Bellum grammaticale a discourse of great warand dissention betwene two worthy princes, the noune and the uerbe, contending for the chefe place or dignitie in oration : very pleasant & profitable / turned into English by W.H.

¶ The discourse of the Grammer warre : betweene two Kings , the Noune , and the Verbe , contending for the chiefe place in Oration , wherin thou shalt sée the Verbe to preuayle .

THere is none so simple in iudgement , that doubteth the soyle of the Grammer to be the fairest & happiest of all the renoumed parts & prouinces of the world , aswell for the pleasantnesse of the place wherein it is situate , being in good and holsesome ayre , and aboundaunt in all fruites and other good things , withoute which this mortall lyfe may not easilye be passed : As also for that shée hath alwayes and euer , béene the Nourse and bringer vp of all people of renoune . For euen as in this age , euen so long tyme heretofore , the custome and maner euer was in all landes and countries ( except among the rude and barbarous nacions ) where anye were espied of prone and readie nature , bent towarde forwarde wit , they were sent thither to be taught and instructed , and perfitly to learne the most holy and learned sciences : For by this onely way and passage is the entrie and accesse to the highest countries , and noble houses , as Dialectice ( that is Rethorike ) Philosophie , that is learned wisdome , & Theologie , that is the most high and excellent knowledge in diuinitie . In so much that vnlesse they enter thorowe the Prouince of Grammer , no soule were able to attaine to the worthy secreats of the other prouinces . And albeit that the same Regions abounde in all pleasure , yet not withstanding , it is so enuironed about with high mountaines , and such sharpe rockes , right difficile and harde to be got vp vppon , that hardlye without a good guide , any maye euer attaine to the plaine and pleasant path of them . And therfore bicause mankinde shoulde not be restrayned from so necessarie a benefite , the good and laudable custome euer was , and yet reasteth to the kings of the saide lande , to sende abrode through euery part of the vniuersall worlde , some of their expert knights and worthy Capitaines of olde bandes , properly called Pedagoges & Schole masters , that they might ayde others , and surelye conducte them of tender age to the princelye pallaces of the saide kings , ( as for the mightie , and suche as nowe drawe towarde age , hardely suffer to bée taught of anye , ) to the ende that the youth there being taught in the sciences of the Gréeke and Latine Minerue , might the easlier and more lightly ascende and go ouer the foresaide countries . There haue all learned Grekes and Latins made their apprentishode , who by their worthy writings , or by the act of others , are immortalised with renoumed fame . Being there thus well taught and learned , they haue afterwarde so florishinglye liued through the high praise of their illustrious and splendant actes , that they liuing , were vnto all men in their time great setters forth of vertuous examples and after they were deade ( yet as aliue ) shewed to those that suruiued the as it were by poynting with their finger , the right path and readie way to attayned honorable life , & immortall fame ▪

But although that this lande of Grammer be none other but indeuidate and withoute partialitie , yet neuerthelesse there are two mightie kings , that there raigne and gouerne , that is to wéete , the Verbe and the Noune . The Verbe hath to name Amo , and the Noune Poeta . Who a verye long time raigned together in such concord and quietnesse , that to fourme Oration perfect , wherin the beautie of them both ( the highest place of the one , and the chiefest seate of the other ) dependeth no dissention , displeasure or contencion was euer hearde betwéene them : For in all their territorie there grew nothing more estemed , more worthie , or more sounde , than Oration , which being beautified with the most coulors of sundrye flowers , and decked with the most faire and fine figures , and with the most swéete & perfumed Buds of set Roses , was of such singular comlinesse and aucthoritie , that she not onelye drewe vnto her all mankinde ( when the same is right and aptly applied ) but may also withdrawe any of the Goddes which waye she will winde them . By reason whereof Euripides sayth . That which force coulde not gayne , that faire speache did soone attaine : Pirrhus also vsed sometime to saye , that Cyneas dyd winne more townes with his tongue and comelie speache , than he with hys warres . These two kings then being in such concorde , as all the affaires of Grammer were in good apparence and better estate , it happened that for a smal thing dissention sprang betwéene them , whereby vpon a verye sodaine , all was bewrapped in vprore and martiall dyspleasures : For what harme is that that wine & insaciate eating cause not ? That and so great amitie and vnion betwéene these two Princes was so ouerthrowne at one onely banquet , wherin they were both droncken : and ebrietie set them in so great ennimities one against another , that eyther of them , pricked forwarde with ambitious desire of regiment ( as wilde Buls slong of gadde flies ) almost vtterly euer turned their own realmes , and the noble empire of Grammer .

But nowe let vs shewe howe their debate happened , to the ende that euerye one may knowe , that there is no bande or knot of amitie so strong , that desire of superioritie may not breake . And therfore the olde Dennis vsed not causelesse to saye , that euen he that hath the Lordshippe in his lap , hath cause himselfe to feare , and to beware of friendes : seing that it is certaine , that euery man loueth rather to be serued , than to serue other .

As these two Kinges on a time were at a banquet , in the middest of the hoate Summer , neare to a pleasaunt & cleare spring , hauing the water bancke on the one side , and the other most pleasant and singulerly shadowed with the braunches of gréene Willowes & high Plane trées , after they had sufficiently banquetted , warmed with wine , and lightned wyth drincking , a question arose betwene them , to weete , whether of them two were greatest in aucthoritie & of most importance to performe Oration ? Then the Verbe minding to holde the worthiest place , was sharpelye withstoode of the Noune , affirming , that without him , Oration and speach might not be , & that through him altogither , the same is vnderstoode and of better grace . And what dost thou ( saide he ) without me in Oration ? if I withholde me a parte neuer so litle , the hearers vnderstande thée no more than one that were dombe & spake not . Gather awhile a small part of speach wythout me , and do that the hearers may vnderstande that which thou speakest . Doubtlesse if I be not there for an Interpreter , none maye so much as gesse the least thing of thy meaning , Moreouer thou shouldest note , that in so much as I am elder than thou , so much more am I approoued worthiest . Who is he that knoweth not the Noune , before the Verbe : Or who is he that is ignoraunt , how the beginning of the Noune is more auncient than the Verbe ? It is infallible , that God made all things , who if hée made all , made also the Verbe . Nowe God is a Noune and not a Verbe : wherfore nowe of consequence , by the Noune were all things made , yea , Oration it self was made of God , and so the Noune . As for thée , O thou Verbe ( that arte so proude ) thou hast thy calling of me : hast thou neuer red , that among the Sonnes of Women , is not a greater than Iohn Baptist ? this is Gods sentence , it is not lawfull to go against it . Wherefore if none be greater than Iohn , for that it is writen that his name is Iohn , and agayn that his name was Iohn , it is apparaunt to be seene , that there is not , neyther may any thing else , be greater than the Noune . I coulde alleage to this matter sixe hundreth places , whereby it is prooued clearer than the day , that as in worthinesse and antiquitie , euen so in autthoritie & chiefe place the Noune is preferred before the Verbe . Al which things I sette and leaue a part , to the ende that men thinke me not to precede the Verbe more thorow much babling , than of iust cause . O Poeta ( aunswered the Verbe ) I maruayled before nowe , why that Diuine Plato had expulsed thée out of hys common Weale : But nowe knowing how shamelesse and light thou art , so to intermixe the holy scripture among thy follies : I know well that the learned & wise Plato iudged rightlye of thée . For had not he exiled thée with manye other , forth of the reipublike that he ordayned , thou haddest by thy false ceremonies , fearefull Goddes , and other things corrupted the ciuile maners of his citizens . For what pernicious thing durst not thy great pride & arrogance , enterprise and attempt ? Yea seing that by thy deuised deceiptes , and false writhed witnesses , thorowe force writhed from holy scripture , thou laborest to cast me down from the dignitie of the chiefest place , which I haue long time in this lande possessed .

But certainly , for that it shall not séeme to thée , that thou alone arte learned , I will easlye alleage more manifest and plaine testimonies of the same holye scripture that maintaine mine aucthoritie , I wil set here for most the very beginning of that euangelicall Scripture , where it is thus saide . In the beginning was the worde , and the worde was with GOD , and God was the worde . Open thyne eares nowe , wherefore hidest thou thy face so ? God ( saide he ) was the worde , and moreouer , all things are made by him : And withoute him nothing was made . It is not therfore the Noune then that made all things , but the Verbe . Againe , god was a Verbe and not a Noune . Moreouer , by the Worde the Heauens were made firme and sure , and all their powers .

What wilt thou now say ? There is no meane to defend thée by holy allegations , but thou maist perceiue them to make for me , and not for thée . But let vs bend to those poyntes that aptliest tende to our cause : Tell me I praye thée , whence commeth to thée this folly and madnesse ? And whence hast thou so sodainly taken such stomacke and heart of grace , that thou darest vsurpe vpon thée the worthiest place in Oration ? Knowest thou not that all comelinesse , beautie and swéetnesse commeth of me alone ? and that the Noune is alwayes ruled of the Verbe , & not that the Verbe is ruled of the Noune . The comelye featnesse of the Verbe is that , that beautifieth and enricheth Oration : and if I gouerne thee not therein , thou shalt be halfe handed and of no force . Knowest thou howe to make a construction , wherin forthwith the chief place is not giuen me ? Beholde all men knowe , that I onely that holde the seigniorie ouer the Verbes , can without the aide of any other make perfect Oration . Wherefore then speakest thou so impertinentlye ? And ( as Horace sayeth ) why throwest thou so thy proude and disdainfull sixe cornered words ? who art thou ? what art thou ? of what force ? or howe great ? not of such aucthoritie as thou boastest of I am sure , that so goest puffed and swollen , that it is maruell thou burstest not in the middest . I am ( thou wilt say ) the King of the Nounes . But what is thy name ? thou wilt aunswere Poeta . And what is Poeta other then a pratler , a seller of gaudes , a deuiser of fables , a maister of mischiefe , a brabler , a Lyer , a dronckerd , & a foolish dolte , that coloreth that which is truth , and putteth forth falshoode , and such a one as by thy pratling , fillest and perturbest all the worlde . Which also by thy chat vsurpest so much aucthoritie among the common and simple sort , that thou darest striue for the dignitie against the renoumed stocke of the Verbes . Folishly do those fathers that giue thée their children to be taught of : for what is in thée whereby the youth maye be encited to grace and vertuous encoragement , but the Stewes of the adulterous Iupiter , the ielosie of Iuno , and the Whoordom of Venus , and of the Ruffian Mars , and such goodlye deuises imagined of thine owne brayne , that hauing droncke a little more than well , thou , as filled with a deuine ghost , and ouerladen with wine , madlike or diuelishly , darest mixe heauen with earth , & earth with heauen .

At these wordes Poeta the King , all fiered in Ire , not able to suffer the shame nor the iniurie that was sayde of hym , aunswered thus : O thou most mischeuous heade of man , darest thou speake so boldely such contentious things of vs ? And there withall caught a Cuppe in his hande , which had violentlye hit hym on the face , had not one of the standers by , ( holding him by the arme ) tourned the stroke a part . It is not to be doubted now , that in the rage wherein both partes were then , but that wordes were no blowes : but certaine of the elder sorte and wisest came vpon the same , and they bare away the sayde kings all droncken into their Pallaces : and on the morrow after that the friendes of the parties were assembled , there was great enquirie and disputation of the contention happened the day before . Then of the parte of the Nounes was sharpelye blamed , the open throate & vnbeséeming talke of the king of Verbes , & the most part of the Nounes , especially the yonger of them , maruellously muttered , saying that the tongue of King Amo ought to be tamed , and to giue him to vnderstande , that the mightie maiestie of the Nounes was neuer subiect to such reproch and contumely .

But although the Elders that were then there present , especially Terence , admonished them that nothing might bée vnaduisedly done , but that it was requisite rather first to take counsaile than weapon in that point , following the wiser sorte : yet not withstanding , all the Nounes with their King , were so fleshed to fight , that it was forthwith fully determined and accorded to offer battaile to the Verbes : And therevpon was sent forth a Trumpet to the King Amo , assuredly to denounce and indict open warre against him . On the Verbes parte was no wiser counsailes helde , for when all their nobilitie were come togither , ther was nothing else treated of among them , than to defend the dignitie of the Verbes in the lande of Grammer , and to depresse & throwe downe the pride of the Nounes . And behold , herevpon came the Harolde of the King Poeta , who diligentlye declared the charge of his errande . They aunswered , that with good will they receyued the defiaunce , and from thence forwarde all their mindes were bent wholy towarde martiall affaires . Afterwarde the King of Verbes sent trumpets and messengers to all nations and landes that were vnder his seigniorie , commaunding that all such as were able to beare weapon , shoulde be founde readie in good order at the day assigned .

First before all other came Quando the Duke of Aduerbes , with sixe of hys Capitaines , Vbi Quo Vnde Qua Quorsum and Quousque . Quorsum and Quousque were companied with their bands , and vnder the first Ensigne were these renoumed Champions . Hic Illic Isthic Intus Fores Ibi Ibidem Sicubi Alicubi Alias Alibi Vsque and Nusquam . Vnder the seconde , Huc Illuc Istuc Intro Foras Alio Nequo Aliquo Siquo Illo Eo and Eodem . Vnder the thirde , Hac Illac Istac Alia Nequa Illa and Eadem . Vnder the fourth , Horsum Illorsum Istorsum Introrsum Extrorsum Dextrorsum Sinistrorsum Aliorsum Aliquorsum and Deorsum . Vnder the fift , Hactenus , Hucusque , Eousque Vsquemodo and Vsque nunc . To the sixt bande the Capitaine himselfe bare the Ensigne , marching in the middest of his men , so that two of the saide bands were in the forewarde , and the other three at the taile .

Many other Aduerbes serued for forerunners , and these discouered the wayes and serued for Partisans , the rest couered the wings and kept that the bandes marched not out of aray . The names of them are Peregre Pone Super Supra Inter Infra Extra Citra and Vltra , with many other . After them came other Aduerbes great of quality , quantity & number , among whom were those hideous swering Aduerbes : as Aedipol Enimuero Ecastor Mediussidius & Profecto . Also the calling Aduerbes as Heus &c. the answerers as Hem. The laughers as , Ha Ha He. The denying Aduerbes , Minime & Nequaquam : which Nequaquam , albeit he were valiaunt & greatly trayned vp in the wars , was yet notwithstanding the most vntrue and deceiptfullest of them all , and woulde neuer say truth but thorow constraynt : The Gréekes called him Holophant , which is as much as altogither a denier , or deceitfull interpreter : Many mo things could I report of this Ruffler Nequaquam , that most daungerous and hurtfull beast , but bicause that the wordes at these dayes are not in common terme I willingly cease of them , beleuing doubtlesse that it is lost labour to warne the Shepe how he ought to kéepe him out of the wolfes daunger . Now these Aduerbes were armed with thrée kinde of armure , for they had kynde for a buckler , signification for an headpiece , and figure for a sword . Many other Aduerbes came to the ayde of their King as Indicatiues , Frequentatiues , Meditatiues , Diminutiues & Denominatiues , with their bands , which were not to be contempned . The mighty lord of Nounes animales ( being Nounes out of rule , that beare great sway and lordshippe in the borders of Grammer ) were not last and hindmost : doubtlesse worthie men of Warre , but yet not able to holde their araye : they are called , Sum Volo Fero and Edo . By reason whereof it was permitted them to pitch their tents in anye part of the Campe where they woulde , least they might raise vprore among the souldiers . The nation of the Verbes defectiues came also thither very braue , and in goodly order , Memini , Noui , Cepi and Odi : Also Vale Salue Aio Inquit Faxo Cedo , being all armed poynt deuice readie to ioyne battaile . After them folowed all the Verbes actiues , clothed in bone and brauery , with also the Neuters , with the Deponents , Commons & Impersonals : Al of them of sundry fourms and straunge languages , & were armed with Genders Tenses Moodes Kindes Persons and Numbers .

The King Amo after he had thus assembled his host , pitched his campe in the wide playnes of Coniunctions , in a place called Copula , & encamped his host there , neare to the host of Disiunctiues called Sine : And deuided his Hoast into foure coniugations , giuing to euerye of them a meete place ( except to certayne familiar Verbes who were encharged to beare the Baggage of the Infinitiues : Their names are , Incipit , Desinit , Debet , Vult , Potest , Iubet , Audet , Nititur , Tentat and Dignatur , with such lyke : this office was assigned them , for that they were willing therto , and had sturdie strength and abilitie . Last of all came certayne Verbes extract from high place , and of great dignitie , as Pluit Ningit Fulgurat Tonat Fulminat & Aducsperascit : bringing with them certayne bands of their most worthy Champions : But the Gerundes with the Supines , forsaking the Nounes , came and yelded to the Verbes .

When Poeta King of Nounes heard the great preparation of his aduersarie , fearing to be surprised with some sodayne alarum , if he abode the furie and force of his enimies without purueyaunce to defende him , commaunded all the Subiectes of his Realme , that in the spediest maner they might , they shoulde make themselues readie to be in the fielde armed , and so aptly equipped , as in best wise were possible for them . Then to the aide of the king of Nounes , first came the Dukes of the Pronounes , as the nearest kinsemen , who for the most parte were often times Princes Ego , Tu , Tui , being of the Bloode royall , & of the stock of the Arsacides , with whome were , Meus Tuus Suus Noster and Vester , Nostras and Vestras , Ille Ipse Iste Hic and Haec . Al the Pronounes were parted in manye fourmes , and vnder sundry Ensignes . Some were Primatiues , other Deriuatiues , some possessiues , and some gentils . After them came the right worthy Articles , who had a long time haunted the warres , of which the first was Hic Haec Hoc : The seconde Hic et Haec : the third Hic et hac et hoc , armed with Genders , Numbers , Figures , Persones , and Cases . After them came the graunde Capitaynes of Interrogatiues , Infinitiues , & Relatiues , Quia qui que quod vel quid : and these ioyned to the host . These were the generall referenders of all the land of the king of Nounes , with whome were all the Relatiues and demonstratiues , deuided into two bandes : that is to wéete , in Idenditie , and diuersitie . In the first were , Is Suus Ipse Ille Idem . In the seconde , Caeter Alius Reliquus and Alter . The Prince of the accidentall relatiues was Qualis , vnder whome fought Quantus quot quotuplex quatenus quotenus quotisuriam cuias & cuigena . The Quéene of the Prepositions called Ad , came thither also with Ab & In , the husbandes of Nounes Casuals , & they brought with them thrée Ensignes of worthy Amazones . Vnder the first were A ab abs cum coram clam de ê ex pro prae palam sine absque tenus , which serued to the Ablatiue Cases . Vnder the seconde were Ad apud ante aduersum aduersus cis citra circum circa contra erga extra inter intra infra iuxta ob pone per propter prope secundum post trans vltra praeter supra circiter vsque secus penes , all seruing to the accusatiue cases : But In sub supra and subter serued to both cases , to wéete , to the Ablatiues , aswell as to the Accusatiues . Vnder the third were , Di dis re se an con , whose office was to puruey potation for the souldiers , for it was then Lent . Who albeit they were by composition inseparable , least they should at any time be voyde of that was enioyned them , were yet so inconstant , that sundrye times they claue to the Nounes , & some while to the Verbes : and therefore they were accompted the common roges of the campe .

Nowe the Nounes thus deuided by bandes , marched in goodlye aray , that is to wéete , the Substantiues , likewise the Adiectiues , Nounes proper , appellatiues , and participles : After whome were the braue and rich comparatiues , superlatiues , possessiues , patronymiques , gentils , ( which were noble ) numerals , and multiplying , which gouerned the outwarde borders . Euery of them were deuided by fiue declinations , to wéete , by the first , the seconde , the thirde , the fourth and fift , and they were all armed wyth kindes , genders , number , figures and cases . All the sayde bandes reduced in one , Poeta the King of the Nounes , caried his host into the same playne of coniunctions , and pitched his campe on the other side of the saide riuer Sine : So that betwéene both the hostes was nothing but the Riuer : By reason whereof , sundrye times there happened sharpe skirmishes , betwéene those that went there to the water , notwithstanding yet without open battaile , for that had both the Kings forbidden , bicause all nedefull necessaries for the warres , were not yet very readie .

Nowe eyther of these Kings coueted to induce to his parte the Participle : a man doubtlesse of very great aucthoritie through all the lande of Grammer , yea , in puissance and dignitie , altogither next & nearest the King : who without doubt was able also to cause victorie to whether side he woulde winde him . By reason of this , aswell the Verbe as the Noune , left nothing vnassayed , eyther of them hoping to haue him on their side . Poeta the king of Nounes putting forth formost , wrote to him in this maner . I doubt not ( O my brother ) but that thou knowest with what pride and puffed stomacke Amo the King of the Verbes is risen against mée , and against the dignitie of Nounes , and by what lawe I minde to occupie the chiefest seates to construe oration : For which thing , seing that the same doth so much moue and displease me , I am forced to take armes and set souldiers in the fielde , that his pride being beaten doune , we maye keepe oure seigniorie in his right , vncorrupted . And sithens thou knowest howe much thou art bounden to the nation of the Nouns , and what great benefit thou hast receyued of vs , as genders and cases , numbers and figures : Thou shalt therefore doe a worke worthy of thy faithfulnesse and friendship , if with thy men of warre and thy souldiers , thou come to ioyne with vs to defende our common Titles , our common ritches , and common hope . For if the dignitie and lordship of Nounes be destroyed , thinke not thou to finde anie sure place in all the lande of Grammer , and so fare well : Beseching thée to set forward thy coming in the spediest wise thou mayest .

On the other side , Amo the King of Verbes wrote to the saide Participle in this wise . I know very well ( O deare brother ) howe thou art by our enimies verye instantly solicited to be on their part , to warre against vs : And albeit that we haue hope , that by thy singular wisedome thou wilt not doe any thing so rash or vnaduisedly , yet neuerthelesse it semeth good vnto vs , to admonish and aduertise thée , that thou consider in thy selfe , what commodities thou hast receyued of vs , and what increase of dignitie the Verbes haue made thée , in making thée partaker of their Tenses and significations , Numbers and figures . And if thou hast any smal benefit of the Nouns , those that thou receiuest of vs are much more , yea and also greater . Thou shalt therefore doe best if thou repaire to our happie folde , not alone to keepe and defende vs , and the lordship of the Verbes , but also thou thy selfe , and thine . For thus thinke with thy selfe , that if I haue the worst , mine enimies will not withholde them from running vpon thy lordshippe and turne their victorious armes ( which God forbid ) against thée : that they all alone may with their mad will runne in and spoyle al the land of Grammer . Farewell .

The Participle after that he had red the sayde letters of the two kings , thought nowe of the one , then of the other , and had sundry thoughtes in his heade , considering with him selfe that he coulde holde part with neyther of them , without great and euident losse of his owne goodes . Contrarily if he shoulde séeme to minister , he might not onely enioye the fauor of them both , but also that he rather wished , to see them low brought thorowe the hazard of the warres , that they being destroyed , he might afterwarde alone withoute resistaunce , possesse the sayde lande of Grammer : and therefore thought good to dissemble , féeding them with faire wordes , vntill he knewe who shoulde haue the better , therfore he wrot to them in this maner . I haue most puissant kings , receyued your letters , and I haue red them with great sorowe and trouble of minde , knowing that betwen two such princes so knit , is fallen such discorde , that you can not withholde you from ouerthrowing thorow cruell war , your owne lordships , and that renoumed empire . But wherewith are ye vexed ? or what harme holdeth you ? and whence commeth this madnesse ? I beseche you for god his sake consider a little whither you go . Howe will our common enimies ( those beasty citizens of ignorance , and that slouenlike people of Barbarie ) reioyce , vnderstanding the strength of their enimies to be so wasted through their owne contentious quarelling ? I adiure by the high Gods aboue and beneath , that ye withholde you , & forbeare such deadly , mortall , and abhominable battayles , least that through a damnable desire of superioritie , you bewray in vprores and slanders the goodliest prouince of all the worlde . But if destinie will haue it so , and that you be so fully purposed to debate your quarell by the sword , I purpose to take part with neyther of you , seing my lordship dependeth in part of the Verbe and in parte of the Noune . And for that I am greatly bound to you both , with what I can I will ayde you both with vitayles , munitions , and other necessarie things : But as touching facts of armes , I will withholde me , & I wyll cause my Souldiers to be assembled in armes , to kepe in at home , that through incourses no iniurie be done by any , on the frountiers of mine owne lande : I pray God giue you better counsayle . Fare ye well .

And albeit that he had thus written to them , this subtill and wily for neuerthelesse , through all possible meanes hée might , maintayned the quarell , and by his priuie letters incited the mindes of both nations egerly to ytche against other , hoping thereby ( as I haue said ) that he shoulde easily attayne to the seigniorie of the whole Grammer after their totall destruction . Then hauing assigned a day for his subiectes to be assembled in , was in a most trim and braue companie . First the Terminat in Ans ens dus rus tus sus xus , were there with the Nounes verball in Tor trix and such like , which were neighbors of the Verbes & Nounes , and ioyned with the Participles . Likewise the Gerundes and Supines , to auoyde these ciuil wars , withdrew them also from the Verbes , and fled to the participles . These things thus appoynted , the Participle sent great giftes to both sides , to be alwayes and still in their fauour , and first he sent to the Verbe these vnder named neuter passiues . To wéete Gaudeo soleo audeo sio prandeo Coeno iuro titubo placeo nubo careo moereo poto taceo and quiesco . To the King of Nouns he gaue the ending in Tor and trix . He sent also for wagis to the host of Verbes an hundreth waggons of preter Tenses , of Present and future tenses . Item a thousand Camels laden with figures , simples , composites , and decomposites : And to the Noune he sent by the riuer Siue , Tenne ships laden with nominatiue and genitiue cases , with as manye singuler and plurall numbers , and a great number of other , masculine genders , feminines , neuters comons and all . This done , he helde him in his country with his men of warre , awayting to whether side fortune woulde tourne hir . In the meane while , these two warlike kings hauing verye well made prouision of all things necessary to giue battaile , awayted nothing else than some trimme occasion to commence the warre . But it chaunced that two of the worthiest townes of Grammer , ( to wéete ) A and V were taken vnappointed by the king of Verbes , albeit that then all townes were indifferently subiect , & payed equall tribute to both the sayde kings , asmuch to the one , as to the other , being moreouer in nothing more in seruice to the one King , than to the other .

When Poeta the king hearde this , he toke by the like policy thrée other touns EIO : The other hearing this , kept than to their strongest watch , & keping their liberty , wer comon to both parts , whose names are , BCDFGLMNPQRS TXZ , and of them doubtlesse commeth all the force of Grammer . To eyther of the Kings were giuen two dipthongs to be their trumpets , for they were taught by sounde of trump , to moue the spirite of all the souldiers for to fight . Ae and oe serued to the King of Nounes , Au and eu to the Verbes . Beside this , certayne iesting or gibing women folowed both the hostes , that moued the mindes of the souldiers in sundry affections : for some wept and bewayled the slaughter that shoulde be among them of Grammer , yea & that they felt the same néere them alreadie , as Oh ah he heu and hei , other were dyspleased , and reproued the contention of these kings , as Vah vae and atat . Other woundered of such dissention fallen betwéene so great friendes , as Papae vahu & vha : other as fooles incited and encouraged the souldiers to fight , as Eia and Euax . Moreouer , all the men of warre and souldiers being well appoynted and readie to enter into the battaile , it séemed good to the king of Verbes that on his part gladly withall his hart he would withdrawe to commence ciuile warres , and to cloke his doing in or with some honest maner , wrote a letter to the king of Nounes , in this tenor . O Poeta thou hast well vnderstoode in what appoyntment and readie strength I am come downe to shewe my selfe in the fielde to giue thée battaile : & agayne thou mayst knowe that there are not in thée sufficient forces able to abide and withstande the violent rushing in of the legions of my men of warre : Therefore thou shalt doe wisely , if in leauing me in my estate thou withdrawe into thy territories . But if thou be so senselesse , that it must be had by the edge of the sworde , then know thou that thrée dayes hence I will be readie with mine host in the playne fielde to fight , there to receiue thee . When the Trumpets Au and Eu had giuen their letters to the king of Nouns , he aunswered them according to his counsaile in this wise . O Amo , thou euer hast to many wordes , but it is not nowe a time to amase the eares of the hearers with thy much babbling : thou boastest thy valiaunt host , and thy fearefull prepared ordinaunce , as if on our side wée had not but dwarfes and Grashoppers . Thy possession hath euer bene very lyttle in Oration : But yet thy follye leadeth thée thither from whence thou mayst not flie , vntill with that parte of lordeship ( by thée wrongfully woon , worse gouerned , and naughtely retayned ) thou be by iust warre chased out . And for that thou shalt knowe how litle , not I onely , but mine , doe way thée , and how smally we feare thy threatnings , our Heraldes Ae and oe shal shewe thee their bare buttockes if thou wilt : farewell , such as I wish thée : adewe to the Deuill for euer and aye .

By these letters the heartes of them poysoned one against another , did all awayte with fierie stomackes the last assigned day of battayle . In the meane while , by occasion of suche troubleous time , there arose ( as commonly doth in such businesse ) a licence of most mischeuous déedes , and there went forth a company of priuy pilferers through the whole prouince of Grammer , seking their pray , and especially in wooddie places , and from the hils espied the passengers , and spoyled the vittailers that went to the Campes : Whereby great dearth and scarsitie of victuales daylye encreased in both the hostes . By reason wherof , certaine worthie capitaines , with sufficient number of souldiers were by the consent & decrée of both kings sent out to slea these robbers or else to driue them far out of the lands of Grammer . They being come thither , the souldiers did enclose a very thick wood , where they hadde vnderstoode that there were a great number hidden : so they beset them , that one escaped not vntaken . Among whome was a certayne fellowe called Catholicon that draue a great Asse laden with Gréeke and latine words bound vp togither , and caried them into Italie . Item an olde Duns called Hugution , with a yong yonker surnamed Garlandia which also with a great one eyed Mule draue a waggon laden with false and broken rules , and fowle fourmes not onely of olde phrases , but also of latine termes , wherewyth he hoped to be enritched in the borroughes & townes , selling them as precious things set in glasse , to make laten of glasse which might haue day séene through it . Moreouer this yoncker of Garlandia was found stuffed full of false peces of money & counterfait coyne , being base bullion , which he caused to be taken for good , being of an vntrue stampe which he had forged , and of the sayde money he had filled all the lande of Grammer . Lykewise there was taken a great and greasie lasie lourden , that made himselfe be called Grecismus , that had made leane all the victayls that went to the campe , to stuffe a greate foule ranck stincking and rotten calues paunch with . There was also taken one Pylades , that had robbed all the wayes he went in , and was become ritche . All these were there bodily punished as they had merited , some quartered and made in pieces , some brent in the fire , other cast into the dongeons of perpetuall and stincking prisons . He that toke and punished Grecismus was a right worthy Capitaine called Toussan or Tusan . The robberies of Pylades was discouered and debarred by a noble capitaine very well acquainted in the warres , which was called Iohn of Cuuella that so swelled that he was in perill to be dropsie , but one gaue him a short clister , that did yelde him in slender fourme , & more leaue and easie to be borne than he was . All the rest of this robberous rable were destroyed , slaine and buried in a great and darke dungeon . Catholicon that among them was called the great , was brought to the campe wyth his Asse , who confessed on the racke ( albeit it were a thing manifest ) that he had stolen all these wordes in the lande of Grammer . Then when he was asked ought in Gréeke , he aunswered that he vnderstode not the Greke , and of the Latine but a very little . Then sayde the Iudges , wherefore cariest thou wyth thée Gréeke words , seing thou then vnderstandest not ? Then he aunswered , there is so great ignoraunce of learning with vs ( saith hée ) that albeit I speake grossely , yet can I easily make them beleue that I am through lined in euery corner with all the eloquence of Attica . All they which were there , hearing this , fel in a great laughter , and said : by saint George , seing that thou hast such hearers as thou hast , that which we know not the due owners of , thou shalte carrye with saulfconducte to thy people and nation : but that which we shall know to belong to any , that we thinke good to be rendred to the due owners . Then after they hadde made diligent search , all the Gréeke words almost were giuen to Isydore , whose they were , and the remnaunt to the Latines : to which businesse was appoynted the mayster of the trenchmen , called Calepin with the courteous capitaine Anthonie of Nebrisse . The intermixed , rotten , and secret hidden words were giuen him , and so they permitted him to go his way with his Asse lighter laden than before : neuerthelesse they forbad him at any tyme euer after , to be so hardie as to call hymselfe a Gramarian , except among the rude and barbarous people . In these busie businesse , one Priscian a very renoumed man , and of great honour in the lande of Grammer , for that he coulde not suffer the saide lande to runne in totall ruine through ciuile warre and contention , hasted toward the campe in post to make an agréement , and being taken , was spoiled and sore beaten of the felonish felowship of Catholicon & was so wounded on the heade , that there was no salue able to heale him . Shortly after , among these felowes was taken one who falsely and shamefully sayde that he was an historiographer , and had gathered togither a great bundell of Iesting solishe gaudes in a great volume , called Supplementum Chronicharum , who forced thorowe question , confessed that all they were stollen things : and so he was exiled for euer into the lande of ignoraunce . As these things were doing , certaine of the Verbes anomales , as Sum volo fero , with thrée companies of their handmaides , made an assault and toke away a prisoner of the capitaines of the Nounes named Caeter , which was of the race of Relatiues , and they toke him hidden with his fellowes in an embush , in what caue I knowe not , neare to the by path way of the coniunctions Quod and Quam , and him they slue with all hys singulers , his plurals seing the daunger they were in , made a vowe to Iupiter , to sacrifice him the remnant of their goods , & so they escaped hole and sounde miraculously . When tidings hereof were told to King Poeta , he was maruellously moued , and it greatlye greeued him to lose such a Capitayne : for this Caeter was very stout and ful of stomacke euen to the vttermost , and in feates of warre he had no péere . The king of Nounes therfore féeling him self greatly endomaged with the losse of Caeter & his singulars , diligently awayted occasion whereby he might render double the lyke to his enimies . But fortune , who can in all thinges do very muche , and chiefly in warre , gaue hym shortly after the way to reuenge him of the wronge . For in those dayes many legions of Verbes of no small authoritie were taken prisoners by certayne lyght horsmen of the Nounes . Among whom was dice , face , fere and duce , of the bande of the imperatiues and commaunders . From whom thorough great ignomie was cutte away by the kings commaundement , the hynder skirtes of their garments , so that they shewed their buttockes , and so sent them away againe , so that euer since they were called only dic , duc , fac and fer . Afterward he commaunded that the prisoners should be slayne , namely , fuo , specio , leo and pleo : whose goodes were by the king of Verbes giuen to their lawful children , discending of them in right line , as fui , fueram , fuissem , fuisse and futurus . And to the children of specio , who were a great number , as aspicio conspicio and such like : and also to them of leo & pleo , as doleo impleo compleo suppleo repleo expleo oppleo . At the very same season was bewraied a great treason to the hoast of the Verbes , how certaine horribe hooresons of the stocke of preterperfectes , being souldiers , to cloake their treason , and not to be knowen , were disguised after the maner of the Greekes , though they were of the Latin tong , and beyng taken , had two heades . These had conspired and layd watch for the king of Verbes : but beyng taken and conuict of the fact , were declared traytours , and condemned of trespasse against the king , they were called momordi cecidi cucurri pependi spopondi pepigi didici pop●s● tetuli cecini peperi tutudi pepuli fefelli memini pupugi and tetigi , from whom was cutte of one head at that present : so that wheras they were before time called , momordeo cecido cucurro , they be nowe called mordeo cedo curro , and so of the rest . From tetuli were cutte of both heades , as well of the preter , as of the present tense : albeit that Terence through pitie thought to simon on the same agayne of the preter tense with Baulme , but it helde not . Now as the time of fighting drew neare , the sayd kings set vp in the hyghest place of their host , a red cloake , to aduertise the souldiers that they shoulde shortly ioyne together in fight , that they might prepare and propose them selues thereto , takyng their repast , and whetting their weapons , might sharpen their munitions ready , with all other thinges pertaynyng to suche affairs . In the morning , after the souldiers had dined , on both sids without anynoyse makyng , the whole hoast assembled to the sayde place . Then when they had all raunged in battayle aray with displayed aucientes , the said kings besought and required their souldiers earnestly to behaue them selues wel & worthily : but it was no néede , seyng that they of them selues were already fired ynough . For al as mad men shooke their pikes with so great & stout a stomacke , that they taried for nothing but to strike , & awayted nought but the signe of the onset & alarme : & hervpon , behold , the trumpettes blewe the onset on both sides . On the other part the earth resounded and rang againe , & in both hoastes were made great shoutes and cries , the heades or both hostes made great vowes to God , and euery of them stomacked and chéered vp their souldiers . Then euery one dyd what he coulde and knewe to be done , they strake together with great handy strokes of swordes , brake their pikes , that the ayre rang againe of the cry of the fighters . In the ayre was nothyng séene but cloudes of smoke and brymstone : on both sides were great store wounded and of dead corpses plenty . O there was a goodly sight to sée the Verbes defectiues ( among the rest ( fighting against the Nounes Heteroclites . These Nounes accompanied with their nominatiue cases , with their genders , also with their genitiues & plurall numbers , dyd fiercely lay vpon their enemies . The Verbes defectiues did stoutly and couragiously withstande and put apart these Nounes Heteroclites , with their indicatiues , accompanied with their preter perfect tenses , so that by their coniugations they brake thorowe force , the numbres and genders of the other .

Of these Verbes there was one called aio , who vsing singular hardinesse , did for a long space resist two Nounes Heteroclites , so long that in the end being no more able to withstande their furiouse forces , lost diuerse of his persons , modes , tenses , and numbres , and then rested only vnto hym , ais , ait , aiunt , aiebam , aiebas , aiebat and aiebant : the rest passed thorough the sworde .

As the hoastes were thus in fight there was such a mixture , that one knewe not an other , and they were al so fiered and fleshed to fight , that none of them al once perceyued the feareful earthquake that was at that present , and in the same countrey there : yea such a one , and so great , that it destroyed the townes nere therto , turned the streames of mightie riuers the other way vpside downe , and thrust the sea into the floudes , and with his hideouse roaring , ouerthrewe the hygh mountaynes with a mighty fall . But let suche be styll , that accompt that for a tale : the accident that happened in that same sharpe & harde warre , wher the Romayns were so trounsed by the Penoys , neare vnto the lake Trasimene , the citie of Croton yeldeth sufficient testimonie , whiche ( as Lucan saith in the booke of true narrations ) was before situate on the brynks of the shore of Trasimene , at the very present , thorough a tempest of a whirle wind was transported into the mountayne , where it is at this day . Doubtlesse of this & such like examples lately befallen , Titus Liuius may wel glorie in , for that he hath so great a testimonie to haue sayd truth : for that it is sufficient to confirme the thinges that he hath written . The ayre was obscured and made darke with the arrowes that the numbers singulars and plurals shot . The shot of the figurs composite and decomposite flew whistelyng so rounde & rightely into the eares of euery one , that they were all as deafe . A great number were hurt by the dartes of the kindes of primatiues , and deriuatiues . The trumpettes lykewyse that went on euery side sounded a fearefull and terrible Taratantara , so that the sounde thereof encouraged the fighters maruellous ful of stomacke and hardy , to beare the blowes and sturdie strypes of their enemies . And these troublous rayling women , the interiections that went about the arayes , vexed and sore troubled them all , through their moued and fickle affections : Among whom for the most part ware often hearde these pitiful and dolorous cries , heu and hei oh ah eh . Notwithstanding this warre was more fierce and cruel than long in fighting , and had it not bene for great aboundaunce of rayne , that thorough a sodayne storme and tempest which fell from the cloudes euen at that present , made the medley to depart and breake off . Then doubtlesse had there bene an ende of al the forces of Grammer . Such and so great was the furious rage that they had euery one of them , one against another , yea vntill that pointe , that albeit the trumpettes sounded the retraict on both sides , and they all greatly encombred with the water , might neuerthelesse be vnmingled and separate asunder one from another , to returne them vnder their ensignes .

The victorie aboade doubtfull and incertayne , neyther was it knowen of any , whether had the better or the worse , for on both sides there was a maruellous many , as well of sore wounded as of slayne , not only of common souldiours , but also of the hie and chiefe captaynes . It is not possible for any to tell the great losses that were theron both sides . Notwithstanding I will assay to shewe playne and manyfestly , and in the openliest maner I may , that which some did winne or lose there , ( though I can not say of euery one in particular ) this will I do , to this end , that they that come after , may therto take héede . First the parte of the Verbes defectiues , in fight lost all them that were descendent from him , all his genders , tenses , modes , persons and numbers that were of the fourth coniugation , of figure composite , and of the singular number . He hym selfe ( as God woulde ) escaped safe , for seyng hym selfe in perill , he made a vow , that of no coniugation of mariage , he wold after any more beare the liuery : & therefore he was at that brunt so sore feared , that since he hath bene very seldome séene publikely in the land of Grammer . Fore was bereft & robbed of al his goods , except fores foret & fore , which are of the optatiue mode , of the third coniugation , vale , aue , salue , of the kindred & stocke of the imperatiues ( lost a great many of their fellows ) whiche are yet lyuing , the rest were lost . Faxo of the same stocke of actiues escaped only with thrée of his , al the rest of his band after him were slayne , except faxis faxit & faxint , who saued them selues with him by flighty footing . Inquio of the stocke of the neuters , kept inquis inquit inquiunt inquam inquies inquiet inquient inque and inquam . The rest perished in the warres . Inquiens at that time was with the participles wherof he happened well . Apage and apagite when they had lost all their fellowes , escaped alone . Diet lost also all his fellowes except diescit . Facio was put from his sonne facior , who notwithstandyng before he dyed , dyd constitute by knightly testament an heire fio . Posco disco metuo timeo renuo respuo compesco vrgeo linquo , and all they of the race of the actiues , lost their supins . Some Verbes lost their preter tenses of the thirde coniugation , and in place of them , they after recouered the pretertenses of the fourth coniugation : among whom was , cupio peto quaero arcesso facesso and sero . Some Verbes hauing lost their future in am , to the ende that they woulde not thencefoorth wholy lose the hope that was to come , bought other futures in 〈◊〉 at the faires of racana , as eo queo and v●neo ( but Horace by his aucthoritie gaue to lenio lenibo , ) al Verbes belonging to beautie lost all their supins , among whom was lucco fulgeo splendeo polleo and such like . Fulcio vsing a singular hardinesse escaped out of peril , & held his fultum , but seyng we haue recounted & told of them that receyued losse , it is not mete to holde of no accompt these Verbes , that behauing them selues wel & worthily had both spoiles and dignities , whiche they receyued of their king , beside these others that they first had & enioyed : among other were eleuate & set vp in great honor , caeno iuro careo ma reo nubo and prandeo : for beside their owne preter tenses , they receyued also the preter tenses of the passiue voice . Redimo was enriched in his fiue senses of nature , & at that present obteyned foure significatitions , as to deliuer , to leade & gouerne , to decke and ornate , & to take to ferme . Solor wan thrée significations , as to be alone , and to confort & exhort , explicat , beside his own sense which is to explicate and shew foorth playnly , receyued , that he might declare , shew , that he might drawe , that he might represent & deliuer . Valeo beside his owne sense , which is to be in health and whole , wan so much , that when he sayd vale , that he might salute also , & sometime curse too . Presto had foure significations as , to lend , & to be aloft , to do good , and hold promisse , with diuers other significations . Haurio was as much enritched , for he had foure significations , as to draw out , to wounde , to heare & sée and diuerse other such lyke , and all they when néede is are reduced in one . Pasco receyued two vnderstandinges , to féede , and bring vp . Vaco albeit he medled not much among the fighters ( for as Socia sayth in Plautus , the fiercer they fought the faster he fledde ) neuerthelesse fortune that oftentymes giueth rewarde to the slouthfull , woulde enriche his cowardise with the best of the spoiles : for as he espied certaine of his enimies that wer fled and gone away , he crept out of his cabin and cloked them in his fist : who after bought them againe with a great summe of siluer , and he wan beside his owne former sense seuen other , to wete , to vnderstande , to leaue of , to serue , to be superfluouse , to be lawfull , not to haue , and to be empty . Studeo wan thrée significations , as to sollicite , to desire earnestly , and to be very paynfully busied . Pango receyued thrée senses , as to sing , and hath giuen to panxi in his pretertense to make truces , and hath gyuen to pepigi to fasten & ioyne together . Sapio from that day had two senses , to wete , to giue knowledge , and to be wise . Fero one of the foure anomales gayned thrée senses , as to vphold , to desire , and to beare . Confiteor had thrée senses , to praise , to purge , and to make manifest . Supero receyued seauen senses by reason of the great aucthoritie that he had among the Verbes : as to remayne in part , to ouercome , to be neare , to go further , to escape , to ouerliue and excéede . Some Verbes there were , whiche hauyng lost their owne preter tenses , had of their king the goodes of other Verbes passiues whiche were slayne at the battayle : as audeo fido gaudeo soleo and fio . These pestiferous and perillous lying Verbes , whiche alwayes haue in their heart and minde other than in the mouth , albeit they had no parte of the praie , ye tought not they and their names to be left in obliuion , but spoken of , to the ende that euery one might know them , and so beware : seyng that alwayes vnder the colour & cloake of doing , they beare the passiue voyce : they are called exulo veneo nubo liceo and vapulo . This last of all is the most wily and subtillest : and therfore so muche wyser as the boy is , so muche the more héede wyll he haue to decline his wily ambushes , yf he haue good care to kepe his buttocks . Now seyng we haue already shewed as well as we are able , that which happened to the Verbes , it semeth good in our accompt that we speake also of the Nounes . Ouersight was made in and thorowe the hoast of the Nounes , and it was found howe fortune had bene as muche diuerse to one parte as to an other . And to the end that we begin by the positiues , there was certaine of them , that beyng hurt in their comparatiues , receyued dressing & cure through the diligence of certayne expert phisitians , as melior minor dexterior ●●●sterior plus magnificentior , & munis●●tior al irregulate , & descending of the second declension . But pius arduus egregius tenus and such lyke , lost their owne comparatiues . The Nounes ending in er , lost ruus , in their superlatiues : & for the same they had rimus , as tener , and saluber . To others for that they had lost simus was giuen limus , as humilis facilis gracilis similis agilis , and to vetus was geuen veterrimus . Among trées were certayne Nounes , that quiting them selues manfully , by a sodayne miracle chaunged altogether at once their kinds , becomming of females , males , euery one astonied at the sodayne case , demaunded whence came suche transformation to them : of them were rubus and oleaster , which Titus sayth were euyll and vnluckie tokens , and therfore affirmed he that they ought to be cast into the bottome of the sea , or else to be exiled out of the lande of Grammer . But the king Poeta iestyng at the fende superstition that they had in the miracles , dyd prohibite all and euery of them , to harme , or any way to hurt them : saying that it was not an euyl signe , or vnhappy accident to be chaunged from women into men : sayng that out of anoughty and croked kind , they were turned into a good and better . From certaine Nounes heteroclites , fighting against the Verbes defectiues , were cutte away both coddes and cullion in the plurall numbre ( from whiche peryll God saue vs ) so that afterwarde there was in that number founde neither man nor woman but chast neuters : whiche doubtlesse is a thyng greatly to be pitied . Their names were sibilus auernus infernus menalus supparus baltheus tartarus dindimus , other had better chaunce : for when in the same number they were neuters , wer glad forth with to sée them become males : as porrum rastrifr●num and coelum , But these sayde po●mum and rastrum , as they went thorowe Rome , founde in the markets of Agona their neuter plurals , & there they bought them againe with a great summe of money , and gyuing leaue to the mules , loued better to hold them to them there . Balsamum among all Nounes and trées above only a neuter : by reason wherof seyng that he coulde not beget nor bring foorth yong , is in so great scarsitie that he is no where séene but in the lande of Iuda , which is the cause ( as sorowefull ) he yeldeth his fruict all in teares : as for other Nounes that were bereft of their plurall neuter , receaued the feminine for amendes , as epulum ostreum vesper and cepe . But truth is , of all creatures the oysters only were neuters : but aboue al aucthors Plinie , & the poetes holde them for neuters , wherefore Ouide sayeth thus : Ostreaque in conchis , tuta fuere suis , so that afterwarde they gayned so , that they became as muche feminine as neuters : others that were of the doubtfull gendre , receyued the masculine in their plurall numbre , as Cardo , bubo , and suche lyke , other that were spoyled of all their cases plural , abode euer since dismembred and maymed : among whom , were sumus limus funus puluis sanguis mundus pontus sol sal and vuus , all of the masculine gendre . Hardly is séene any tyme more than one Sunne in the firmament , but when it happeneth so , it is not naturall , but rather wonderful , likewise also certayne feminines lost their plurall cases , as lux sitis labes mors vita fames tabes gloria fama salus pax humus lues tellus senecta soboles iuuenta indoles proles .

These fought so febly in the hoast ,

That all their plurals there they lost . Other feminines lost at the sayd conflicte their singular number , as argutiae habenaebigae blanditiae cunae delitiae exequiae excubiae exuuiae phalerae facetiae genae gades insidiae indi●ciae caleridae lachrymae latebrae minae , & many others . Other neuters were spoyled of all their plurals , as coenum foenum auus solum pus and virus . Furthermore other wer put from al their singuler frends : as arma castra exta cunabula conchilia crepundia pas●●a moenia mapalia magnalia ilia seria precordia and sponsalia , yea and almost all the names of feastes , as Naturnalia Dionisia Aphrodisiae B●●cha●lia , Floralia and Neptunalia , and all the names of metals , especially aurum & argentum , which euery one laboured to take prisoner , and likewise aes s●ta & aera in three cases . In lyke maner for the great heate and alteration of the combat , the measures were spoyled of the pluralitie of their liquors , except of wines , and honies , which to the plurall cases were spared , to the ende that they myght do kyng Poeta service with newe wines : for that he loued them well . Oleum and frum●●tum , by like misfortune were so gluttonnous , that thorowe the great scarsitie that was in the hoast , they wer not found in pluralitie . Other aboad shortened in the ende of their geyltines and d●tines plurall , as ●hrathura 〈◊〉 and sera . Yet neuerthelesse all Nounes had not the worse part : for diuers of 〈…〉 of the spoyle of their enimies : 〈…〉 ●herof they were of greater authoritie 〈◊〉 before , so that some receyued other nominatiue cases beside their former 〈◊〉 w●tch also hath arbos : honor which hath ho●os : od●r which hath odos : cucumer which hath cucumis : cin●● which hath einis , and pulue● which hath puluis . Notwithstandyng they occupy these not alwayes , but kepe this share for hie feastes , as for trim & nice decking for honor sake . Plaga albeit through hurring he bled , yet wanne he foure other senses without accompt of the first , ( that signifieth a wound , or hurt : ) as when he would say the arming cord of a net , also a great space of the heauen and earth ( called clima , ) also a great kind of linen , such as the old matrones of Rome ware when they went in the citie , & also for a bed , or any part of a bed , Opus the same day wan there thrée senses : for opus signifieth earth : vnder opus he giueth ayde , vnder opibus riches . The gerundes and supins , bicause they were so often fled to the enimy , were amerced to fine after the treatie of peace was made betweene both the sayde kings , through the earnest complainct and supplication of Demosthenes who alleaged the lawes of Solon , by which it was commaunded , that such wer to be put a part from all honor and offices , that in any sedition had not holde the part of the one nor the other : for that such a one thinketh altogether of his owne businesse , and re●keth not of the common wealth : the greatest part then in the lande of Grammer lyued after the lawes of Athens . Afterwarde therfore the king of the Verbes left to the gerundes no more but only thrée cases , takyng away from them for the trespasse of their default al their other cases . To the supins only were reserued but two : whiche greatly greued all them of Grammer , sharpely blaming such a sort of foolish preceptes of Solons lawes , as much as the fonde reasons of Demosthenes , whom they iested at , saying , that he had left ( his cunnyng at home ) his distaffs bandes and woull , and that he had not fained squint eied disease in vaine , to haue yerely reuenues and preferment : bycause he hop●d not to haue so much money of the gerundes & supins , as he sometime had had of Harpalus . Surely yf I woulde describe forth all the losses & misfo●tunes orderly as they ought to be , and also all the conquestes of the worthinesse of euery one that changed in that day , my matter would be to long . And therfore I will here make an ende , and this may suffice , that what so euer is found lost , wasted , or ioyned to , and growen vp through all the lande of Grammer , and his borders and vtter limites , is wholy procéeded thorough the same harde , hideous , and mortall fight among them . In the same tyme of the warres sprang vp many new wordes , and sundry olde were put apart and reiected . And had not three honest persons ben chosen for arbitrers ( of whom we wil speake hereafter ) whiche by their power and abilitie withstoode the naughtinesse of certayne Grammatistes or slender grāmariās , so great barbarousnesse had then ben mired thorough the Latin tong , & the same then ben so myngled with foolishe woordes , that all hope had ben lost euer to restore the same againe in his honor , and comely beautie . Therefore after that the retraict was blowen of both the hoastes , and that they had numbred as well the wounded as the slayne , and had knowne the great losse that was of the hoastes , they all began and fell to sighing : and the sight of suche a slaughter of their people greatly greeued them , through desire of superioritie . Wherefore euery of them repentyng , sought nowe nothing else than to make peace . And first of all Poeta seyng of Nounes after he has called his souldiers ( but 〈◊〉 without teares ) sayde these wordes . I thinke well that you knowe ( O my Fellowes ) how dolefully , and against my will , I haue taken araies to defend & vphold the honor ( as euer 〈◊〉 I thought ) and the authoritie of the Nounes ag●inst our brethren the souldiers of the Verbes : and in ho● many kindes I haue ●sayed to de●r●● and put of ●ong from betwéene vs the warres , and they to leaue vs s●●●ct in our 〈◊〉 . But when I thinke not only at ou● 〈◊〉 losse , but also of theirs , againe when I beholde the dead corpses on both sides . I haue greater desire to lament than to speake . Therefore it behoueth vs to remember that , which some of our good olde citizens and Burgeses wrote of the discorde and civile warres , as well of the Romaynes as the Grekes , and howe with great reproches they blame & detest the ambition of them . In good fayth if we had thought of this at the first , we neuer had gone to so great folly , neither had we also as blinded with anger and rage frantikely and as voyde of reason , torne our proper fleshe so with our owne handes as we haue . But ( as an other fayth ) that which is done and past , is easier to be reproued than amended : neuerthelesse it is better to stay thus than to followe on a noughty beginnyng : for yf we wil be so mad as to fight with our selues thoroughly to the ende , doubtlesse then is the principalitie of Grammer vtterly come to confusion , and then shall be gyuen so great an ouerture and entrie into the same to the Barbarous and ignorant people , that as they will they shall rule all : seyng none shall resist them , and go before to preuent them . By reason wherof ( O my fellowes ) for the comoditie of both realmes I am willingly determined to aske peace with the king of Verbes , and of myne own frée will , will go toward him and giue him my hande . Notwithstanding , thinke not here by that I speake it for that I haue lost stomacke , or for that I am timorous : but bycause there is nothyng more sure that the affayres of the Nounes & Verbes can continue , vnlesse they be friends together knit & quiet in one : of my selfe I 〈◊〉 mine office , not doubting but that I teache you that , which serueth to the continuing benefite & commoditie of euery one in general , being ready willingly to do what your wil is . God graunt you aid in al your enterprises . The profitable oration , & no lesse necessarie s●ying of the king , greatly pleased all the assembly , and all the 〈◊〉 of the souldiers cried aloude , that that which the king had so wysely spoken might be right diligently done . So there was four from the campe of the Verbes for Embassadours certayne of the wysest of them : & so lykewyse of the chiefe of the Nounes : who hauyng first made without much difficultie a truce , finally came in such agrement with the king of Verbes , and his greatest lordes , that thrée personages shoulde be chosen which should be exactly séene , and well vnderstanding in all customes , rules and termes of Grammer : and that at their award and arbiterment , ( after a solemne othe sworne theron ) both parties shoulde hold them and their rest without any contradiction . Great was the difficulty , and much more was the disputation , to whom the charge shoulde be gyuen to make the treatie of the peace . Many procured meanes to haue the same office on them , and to diuers was the voyce gyuen , & other againe toke it from them : In the ende it was agréed by Priscian , Seruius and Donalt , and also by al the others consenting , that those vndernamed , should haue the charge and authoritie to knitte and make sure the articies of the peace : that is to wet , Phedra , Volatteran chanon of S. Peters churche , a man of great eloquence , and better knowledge . Item Peter Marse chanon of sainct Laurence in Damascon , a ryght learned man , and Raphael Lippe Florentine , and a great Orator , who beyng sent for , came to the campe , and hauing there hearde the reasons on both sides , & diligently waying the businesse of the matter , in the end pronounced this sentence . To the kinges of Grammar to their gentlemen , to their citezens , and to all studentes to their good happe and comodities be that which now is discussed . We thrée men deputed to take away the contencious discords , put a part from vs all the slaunders , wrongs and domages that heretofore haue come vppon the kinges of Grammer , & their souldiers , all which we reuoke , take away , and blot out : whiche if they may not be forgotten , at the least our decree is that they be neuer hereafter more spoken of . Item that hencefoorth when a solemne oration commeth to be made , that then both the kinges of Grammer in good agrement with their subiects come together , as Verbe , Noune , Pronoune , Participle , Aduerbe , Coniunction , Preposition & Interiection . Item we appointe that in common and familiar speache , the Noune , and the Verbe only do beare the burden , takyng for their helpe whether of them they will , but to leaue the other by , so the ende that beyng put to often in worke they be not molested . Item we 〈◊〉 that the Noune serue to the verbe , and when he goeth formost as touchyng the case , ought also to be gouerned of the verbe , but in speach , that the Noune be before the verbe , and the same beyng after ought therfore to gouerne the Noune touching his case : but con●erning his persons & numbres , the verbe ought to giue place to the Noune , Pronoune , or Participle . Item we appoint that the Participle beare reuerence to the Noune and the verbe , & haue the gouernement of the verbe before hym first , and that of the Noune after him last . Furthermore we permit the verbe to make oration him selfe alone in the seconde and thirde person , & to put out a part certayne verbes of action if néede require , for that he represented not the Noune , but that he represented him selfe only . This sentence was gyuen and published in the presence of both parties , & it pleased very well all the assemble , and hath since euer bene obserued of all the inhabitantes of Grammer . Also the studie of Italie haue approued it : and in especiall the learned vniuersitie of Boloigne the most louing mother of good & forwarde mindes : whiche hath giuen to the court of Rome not only so many other great personages , but also euen in this tyme that same ryght learned Alexander Zambecco , whiche neuer fletes from the right point , thorowe hope or feare . The vniuersitie of Paris obseruing the rest , craued then for hir studentes , that they might pronounce Nounes & Verbes at these pleasure , and that without any regarde of the quantity of sillab●es . But bicase betwene the relatiues and antecedentes , betwene the adiectiues & the substan●●ues , betwene the word rege● & the gouerned , betwene the 〈◊〉 , and determined , and also betwene perfect speache and imperfect was an olde quarel , striuyng whether of them were chiefe and greatest : it was also concluded to ioyne them in vnitie , that the relatiue of substaunce identitale , shoulde agrée in gend●e , number , and person , with his accid●t . Item that the adiectiue should obey to his substantiue in case , gendre , & number : and that the gouerned worde shoulde followe the nature of the gouerning : and that the relatiue of the accident shoulde onely represent the antecedent in such accident or propertie , in what maner the referred , and the referrent agréed by rule of diuersitie with the antecedent : and that the speache imperfect should depende vpon the perfect , & the specified worde , of the specifieng , & betwene two adiectiues , two substantiues , two verbes of the infinitiue mode two perfect speaches , & betwene two imperfects to be no bonde of seruice . Furthermore the said Peter Marse would , that betwene sayings and doinges might be made a peace & agreement : but the aduise of Phedrus was , that if that discordwer once taken away , the Barbor surgions and tauerne kepers , shoulde not haue wheron to be occupied , wherfore they left that thing euen as they founde it . All studentes of ignoraunce , with these Bassards of Barbary were by commaundement exiled for euer out of all Grammer . The Barbarouse were chased beyonde the Alpes into their cities and borough townes : but the ignorant thorough the fauour of some princes are bred not onely in and through Italie , but also in Rome that mother of good letters : and there whether she will or no , do they continue : among whom there are some beyng pourueyed of fat liuings so dull headed and do●tish and so ignorant in good letters , that if ye aske them Amo qu● par●● they w●s●y , partat● 〈◊〉 chio vi intenda , so much a●ssery they surpasse in ignoraunce the great mules whereon they are so highly got vppe . Moreouer there was giuen irreuoca●le power to the deputed by the strong & same counsell of them al to search out , to punish , & exile ( as things of nature counterfa●ct ) 〈◊〉 ●sauored wastere of Grammer , as 〈◊〉 Latins , halfe Grekes , & they 〈…〉 ●es that they thought to be pres● to the honor and aduauncement of al 〈◊〉 letters . And to the end that they 〈◊〉 the easier & more lightly execute their 〈◊〉 , were commaunded forthwith to 〈…〉 the Romayne court whereas more filthynesse and or●ure , and more mischeuous noughty pranckes are displayed , their 〈◊〉 and honest people spring on those parts , which power is knowen & ●righthed by great priueledges of Emperors , & learned bishops , & especialy by Iulius that reuerent father , the su●ours of whom God vouchsafe to make his beloued children .

FINIS .