Welcome to Lesson 25 of the Elizabethan English course. This lesson focuses on the verb say, one of the most essential verbs of communication in Early Modern English (c. 1500-1700). In the language of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and the King James Bible, say functions as a speech-act verb encompassing declaration, assertion, quotation, and reported discourse.
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FAQ: What does “say” mean in Elizabethan English?
The verb say in Elizabethan English carries the core meanings of “to utter words,” “to declare,” “to express,” and “to report the speech of another.” Unlike Modern English, Elizabethan English distinguishes between familiar and formal address through pronoun selection (thou/you) and corresponding verb conjugations. The verb say appears in forms including sayest (second person singular familiar), saith or says (third person singular), and said (past tense, often pronounced as two syllables: /ˈseɪ.ɛd/).
About This Lesson
This lesson presents 30 examples demonstrating the verb say in authentic Elizabethan contexts. You will encounter the full conjugation paradigm, reported speech constructions, and the characteristic syntax of Early Modern English. The interlinear glossing format renders every word transparent, allowing you to absorb Elizabethan grammar naturally through immersion in construed text.
A Note on Pronunciation
This lesson employs period-appropriate IPA reflecting Early Modern English phonology. Key features include: -
The suffix -tion pronounced /tiˈon/ or /sjɔn/, not modern /ʃən/ -
Final -ed often pronounced as a full syllable /ɛd/ or /ɪd/ -
All instances of r fully pronounced (rhotic accent) -
Wh- words pronounced with /hw-/ -
The vowel in say approximately /seɪ/ with a slightly more open quality than modern RP -
Ea in words like speak pronounced /ɛː/ rather than modern /iː/ -
Oo in words like good pronounced with a longer, closer /uː/
Key Takeaways -
Say conjugates as say/sayest/saith (says)/said in Elizabethan English -
The familiar second person thou sayest contrasts with formal you say -
Saith /ˈseɪ.ɪθ/ represents the archaic third person singular -
Reported speech often employs quoth alongside said -
Word order in Elizabethan English permits verb-initial constructions: Saith he
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Elizabethan English (Early Modern English, c. 1500-1700) differs significantly from Modern English pronunciation. The Great Vowel Shift was still in progress, and many sounds retained qualities closer to Middle English or Continental pronunciations.
Key Phonological Features:
Vowels: -
Long a in say, make, name: /eɪ/ with a more open onset than modern RP -
Ea in speak, meat, beat: /ɛː/ (like modern “air” without the r), not /iː/ -
Oo in good, blood, food: variable, often /uː/ or /ʊ/ -
Short u in but, cup, love: /ʊ/ (like modern “put”), not /ʌ/ -
O in love, come, some: /ʊ/, not /ʌ/
Consonants: -
Wh- in what, when, where: /hw-/, a voiceless labial-velar fricative -
R in all positions: fully pronounced, rhotic -
-tion suffix: /tiˈon/ or /sjɔn/, not /ʃən/ -
Kn- in know, knight: the /k/ was still sometimes pronounced
Verb Endings: -
-est (thou sayest): /ɛst/ -
-eth (he saith): /ɛθ/ or /ɪθ/ -
-ed in past tense: often a full syllable /ɛd/ or /ɪd/
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25.1a What sayest thou unto me? 25.1b What (/hwat/) what sayest (/ˈseɪ.ɛst/) say-2SG.FAM thou (/ðaʊ/) thou unto (/ˈʊn.tuː/) unto me (/miː/) me
25.2a I say unto thee the truth. 25.2b I (/aɪ/) I say (/seɪ/) say-1SG unto (/ˈʊn.tuː/) unto thee (/ðiː/) thee-OBJ.FAM the (/ðə/) the truth (/truːθ/) truth
25.3a He saith that the king doth approach. 25.3b He (/hiː/) he saith (/ˈseɪ.ɪθ/) say-3SG that (/ðat/) that-CONJ the (/ðə/) the king (/kɪŋ/) king doth (/dʊθ/) do-3SG.AUX approach (/əˈproːtʃ/) approach-INF
25.4a She said nothing of the matter. 25.4b She (/ʃiː/) she said (/ˈseɪ.ɛd/) say-PAST nothing (/ˈnʊ.θɪŋ/) nothing of (/ɔf/) of the (/ðə/) the matter (/ˈma.tər/) matter
25.5a They say ‘tis dangerous to travel by night. 25.5b They (/ðeɪ/) they say (/seɪ/) say-3PL ‘tis (/tɪz/) it-is-CONTR dangerous (/ˈdeɪn.dʒər.ʊs/) dangerous to (/tuː/) to travel (/ˈtra.vɛl/) travel-INF by (/baɪ/) by night (/nɪçt/) night
25.6a Quoth the messenger, “I bring grave tidings.” 25.6b Quoth (/kwoːθ/) said-PAST.INVERS the (/ðə/) the messenger (/ˈmɛ.sɪn.dʒər/) messenger I (/aɪ/) I bring (/brɪŋ/) bring-1SG grave (/greɪv/) grave tidings (/ˈtaɪ.dɪŋz/) tidings
25.7a Thou sayest well, and I shall heed thy counsel. 25.7b Thou (/ðaʊ/) thou sayest (/ˈseɪ.ɛst/) say-2SG.FAM well (/wɛl/) well and (/and/) and I (/aɪ/) I shall (/ʃal/) shall-1SG heed (/hiːd/) heed-INF thy (/ðaɪ/) thy-POSS.FAM counsel (/ˈkaʊn.sɛl/) counsel
25.8a What would you say to such a proposition? 25.8b What (/hwat/) what would (/wʊd/) would-COND you (/juː/) you-FORMAL say (/seɪ/) say-INF to (/tuː/) to such (/sʊtʃ/) such a (/a/) a proposition (/ˌprɔ.pɔ.ˈzɪ.ti.on/) proposition-NOUN
25.9a The Scripture saith that man shall not live by bread alone. 25.9b The (/ðə/) the Scripture (/ˈskrɪp.tjʊr/) Scripture saith (/ˈseɪ.ɪθ/) say-3SG that (/ðat/) that-CONJ man (/man/) man shall (/ʃal/) shall not (/nɔt/) not live (/lɪv/) live-INF by (/baɪ/) by bread (/brɛːd/) bread alone (/əˈloːn/) alone
25.10a Methinks thou sayest more than thou knowest. 25.10b Methinks (/miːˈθɪŋks/) me-it-seems thou (/ðaʊ/) thou sayest (/ˈseɪ.ɛst/) say-2SG.FAM more (/moːr/) more than (/ðan/) than thou (/ðaʊ/) thou knowest (/ˈknoː.ɛst/) know-2SG.FAM
25.11a It is said amongst the people that the queen doth favour him. 25.11b It (/ɪt/) it-EXPL is (/ɪz/) is said (/ˈseɪ.ɛd/) say-PASS.PART amongst (/əˈmʊŋst/) amongst the (/ðə/) the people (/ˈpiː.pəl/) people that (/ðat/) that-CONJ the (/ðə/) the queen (/kwiːn/) queen doth (/dʊθ/) do-3SG.AUX favour (/ˈfeɪ.vʊr/) favour-INF him (/hɪm/) him
25.12a Say not so, for ‘twould be treason to speak thus. 25.12b Say (/seɪ/) say-IMP not (/nɔt/) not so (/soː/) so for (/fɔr/) for-CONJ ‘twould (/twʊd/) it-would-CONTR be (/biː/) be-INF treason (/ˈtriː.zɔn/) treason to (/tuː/) to speak (/spɛːk/) speak-INF thus (/ðʊs/) thus
25.13a I dare not say what mine eyes have witnessed. 25.13b I (/aɪ/) I dare (/dɛːr/) dare-1SG not (/nɔt/) not say (/seɪ/) say-INF what (/hwat/) what-REL mine (/maɪn/) my-POSS.PREVOC eyes (/aɪz/) eyes have (/hav/) have-AUX witnessed (/ˈwɪt.nɛ.sɛd/) witness-PAST.PART
25.14a Who says that love is blind speaks wisely. 25.14b Who (/huː/) who-REL says (/seɪz/) say-3SG that (/ðat/) that-CONJ love (/lʊv/) love is (/ɪz/) is blind (/blaɪnd/) blind speaks (/spɛːks/) speak-3SG wisely (/ˈwaɪz.liː/) wise-ADV
25.15a Saith my lord, “Let the accused be brought forth.” 25.15b Saith (/ˈseɪ.ɪθ/) say-3SG.INVERS my (/maɪ/) my lord (/lɔːrd/) lord let (/lɛt/) let-IMP the (/ðə/) the accused (/əˈkjuː.zɛd/) accuse-PAST.PART.SUBST be (/biː/) be-SUBJUNC brought (/brɔːt/) bring-PAST.PART forth (/fɔrθ/) forth
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25.1 What sayest thou unto me? “What do you say to me?” / “What are you saying to me?”
25.2 I say unto thee the truth. “I am telling you the truth.”
25.3 He saith that the king doth approach. “He says that the king is approaching.”
25.4 She said nothing of the matter. “She said nothing about the matter.”
25.5 They say ‘tis dangerous to travel by night. “They say it is dangerous to travel at night.”
25.6 Quoth the messenger, “I bring grave tidings.” “Said the messenger, ‘I bring serious news.’”
25.7 Thou sayest well, and I shall heed thy counsel. “You speak well, and I shall follow your advice.”
25.8 What would you say to such a proposition? “What would you say to such a proposal?”
25.9 The Scripture saith that man shall not live by bread alone. “The Scripture says that man shall not live by bread alone.”
25.10 Methinks thou sayest more than thou knowest. “I think you are saying more than you know.”
25.11 It is said amongst the people that the queen doth favour him. “It is said among the people that the queen favours him.”
25.12 Say not so, for ‘twould be treason to speak thus. “Do not say so, for it would be treason to speak in such a manner.”
25.13 I dare not say what mine eyes have witnessed. “I dare not say what my eyes have witnessed.”
25.14 Who says that love is blind speaks wisely. “Whoever says that love is blind speaks wisely.”
25.15 Saith my lord, “Let the accused be brought forth.” “My lord says, ‘Let the accused be brought forward.’”
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25.1 What sayest thou unto me?
25.2 I say unto thee the truth.
25.3 He saith that the king doth approach.
25.4 She said nothing of the matter.
25.5 They say ‘tis dangerous to travel by night.
25.6 Quoth the messenger, “I bring grave tidings.”
25.7 Thou sayest well, and I shall heed thy counsel.
25.8 What would you say to such a proposition?
25.9 The Scripture saith that man shall not live by bread alone.
25.10 Methinks thou sayest more than thou knowest.
25.11 It is said amongst the people that the queen doth favour him.
25.12 Say not so, for ‘twould be treason to speak thus.
25.13 I dare not say what mine eyes have witnessed.
25.14 Who says that love is blind speaks wisely.
25.15 Saith my lord, “Let the accused be brought forth.”
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These are the grammar rules for SAY in Elizabethan English.
1. Conjugation of SAY
The verb say in Elizabethan English follows the strong verb pattern for its past tense (said) but takes regular present tense endings with the archaic familiar forms:
Present Tense: -
I say (/seɪ/) -
Thou sayest (/ˈseɪ.ɛst/) — familiar second person singular -
He/She/It saith (/ˈseɪ.ɪθ/) or says (/seɪz/) — third person singular -
We say (/seɪ/) -
You say (/seɪ/) — formal second person (singular or plural) -
They say (/seɪ/)
Past Tense: -
I said (/ˈseɪ.ɛd/ or /sɛd/) -
Thou saidst (/ˈseɪdst/) — familiar second person singular -
He/She/It said (/ˈseɪ.ɛd/) -
We/You/They said (/ˈseɪ.ɛd/)
Note on -ed Pronunciation: In verse and elevated prose, the past tense ending -ed was frequently pronounced as a full syllable /ɛd/, particularly to maintain meter. In everyday speech, contraction to /d/ also occurred.
2. The Archaic Third Person Singular: SAITH vs. SAYS
Elizabethan English preserves both the older -eth ending (saith) and the newer -s ending (says). The -eth form carried a more solemn, formal, or biblical register, while -s became increasingly common in everyday speech. Shakespeare uses both, often selecting based on metrical requirements or tone.
3. The Verb QUOTH
The defective verb quoth (/kwoːθ/) serves as an alternative past tense for say in reported speech. It appears only in inverted constructions (verb before subject) and lacks other conjugated forms: -
Quoth he (”said he”) -
Quoth she (”said she”) -
Quoth the raven (literary: “said the raven”)
Quoth cannot take normal word order: “He quoth” is ungrammatical.
4. Thou vs. You: The T-V Distinction
Elizabethan English maintained a distinction between familiar thou (with its oblique form thee and possessives thy/thine) and formal you (with possessive your). When addressing someone with thou, the verb takes the -est ending: thou sayest. With you, the verb takes no special ending: you say.
Social implications: -
Thou marked intimacy, contempt, or address to social inferiors -
You marked respect, formality, or address to social superiors -
Switching from you to thou mid-conversation could signal anger or insult
5. The Auxiliary DOTH
The auxiliary doth (/dʊθ/) represents the third person singular of do used for emphasis or to form periphrastic constructions: “He doth say” (emphatic: “He does say”). This construction occurs more frequently in Elizabethan English than in modern usage.
6. Reported Speech Constructions
Elizabethan English employs several patterns for introducing quoted or reported speech:
Direct speech with inversion: Saith he, “...” / Quoth the messenger, “...” Direct speech standard: He saith, “...” Indirect speech: He saith that... (with that often retained) Impersonal passive: It is said that...
Common Mistakes to Avoid: -
Using sayest with you instead of thou (You sayest is incorrect; use Thou sayest or You say) -
Forgetting that quoth only appears before the subject (Quoth he is correct; He quoth is not) -
Pronouncing -tion as /ʃən/ instead of period-appropriate /tiˈon/ or /sjɔn/ -
Confusing thy (before consonants) and thine (before vowels and as a predicate form)
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Say in the Elizabethan World
The verb say occupied a central position in Elizabethan culture, an era deeply invested in the power of words. The Reformation had placed scripture—and its interpretation—at the heart of religious and political life. “What saith the Scripture?” was not merely a theological question but a matter of life and death in an age of heresy trials and religious persecution.
The Stage and the Power of Speech
In the theatre, say and its synonyms (speak, tell, utter, pronounce) constituted the very medium of drama. Elizabethan playhouses operated without elaborate scenery; language created the world. When a character says “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?”, the audience understands that words construct reality on the bare stage.
Legal and Political Dimensions
To say something in Tudor and Stuart England carried legal weight. Seditious words, treasonous speech, and blasphemy were prosecutable offenses. The phrase “It is said that...” served as a protective formula, attributing dangerous claims to rumour rather than personal assertion.
Idiomatic Expressions with SAY
Say you so? — Expression of surprise or skepticism (”Is that so?”) I dare say — “I venture to assert” (often followed by a tentative claim) What say you? — Formal question soliciting opinion (”What do you think?”) Nay-say — To deny or refuse (from which we get “naysayer”) Say on — “Continue speaking” (imperative) Well said! — Expression of approval (”Well done!” or “Well spoken!”) To say sooth — “To speak the truth” (sooth = truth)
Regional and Class Variations
The choice between saith and says often reflected register rather than region. Biblical and legal language favoured the older -eth forms, while colloquial speech increasingly employed -s. By the late 17th century, -eth had become purely archaic, surviving only in religious contexts (”The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away”).
The Pronunciation Shift
During the Elizabethan period, the suffix -tion (in words like proposition, condition, nation) was still pronounced /tiˈon/ or /sjɔn/, reflecting its Latin and French origins. The modern pronunciation /ʃən/ developed gradually during the 17th and 18th centuries. Similarly, said in careful or elevated speech retained its two-syllable pronunciation /ˈseɪ.ɛd/, though contracted forms also existed.
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From William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (c. 1596-1598), Act IV, Scene 1
Portia, disguised as a young lawyer, delivers her famous speech on mercy:
F-A: Interlinear Construed Text
The (/ðə/) the quality (/ˈkwa.lɪ.tiː/) quality of (/ɔf/) of mercy (/ˈmɛr.siː/) mercy is (/ɪz/) is not (/nɔt/) not strain’d; (/streɪnd/) strained
It (/ɪt/) it droppeth (/ˈdrɔ.pɛθ/) drop-3SG as (/az/) as the (/ðə/) the gentle (/ˈdʒɛn.təl/) gentle rain (/reɪn/) rain from (/frɔm/) from heaven (/ˈhɛ.vən/) heaven
Upon (/ʊˈpɔn/) upon the (/ðə/) the place (/pleɪs/) place beneath. (/bɪˈniːθ/) beneath
It (/ɪt/) it is (/ɪz/) is twice (/twaɪs/) twice blest: (/blɛst/) blessed
It (/ɪt/) it blesseth (/ˈblɛ.sɛθ/) bless-3SG him (/hɪm/) him that (/ðat/) who-REL gives (/gɪvz/) gives and (/and/) and him (/hɪm/) him that (/ðat/) who-REL takes. (/teɪks/) takes
‘Tis (/tɪz/) it-is-CONTR mightiest (/ˈmaɪ.ti.ɛst/) mighty-SUPERL in (/ɪn/) in the (/ðə/) the mightiest; (/ˈmaɪ.ti.ɛst/) mighty-SUPERL
It (/ɪt/) it becomes (/bɪˈkʊmz/) becomes the (/ðə/) the throned (/θroːnd/) throne-PAST.PART monarch (/ˈmɔ.nark/) monarch better (/ˈbɛ.tər/) better than (/ðan/) than his (/hɪz/) his crown. (/kraʊn/) crown
His (/hɪz/) his sceptre (/ˈsɛp.tər/) sceptre shows (/ʃoːz/) shows the (/ðə/) the force (/fɔrs/) force of (/ɔf/) of temporal (/ˈtɛm.pɔ.ral/) temporal power, (/ˈpaʊ.ər/) power
The (/ðə/) the attribute (/ˈa.trɪ.bjuːt/) attribute to (/tuː/) to awe (/ɔː/) awe and (/and/) and majesty, (/ˈma.dʒɛ.stiː/) majesty
Wherein (/hwɛrˈɪn/) where-in doth (/dʊθ/) do-3SG.AUX sit (/sɪt/) sit the (/ðə/) the dread (/drɛːd/) dread and (/and/) and fear (/fiːr/) fear of (/ɔf/) of kings. (/kɪŋz/) kings
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.
“The quality of mercy is not forced; it falls like gentle rain from heaven upon the earth below. It is doubly blessed: it blesses the one who gives and the one who receives. It is most powerful in the most powerful; it suits the enthroned monarch better than his crown. His sceptre shows the force of earthly power, the mark of awe and majesty, in which sits the dread and fear of kings.”
F-C: Original 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.
F-D: Grammar and Vocabulary Notes
This passage exemplifies Elizabethan high style with its archaic verb forms (droppeth, blesseth, doth) and formal vocabulary (strain’d, temporal, attribute). Note that strain’d represents the elided form of strained, with the apostrophe marking the omitted vowel—a common feature of Elizabethan verse to maintain meter.
The construction It blesseth him that gives uses the relative that where modern English would use who. The phrase wherein doth sit exemplifies the periphrastic do auxiliary in its emphatic function, here serving both emphasis and metrical purpose.
Connection to “Say”: Though say does not appear in this excerpt, the passage concerns the power of speech-acts in a legal context. Portia’s words demonstrate how saying can constitute doing—her speech performs persuasion, transforming the courtroom through rhetoric. The Duke later asks “What say you?” inviting judgment.
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A scene at court: Lord Pembroke and Lady Mortimer discuss rumours concerning the succession, while Pembroke’s servant, Thomas, brings news.
Part A: Interlinear Construed Text
25.16a “What say the councillors of the king’s malady?” asked Lady Mortimer. 25.16b What (/hwat/) what say (/seɪ/) say-3PL the (/ðə/) the councillors (/ˈkaʊn.sɪ.lərz/) councillors of (/ɔf/) of the (/ðə/) the king’s (/kɪŋz/) king-POSS malady (/ˈma.lə.diː/) malady asked (/ˈas.kɛd/) ask-PAST Lady (/ˈleɪ.diː/) Lady Mortimer (/ˈmɔr.tɪ.mər/) Mortimer
25.17a “They say nothing publicly,” Lord Pembroke replied, “but in private matters are otherwise.” 25.17b They (/ðeɪ/) they say (/seɪ/) say-3PL nothing (/ˈnʊ.θɪŋ/) nothing publicly (/ˈpʊb.lɪk.liː/) public-ADV Lord (/lɔːrd/) Lord Pembroke (/ˈpɛm.bruːk/) Pembroke replied (/rɪˈplaɪd/) reply-PAST but (/bʊt/) but in (/ɪn/) in private (/ˈpraɪ.vat/) private matters (/ˈma.tərz/) matters are (/aːr/) are otherwise (/ˈʊ.ðər.waɪz/) otherwise
25.18a “I pray you, say what you have heard.” 25.18b I (/aɪ/) I pray (/preɪ/) pray-1SG you (/juː/) you-FORMAL say (/seɪ/) say-IMP what (/hwat/) what-REL you (/juː/) you have (/hav/) have-AUX heard (/hɛːrd/) hear-PAST.PART
25.19a “It is said that his majesty grows weaker daily.” 25.19b It (/ɪt/) it-EXPL is (/ɪz/) is said (/ˈseɪ.ɛd/) say-PASS.PART that (/ðat/) that-CONJ his (/hɪz/) his majesty (/ˈma.dʒɛ.stiː/) majesty grows (/groːz/) grow-3SG weaker (/ˈwiː.kər/) weak-COMP daily (/ˈdeɪ.liː/) daily
25.20a “Who says so? Name them, I beseech you.” 25.20b Who (/huː/) who says (/seɪz/) say-3SG so (/soː/) so name (/neɪm/) name-IMP them (/ðɛm/) them I (/aɪ/) I beseech (/bɪˈsiːtʃ/) beseech-1SG you (/juː/) you
25.21a “Nay, I dare not say. There are ears everywhere at court.” 25.21b Nay (/neɪ/) nay I (/aɪ/) I dare (/dɛːr/) dare-1SG not (/nɔt/) not say (/seɪ/) say-INF there (/ðɛːr/) there are (/aːr/) are ears (/iːrz/) ears everywhere (/ˈɛv.riː.hwɛːr/) everywhere at (/at/) at court (/kɔːrt/) court
25.22a Thomas entered and said, “My lord, a messenger from the north awaits without.” 25.22b Thomas (/ˈtɔ.mas/) Thomas entered (/ˈɛn.tər.ɛd/) enter-PAST and (/and/) and said (/ˈseɪ.ɛd/) say-PAST my (/maɪ/) my lord (/lɔːrd/) lord a (/a/) a messenger (/ˈmɛ.sɪn.dʒər/) messenger from (/frɔm/) from the (/ðə/) the north (/nɔrθ/) north awaits (/əˈweɪts/) await-3SG without (/wɪθˈaʊt/) without-ADV
25.23a “Bid him enter. Let us hear what he would say.” 25.23b Bid (/bɪd/) bid-IMP him (/hɪm/) him enter (/ˈɛn.tər/) enter-INF let (/lɛt/) let-IMP us (/ʊs/) us hear (/hiːr/) hear-INF what (/hwat/) what-REL he (/hiː/) he would (/wʊd/) would-COND say (/seɪ/) say-INF
25.24a The messenger bowed and said, “My lord, I bring word from your brother.” 25.24b The (/ðə/) the messenger (/ˈmɛ.sɪn.dʒər/) messenger bowed (/baʊd/) bow-PAST and (/and/) and said (/ˈseɪ.ɛd/) say-PAST my (/maɪ/) my lord (/lɔːrd/) lord I (/aɪ/) I bring (/brɪŋ/) bring-1SG word (/wɜːrd/) word from (/frɔm/) from your (/jʊr/) your brother (/ˈbrʊ.ðər/) brother
25.25a “Say on. What tidings doth he send?” 25.25b Say (/seɪ/) say-IMP on (/ɔn/) on-ADV what (/hwat/) what tidings (/ˈtaɪ.dɪŋz/) tidings doth (/dʊθ/) do-3SG.AUX he (/hiː/) he send (/sɛnd/) send-INF
25.26a “He saith the northern lords grow restless. They speak of succession.” 25.26b He (/hiː/) he saith (/ˈseɪ.ɪθ/) say-3SG the (/ðə/) the northern (/ˈnɔr.ðərn/) northern lords (/lɔːrdz/) lords grow (/groː/) grow-3PL restless (/ˈrɛst.lɛs/) restless they (/ðeɪ/) they speak (/spɛːk/) speak-3PL of (/ɔf/) of succession (/sʊkˈsɛ.si.on/) succession-NOUN
25.27a Lady Mortimer whispered, “What say they of the prince?” 25.27b Lady (/ˈleɪ.diː/) Lady Mortimer (/ˈmɔr.tɪ.mər/) Mortimer whispered (/ˈhwɪs.pərd/) whisper-PAST what (/hwat/) what say (/seɪ/) say-3PL they (/ðeɪ/) they of (/ɔf/) of the (/ðə/) the prince (/prɪns/) prince
25.28a “They say he is too young, and some would have the Duke of York instead.” 25.28b They (/ðeɪ/) they say (/seɪ/) say-3PL he (/hiː/) he is (/ɪz/) is too (/tuː/) too young (/jʊŋ/) young and (/and/) and some (/sʊm/) some would (/wʊd/) would-COND have (/hav/) have-INF the (/ðə/) the Duke (/djuːk/) Duke of (/ɔf/) of York (/jɔrk/) York instead (/ɪnˈstɛd/) instead
25.29a “God’s wounds! Say not such treasonous things aloud!” 25.29b God’s (/gɔdz/) God-POSS wounds (/wuːndz/) wounds-INTERJ say (/seɪ/) say-IMP not (/nɔt/) not such (/sʊtʃ/) such treasonous (/ˈtriː.zən.ʊs/) treason-ADJ things (/θɪŋz/) things aloud (/əˈlaʊd/) aloud
25.30a “I but say what others say, my lord. The fault lies not in the saying.” 25.30b I (/aɪ/) I but (/bʊt/) but-ADV.ONLY say (/seɪ/) say-1SG what (/hwat/) what-REL others (/ˈʊ.ðərz/) others say (/seɪ/) say-3PL my (/maɪ/) my lord (/lɔːrd/) lord the (/ðə/) the fault (/fɔːlt/) fault lies (/laɪz/) lie-3SG not (/nɔt/) not in (/ɪn/) in the (/ðə/) the saying (/ˈseɪ.ɪŋ/) say-GER
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Part B: Natural Sentences
25.16 “What say the councillors of the king’s malady?” asked Lady Mortimer. “’What do the councillors say about the king’s illness?’ asked Lady Mortimer.”
25.17 “They say nothing publicly,” Lord Pembroke replied, “but in private matters are otherwise.” “’They say nothing publicly,’ Lord Pembroke replied, ‘but in private things are different.’”
25.18 “I pray you, say what you have heard.” “’Please tell me what you have heard.’”
25.19 “It is said that his majesty grows weaker daily.” “’It is said that the king grows weaker every day.’”
25.20 “Who says so? Name them, I beseech you.” “’Who says so? Name them, I beg you.’”
25.21 “Nay, I dare not say. There are ears everywhere at court.” “’No, I dare not say. There are spies everywhere at court.’”
25.22 Thomas entered and said, “My lord, a messenger from the north awaits without.” “Thomas entered and said, ‘My lord, a messenger from the north waits outside.’”
25.23 “Bid him enter. Let us hear what he would say.” “’Tell him to come in. Let us hear what he has to say.’”
25.24 The messenger bowed and said, “My lord, I bring word from your brother.” “The messenger bowed and said, ‘My lord, I bring news from your brother.’”
25.25 “Say on. What tidings doth he send?” “’Continue. What news does he send?’”
25.26 “He saith the northern lords grow restless. They speak of succession.” “’He says the northern lords are growing restless. They are talking about the succession.’”
25.27 Lady Mortimer whispered, “What say they of the prince?” “Lady Mortimer whispered, ‘What do they say about the prince?’”
25.28 “They say he is too young, and some would have the Duke of York instead.” “’They say he is too young, and some would prefer the Duke of York.’”
25.29 “God’s wounds! Say not such treasonous things aloud!” “’God’s wounds! Do not say such treasonous things out loud!’”
25.30 “I but say what others say, my lord. The fault lies not in the saying.” “’I merely repeat what others say, my lord. The fault does not lie in reporting it.’”
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Part C: Elizabethan Text Only
25.16 “What say the councillors of the king’s malady?” asked Lady Mortimer.
25.17 “They say nothing publicly,” Lord Pembroke replied, “but in private matters are otherwise.”
25.18 “I pray you, say what you have heard.”
25.19 “It is said that his majesty grows weaker daily.”
25.20 “Who says so? Name them, I beseech you.”
25.21 “Nay, I dare not say. There are ears everywhere at court.”
25.22 Thomas entered and said, “My lord, a messenger from the north awaits without.”
25.23 “Bid him enter. Let us hear what he would say.”
25.24 The messenger bowed and said, “My lord, I bring word from your brother.”
25.25 “Say on. What tidings doth he send?”
25.26 “He saith the northern lords grow restless. They speak of succession.”
25.27 Lady Mortimer whispered, “What say they of the prince?”
25.28 “They say he is too young, and some would have the Duke of York instead.”
25.29 “God’s wounds! Say not such treasonous things aloud!”
25.30 “I but say what others say, my lord. The fault lies not in the saying.”
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Part D: Grammar Notes for Genre Section
Inverted Questions with SAY
Note the characteristic Elizabethan question formation in “What say the councillors?” (25.16) and “What say they of the prince?” (25.27). Rather than using the auxiliary do (”What do they say?”), Elizabethan English inverts the main verb directly, a construction that survives in modern English only in fixed phrases like “What say you?”
The Imperative SAY
The imperative forms in this dialogue include both positive (Say on, Say what you have heard) and negative (Say not). Note that Elizabethan negative imperatives place not after the verb without do: “Say not” rather than modern “Do not say.”
Reported Speech Markers
This dialogue demonstrates the layered nature of reported speech in court intrigue. The messenger “but says what others say”—a defensive formula distinguishing the reporter from the original speaker. This reflects the genuine danger of bearing unwelcome news in Tudor England.
Period Pronunciation Notes for Dialogue -
Councillors (/ˈkaʊn.sɪ.lərz/): Note the full pronunciation of all syllables -
Succession (/sʊkˈsɛ.si.on/): The -tion rendered as /si.on/, not modern /ʃən/ -
Treasonous (/ˈtriː.zən.ʊs/): The ea in treason pronounced /iː/ (an exception to the general /ɛː/ pattern, as this word entered English after the sound change) -
Whispered (/ˈhwɪs.pərd/): Note the /hw-/ onset
The Oath “God’s wounds!”
The exclamation “God’s wounds!” (25.29) represents a minced oath referring to Christ’s crucifixion wounds. Such oaths were common in Elizabethan speech and drama, though increasingly considered profane. The Act to Restrain Abuses of Players (1606) forbade the use of God’s name on stage, leading playwrights to modify or remove such expressions.
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This Elizabethan English course applies the Latinum Institute methodology developed since 2006 for autodidactic language acquisition. The construed text format—presenting each word with its grammatical function clearly glossed—allows learners to absorb the grammatical patterns of Early Modern English through extensive exposure rather than abstract rule memorization.
Why Study Elizabethan English?
Elizabethan English opens access to some of the greatest works of world literature: the plays of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson; the poetry of Spenser, Sidney, and Donne; the King James Bible; and countless historical documents from a pivotal era in English history. While modern readers can generally understand Elizabethan texts, deep comprehension requires familiarity with the period’s distinctive grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
The Interlinear Method
Each word appears with its pronunciation (in period-appropriate IPA) and English gloss. This granular approach ensures that no construction remains opaque. By reading hundreds of construed examples, the learner internalizes patterns that would require years to acquire through unassisted reading.
Course Structure
This course follows a 1000-word frequency curriculum, ensuring that learners encounter the most common and useful vocabulary first. Each lesson focuses on a single high-frequency word, demonstrating its full range of uses through 30 contextual examples.
Further Resources
Course Index: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index Reviews: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk
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✓ Lesson 25 Elizabethan English complete
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