Welcome to Lesson Fourteen of the Elizabethan English course from the Latinum Institute. This lesson examines for, a preposition of remarkable versatility in Early Modern English, serving to express purpose, benefit, duration, exchange, and cause.
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FAQ: What does “for” mean in Elizabethan English?
The preposition for in Elizabethan English functions similarly to its Modern English descendant but with several archaic constructions now lost. It introduces purpose (”for to see” meaning “in order to see”), indicates benefit or representation (”I speak for the King”), expresses duration (”for three winters”), signals cause or reason (”weep for sorrow”), and marks exchange (”gold for silence”). The construction for to + infinitive, largely obsolete today, remained vital in sixteenth-century prose and verse.
In the fifteen examples that follow, you will encounter for in its varied syntactic roles: governing noun phrases, introducing infinitival clauses with to, and functioning in idiomatic expressions characteristic of the period. The Genre Section presents a Courtly Petition, demonstrating how for structures formal requests and declarations of loyalty in Elizabethan political discourse.
Key Takeaways: -
For governs accusative objects in expressions of benefit, duration, and exchange -
The construction for to + infinitive (”for to speak”) indicates purpose -
For introduces causal clauses (”for that” meaning “because”) -
Period pronunciation maintains distinct vowel qualities from Modern English -
Idiomatic uses include for why (wherefore) and for as much as (inasmuch as)
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Elizabethan English pronunciation differs substantially from modern Received Pronunciation. Key features affecting this lesson:
The Preposition “for”: Pronounced /fɔːr/ with a full rhotic /r/ in all positions. The vowel maintains the open-mid back rounded quality.
Period Vowel Values: -
Long /oː/ in words like hope, stone retained a pure monophthong, not the modern diphthong /əʊ/ -
The FACE vowel remained /eː/ or /ɛː/, not modern /eɪ/ -
The PRICE vowel was often /əi/ rather than modern /aɪ/
Suffix Pronunciations: -
-tion pronounced /tiˈoːn/ or /sjɔn/, not modern /ʃən/ -
-ed in past tenses often syllabic: blessed = /ˈblɛsɪd/ -
-er endings fully rhotic: father = /ˈfaːðɛr/
Consonantal Features: -
All written /r/ sounds pronounced (full rhoticity) -
Initial /kn-/ and /gn-/ still articulated: knight = /knɪxt/ -
The digraph gh retained fricative value /x/ in some environments
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14.1a The knight rideth for honour and for glory.
14.1b The /ðə/ the knight /knɪxt/ knight rideth /ˈriːdɛθ/ rides for /fɔːr/ for honour /ˈɔnʊr/ honour and /and/ and for /fɔːr/ for glory /ˈglɔːri/ glory
14.2a She hath laboured for three summers in the fields.
14.2b She /ʃeː/ she hath /haθ/ has laboured /ˈleɪbʊrɪd/ laboured for /fɔːr/ for three /θriː/ three summers /ˈsʊmɛrz/ summers in /ɪn/ in the /ðə/ the fields /fiːldz/ fields
14.3a I am come for to speak with thy master.
14.3b I /ɪç/ I am /am/ am come /kʊm/ come for /fɔːr/ for to /toː/ to speak /speːk/ speak with /wɪθ/ with thy /ðaɪ/ thy master /ˈmaːstɛr/ master
14.4a The physick was prepared for the afflicted lady.
14.4b The /ðə/ the physick /ˈfɪzɪk/ medicine was /waz/ was prepared /prɪˈpɛːrɪd/ prepared for /fɔːr/ for the /ðə/ the afflicted /əˈflɪktɪd/ afflicted lady /ˈleɪdi/ lady
14.5a For why dost thou weep so piteously?
14.5b For /fɔːr/ for why /ʍaɪ/ why dost /dɔst/ do-2SG thou /ðaʊ/ thou weep /weːp/ weep so /soː/ so piteously /ˈpɪtiʊsli/ piteously
14.6a He exchanged his sword for a staff of oak.
14.6b He /heː/ he exchanged /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒɪd/ exchanged his /hɪz/ his sword /swɔːrd/ sword for /fɔːr/ for a /a/ a staff /staf/ staff of /ɔv/ of oak /oːk/ oak
14.7a The petition was written for the common good.
14.7b The /ðə/ the petition /pɪˈtɪsjɔn/ petition was /waz/ was written /ˈrɪtən/ written for /fɔːr/ for the /ðə/ the common /ˈkɔmən/ common good /guːd/ good
14.8a For as much as we are mortal, let us pray.
14.8b For /fɔːr/ for as /az/ as much /mʊtʃ/ much as /az/ as we /weː/ we are /aːr/ are mortal /ˈmɔːrtəl/ mortal let /lɛt/ let us /ʊs/ us pray /preɪ/ pray
14.9a My love for thee exceedeth all earthly treasure.
14.9b My /maɪ/ my love /lʊv/ love for /fɔːr/ for thee /ðiː/ thee exceedeth /ɪkˈsiːdɛθ/ exceeds all /ɔːl/ all earthly /ˈɛrθli/ earthly treasure /ˈtrɛzʊr/ treasure
14.10a The messenger waiteth for the Queen’s commandment.
14.10b The /ðə/ the messenger /ˈmɛsɪndʒɛr/ messenger waiteth /ˈweɪtɛθ/ waits for /fɔːr/ for the /ðə/ the Queen’s /kweːnz/ Queen’s commandment /kəˈmandmənt/ commandment
14.11a They did suffer imprisonment for their religion.
14.11b They /ðeɪ/ they did /dɪd/ did suffer /ˈsʊfɛr/ suffer imprisonment /ɪmˈprɪzənmənt/ imprisonment for /fɔːr/ for their /ðɛːr/ their religion /rɪˈlɪdʒjɔn/ religion
14.12a For that he spake treason, the lord was attainted.
14.12b For /fɔːr/ for that /ðat/ that-CONJ he /heː/ he spake /speɪk/ spoke treason /ˈtreːzən/ treason the /ðə/ the lord /lɔːrd/ lord was /waz/ was attainted /əˈteɪntɪd/ attainted
14.13a The nation hath prospered for five and twenty years.
14.13b The /ðə/ the nation /ˈneɪsjɔn/ nation hath /haθ/ has prospered /ˈprɔspɛrɪd/ prospered for /fɔːr/ for five /faɪv/ five and /and/ and twenty /ˈtwɛnti/ twenty years /jiːrz/ years
14.14a Thou art too young for such weighty deliberation.
14.14b Thou /ðaʊ/ thou art /aːrt/ are-2SG too /tuː/ too young /jʊŋ/ young for /fɔːr/ for such /sʊtʃ/ such weighty /ˈweɪti/ weighty deliberation /dɪˌlɪbɛˈreɪsjɔn/ deliberation
14.15a We set forth for to discover unknown territories.
14.15b We /weː/ we set /sɛt/ set forth /fɔːrθ/ forth for /fɔːr/ for to /toː/ to discover /dɪsˈkʊvɛr/ discover unknown /ʊnˈknoːn/ unknown territories /ˈtɛrɪtɔːriz/ territories
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14.1 The knight rideth for honour and for glory. “The knight rides for honour and for glory.”
14.2 She hath laboured for three summers in the fields. “She has laboured for three summers in the fields.”
14.3 I am come for to speak with thy master. “I have come in order to speak with your master.”
14.4 The physick was prepared for the afflicted lady. “The medicine was prepared for the suffering lady.”
14.5 For why dost thou weep so piteously? “Wherefore do you weep so pitifully?”
14.6 He exchanged his sword for a staff of oak. “He exchanged his sword for an oaken staff.”
14.7 The petition was written for the common good. “The petition was written for the common good.”
14.8 For as much as we are mortal, let us pray. “Inasmuch as we are mortal, let us pray.”
14.9 My love for thee exceedeth all earthly treasure. “My love for you exceeds all earthly treasure.”
14.10 The messenger waiteth for the Queen’s commandment. “The messenger awaits the Queen’s command.”
14.11 They did suffer imprisonment for their religion. “They suffered imprisonment for their religion.”
14.12 For that he spake treason, the lord was attainted. “Because he spoke treason, the lord was attainted.”
14.13 The nation hath prospered for five and twenty years. “The nation has prospered for twenty-five years.”
14.14 Thou art too young for such weighty deliberation. “You are too young for such weighty deliberation.”
14.15 We set forth for to discover unknown territories. “We set forth in order to discover unknown territories.”
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14.1 The knight rideth for honour and for glory.
14.2 She hath laboured for three summers in the fields.
14.3 I am come for to speak with thy master.
14.4 The physick was prepared for the afflicted lady.
14.5 For why dost thou weep so piteously?
14.6 He exchanged his sword for a staff of oak.
14.7 The petition was written for the common good.
14.8 For as much as we are mortal, let us pray.
14.9 My love for thee exceedeth all earthly treasure.
14.10 The messenger waiteth for the Queen’s commandment.
14.11 They did suffer imprisonment for their religion.
14.12 For that he spake treason, the lord was attainted.
14.13 The nation hath prospered for five and twenty years.
14.14 Thou art too young for such weighty deliberation.
14.15 We set forth for to discover unknown territories.
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These are the grammar rules for “for” in Elizabethan English:
1. For + Noun Phrase (Benefit/Purpose)
The most common construction places for before a noun phrase indicating the beneficiary or purpose of an action. The preposition governs the accusative case in pronominal objects: for me, for thee, for him, for her, for us, for them. When the object denotes purpose, Modern English often substitutes alternative constructions, but Elizabethan usage retained for in contexts where we might now use “as” or restructure entirely.
2. For to + Infinitive (Purpose)
The construction for to + bare infinitive expresses purpose and remained standard in Early Modern English, though it has since become archaic or dialectal. This construction differs from the simple infinitive of purpose: “I came to see” versus “I came for to see.” The latter carries greater emphasis and was preferred in formal registers. Note that to in this construction is the infinitive marker, not a preposition, hence the verb following remains uninflected.
3. For + Duration
When for governs an expression of time, it indicates duration throughout the specified period: for three winters, for many a year, for the space of an hour. Elizabethan English favored compound numerals with and in medial position: five and twenty years rather than “twenty-five years.”
4. For + Cause (For that, For why)
The phrase for that functions as a subordinating conjunction meaning “because” or “since.” Similarly, for why (sometimes written forwhy) means “wherefore” or “for what reason.” These causal uses of for appear frequently in period texts but have largely disappeared from modern usage.
5. For as much as
This compound conjunction, meaning “inasmuch as” or “seeing that,” introduces a causal or conditional clause. The phrase treats the reason as a given fact from which a conclusion follows. It appears frequently in legal and ecclesiastical prose of the period.
Common Mistakes:
Learners often fail to recognize for that as a causal conjunction, mistaking it for for + demonstrative pronoun. The test lies in substitutability: if “because” fits, for that functions conjunctionally.
The for to construction frequently misleads modern readers into assuming a missing word or scribal error. Understanding that this construction was fully grammatical in Elizabethan English prevents such misreadings.
Summary of Functions:
For + accusative noun phrase: benefit, representation, purpose, exchange For + duration expression: temporal extent For to + infinitive: purpose (emphatic) For that + clause: causal subordination (because) For why: interrogative (wherefore, for what reason) For as much as + clause: causal/conditional introduction
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For in Formal Address and Petition
The preposition for carried significant weight in Elizabethan political and legal discourse. Petitions to the Crown, Parliament, or local authorities routinely employed for in set phrases: “for the consideration of Your Majesty,” “for the relief of the poor,” “for the maintenance of true religion.” Such formulaic uses created a register of deference and supplication marking the petitioner’s subordinate position.
For in Religious Language
The liturgical influence of the Book of Common Prayer (1549, revised 1552 and 1559) and the Great Bible established for in devotional contexts. Phrases like “for the remission of sins,” “for thy great glory,” and “for we are not worthy” permeated both public worship and private devotion. The construction for that in causal senses appears throughout ecclesiastical prose, lending a formal, scriptural tone.
Regional and Social Variation
The for to infinitive construction, while standard in written Elizabethan English across social registers, showed dialectal persistence in popular speech and ballad tradition. Country speakers retained this construction longer than London court circles, where the plain infinitive of purpose gained ground through the seventeenth century. The phrase thus carries associations with popular, traditional, or deliberately archaizing speech.
Idiomatic Expressions:
For nonce (for the nonce): for the occasion, for the present purpose For sooth (forsooth): in truth, indeed (often emphatic or ironic) For shame: expressing reproach For want of: for lack of For the more part: for the most part, generally What for: for what purpose, why
Observations on Elizabethan Orthography:
Period spelling showed considerable variation. For itself remained stable, but words following it might appear in multiple spellings: honour/honor, labour/labor, physick/physic. The suffix -tion was often spelled -cion or -sion according to Latin etymology or scribal preference. Learners should expect orthographic inconsistency when reading original texts.
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From William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (c. 1596–1598), Act IV, Scene 1
Portia’s famous speech on the quality of mercy demonstrates for in several characteristic Elizabethan functions.
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
F.1a The quality of mercy is not strain’d;
F.1b The /ðə/ the quality /ˈkwɔlɪti/ quality of /ɔv/ of mercy /ˈmɛrsi/ mercy is /ɪz/ is not /nɔt/ not strain’d /streɪnd/ strained
F.2a It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
F.2b It /ɪt/ it droppeth /ˈdrɔpɛθ/ drops as /az/ as the /ðə/ the gentle /ˈdʒɛntəl/ gentle rain /reɪn/ rain from /frɔm/ from heaven /ˈhɛvən/ heaven
F.3a Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
F.3b Upon /əˈpɔn/ upon the /ðə/ the place /pleɪs/ place beneath /bɪˈniːθ/ beneath It /ɪt/ it is /ɪz/ is twice /twaɪs/ twice blest /blɛst/ blessed
F.4a It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.
F.4b It /ɪt/ it blesseth /ˈblɛsɛθ/ blesses him /hɪm/ him that /ðat/ who gives /gɪvz/ gives and /and/ and him /hɪm/ him that /ðat/ who takes /teɪks/ takes
F.5a ‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
F.5b ‘Tis /tɪz/ it-is mightiest /ˈmaɪtiɪst/ mightiest in /ɪn/ in the /ðə/ the mightiest /ˈmaɪtiɪst/ mightiest it /ɪt/ it becomes /bɪˈkʊmz/ becomes
F.6a The throned monarch better than his crown.
F.6b The /ðə/ the throned /θroːnɪd/ enthroned monarch /ˈmɔnark/ monarch better /ˈbɛtɛr/ better than /ðan/ than his /hɪz/ his crown /kraʊn/ crown
F.7a His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
F.7b His /hɪz/ his sceptre /ˈsɛptɛr/ sceptre shows /ʃoːz/ shows the /ðə/ the force /fɔːrs/ force of /ɔv/ of temporal /ˈtɛmpərəl/ temporal power /ˈpaʊɛr/ power
F.8a The attribute to awe and majesty,
F.8b The /ðə/ the attribute /ˈatrɪbjuːt/ attribute to /toː/ to awe /ɔː/ awe and /and/ and majesty /ˈmadʒɛsti/ majesty
F.9a Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
F.9b Wherein /ʍɛrˈɪn/ wherein doth /dʊθ/ does sit /sɪt/ sit the /ðə/ the dread /drɛd/ dread and /and/ and fear /fiːr/ fear of /ɔv/ of kings /kɪŋz/ kings
F.10a But mercy is above this sceptred sway,
F.10b But /bʊt/ but mercy /ˈmɛrsi/ mercy is /ɪz/ is above /əˈbʊv/ above this /ðɪs/ this sceptred /ˈsɛptɛrd/ sceptred sway /sweɪ/ sway
F.11a It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
F.11b It /ɪt/ it is /ɪz/ is enthroned /ɪnˈθroːnɪd/ enthroned in /ɪn/ in the /ðə/ the hearts /haːrts/ hearts of /ɔv/ of kings /kɪŋz/ kings
F.12a It is an attribute to God himself,
F.12b It /ɪt/ it is /ɪz/ is an /an/ an attribute /ˈatrɪbjuːt/ attribute to /toː/ to God /gɔd/ God himself /hɪmˈsɛlf/ himself
F.13a And earthly power doth then show likest God’s
F.13b And /and/ and earthly /ˈɛrθli/ earthly power /ˈpaʊɛr/ power doth /dʊθ/ does then /ðɛn/ then show /ʃoː/ show likest /ˈlaɪkɪst/ most-like God’s /gɔdz/ God’s
F.14a When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
F.14b When /ʍɛn/ when mercy /ˈmɛrsi/ mercy seasons /ˈsiːzənz/ seasons justice /ˈdʒʊstɪs/ justice Therefore /ˈðɛːrfɔːr/ therefore Jew /dʒuː/ Jew
F.15a Though justice be thy plea, consider this:
F.15b Though /ðoː/ though justice /ˈdʒʊstɪs/ justice be /biː/ be-SUBJ thy /ðaɪ/ thy plea /pleː/ plea consider /kənˈsɪdɛr/ consider this /ðɪs/ this
F.16a That in the course of justice, none of us
F.16b That /ðat/ that in /ɪn/ in the /ðə/ the course /kɔːrs/ course of /ɔv/ of justice /ˈdʒʊstɪs/ justice none /nʊn/ none of /ɔv/ of us /ʊs/ us
F.17a Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy,
F.17b Should /ʃʊd/ should see /siː/ see salvation /salˈveɪsjɔn/ salvation We /weː/ we do /duː/ do pray /preɪ/ pray for /fɔːr/ for mercy /ˈmɛrsi/ mercy
F.18a And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
F.18b And /and/ and that /ðat/ that same /seɪm/ same prayer /prɛːr/ prayer doth /dʊθ/ does teach /tiːtʃ/ teach us /ʊs/ us all /ɔːl/ all to /toː/ to render /ˈrɛndɛr/ render
F.19a The deeds of mercy.
F.19b The /ðə/ the deeds /diːdz/ deeds of /ɔv/ of mercy /ˈmɛrsi/ mercy
F-B: Authentic Text with Translation
The quality of mercy is not strain’d; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes. ‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown. His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptred sway, It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself, And earthly power doth then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider this: That in the course of justice, none of us Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy, And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy.
“The quality of mercy is not forced; it falls as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: it blesses him who gives and him who receives. It is mightiest in the mightiest; it suits the enthroned monarch better than his crown. His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, the attribute of awe and majesty, wherein sit the dread and fear of kings; but mercy is above this sceptred rule, it is enthroned in the hearts of kings, it is an attribute of God himself, and earthly power shows itself most like God’s when mercy tempers justice. Therefore, Jew, though justice be your plea, consider this: that in the strict course of justice, none of us would see salvation. We pray for mercy, and that same prayer teaches us all to render the deeds of mercy.”
F-C: Authentic Text Only
The quality of mercy is not strain’d; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes. ‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown. His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptred sway, It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself, And earthly power doth then show likest God’s When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider this: That in the course of justice, none of us Should see salvation. We do pray for mercy, And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
The phrase pray for mercy exemplifies the benefactive use of for: the object of prayer, the thing sought. Similarly, attribute to shows the dative relationship expressed through preposition rather than inflection.
The verb seasons employs a culinary metaphor: mercy seasons (flavours, tempers) justice as spice seasons food. This figurative use demonstrates Shakespeare’s characteristic concretization of abstractions.
Strain’d means “forced” or “constrained,” not “strained” in the modern sense of filtered. Mercy flows freely, without compulsion.
The subjunctive be in though justice be thy plea marks the hypothetical or concessive nature of the clause—a construction still grammatical in Modern English but far more common in Elizabethan usage.
Note the period pronunciation of salvation as /salˈveɪsjɔn/, with the suffix clearly articulated as /sjɔn/ rather than modern /ʃən/.
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The following presents a formal petition to the Crown, demonstrating how “for” structures requests, expressions of loyalty, and justifications in Elizabethan political discourse.
GENRE SECTION A: INTERLINEAR CONSTRUED TEXT
14.16a To Her Most Excellent Majesty, for the humble consideration thereof.
14.16b To /toː/ to Her /hɛr/ her Most /moːst/ most Excellent /ˈɛksələnt/ excellent Majesty /ˈmadʒɛsti/ majesty for /fɔːr/ for the /ðə/ the humble /ˈʊmbəl/ humble consideration /kənˌsɪdəˈreɪsjɔn/ consideration thereof /ðɛrˈɔv/ thereof
14.17a Your loyal subjects do petition for relief from sundry grievances.
14.17b Your /jʊr/ your loyal /ˈlɔɪəl/ loyal subjects /ˈsʊbdʒɛkts/ subjects do /duː/ do petition /pɪˈtɪsjɔn/ petition for /fɔːr/ for relief /rɪˈliːf/ relief from /frɔm/ from sundry /ˈsʊndri/ sundry grievances /ˈgriːvənsɪz/ grievances
14.18a For that the harvest hath failed these two years past, many starve.
14.18b For /fɔːr/ for that /ðat/ that-CONJ the /ðə/ the harvest /ˈhaːrvɪst/ harvest hath /haθ/ has failed /feɪld/ failed these /ðiːz/ these two /tuː/ two years /jiːrz/ years past /paːst/ past many /ˈmɛni/ many starve /staːrv/ starve
14.19a We beseech Your Grace for to grant us succour in this extremity.
14.19b We /weː/ we beseech /bɪˈsiːtʃ/ beseech Your /jʊr/ your Grace /greɪs/ grace for /fɔːr/ for to /toː/ to grant /graːnt/ grant us /ʊs/ us succour /ˈsʊkər/ succour in /ɪn/ in this /ðɪs/ this extremity /ɪkˈstrɛmɪti/ extremity
14.20a The merchants have laboured for the Crown’s enrichment these many years.
14.20b The /ðə/ the merchants /ˈmɛrtʃənts/ merchants have /hav/ have laboured /ˈleɪbʊrɪd/ laboured for /fɔːr/ for the /ðə/ the Crown’s /kraʊnz/ Crown’s enrichment /ɪnˈrɪtʃmənt/ enrichment these /ðiːz/ these many /ˈmɛni/ many years /jiːrz/ years
14.21a For as much as we are your faithful servants, hear our supplication.
14.21b For /fɔːr/ for as /az/ as much /mʊtʃ/ much as /az/ as we /weː/ we are /aːr/ are your /jʊr/ your faithful /ˈfeɪθfʊl/ faithful servants /ˈsɛrvənts/ servants hear /hiːr/ hear our /aʊr/ our supplication /ˌsʊplɪˈkeɪsjɔn/ supplication
14.22a We ask not for ourselves alone, but for the common weal.
14.22b We /weː/ we ask /aːsk/ ask not /nɔt/ not for /fɔːr/ for ourselves /aʊrˈsɛlvz/ ourselves alone /əˈloːn/ alone but /bʊt/ but for /fɔːr/ for the /ðə/ the common /ˈkɔmən/ common weal /wiːl/ weal
14.23a The poor do cry for bread, and there is none to give them.
14.23b The /ðə/ the poor /puːr/ poor do /duː/ do cry /kraɪ/ cry for /fɔːr/ for bread /brɛd/ bread and /and/ and there /ðɛːr/ there is /ɪz/ is none /nʊn/ none to /toː/ to give /gɪv/ give them /ðɛm/ them
14.24a For want of grain, the price of corn hath risen beyond measure.
14.24b For /fɔːr/ for want /wɔnt/ want of /ɔv/ of grain /greɪn/ grain the /ðə/ the price /praɪs/ price of /ɔv/ of corn /kɔːrn/ corn hath /haθ/ has risen /ˈrɪzən/ risen beyond /bɪˈjɔnd/ beyond measure /ˈmɛʒʊr/ measure
14.25a We have waited for many months for this audience.
14.25b We /weː/ we have /hav/ have waited /ˈweɪtɪd/ waited for /fɔːr/ for many /ˈmɛni/ many months /mʊnθs/ months for /fɔːr/ for this /ðɪs/ this audience /ˈɔːdiəns/ audience
14.26a Your Majesty’s compassion is renowned for its boundless charity.
14.26b Your /jʊr/ your Majesty’s /ˈmadʒɛstiz/ Majesty’s compassion /kəmˈpaʃjɔn/ compassion is /ɪz/ is renowned /rɪˈnaʊnd/ renowned for /fɔːr/ for its /ɪts/ its boundless /ˈbaʊndlɪs/ boundless charity /ˈtʃarɪti/ charity
14.27a We shall pray for Your Majesty’s long life and prosperous reign.
14.27b We /weː/ we shall /ʃal/ shall pray /preɪ/ pray for /fɔːr/ for Your /jʊr/ your Majesty’s /ˈmadʒɛstiz/ Majesty’s long /lɔŋ/ long life /laɪf/ life and /and/ and prosperous /ˈprɔspərəs/ prosperous reign /reɪn/ reign
14.28a For the love we bear this realm, we do make this humble suit.
14.28b For /fɔːr/ for the /ðə/ the love /lʊv/ love we /weː/ we bear /bɛːr/ bear this /ðɪs/ this realm /rɛlm/ realm we /weː/ we do /duː/ do make /meɪk/ make this /ðɪs/ this humble /ˈʊmbəl/ humble suit /sjuːt/ suit
14.29a Grant us, for God’s sake, some portion of the Crown’s stores.
14.29b Grant /graːnt/ grant us /ʊs/ us for /fɔːr/ for God’s /gɔdz/ God’s sake /seɪk/ sake some /sʊm/ some portion /ˈpɔːrsjɔn/ portion of /ɔv/ of the /ðə/ the Crown’s /kraʊnz/ Crown’s stores /stɔːrz/ stores
14.30a Your petitioners shall ever remain thankful for this gracious favour.
14.30b Your /jʊr/ your petitioners /pɪˈtɪsjɔnɛrz/ petitioners shall /ʃal/ shall ever /ˈɛvɛr/ ever remain /rɪˈmeɪn/ remain thankful /ˈθaŋkfʊl/ thankful for /fɔːr/ for this /ðɪs/ this gracious /ˈgreɪsjəs/ gracious favour /ˈfeɪvʊr/ favour
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GENRE SECTION B: NATURAL SENTENCES
14.16 To Her Most Excellent Majesty, for the humble consideration thereof. “To Her Most Excellent Majesty, for the humble consideration thereof.”
14.17 Your loyal subjects do petition for relief from sundry grievances. “Your loyal subjects petition for relief from various grievances.”
14.18 For that the harvest hath failed these two years past, many starve. “Because the harvest has failed these two years past, many starve.”
14.19 We beseech Your Grace for to grant us succour in this extremity. “We beseech Your Grace to grant us aid in this crisis.”
14.20 The merchants have laboured for the Crown’s enrichment these many years. “The merchants have laboured for the Crown’s enrichment these many years.”
14.21 For as much as we are your faithful servants, hear our supplication. “Inasmuch as we are your faithful servants, hear our prayer.”
14.22 We ask not for ourselves alone, but for the common weal. “We ask not for ourselves alone, but for the common good.”
14.23 The poor do cry for bread, and there is none to give them. “The poor cry for bread, and there is none to give them.”
14.24 For want of grain, the price of corn hath risen beyond measure. “For lack of grain, the price of corn has risen beyond measure.”
14.25 We have waited for many months for this audience. “We have waited for many months for this audience.”
14.26 Your Majesty’s compassion is renowned for its boundless charity. “Your Majesty’s compassion is renowned for its boundless charity.”
14.27 We shall pray for Your Majesty’s long life and prosperous reign. “We shall pray for Your Majesty’s long life and prosperous reign.”
14.28 For the love we bear this realm, we do make this humble suit. “For the love we bear this realm, we make this humble petition.”
14.29 Grant us, for God’s sake, some portion of the Crown’s stores. “Grant us, for God’s sake, some portion of the Crown’s stores.”
14.30 Your petitioners shall ever remain thankful for this gracious favour. “Your petitioners shall forever remain thankful for this gracious favour.”
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GENRE SECTION C: ELIZABETHAN TEXT ONLY
14.16 To Her Most Excellent Majesty, for the humble consideration thereof.
14.17 Your loyal subjects do petition for relief from sundry grievances.
14.18 For that the harvest hath failed these two years past, many starve.
14.19 We beseech Your Grace for to grant us succour in this extremity.
14.20 The merchants have laboured for the Crown’s enrichment these many years.
14.21 For as much as we are your faithful servants, hear our supplication.
14.22 We ask not for ourselves alone, but for the common weal.
14.23 The poor do cry for bread, and there is none to give them.
14.24 For want of grain, the price of corn hath risen beyond measure.
14.25 We have waited for many months for this audience.
14.26 Your Majesty’s compassion is renowned for its boundless charity.
14.27 We shall pray for Your Majesty’s long life and prosperous reign.
14.28 For the love we bear this realm, we do make this humble suit.
14.29 Grant us, for God’s sake, some portion of the Crown’s stores.
14.30 Your petitioners shall ever remain thankful for this gracious favour.
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GENRE SECTION D: GRAMMAR NOTES FOR THE PETITION
For in Formal Address Formulae
The petition genre demonstrates formulaic uses of for in political discourse. The opening for the humble consideration thereof employs for to indicate purpose: the document exists for consideration by the Crown. This construction, with thereof as pronominal substitute for the petition itself, typifies legal and chancery register.
For that as Causal Conjunction
Example 14.18 shows for that introducing a causal clause: “For that the harvest hath failed... many starve.” This construction equates to Modern English “because” but carries a more formal, legalistic tone. The use suggests that the following consequence flows inevitably from the stated cause—a rhetorical strategy appropriate to petition.
For + Noun Phrase in Requests
The phrase petition for relief demonstrates for governing the object of request. Similarly, cry for bread, pray for mercy, ask for succour all employ for to mark what is sought. This construction remains productive in Modern English.
For as much as
Example 14.21 deploys the compound conjunction for as much as to introduce a premise from which a request follows. The phrase establishes the petitioners’ credentials (faithful servants) before the imperative (hear our supplication). This logical structure—premise then request—characterizes persuasive petition rhetoric.
For + Sake
The phrase for God’s sake (14.29) employs a formulaic construction where for + possessive + sake creates an adjuration or oath. The construction intensifies the request by invoking a higher authority. Other period examples include for pity’s sake, for honour’s sake, for the King’s sake.
Note on “-tion” Pronunciation
Throughout this petition, words ending in -tion appear with period-accurate IPA: petition /pɪˈtɪsjɔn/, consideration /kənˌsɪdəˈreɪsjɔn/, supplication /ˌsʊplɪˈkeɪsjɔn/, portion /ˈpɔːrsjɔn/. These reflect the pre-palatalization pronunciation where the /tj/ cluster had not yet shifted to modern /ʃ/. Some variation existed in the period, with /sj/ and /tsj/ also attested, but the key distinction from modern pronunciation lies in the preservation of a dental or alveolar articulation before the vowel.
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This course belongs to the Latinum Institute family of language learning materials, building upon methodologies developed since 2006 for autodidact learners worldwide.
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The Autodidact Methodology
The Latinum Institute approach serves independent learners who study without classroom instruction. Each lesson provides complete grammatical apparatus—interlinear construed text, natural sentences, target-language-only text, grammar explanations, cultural context, and literary citations—enabling comprehension without external reference materials.
The Construed Text Approach
Interlinear glossing places the translation directly beneath each word, allowing learners to process meaning incrementally rather than consulting separate vocabulary lists. This method, descended from Renaissance pedagogical practice, accelerates acquisition by keeping attention on the target language while ensuring comprehension.
Benefits for Elizabethan English Study
Early Modern English presents unique challenges: archaic verb forms, unfamiliar pronouns, lost constructions, and pronunciation substantially different from modern speech. The construed text approach addresses these by making each element transparent. IPA transcriptions reflecting period pronunciation train the ear to hear Shakespeare, Marlowe, and their contemporaries as their audiences heard them.
Why Study Elizabethan English?
The literature of the English Renaissance—Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, the King James Bible, Spenser’s Faerie Queene, Marlowe’s mighty line—remains central to anglophone culture. Yet modern readers often struggle with the language, treating it as merely difficult Modern English rather than as a distinct linguistic register requiring active study. This course provides systematic instruction in Early Modern English grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, transforming passive recognition into active comprehension.
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✓ Lesson 14 Elizabethan English complete
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