowel going before to bee long: as in theſe words, vale, male, mane, mare; to diſtinguiſh them from val, mal, man, mar: as alſo in theſe words, wine and wile, to diſtinguiſh them from win and wil; whoſe vowels are ſhort. But it were to bee wiſht, that the vowels might bee ſo diſtinguiſht, as that their ſounds might bee certainly known, to bee long of themſelves, without any other help. And ſurely, in ſome caſes, there is an abſolute neceſſitie for the doing of it; if wee deſire that there ſhould bee any certaintie in the pronouncing of our words ▪ an example thereof, you may ſee in theſe two words, win-der, and wil-der, where the firſt ſyllable in either of them muſt bee pronounc't long, as in wine, and wile: The neglect of diſtinguiſhing the long vowels from the ſhort, is the cauſe, why many words are pronounc't two ſeveral ways: for ſome men cal the winde, the wind; and ſo accordingly, they miſpronounce the derivatives of the ſame word. Again, in the word wil-der, the firſt ſyllable thereof, muſt bee pronounc't like the word wile, but in the word wil-der-neſ, it muſt bee pronounc't like wil. What great uncertaintie is this for the learner! And how great a benefit might the whole Nation receive thereby, if theſe things were amended! I wiſh therefore, that al ſuch as love Learning, would take this into their ſerious conſideration.
22Thus much have I thought good to ſpeak, by way of digreſſion. And now I return again to my former diſcourſe, concerning the uſe of e in the end of a word, which (as I ſaid before) is onely uſeful, to ſhewe the vowel to be long which went before: and therefore, in al ſuch words, where the vowel or the diphthong, that went before, is wel known to bee long of it ſelf, what need wil there be of an e, in the end thereof? As for example, in theſe words, lead, laud, ſeed, fool, pail, void, cloud, and the like, the vowels and diphthongs, are ſo wel known to bee long, of themſelves, as that there needs no e in the end, to make them known. Nevertheleſ, you are to obſerve, that there are many words, wherein ſuch vowels are, which are commonly known to bee long in the moſt words, and yet in ſome, they are to bee pronounc't ſhort, as in theſe words, head, read, ſtead, hea-dy, rea-dy, ſtea-dy, and ſuch like: it is therefore (for the preſent) very meet, to put an e in the end of ſome ſuch words, as in reade, the preſent tenſe, to diſtinguiſh it from the ſhort ſound of read, the preterimperfect tenſe. Alſo, there is no need of an e, in the end of ſuch words, as harm, learn, corn, burn, part, hurt, hand, bound hang, thing, ſing, ſong, hung, and ſuch like: You are therefore to bee careful, that you never put an e, in the end of any ſuch words as theſe aforegoing, but ſpecially, in the latter words, whereof the word ſing, is one, for, if you ſhould put an e, to the end of it, it would alter the ſenſe thereof, and make it in ſtead of ſing, to become ſinge. Alſo, it is to bee obſerved, that where it is not needful to uſe e, in the end of the ſingular number, it ſhall not bee needful, to uſe e in the plural, and therefore the plurals are to bee writen thus, ſeeds, fools, pails, clouds, harms, parts, bands, bands, bounds, things, ſongs, rings, ſtrings, ſwings: but not thus, ſeedes, fooles, pailes, cloudes, harmes, partes, handes, bandes, boundes, thinges, &c. In ſuch words as theſe aforegoing, cuſtom hath already given way, for the leaving out of e in the end, and therefore wee may boldly practiſe it. But there are diverſe words, which as yet would ſeem ſtrange, and therefore, for cuſtoms ſake wee uſe it, although there bee no more neceſſity, for the uſing of it in theſe words, than was in the former: as in fee-ble, ſtee-ple, nee-dle, tem-ple, peo-ple, and ſuch like. And heer it may bee obſerved, from ſuch ſyllables as theſe aforegoing, that ſome kinde of ſyllables, may bee expreſt without a vowel: for, what uſe hath e for ſound in the laſt ſyllable of the word fee-ble? And therefore, if cuſtom would give way thereto, ſuch words, might rather bee writen thus, fee-ble, ſtee-pl, nee-dl, tem-pl, peo-pl. And heer by the way, wee may take it into conſideration, whether o in peo-ple, were not better to bee left out, and the word to bee writen thus, pee-ple.
23There bee alſo, many other words, wherein e might very wel bee ſpared, as in give, live, ſive, and the like; for, the vowel which went before in either of them is ſhort, and therefore needs no e in the end, to ſhewe it to bee long: ſuch words therefore might bee writen thus, giv, liv, ſiv. As alſo, ſuch words as theſe, mouſe, houſe, and the like, foraſmuch as the diphthong going before, in either of them, is wel known to bee long of it ſelf, what need is there of an e in the end, to make it known? The words therefore, they might bee writen thus, mouſ, houſ, and ſo, al other words of this kinde. But I leave theſe things to the conſideration of the Learned.
You ought alſo to obſerve, that it is not needful to write e after y, in the end of any word: becauſe y, wil ſerve ſufficiently of it ſelf, to expreſ the ſound of ie in the end of a word, as y in cry, is wel known to expreſ the like ſound as ie doth in crie: and therefore we ought not to write crye, trye, &c.
It is alſo very needful, for the help of True-writing, that you diligently obſerve, when you are to write y, for i the vowel: underſtand therefore in the firſt place, that it ought moſt naturally, and truly to bee writen, in al ſuch words as are borowed of the Greek, as Synagogue, Phyſician, hypocrite, myſtery, and ſuch like. But foraſmuch as cuſtom hath received it, and withal the Learned do ſo frequently practiſe it, I ſee no reaſon, why wee may not uſe it for a vowel, as formerly we have done: for, in many words (according to our cuſtom in writing) it is, as if it were naturalliz'd, as in my, by, thy, why: for theſe words are always ſo writen: but in many other words, they are differently writen: as for example, ſome write thus, die, tie, lie, ſtie, crie, ſpie: and ſome write thus, dy, ty, ly, ſty, cry, ſpy: for mine owne part, I think, that both theſe ways of writing, may ſtil bee reteined: yet ſo, as that the firſt ſort may bee conſtantly uſed for nouns, and the laſt for verbs, for in ſo doing, by adding s, to the firſt ſort, they wil become nouns of the plural number: as die dies, tie ties, lie lies, ſtie ſties, crie cries, ſpie ſpies: and by adding ing, to the laſt ſort, which are verbs, they wil become participles: as dy dy-ing, ty ty-ing, ly ly-ing, ſty ſty-ing, cry cry-ing, ſpy ſpy-ing. As for y, which is uſed for a vowel, in the diphthong ay, foraſmuch as it is ſo conſtantly uſed, in the end of a word, as in may, lay, ſay, day, way, pay: it may therefore, be conſtantly uſed, both in nouns and verbs: and not onely, in the ſingular number of a noun, but alſo in the plural, as day days, way ways, ſtay ſtays: and it is not onely to bee uſed before ing, as in ſtay-ing, but alſo before eth as in ſtayeth, and before ed as in ſtayed: and ſo in al other words, which have the like endings.
24It is our cuſtom in writing, to uſe y for i, in multitudes of words: yea I think, that there is ſcarcely any word (not beeing a ſubſtantive) that, ends in i, but may (according to our cuſtom) bee writen with y: as tary, cary, very, weary, heady, ready, fully, happy, truſty, luſty: and what not?
It is very meet therefore, that any word, which is a ſubſtantive, ſhould never end in y, but always in ie, as Citie, dittie, treatie, bellie: and ſo al others, ſave onely in ſome words, where l and n went before: as in alley, valley, journey, Atturney, and the like. Any of theſe words aforegoing, by putting s to the end, wil make nouns of the plural number, as Citie Cities, dittie ditties, treatie treaties, bellie bellies, alley alleys, valley valleys, journey journeys, Atturney Atturneys: and ſo in al others whatſoever, of either kinde.
Thus much may ſuffice to have ſpoken, concerning y, when it is to bee uſed for a vowel in the end of a word: and now it wil bee expected, that I ſhould ſhewe alſo when it ought to bee writen, both in the beginning and the midle of a word: I deſire therefore, that I may give ſatisfaction heerin: for I am not ignorant, that ſome are very much affected, with the writing of y, for i, in the beginning of ſome words, as in yron, ydel, ynow, ynough, ynke, ynck, ynckling, with diverſe others: but the words aforegoing, ought to bee writen thus, iron, idol, inow, inough, ink, inch, inkling: and heer withal I give you to underſtand, that it is not needful, to put y for i, in the beginning of any Engliſh whatſoever; except it bee in ſuch a word, that is borowed from the Hebrew, or Greek, which for the preſent, I know none.
Some doe alſo uſe y for i, in the midle of many words, as in gyant, ſythe, tythe, hyde, tyde: which ought to be writen thus, giant, ſithe, tithe, hide, tide: and heer alſo, you are to take notice, that it is not needful to put y for i, in the midſt of any Engliſh word whatſoever: except it bee in ſuch a word, that is borowed from the Greek: as I have ſhewed before, in the beginning of this diſcourſe, concerning y.
It is alſo very needful to know, how words are to bee writen, when they end with the ſound of a diphthong: you are to obſerve therefore, that al words which end with the ſound of eu, are writen with ew: as few, hew, dew: and they are expreſt alſo in theſe three words, few-er, hew-er, dew-lap. Such words as end with the ſound of oi, are writen with oy, as boy, joy, coy, toy, and ſuch like.
Such words as end with the ſound of ou, are writen with ow, as how, now, cow, ſow, bow, vow; and ſuch like. The pronoun thou, is onely excepted; and ſuch words as end in ough (where gh is not pronounc't) as bough, ſlough, and ſuch like.
25Two of the words aforegoing, namely, ſow and bow, are differently pronounc't, as in theſe examples, A ſow and her pigs. To ſow the ſeed. To bow the knee. A bow to ſhoot withal.
The ſounds of al ſuch words, as theſe aforegoing, which are ſo uncertain, they might (for the preſent) bee ſo diſtinguiſht, as to make them better known than now they are: that is, by putting an e in the end of one of them: as in theſe examples, The ſow cannot ſowe. Hee cannot bow the bowe.
But there are many words which (for the preſent) cannot bee ſo diſtinguiſht, as to make them known the one from the other, as in theſe examples, Hee did uſe it for a good uſe. Hee did excuſe himſelf with a bad excuſe. Hee did offer mee a great abuſe, to abuſe mee ſo.
Alſo, there are many words writen alike, without any diſtinction, which differ onely in the accent, that is, in the lifting up of the voice in one ſyllable higher than in another, as in theſe examples, A convert. To convert. A rebel. To rebel. The incenſe. To incenſe. Wherein you may obſerve, that any word writen alike, conſiſting of two ſyllables, which may have a or the, put before it, the firſt ſyllable thereof, is to be lifted up: and that which cannot, the latter ſyllable thereof is to be lifted up. As alſo, the like may bee obſerved, for any other words of two ſyllables, which are not alike in writing.
Some words there be, which are alike, both in their writing and ſound, and yet differ in their ſignification: as in theſe examples, The water in the wel, wil make him wel. The bel-weather, was in the fields with the ſheep, in foul weather.
There bee ſome words, diverſly writen and ſounded, in the ſame ſenſe, as in theſe examples, namely, enquire and inquire, enform and inform, encline and incline, endite and indite, &c. It were to be wiſht, that there were a greater uniformitie, both in our ſpeaking and writing, not onely in words of this kinde, but alſo in many others. But it may bee demanded of mee, for ſuch words as theſe aforegoing. Which is the beſt way for the true pronouncing and writing of them? To this I anſwer. That if any derivative words bee commonly writen and pronounc't with i in the beginning, wee may conclude from thence, that their primitives ought to bee ſo pronounc't and writen alſo. But theſe two words, inquiſition and inclination, bee always both writen and pronounc't with i, by the ſame reaſon, wee ought to pronounce and write, inquire and incline, and not enquire and encline. The like may bee ſaid for al other words of this kinde: and therefore in ſtead of en, wee ought always to write in.
26You ought to obſerve alſo, that al words of more than one ſyllable, ending in this ſound us, (according to our cuſtom) they are writen with ous, but pronounc't like us, as in glo-ri-ous, ver-tu-ous, righ-te-ous, and the like. But if ly or neſ, bee added to ſuch words, the ſound of us, is writen with ouſ, as in glori-ouſ-ly, ver-tu-ouſ-ly, righ-te-ouſ-neſ. &c. But al words of one ſyllable, that end in us, are writen thus, us, thus, and truſ. (or truſſe)
In ſome words before ſome letters, you are to obſerve that a, is to bee pronounc't like au, and to be writen in ſtead thereof, as in theſe words, namely, in bald, ſcald; as alſo, in mult, halt, ſalt, ſhalt.
Alſo, you are to obſerve, that it is our cuſtom, to pronounce al, like au, and to write it in ſtead thereof: as in balk, walk, talk, ſtalk, chalk, malkin, calkin, calkers, falcons; as alſo, in almond, alms, halm, balm, palm, calm, ſhalm, pſalm, malmſey: and in like maner, it is uſed in theſe words, namely, in calf, half, ſalve, ſalves, calve, calves, halve, halves: as alſo in ſcalp, ſcalps. And as al, is writen for au in the roots, ſo it is to bee in the branches, and alſo, to bee pronounc't accordingly, as in halving, calving, ſalving, balking, walking, &c.
You muſt obſerve alſo, that the ſound of ee, before ſome letters, is expreſt by ie, as in field, wield, ſhield, ſiel'd, Prieſt, piece, grief, grieve, thief, thieve, chief, atchieve, brief, relieve, relief, ſiege, liege, Pierce, fierce, biere, Lieutenant, which is to be pronounc't like Lief-tenant.
It is to bee obſerved alſo, that when a word ends in ence, if it bee a noun, it is uſually writen with ce in the end, as a fence, and a recompence: but if it bee a verb, it is writen with ſe in the end, as to fenſe, and to recompenſe: and in words of other endings accordingly; as a practice, to practiſe, and the like.
Take notice alſo, that al compound words, wherein ſh, th, or ph, is writen, they ought to bee divided thus, as houſ-hold, falſ-hood, goſ-hawk, graſ-hopper, diſ-honeſt, diſ-honour, miſ-hap: and not thus, houſhold, falſhood, &c. So likewiſe, Prieſt-hood, Neat-herd, and not Prieſthood, Neatherd: Alſo, Shep-herd, up-hold, Ʋp-holſter, and not Shepherd, uphold, Ʋpholſter.
This one thing alſo, (both for the True-pronouncing, and Writing of Engliſh) in a ſpecial maner ought to bee obſerved, namely, that moſt of our Engliſh words (as they are commonly pronounc't) are monoſyllables: for, howſoever wee uſe to Write thus, leadeth it, maketh it, noteth it, raketh it, per-fumeth it, &c. Yet in our ordinary ſpeech (which is beſt to bee underſtood) wee ſay, leads it, makes it, notes it, rakes it, perfumes it. Yea, cuſtom hath ſo far prevailed in this kinde, not onely, with the Learned in their Writings, but alſo, with the Preſ: (Preſſe) as it may moſt plainly appear, by many wel-Printed Books, now extant. 27Therefore, whenſoever eth, cometh in the end of any word, wee may pronounce it ſometimes as s, & ſometimes like z, as in theſe words, namely, in bolteth it, and holdeth it, which are commonly pronounc't, as if they were writen thus, bolts it, and holds it: ſave onely in ſuch words, where either c, ſ, ſh, ch, g, or x went before it: as in graceth, pleaſeth, waſheth, matcheth, rageth, taxeth: for, theſe muſt ſtill remaine as two ſyllables. Howbeit, if men did take notice, how they uſe to ſpeak, in their ordinary ſpeech one to another, they might plainly perceive, that in ſtead of graceth, they ſay graces, and ſo they pronounce al other words of this kinde, accordingly: But I leave this, as alſo, many other things to the conſideration of ſuch, as are judicious: hoping that they wil take in good part, whatſoever hath bin done, in the Work aforegoing: that ſo, I may bee incouraged yer long, to publiſh a far greater, wherein ſuch things as have bin heer omitted, ſhal bee ſpoken of at large. In the mean time (for a concluſion) I have thought it good, to give a taſte thereof, in the ſyllables and words following; wherein are expreſt the true ſounds of al the vowels and diphthongs, which are proper to the Engliſh-tongue.
| The true ſounds of al the ſhort and long vowels, are expreſt in theſe examples. | The true ſounds of al the diphthongs, are expreſt in theſe examples. |
| ad lad — ade lade. | ai day. |
| ed led — ead lead. | eu dew. |
| id rid — eed reed. ide ride. | oi coy. |
| od lod — aud laud. oad load. | oi coi — ners. |
| ud gud ude gude. | ou cow. |
| ood good — ood food. |