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What does “because” mean in Elizabethan English?
The word because (Early Modern English: /biˈkɔːz/) serves as the primary causal conjunction in Elizabethan English, introducing subordinate clauses that explain the reason or cause for an action or state. Derived from the Middle English phrase “by cause,” the word had fully fused into a single lexical unit by the sixteenth century.
In Elizabethan usage, because functions identically to modern English in expressing causation, though it frequently appears alongside period-specific alternatives such as for that, in that, sith (since), and the simple conjunction for. Shakespeare and his contemporaries employed because in both prose and verse, though the metrical flexibility of for often made it preferable in iambic pentameter.
The fifteen examples in this lesson demonstrate because in various syntactic positions—introducing subordinate clauses following main clauses, preceding main clauses for emphasis, and in combination with other period grammatical features such as the second person familiar (thou/thee), verbal inflections (-eth, -est), and characteristic Elizabethan vocabulary.
Key Takeaways: -
Because introduces causal subordinate clauses explaining why something occurs -
Elizabethan English retains /r/ after vowels (rhotic pronunciation) -
The suffix -tion was pronounced [sɪən] (two syllables), not modern [ʃən] -
Second person familiar forms (thou, thee, thy, thine) indicate intimacy or social hierarchy -
Verb endings -eth (third person singular) and -est (second person singular with thou) mark grammatical person
This lesson employs David Crystal’s Original Pronunciation reconstruction, reflecting how educated Londoners spoke circa 1590-1620.
Key Features: -
Rhotic /r/: Pronounced after vowels: heart [haːrt], never [ˈnɛvər] -
The TRAP vowel: More open [a] than modern RP [æ] -
The LOT vowel: Unrounded [ɑ], similar to American English -
The STRUT vowel: Close-mid back [ʊ], not modern [ʌ] -
-tion/-sion suffixes: Dissyllabic [sɪən], not modern [ʃən] -
Final -y: Often diphthongal [əɪ] in words like happy, truly -
The FACE/GOAT vowels: Monophthongal [eː] and [oː] rather than modern diphthongs
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64.1a I love thee because thou art true
64.1b I /aɪ/ I love /lʊːv/ love thee /ðiː/ thee-OBJ because /biˈkɔːz/ because thou /ðaʊ/ thou-NOM art /aːrt/ art-2SG.PRES true /truː/ true
64.2a He departeth because the hour groweth late
64.2b He /heː/ he departeth /diˈpaːrtəθ/ depart-3SG.PRES because /biˈkɔːz/ because the /ðə/ the hour /aʊr/ hour groweth /ˈgroːəθ/ grow-3SG.PRES late /leːt/ late
64.3a Because the King commandeth it we must obey
64.3b Because /biˈkɔːz/ because the /ðə/ the King /kɪŋ/ king commandeth /kəˈmandəθ/ command-3SG.PRES it /ɪt/ it we /weː/ we must /mʊst/ must obey /oːˈbeɪ/ obey
64.4a She weepeth because her love hath forsaken her
64.4b She /ʃeː/ she weepeth /ˈweːpəθ/ weep-3SG.PRES because /biˈkɔːz/ because her /hər/ her-POSS love /lʊːv/ love-N hath /haθ/ have-3SG.PRES forsaken /fərˈseːkən/ forsake-PAST.PTCP her /hər/ her-OBJ
64.5a Thou speakest thus because thou knowest not the danger
64.5b Thou /ðaʊ/ thou-NOM speakest /ˈspeːkəst/ speak-2SG.PRES thus /ðʊs/ thus because /biˈkɔːz/ because thou /ðaʊ/ thou-NOM knowest /ˈnoːəst/ know-2SG.PRES not /nɑt/ not the /ðə/ the danger /ˈdeːndʒər/ danger
64.6a We tarry here because the tempest rageth without
64.6b We /weː/ we tarry /ˈtarəɪ/ tarry here /hiːr/ here because /biˈkɔːz/ because the /ðə/ the tempest /ˈtɛmpəst/ tempest rageth /ˈreːdʒəθ/ rage-3SG.PRES without /wɪθˈaʊt/ without-ADV
64.7a Because thou didst deceive me I can trust thee no more
64.7b Because /biˈkɔːz/ because thou /ðaʊ/ thou-NOM didst /dɪdst/ do-2SG.PAST deceive /diˈseːv/ deceive me /meː/ me-OBJ I /aɪ/ I can /kan/ can trust /trʊst/ trust thee /ðiː/ thee-OBJ no /noː/ no more /moːr/ more
64.8a The physician cometh because my father lieth sick
64.8b The /ðə/ the physician /fɪˈzɪsɪən/ physician cometh /ˈkʊməθ/ come-3SG.PRES because /biˈkɔːz/ because my /maɪ/ my father /ˈfaːðər/ father lieth /ˈlaɪəθ/ lie-3SG.PRES sick /sɪk/ sick
64.9a They fled the city because the pestilence spread therein
64.9b They /ðeɪ/ they fled /flɛd/ flee-PAST the /ðə/ the city /ˈsɪtəɪ/ city because /biˈkɔːz/ because the /ðə/ the pestilence /ˈpɛstɪləns/ pestilence spread /sprɛd/ spread-PAST therein /ðɛrˈɪn/ therein
64.10a Because ambition consumeth him he knoweth no rest
64.10b Because /biˈkɔːz/ because ambition /amˈbɪsɪən/ ambition consumeth /kənˈsjuːməθ/ consume-3SG.PRES him /hɪm/ him-OBJ he /heː/ he knoweth /ˈnoːəθ/ know-3SG.PRES no /noː/ no rest /rɛst/ rest
64.11a I speak boldly because conscience doth compel me to truth
64.11b I /aɪ/ I speak /speːk/ speak boldly /ˈboːldləɪ/ boldly because /biˈkɔːz/ because conscience /ˈkɑnsɪəns/ conscience doth /dʊθ/ do-3SG.PRES compel /kəmˈpɛl/ compel me /meː/ me-OBJ to /tuː/ to truth /truːθ/ truth
64.12a The Queen smileth because the nation rejoiceth at her coronation
64.12b The /ðə/ the Queen /kweːn/ queen smileth /ˈsmaɪləθ/ smile-3SG.PRES because /biˈkɔːz/ because the /ðə/ the nation /ˈneːsɪən/ nation rejoiceth /rɪˈdʒɔɪsəθ/ rejoice-3SG.PRES at /at/ at her /hər/ her coronation /kɔrəˈneːsɪən/ coronation
64.13a Thou tremblest because thy transgression shall be discovered
64.13b Thou /ðaʊ/ thou-NOM tremblest /ˈtrɛmbləst/ tremble-2SG.PRES because /biˈkɔːz/ because thy /ðaɪ/ thy-POSS transgression /transˈgrɛsɪən/ transgression shall /ʃal/ shall be /biː/ be discovered /dɪsˈkʊvərd/ discover-PAST.PTCP
64.14a We celebrate because our salvation draweth nigh
64.14b We /weː/ we celebrate /ˈsɛləbreːt/ celebrate because /biˈkɔːz/ because our /aʊr/ our salvation /salˈveːsɪən/ salvation draweth /ˈdrɔːəθ/ draw-3SG.PRES nigh /naɪ/ nigh
64.15a Because perfection cannot be attained we must strive the more earnestly
64.15b Because /biˈkɔːz/ because perfection /pərˈfɛksɪən/ perfection cannot /ˈkanɑt/ cannot be /biː/ be attained /əˈteːnd/ attain-PAST.PTCP we /weː/ we must /mʊst/ must strive /straɪv/ strive the /ðə/ the more /moːr/ more earnestly /ˈərnəstləɪ/ earnestly
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64.1 I love thee because thou art true. “I love you because you are true.”
64.2 He departeth because the hour groweth late. “He departs because the hour grows late.”
64.3 Because the King commandeth it, we must obey. “Because the King commands it, we must obey.”
64.4 She weepeth because her love hath forsaken her. “She weeps because her beloved has forsaken her.”
64.5 Thou speakest thus because thou knowest not the danger. “You speak thus because you know not the danger.”
64.6 We tarry here because the tempest rageth without. “We stay here because the storm rages outside.”
64.7 Because thou didst deceive me, I can trust thee no more. “Because you deceived me, I can trust you no longer.”
64.8 The physician cometh because my father lieth sick. “The physician comes because my father lies sick.”
64.9 They fled the city because the pestilence spread therein. “They fled the city because the plague spread within it.”
64.10 Because ambition consumeth him, he knoweth no rest. “Because ambition consumes him, he knows no rest.”
64.11 I speak boldly because conscience doth compel me to truth. “I speak boldly because conscience compels me to truth.”
64.12 The Queen smileth because the nation rejoiceth at her coronation. “The Queen smiles because the nation rejoices at her coronation.”
64.13 Thou tremblest because thy transgression shall be discovered. “You tremble because your transgression shall be discovered.”
64.14 We celebrate because our salvation draweth nigh. “We celebrate because our salvation draws near.”
64.15 Because perfection cannot be attained, we must strive the more earnestly. “Because perfection cannot be attained, we must strive all the more earnestly.”
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64.1 I love thee because thou art true.
64.2 He departeth because the hour groweth late.
64.3 Because the King commandeth it, we must obey.
64.4 She weepeth because her love hath forsaken her.
64.5 Thou speakest thus because thou knowest not the danger.
64.6 We tarry here because the tempest rageth without.
64.7 Because thou didst deceive me, I can trust thee no more.
64.8 The physician cometh because my father lieth sick.
64.9 They fled the city because the pestilence spread therein.
64.10 Because ambition consumeth him, he knoweth no rest.
64.11 I speak boldly because conscience doth compel me to truth.
64.12 The Queen smileth because the nation rejoiceth at her coronation.
64.13 Thou tremblest because thy transgression shall be discovered.
64.14 We celebrate because our salvation draweth nigh.
64.15 Because perfection cannot be attained, we must strive the more earnestly.
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These are the grammar rules for BECAUSE in Elizabethan English:
Function and Syntax
The conjunction because introduces adverbial clauses of cause or reason. It may follow the main clause (the more common position) or precede it for rhetorical emphasis. When the because-clause precedes, a comma typically separates the two clauses in modern editorial practice.
Following main clause: I love thee because thou art true. Preceding main clause: Because the King commandeth it, we must obey.
Period Alternatives to BECAUSE
Elizabethan writers employed several alternative causal constructions:
For — The simplest causal conjunction, metrically convenient in verse: He wept, for his love had died.
For that — A more formal variant: I came not, for that I was sick.
Sith (since) — Common in elevated prose and verse: Sith thou wilt not, I must depart.
In that — Introducing explanatory clauses: He erred, in that he trusted falsely.
Verbal Agreement with THOU
When because introduces a clause with the subject thou, the verb takes the second person singular ending -est (present) or the auxiliary didst (past):
Present: because thou knowest, speakest, tremblest Past: because thou didst deceive, didst speak
Verbal Agreement with Third Person
Third person singular verbs in because-clauses take the ending -eth (archaic/formal) or -es/-s (emerging standard):
because he knoweth / because he knows because she weepeth / because she weeps because it rageth / because it rages
The Auxiliary DOTH
The auxiliary doth (third person singular of do) provides emphasis or fills metrical requirements:
because conscience doth compel me — emphatic because conscience compels me — neutral
Pronunciation Note: The -TION Suffix
In Original Pronunciation, words ending in -tion, -sion, -cion were pronounced as two distinct syllables [sɪən], not as the modern single syllable [ʃən]:
nation — [ˈneːsɪən] (three syllables: NA-si-on) ambition — [amˈbɪsɪən] (four syllables: am-BI-si-on) coronation — [kɔrəˈneːsɪən] (five syllables: co-ro-NA-si-on) transgression — [transˈgrɛsɪən] (four syllables: trans-GRES-si-on) salvation — [salˈveːsɪən] (four syllables: sal-VA-si-on) perfection — [pərˈfɛksɪən] (four syllables: per-FEK-si-on)
This pronunciation affected scansion in verse and explains why words like nation could rhyme with words ending in -ian.
Common Mistakes
Using -eth with thou: The ending -eth is strictly third person. With thou, use -est: thou knowest (not thou knoweth).
Confusing thee and thou: Thou is nominative (subject), thee is accusative/dative (object): Because thou lovest me, I love thee.
Modern -tion pronunciation in verse: Pronouncing nation as one syllable disrupts Elizabethan meter; maintain the period dissyllabic pronunciation [sɪən].
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Causation and Divine Providence
In Elizabethan thought, causal reasoning operated within a framework of divine providence. When speakers explained events using because, they often implicitly acknowledged a hierarchy of causes—immediate human causes operating within ultimate divine purpose. The phrase “because God wills it” represented the terminus of all causal chains.
Legal and Rhetorical Usage
In legal contexts, because introduced the ratio decidendi—the reason for a judgment. Elizabethan courts and parliamentary debates employed elaborate because-constructions to establish logical foundations for decisions. The ability to construct compelling causal arguments marked the educated speaker.
Theatrical Motivation
On the Elizabethan stage, because frequently introduced motivation speeches, allowing characters to explain their actions to the audience. Such speeches served the dual purpose of psychological realism and audience comprehension, particularly important when characters’ motivations were complex or morally ambiguous.
Regional and Social Variation
While because was universal, regional dialects retained older causal conjunctions. Northern dialects preserved for why and for because (double conjunction); rural speech retained cause as an independent conjunction. Educated London English preferred simple because or the elegant for that.
Idiomatic Expressions
Because why — A dialectal emphatic form, sometimes used for comic effect: “Because why? Because I say so!”
Not because... but because — The contrastive construction: “I speak not because I would harm thee, but because I would save thee.”
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From William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (c. 1596-1598), Act III, Scene 1
Shylock’s famous speech on common humanity employs causal reasoning through a series of rhetorical questions culminating in explicit because-constructions.
Hath /haθ/ have-3SG.PRES not /nɑt/ not a /ə/ a Jew /dʒuː/ Jew eyes? /aɪz/ eyes
Hath /haθ/ have-3SG.PRES not /nɑt/ not a /ə/ a Jew /dʒuː/ Jew hands, /handz/ hands organs, /ˈɔrgənz/ organs dimensions, /dɪˈmɛnsɪənz/ dimensions senses, /ˈsɛnsɪz/ senses affections, /əˈfɛksɪənz/ affections passions? /ˈpasɪənz/ passions
Fed /fɛd/ feed-PAST.PTCP with /wɪθ/ with the /ðə/ the same /seːm/ same food, /fuːd/ food hurt /hʊrt/ hurt-PAST.PTCP with /wɪθ/ with the /ðə/ the same /seːm/ same weapons, /ˈwɛpənz/ weapons
subject /ˈsʊbdʒɛkt/ subject to /tuː/ to the /ðə/ the same /seːm/ same diseases, /dɪˈziːzɪz/ diseases healed /heːld/ heal-PAST.PTCP by /baɪ/ by the /ðə/ the same /seːm/ same means, /meːnz/ means
warmed /wɔːrmd/ warm-PAST.PTCP and /and/ and cooled /kuːld/ cool-PAST.PTCP by /baɪ/ by the /ðə/ the same /seːm/ same winter /ˈwɪntər/ winter and /and/ and summer /ˈsʊmər/ summer
as /az/ as a /ə/ a Christian /ˈkrɪstɪən/ Christian is? /ɪz/ is
If /ɪf/ if you /juː/ you prick /prɪk/ prick us, /ʊs/ us do /duː/ do we /weː/ we not /nɑt/ not bleed? /bleːd/ bleed
If /ɪf/ if you /juː/ you tickle /ˈtɪkəl/ tickle us, /ʊs/ us do /duː/ do we /weː/ we not /nɑt/ not laugh? /laf/ laugh
If /ɪf/ if you /juː/ you poison /ˈpɔɪzən/ poison us, /ʊs/ us do /duː/ do we /weː/ we not /nɑt/ not die? /daɪ/ die
And /and/ and if /ɪf/ if you /juː/ you wrong /rɔŋ/ wrong us, /ʊs/ us shall /ʃal/ shall we /weː/ we not /nɑt/ not revenge? /rɪˈvɛndʒ/ revenge
Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
“Does not a Jew have eyes? Does not a Jew have hands, organs, physical form, senses, emotions, passions? Nourished with the same food, injured with the same weapons, susceptible to the same diseases, healed by the same remedies, warmed and cooled by the same seasons as a Christian is? If you stab us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not take revenge?”
Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? Fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
This passage demonstrates Elizabethan causal and conditional logic. While because does not appear explicitly, the entire speech builds toward an implicit because-construction: “[Because we share common humanity], shall we not revenge?”
Hath not — The inverted question form with third person singular hath (modern: “has not” or “doesn’t have”).
Dimensions — Physical proportions, bodily form; pronounced /dɪˈmɛnsɪənz/ with the dissyllabic -sion ending.
Affections — Emotions, feelings; the word carried stronger psychological weight than modern “affection.” Pronounced /əˈfɛksɪənz/ with four syllables.
If you prick us — The conditional clause establishes cause; the result clause do we not bleed expresses effect. This if-then structure parallels because causation.
Shall we not revenge? — The culminating rhetorical question transforms the causal logic into moral argument: because we suffer equally, we have equal right to response.
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A gentleman explains to his servant why he must depart for the wars
64.16a Attend me well, good Thomas, for I must speak plainly
64.16b Attend /əˈtɛnd/ attend-IMP me /meː/ me-OBJ well, /wɛl/ well good /guːd/ good Thomas, /ˈtɑməs/ Thomas for /fɔr/ for I /aɪ/ I must /mʊst/ must speak /speːk/ speak plainly /ˈpleːnləɪ/ plainly
64.17a I depart tomorrow because the nation requireth every loyal subject
64.17b I /aɪ/ I depart /diˈpaːrt/ depart tomorrow /tuːˈmɔroː/ tomorrow because /biˈkɔːz/ because the /ðə/ the nation /ˈneːsɪən/ nation requireth /rɪˈkwaɪrəθ/ require-3SG.PRES every /ˈɛvriː/ every loyal /ˈlɔɪəl/ loyal subject /ˈsʊbdʒɛkt/ subject
64.18a Because our enemies gather upon the borders we cannot tarry in safety
64.18b Because /biˈkɔːz/ because our /aʊr/ our enemies /ˈɛnəmiːz/ enemies gather /ˈgaðər/ gather upon /əˈpɑn/ upon the /ðə/ the borders /ˈbɔrdərz/ borders we /weː/ we cannot /ˈkanɑt/ cannot tarry /ˈtarəɪ/ tarry in /ɪn/ in safety /ˈseːftəɪ/ safety
64.19a My father served thus because honour demanded it
64.19b My /maɪ/ my father /ˈfaːðər/ father served /sərvd/ serve-PAST thus /ðʊs/ thus because /biˈkɔːz/ because honour /ˈɑnər/ honour demanded /dɪˈmandɪd/ demand-PAST it /ɪt/ it
64.20a And because his father did likewise the tradition bindeth me
64.20b And /and/ and because /biˈkɔːz/ because his /hɪz/ his father /ˈfaːðər/ father did /dɪd/ do-PAST likewise /ˈlaɪkwaɪz/ likewise the /ðə/ the tradition /traˈdɪsɪən/ tradition bindeth /ˈbaɪndəθ/ bind-3SG.PRES me /meː/ me-OBJ
64.21a I leave thee in charge of this house because I trust thee entirely
64.21b I /aɪ/ I leave /leːv/ leave thee /ðiː/ thee-OBJ in /ɪn/ in charge /tʃaːrdʒ/ charge of /ɔv/ of this /ðɪs/ this house /haʊs/ house because /biˈkɔːz/ because I /aɪ/ I trust /trʊst/ trust thee /ðiː/ thee-OBJ entirely /ɪnˈtaɪrləɪ/ entirely
64.22a Because thou hast served faithfully these seven years I know thy devotion
64.22b Because /biˈkɔːz/ because thou /ðaʊ/ thou-NOM hast /hast/ have-2SG.PRES served /sərvd/ serve-PAST.PTCP faithfully /ˈfeːθfʊlləɪ/ faithfully these /ðiːz/ these seven /ˈsɛvən/ seven years /jiːrz/ years I /aɪ/ I know /noː/ know thy /ðaɪ/ thy devotion /dɪˈvoːsɪən/ devotion
64.23a Guard my lady well because she remaineth with child
64.23b Guard /gaːrd/ guard-IMP my /maɪ/ my lady /ˈleːdəɪ/ lady well /wɛl/ well because /biˈkɔːz/ because she /ʃeː/ she remaineth /rɪˈmeːnəθ/ remain-3SG.PRES with /wɪθ/ with child /tʃaɪld/ child
64.24a Because the physician hath given good report I depart with easier heart
64.24b Because /biˈkɔːz/ because the /ðə/ the physician /fɪˈzɪsɪən/ physician hath /haθ/ have-3SG.PRES given /ˈgɪvən/ give-PAST.PTCP good /guːd/ good report /rɪˈpɔːrt/ report I /aɪ/ I depart /diˈpaːrt/ depart with /wɪθ/ with easier /ˈiːzɪər/ easier heart /haːrt/ heart
64.25a Yet I confess fear because no man knoweth what fortune the wars shall bring
64.25b Yet /jɛt/ yet I /aɪ/ I confess /kənˈfɛs/ confess fear /fiːr/ fear because /biˈkɔːz/ because no /noː/ no man /man/ man knoweth /ˈnoːəθ/ know-3SG.PRES what /hwɑt/ what fortune /ˈfɔrtjuːn/ fortune the /ðə/ the wars /wɔːrz/ wars shall /ʃal/ shall bring /brɪŋ/ bring
64.26a Because I may not return I have written my will and testament
64.26b Because /biˈkɔːz/ because I /aɪ/ I may /meɪ/ may not /nɑt/ not return /rɪˈtərn/ return I /aɪ/ I have /hav/ have written /ˈrɪtən/ write-PAST.PTCP my /maɪ/ my will /wɪl/ will and /and/ and testament /ˈtɛstəmənt/ testament
64.27a Thou shalt find provision for thy family because I would not have thee suffer
64.27b Thou /ðaʊ/ thou-NOM shalt /ʃalt/ shall-2SG find /faɪnd/ find provision /prəˈvɪʒən/ provision for /fɔr/ for thy /ðaɪ/ thy family /ˈfamɪləɪ/ family because /biˈkɔːz/ because I /aɪ/ I would /wʊd/ would not /nɑt/ not have /hav/ have thee /ðiː/ thee-OBJ suffer /ˈsʊfər/ suffer
64.28a Because thou weepest I perceive thy affection and am moved
64.28b Because /biˈkɔːz/ because thou /ðaʊ/ thou-NOM weepest /ˈweːpəst/ weep-2SG.PRES I /aɪ/ I perceive /pərˈseːv/ perceive thy /ðaɪ/ thy affection /əˈfɛksɪən/ affection and /and/ and am /am/ am moved /muːvd/ move-PAST.PTCP
64.29a Weep not because I go but pray because thou lovest me
64.29b Weep /weːp/ weep-IMP not /nɑt/ not because /biˈkɔːz/ because I /aɪ/ I go /goː/ go but /bʊt/ but pray /preː/ pray-IMP because /biˈkɔːz/ because thou /ðaʊ/ thou-NOM lovest /ˈlʊvəst/ love-2SG.PRES me /meː/ me-OBJ
64.30a And because God watcheth over the righteous I trust we shall meet again
64.30b And /and/ and because /biˈkɔːz/ because God /gɑd/ God watcheth /ˈwɑtʃəθ/ watch-3SG.PRES over /ˈoːvər/ over the /ðə/ the righteous /ˈraɪtʃəs/ righteous I /aɪ/ I trust /trʊst/ trust we /weː/ we shall /ʃal/ shall meet /meːt/ meet again /əˈgɛn/ again
64.16 Attend me well, good Thomas, for I must speak plainly. “Listen to me carefully, good Thomas, for I must speak plainly.”
64.17 I depart tomorrow because the nation requireth every loyal subject. “I leave tomorrow because the nation requires every loyal subject.”
64.18 Because our enemies gather upon the borders, we cannot tarry in safety. “Because our enemies are gathering at the borders, we cannot remain in safety.”
64.19 My father served thus because honour demanded it. “My father served in this manner because honour demanded it.”
64.20 And because his father did likewise, the tradition bindeth me. “And because his father did the same, the tradition binds me.”
64.21 I leave thee in charge of this house because I trust thee entirely. “I leave you in charge of this house because I trust you completely.”
64.22 Because thou hast served faithfully these seven years, I know thy devotion. “Because you have served faithfully these seven years, I know your devotion.”
64.23 Guard my lady well because she remaineth with child. “Guard my lady well because she is with child.”
64.24 Because the physician hath given good report, I depart with easier heart. “Because the physician has given a good report, I depart with an easier heart.”
64.25 Yet I confess fear because no man knoweth what fortune the wars shall bring. “Yet I confess fear because no man knows what fortune the wars shall bring.”
64.26 Because I may not return, I have written my will and testament. “Because I may not return, I have written my will and testament.”
64.27 Thou shalt find provision for thy family because I would not have thee suffer. “You shall find provision for your family because I would not have you suffer.”
64.28 Because thou weepest, I perceive thy affection and am moved. “Because you weep, I perceive your affection and am moved.”
64.29 Weep not because I go, but pray because thou lovest me. “Do not weep because I am going, but pray because you love me.”
64.30 And because God watcheth over the righteous, I trust we shall meet again. “And because God watches over the righteous, I trust we shall meet again.”
64.16 Attend me well, good Thomas, for I must speak plainly.
64.17 I depart tomorrow because the nation requireth every loyal subject.
64.18 Because our enemies gather upon the borders, we cannot tarry in safety.
64.19 My father served thus because honour demanded it.
64.20 And because his father did likewise, the tradition bindeth me.
64.21 I leave thee in charge of this house because I trust thee entirely.
64.22 Because thou hast served faithfully these seven years, I know thy devotion.
64.23 Guard my lady well because she remaineth with child.
64.24 Because the physician hath given good report, I depart with easier heart.
64.25 Yet I confess fear because no man knoweth what fortune the wars shall bring.
64.26 Because I may not return, I have written my will and testament.
64.27 Thou shalt find provision for thy family because I would not have thee suffer.
64.28 Because thou weepest, I perceive thy affection and am moved.
64.29 Weep not because I go, but pray because thou lovest me.
64.30 And because God watcheth over the righteous, I trust we shall meet again.
Social Register in Address Forms
The gentleman addresses his servant as thou/thee rather than you, indicating a downward social direction. A servant would address his master as you/your/yours. This asymmetry—master uses familiar forms to servant, servant uses formal forms to master—characterizes Elizabethan class relations.
Thou hast served — The present perfect with hast (second person singular of have) indicates completed action with present relevance.
Shalt find — Future tense with shalt (second person singular of shall) expresses both prediction and promise.
-tion Words in This Passage
Several words demonstrate the period pronunciation pattern:
nation [ˈneːsɪən] — three syllables tradition [traˈdɪsɪən] — four syllables devotion [dɪˈvoːsɪən] — four syllables provision [prəˈvɪʒən] — four syllables affection [əˈfɛksɪən] — four syllables
Weep not because... but pray because — This contrastive construction shows because used twice to create antithesis: rejecting one cause (departure) while affirming another (love).
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Vowels (Original Pronunciation)
/aː/ — BATH vowel, long open front /a/ — TRAP vowel, short open front (more open than modern RP) /ɑ/ — LOT vowel, unrounded (American-like) /ʊ/ — STRUT vowel, close-mid back (not modern /ʌ/) /eː/ — FACE vowel, monophthong (not modern diphthong) /oː/ — GOAT vowel, monophthong (not modern diphthong) /əɪ/ — Final -y in unstressed syllables (happy, truly)
Consonants
/r/ — Rhotic in all positions, trilled or tapped /hw/ — In words like what, when, which (distinction from /w/) Post-vocalic /r/ retained: heart [haːrt], more [moːr]
The -TION/-SION Rule
All words ending in -tion, -sion, -cion pronounced with dissyllabic ending [sɪən]:
nation [ˈneːsɪən] passion [ˈpasɪən] dimension [dɪˈmɛnsɪən] transgression [transˈgrɛsɪən]
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Lesson 64 Complete
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