_The Personal Pronouns io, tu, egli, essa, noi, voi, eglino, being the
Nominative Case, ought to be put before the Verb; but if there is an
Interrogation, they must be put after._ [See GRAM. p. 67.]
I entreat you to grant me that favour.
supplicáre voi accordáre quello favóre.
What do you desire of me, madam?
brama madama?
What do you say? I do not understand you.
dire capíre.
Don’t you speak Italian and French?
parláre Italiáno Francése?
I understand them pretty well, but when you speak so very fast,
capíre assái bene ma quando parláre così presto
I cannot understand you.
non posso capíre.
I ask you if you will do me a favour.
domándare volére fare favóre.
With all my heart, if I can conveniently.
tutto cuóre potére senz’inconveniente.
Have you an Italian Dictionary?
avére Italiáno Dizionário?
Yes, I have Baretti’s Dictionary.
Barétti Dizionário.
Will you lend it me for two or three weeks?
prestáre[1] due tre settimána?
It is at your service, if you will send for it.
vostro servízio mandárlo a prendere.
Did you see the castle St. Angelo at Rome?
vedére castéllo Sant’ Angelo Roma?
Yes, it is very fine, very rich; in short, I think it is the finest
bello ricco in somma crédere [2]
castle in Europe.
Európa.
Do you think the city of Paris is finer than London?
crédere città Parígi bello Londra?
No, it is not so large, nor so well built as London.
gránde bene fabbricata
I love you with all my heart, and if you will come to-morrow to see me,
amáre tutto cuóre veníre dománi vedére
I’ll give you what I promised you.
dare prométtere.
I will not fail, but I am afraid to be too troublesome to you and to
mancáre temére di dar troppo incómodo
your family.
vóstra famiglia.
Did Mr. N. give you the book you lent him?
Signór dare libro prestáre?
Not yet; but I believe he will give it me soon.
non ancóra ma crédere dare presto.
When you get it back, will you bring it me?
[3]riavére portáre
I will do it willingly to oblige you.
fare volentiéri obbligáre.
When will you go to see him at his country seat?
quando andáre vedére sua villa?
I think I shall pay him a visit next month.
crédere fare una visita próssimo mese.
Bring me your grammar to-morrow.
portáre grammática dománi.
Here it is, sir, I brought it with me.
Eccola quà portáre meco.
Shew me what you have written. That is not well, write it over again,
mostráre quel che avére scrívere bene scrívere di nuóvo
and when you have done, give it to your brother.
[4]quando avére fare dare vostro fratéllo.
I think you are very idle.
crédere éssere pigro.
Forgive me, I will be more diligent in future.
perdonáre éssere più diligénte all’avveníre.
Reach me that pen-knife, and a clean pen.
recáre quello temperíno pulíto penna.
Write an exercise, and then read it to me.
scrívere tema e poi leggétemelo[5].
[1] See _Gram._ p. 203, on pronouns conjunctive.
[2] See _Gram._ p. 56, on superlatives.
[3] This supposes a future, which must be thus expressed: _Quando lo
riávréte_, &c.
[4] Turn, _and when you shall have done it_.
[5] See _Gram._ p. 66.
On PRONOUNS DEMONSTRATIVE and POSSESSIVE.
_The Pronouns Demonstrative, questo, quello, or questi, and the
Pronouns Possessive, mio, mia, tuo, tua, suo, sua, agree with the
Substantive in gender, number, and case._
[See VENERONI’S GRAMMAR, p. 68, 70.]
This horse goes better than any of yours.
questo cavállo andáre qualúnque vostro.
This man is more honest than you think.[1]
uómo onésto crédere.
This woman is not so happy as she deserves.
donna felíce meritáre.
This house stands in a most pleasant situation.
casa stare améno situazióne.
Those gentlemen seem to be very cold.
quello signóre parére avére freddo.
Those ladies are very modestly drest.
signóra modestaménte vestíre.
My brother is gone into the country for a month.
[2]mio fratéllo andáre campágna mese.
My mother is gone over to France for her health.
madre Fráncia salute.
My countrymen are very great politicians.
compatriótto grande político.
My sister loves public diversions to excess.
sorélla amáre púbblico divertiménto éccesso.
My action is not so blameable as you say.
azióne biasimiévole dire.
Your affection for me is false and deceitful.
affétto falso ingannévole.
Her history has made a great noise in the world.
stória avére fare grande romóre mondo.
Their clock is always out of order.
orológio sempre in disórdine.
Our house is finer than yours.
casa bello vostro.
Their affairs are more perplexed [3]than you imagine.
affáre più imbarrazzáre immagináre.
[1] You must here add a negation, after a comparison, as in French, and
turn it thus; _than you not think: Che non credéte_.
[2] Pronouns possessive take the article _il_, _la_, &c. in the
nominative. See _Veneroni’s Grammar_, p. 68.
[3] Render it, as in the preceding page; _than you not imagine_.
_The Pronoun Relative che is of all genders, and of all numbers._ [See
GRAM. p. 72.]
The woman who has a fair face, is loved by all.
donna che avére bello viso amáre tutto.
The girl who brought me my pen-knife, is lovely.
ragázza portáre temperíno amábile.
The man who bought my house is honest.
uómo compráre mio casa onésto.
My brother’s hat begins to be worn.
fratéllo cappéllo cominciáre usársi.
The man who struck my father is a butcher.
uómo percuótere padre macellájo.
The rewards which are promised shall be given, if the work required,
ricompénsa éssere prométtere dare lavóro richiésto
be done the day after to-morrow.
fare dopo dománi.
The horse which my father sold was very good.
cavállo padre véndere éssere buóno.
The comedy which we acted was pleasant.
commédia rappresentáre piacévole.
The wood we bargained for was too dry.
legna patteggiáre éssere secco.
The wine which you drank yesterday was excellent.
vino bere jeri eccellente.
The last lesson you gave me, was very difficult.
ultimo lezióne dare molto diffícile.
The company you keep is not honest.
compagnía praticáre onésto.
I have found the book which I had lost.
avére trováre libro pérdere.
_Note that, he that, and she that, must be turned by quello che, and
quella che._ [See GRAM. p. 72.]
He who does not fear God, does not deserve to live.
temére Dio meritáre vívere.
He who came this morning, has a great regard for you.
veníre mattína avére gran stima
He who gave you that counsel, is not your friend.
dare consíglio amíco.
He who lives honestly, is esteemed by all people.
vívere onestaménte stimáre tutti.
He who told you that, did not tell you the truth.
dire verità.
He who sold you these boots, did not cheat you.
véndere stivále ingannáre.
She who is the handsomest, is not always the most virtuous.
bello sempre virtuóso.
He who speaks continually, must be very troublesome.
parláre continuamente deve éssere seccante.
She who told me the news, is your great friend.
dire nuóvo grande amíca.
She who is married to Mr. N. is the most lively.
maritáre signór N. più viváce.
She who gave me your letter, speaks Italian very well.
dare léttera parláre Italiáno beníssimo.
He whom you look for, is gone away this morning.
cercáre partire mattína.
He whom you hate the most, is my intimate friend.
odiáre intímo amico.
He whom you have recommended to me, is a great rogue.
avére raccomandáre birbánte.
He whom you saw yesterday, is my sister’s lover.
vedére jéri éssere sorélla amánte.
He whom God loves, is very happy.
Dio amáre felíce.
She whom you see, is my eldest brother’s mistress.
vedére primogénito fratéllo innamoráta.
She whom I have recommended to you, is modest.
avére raccomandáre modésto.
She whom I loved most, is married.
amáre il più maritáre.
I saw to-day the gentleman with whom we dined yesterday.
vedére oggi signóre [1] pranzáre jéri.
Here is the lady for whom I have great respect.
Ecco signóra avére grande rispétto.
Let us go and see the lady with whom we played at cards
andáre [2] vedere giuocáre carta
in the country the other day.
campágna altro giórno.
The gentleman with whom we were the other day is very ill.
signóre éssere altro giórno ammaláto.
There is the horse for which I offered twenty guineas.
cavállo esibire venti ghinéa.
Shew me the watch for which you gave forty pounds.
mostráre oriuólo dare quaránta lire.
There is the sword for which I offered six guineas.
spada esibíre sei ghinéa.
[1] We put _quale_ after the prepositions, speaking of reasonable
creatures. See _Gram._ p. 72.
[2] See _Gram._ p. 205, on verbs of motion.
_When between two Verbs there is a Noun, or a Pronoun, we put generally
che after the first Verb._
I thought you could speak Italian better than you do.[1]
crédere parláre Italiáno méglio
I fancy you are not yet twenty years old.
immaginársi [2]avére ancóra venti anni.
I hope you will not refuse me the favour to recommend me to
speráre ricusáre favóre raccomandáre
your friends in town.
vostro amíco città.
My uncle told me yesterday you were not well, but I am very glad to find
zio dire jéri [3]stare bene ma rallegrársi trováre
you are better to-day.
méglio oggi.
You promised to write to me last week, but I am very sorry
prométtere scrívere passáto settimána ma rincréscere
to observe you have forgot me.
vedére che vi siete scordato di me.
[1] Render, _than you do not_.
[2] We use the verb _avére_ instead of _éssere_, speaking of age. _Ex._
How old are you? _Quanti anni avete?_
[3] The verb _stare_ must be used instead of _éssere_, in speaking of
health.
_We always put che instead of but in English, with a negation before
the Verb._
I desired but one favour from you,[1] and you refused it me.
chiédere favóre ricusáre.
If you would give me but one guinea at once, you would oblige me
dare ghinéa alla volta obbligáre
infinitely.
infinitaménte.
When one has but little money, one ought to spend accordingly.
quando[2] avére poco danáro dovére spéndere in conseguénza.
I ask you but what others give me.
domandáre altro dare.
You do nothing but laugh and play.
fare [3] rídere giuocáre.
He does nothing but eat and drink.
mangiáre bere.
When others laugh, you do nothing but cry.
altro rídere fare piángere.
[1] _Non vi chiési che un favóre._
[2] _When one has but_, &c. must be rendered by _quando non si ha che_,
&c.
[3] _You do nothing but_, &c. render it by, _non fate altro che_.
_On the Particles Relative ci and vi. The Particles Relative ci and vi,
are put instead of there, within and in that._
I went yesterday to your house to see you, but your man told me
venire jéri casa vedére ma servitore dire
you were not within.
éssere
Indeed I was there almost all the afternoon; at what time did you come?
in verità quasi tutto dopo pranzo che ora veníre?
I went there at six o’clock.
sei
He was in the right to tell you that I was not within, for I was gone
[1]avére dire éssere andáre
to visit a few friends in the square.
visitáre alcúno amíco piázza.
My brother and sister are gone into the country.
fratéllo sorélla andáre campagna.
When did they go, I wish to know?
quando vorréi sapére?
They went yesterday morning.
andáre jéri mattína.
Is it long since you saw our regiment?
[2] vedére reggiménto?
It is two months, if I remember well.
due mese se ricordáre bene.
How long is it since you left France?
éssere lasciáre Fráncia?
It is five and twenty years, or thereabouts.
cinque venti anno incírca.
[1] To be in the right, is, _avere ragione_.
[2] Long, _molto tempo_, or _un pezzo_.
_How to express some of it, or some of them._ [See GRAMMAR p. 215.]
You have three horses, lend me one of them.
avére tre cavállo prestátemene uno.
I have but two, one for myself, and the other for my man.
avére due me servitore.
I thought you had three (of them).
crédere avére tre.
To shew you that I have but two (of them), come with me into the stable,
far vedére avére due veníre meco stalla
and you will not see any more (of them).
vedére più.
I do not doubt it at all, I believe you.
dubitáre[1] crédere.
I see very fine flowers in your garden, give me some.
vedére bello fióre giardíno dare
I have not many, but what there are, are at your service.
avére molto ma quel [2] servízio.
I have but fifteen or sixteen, as you see.
quindici sedici vedére.
You may take a dozen, if you please.
potére pigliáre dozzina piacére.
What will you have me do with them?
volére fare
You may give some to your daughters.
dare vostro figlia.
Do they talk of the war in your town?
[3]parláre guerra città?
They talk of it all over the island.
tutto ísola.
And what do they think of our neighbours’ intentions?
crédere vicíno intenzióne?
They know very little about them here.
sapére poco quì.
[1] _Non ne dubito punto._
[2] See _Gram._ p. 151, on the conjugation of _there is_, &c.
[3] See _Gram._ p. 215, on _it is_, _they_, &c.
EXERCISES on the TENSES of the VERBS.
_The Present Tense is when the Action of which one speaks, is present._
Sir, I come to have the honour to see you.
Signóre veníre avére onóre vedére.
I am infinitely obliged to you for this favour.
éssere infinitaménte obbligáre questo favóre.
How does the lady your mother do?
[1]stare signóra madre
She is very well, sir, and presents her compliments to you.
stáre beníssimo presentáre compliménto
I am her most humble servant, and am very glad to hear she is well.
éssere úmile servo rallegrársi sentíre stare bene.
Will you come and walk with me in the garden?
volére veníre spasseggiáre giardíno?
Pray excuse me, I cannot stay any longer.
pregáre scusáre potére restáre
You are always in great haste when you come to see me.
éssere sempre grande fretta veníre vedére.
I beg your pardon, sir, I have been here above an hour, and my sister
mi perdoni quì circa ora sorélla
is all alone at home.
tutto solo casa.
I am sorry you will not stay: I entreat you to present my most
[2]dispiacére volére rimanére supplicáre presentáre
humble respects to the lady your mother.
úmile rispétto signóra madre.
[1] When we inquire after any body’s health, we make use of the verb
_stare_, instead of _fare_, or _éssere_.
[2] An impersonal verb; _mi dispiáce che non vogliáte rimanére_.
_The Imperfect Tense is when the Action of which one speaks, is going
on, or is interrupted._
Sir, we were speaking of you, when you came in.
Signóre parláre quando entrare.
What were you saying of me, ladies?
che dire signóra?
We were saying that when you were in France, among the ladies, you were
dire quando éssere Fráncia fra dame éssere
the most gallant, the most courteous, and the most complaisant gentleman
galánte cortése compiacente signóre
in the world.
mondo.
I did not think, ladies, I was so happy as to be the subject of
pensáre signora avere la fortuna éssere soggétto
your conversation; and what do you think I am now?
conversazióne crédere
We believe that you are still very civil, and very complaisant;
crédere éssere ancóra civíle compiacénte
but not so gallant as you were then.
ma galánte éssere.
Louis the XIVth was one of the greatest kings in the world; he was
Luígi [1] grande Re mondo
a lover of fine sciences, he did not love flatterers, neither did he
amatóre bello léttera amáre adulatóre
always follow his own inclinations; and if he could not get
sempre seguíre inclinazióne e se guadagnáre
the victory over his enemies by the force of his arms, he would get it
vittória nemíco forza arma ottenére
by the number of his louis d’ors; in a word, he was a great politician.
número luígi d’oro in somma grande politíco.
[1] We also make use of the imperfect tense, when we speak in time past
of the habitual qualities and actions of any person alive or dead.
_The Perfect Definite is a Tense perfectly past, and often determined
by an Adverb of time past._
Where did you go yesterday, that you were not at home, when I went
dove andáre jéri éssere quando veníre
to see you?
vedére?
I went to see Mr. N. who is not well.
andáre vedére il signór stare
Did you meet with any company there?
trováre compagnía
Yes, sir, I met with his uncle and three of his sisters.
zio tre sorélla.
What was the subject of your conversation?
quale éssere soggetto conversazíone?
We spoke of many different things.
parláre molto differénte cosa.
Did you speak Italian with them?
Italiáno
Yes, all our conversation was in Italian.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: No Italian translation was provided for this line.
Did they say you speak it well?
dire bene?
They said nothing about it.
niente
Did they not ask you of whom you learn?
domandáre chi imparáre?
Yes, I told them I was learning of you.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: No Italian translation was provided for this line.
The emperor, Julius Cæsar, after he had conquered Britain,
imperatóre Giúlio Césare dopo conquistáre Brettágna
built a tower at London, but he continued not there; he appointed
[1]edificáre torre Londra restáre constituíre
rulers in his stead, and returned from London to Rome.
governatóre vece ritornáre Londra Roma.
Henry the VIIIth, king of England, regarded not the bulls and
Enrico ottávo Re Inghilterra badáre bolla
threatenings which came from Italy; he violently shook off
mináccia veníre Italia violenteménte scuótere
the papal power, though he retained the Roman religion.
papále potére ritenére Románo religióne.
[1] We also make use of the perfect definite, when we speak of the
transactions of persons who are dead.
_The Preterpluperfect is a Tense so perfectly past, that it cannot be
interrupted._
I am very glad to see you, for your brother
rallegrársi vedére fratello
told me you were gone to France.
dire
’Tis true I was resolved to go there, if my father had given me
vero risólvere andáre [1] padre avére dare
money enough to make that journey.
danáro fare viággio.
Had he given you leave to go there?
avére dáre licénza andáre?
Yes, and he gave me fifty guineas to make my journey.
si dare cinquánta ghinéa fare viággio.
If he had given me thirty more, I should have gone to Paris
[2] avére dare trenta essere andáre Parígi
to pass the summer.
passáre estáte.
If you had come to see me, I would have lent you some.
veníre vedére avére prestáre
I am much obliged to you for it.
éssere molto obbligáto
When you had a mind to go to France, were you resolved
quando pensare andáre Fráncia risólvere
to set out without taking leave of your friends?
partíre senza licenziársi amíco?
No, sir, I had already taken leave of several.
no signóre essere digià licenziársi da molto.
Very well, but you had forgotten me.
beníssimo ma scordársi.
I am sorry you have so bad an opinion of me.
dispiacére cattívo opinióne
[1] _Gram._ p. 206, on _if_ before that tense.
[2] See _Gram._ p. 206, on the particle _if_ before the imperfect
indicative.
_On the Future, or time to come._
When will you go into the country?
quando andáre campágna?
I believe I shall go there to-morrow.
crédere andáre dománi.
Will you stay long there?
restáre un pezzo?
No, sir, I shall stay but two or three weeks.
due o tre settimána.
How will you spend your time when you are there?
passáre tempo quando[1] éssere
I’ll go and see my friends, and I will divert myself with
andáre vedére amíco divertíre
those who receive me kindly.
[2]ricévere corteseménte.
Will you not carry some books with you?
portáre libro
No, for I am sure while I am there, I shall have no time to read.
perchè sicúro mentre[3] avére tempo léggere.
You will forget all your Italian.
scordársi tutto Italiano.
I am certain I shall not, for I will not stay long there.
certo di no restáre molto
When once you are there, your friends will not permit you to leave them
una volta[4] éssere amíco permettere lasciáre
so soon.
così presto.
You shall see that I’ll be here next Sunday, and that my friends
vedére éssere quì próssimo Doménica amíco
will not have so much power over me as you think.
avére tanto potére pensáre.
What will you bring me from the country?
portáre campágna?
I’ll bring you some partridges, a hare, and some pheasants.
portáre perníce lepre fagiáno.
I shall be obliged to you for them.
éssere obbligáto
[1] _When you are there_, render, _when you shall be there_.
[2] _Ricevere_, must be in the future, third person plural.
[3] Render, _while I shall be there_, mentre starò là.
[4] Render, _when once you shall be there_, quando una volta ci saréte.
_On the Imperative, or Mood that commands._
Go from me to my lady; present my respects to her: give her this
andáre signóra presentáre rispétto dare questo
letter, and bring me an answer; should she not be at home, stay
léttera portáre rispósta éssere casa restáre
till she comes back.
ritornáre.
Speak Italian with me, pronounce well, begin again, read softly,
parláre Italiáno meco pronunziáre ricominciáre leggere adágio
repeat your lesson, go.
ripétere lezióne coraggio.
On the Construction of VERBS.
_The Auxiliary Verb avére, requires an accusative Case._
You have a son who has the finest qualities in the world; he has
avére figlio bello qualità mondo avére
a sweet countenance, a great deal of civility, and very obliging
piacévole fisonomia molto civiltà cortése
manners; in short, he has the love of every body, and
maniera affetto tutto
you are happy in having such a son.
éssere fortunato
A man is very happy who has the fear of God and the love of his
uómo molto felíce timóre Dio amóre
neighbours, though he should not have the riches of fortune.
prossimo [1]benchè richézza fortúna.
Those who have wealth, and have no charity for the poor, shall not
avére [2]richézza carità povero
share God’s mercy.
partecipáre Dio misericordia.
A man that has wit, and no behaviour, is despicable.
uómo spírito condótta sprezzábile.
I have scholars who have sense, and are diligent; but I have others who
scoláro giudizio éssere diligénte altro che
are dull, and very idle.
ottusi pigro.
If you have good manners, civility and complaisance, you will be loved
avére buóno maniera civiltà compiacénza éssere amáto
by every body.
tutto.
[1] _Benchè_ governs the subjunctive mood.
[2] See _Gram._ p. 211, on the articles _del_, _dello_, _della_, &c.
_Sometimes the Verb avére is used instead of éssere, especially when we
speak of cold, heat, hunger, thirst, or of the age of any one._
I was very cold when I came, but am very warm now.
avére freddo veníre avére caldo adesso.
You eat as if you were not hungry.
mangiáre come se avére fame.
I beg your pardon, I eat heartily; for I was very hungry.
domandáre perdóno mangiáre di buón gusto avére molto appetito.
Are you not thirsty yet?
avére sete ancóra?
Yes, sir, I am very thirsty, but I won’t drink yet; for if I drink
si, signóre avére gran sete ma volére bere ancóra se bevére
when I am hungry, it prevents me from eating.
quando avére fame impedíre mangiáre.
How old is your uncle?
quanto anno avére zio?
He is not yet seventy years old.
avére ancóra settánta anno.
You surprise me, I thought he was eighty.
sorpréndere crédere avére ottánta.
And you, sir, how old are you?
e signóre anno avére?
I am not twenty yet.
avére venti ancóra.
On the Verb Substantive _éssere_.
_The Verb Substantive éssere requires the following noun in the
Nominative Case._
Our master is diligent; but I have been hitherto very idle;
nostro maestro éssere diligénte éssere stato sinóra pigro
I have done as the drones.
avére fatto come cacchióne.
I have lost my parents’ love, who always provided all
avére pérdere genitóre affetto che mi hanno sempre forníre
things necessary for me: I have been unworthy of their care; but I will
tutto necessário éssere stato indégno cura ma volére
deserve to be called the most diligent of all our scholars
meritáre éssere chiamáre diligénte tutto scoláro
for the time to come.
all’avveníre.
The lion is accounted the most generous of animals, because he is more
leóne passáre per generóso animale perchè
placable than the others.
placábile altro.
The sanguinary minds of some men are more barbarous than wild beasts.
sanguinário animo uómo éssere barbaro fíera
Man is a creature of upright body: when he is old, his body bends
Uómo creatúra dritto corpo quando vécchio corpo inchinársi
towards the earth; and his soul ascends to heaven, which is his
verso terra ánima ascéndere ciélo
habitation for ever.
dimóra.
How are you this morning? I am very well, thank you.
come stare mattína? stare beníssimo grazie.
How do your father and mother do?
[1]stare padre madre
I hope my father is well. He was well the last time I saw him, but
speráre padre stare bene último volta vedére ma
my mother has not been well these two or three days.
madre éssere stato bene [2] due tre giórno
And how are you, sir?
stare signóre?
I should be well enough, if I had money.
stare ene abbastanza [3]se avére danáro.
I hope your lady is well.
speráre signóra stare bene.
She is perfectly well, at your service.
stare perfettaménte bene servízio.
I am very glad to hear she is so well.
rallegrársi sentíre stare così bene.
What weather is it to-day, I wish to know?
[4] tempo fare oggi [5]volére sapére?
It is the finest weather in the world.
bello mondo.
Is it hotter in Spain than in Italy?
fare caldo Spagna Itália?
It is hotter there in summer, but it is very cold in winter.
fare estáte ma fare freddo inverno.
If it is fine weather to-morrow, we will go in the country.
fare bello tempo dománi andáre campágna.
I believe it will not be fine weather, for it is very dark
crédere fare bello tempo perchè oscúro
to-night.
questa séra.
[1] When we inquire after any one’s health, we make use of the verb
_stare_, instead of _fare_.
[2] These two or three days, _i. e. da due o tre giorni in quà_.
[3] If I had money, _Se avessi danari_, and not _avevo_.
[4] When we speak of the weather, we use the third person singular of
the verb _fare_, instead of the verb _éssere_.
[5] Use the optative mood, and say, _vorrei_.
Personal Verbs governing a Genitive Case.
_The Verb aver pietà governs the Genitive._
I have no pity on the misery of those, who being young and strong,
avére pietà della miséria éssere gióvine forte
love better to beg from door to door, than to work for their bread;
amáre accattáre porta in che lavoráre per guadagnarsi pane
but I pity much the blind, and old people, who are incapable of doing
ma avére pietà ciéco i vecchi éssere incapáce fare
any thing for their living.
alcuna cosa vitto.
I pity my brother, I pity his folly, for he has wasted all
avére pietà fratéllo pazzia perchè dilapidáre tutto
the fortune my father left him.
patrimonio padre lasciáre.
_The verb burlarsi governs the Genitive._
Men are often inclined to laugh at others’ misfortunes,
uómo éssere spesso inclináto burlársi di altri disgrázia
instead of having pity on them.
in vece di avére pietà.
Those who call themselves Christians, and do not live according to
quello che chiamársi Cristiáno non vívere secóndo
their religion, mock God and his doctrine.
religióne burlársi Iddío dottrína.
Do not jeer at others’ poverty, for you do not know how long
burlársi altro povertà non sapére quanto tempo
fortune will be favourable to you; and if you should become poor,
fortúna éssere favorévole e se diventáre póvero
every one would laugh at you.
ognúno rídersi di.
It is a great mark of folly to laugh at every thing.
éssere grande segno pazzía ridére di tutto.
_The verb pentirsi governs the Genitive._
If you repent sincerely for the fault you have committed, God will
se pentírsi sinceraménte colpa avére commésso Iddío
forgive you; for he does not love the death of a sinner, but he
perdonáre perchè amáre morte peccátore
will have him to repent of his sins.
volére pentírsi peccáto.
It is not enough to say, I repent of my ill conduct, and of my bad life,
non bastáre dire pentírsi cattívo condótta mala vita
if you do not shew the effects of your repentance by a new and
se mostráre effétto pentiménto nuóvo
better life.
migliór vita.
_The verb rallegrarsi governs the Genitive._
A good Christian ought never to rejoice at others’ misfortunes.
buóno Cristiáno dovére mai rallegrársi altro disgrázia.
I rejoice at the good success you had in your business.
rallegrársi buóno riuscíta avére affare.
Come and rejoice with me at the good news I received to-day.
veníre meco buóno nuóva ricévere oggi.
How will you have me rejoice at a thing I do not know?
come volére rallegrársi cosa non sapére?
Tell me first of all what news I must rejoice at.
dire avanti ogni cosa nuóva dovére rallegrársi.
_The verb ricordársi governs the Genitive._
Do you remember the promise you made me yesterday?
ricordársi proméssa fare jéri?
I do not remember it at all. Do you not remember the sum of money
non ricordársi affatto somma danáro
you said you would lend me?
dire prestáre?
I assure you I had forgotten it, I remember it very well now.
assicuráre avére scordáto ricordársi beníssimo adésso.
_The verb languíre requires a Genitive case._
He who languishes with thirst, gives greater thanks to the man who
quello languíre di sete réndere grande grázia
offers him water, than if a prince gave him a crown.
offeríre acqua che se príncipe dare coróna.
The man who languishes for love ought to be pitied.
uómo languíre amóre dovére compiánto.
_The verbs obbedíre and disobbedíre require a Dative._
We ought not only to obey our parents, but also our superiors,
dovére non solo obbedíre genitori ma anche superióre
if we would obey God’s commands.
se volére obbedíre comandaménto.
One sees very seldom a child prosper in this world, who does not
si vedére raraménte figliuólo prosperáre mondo
obey his father and mother.
obbedíre padre madre.
When God commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son, he
quando Iddío comandáre Abramo sacrificáre Isácco único figlio
immediately obeyed the Lord’s voice; but the angel of the Lord did not
súbito obbedíre Signóre voce ma ángelo Signóre
permit him to slay the child, and told him his obedience
perméttere uccídere fanciullo dire obbediénza
had been agreeable to God.
éssere stato grato Dio.
_The verb parláre will have a Dative Case of the Person._
God speaks to sinners sometimes most gently, that he may draw them
Iddío parláre peccatóre qualche volta benignamente affine di trárre
to obedience; he speaks to them of the blessed life which he has
obbediénza parláre beáta vita avére
prepared for his servants; sometimes he speaks to them of the abyss
preparáto servo qualche volta parláre abísso
which shall be the reward of sin; yet his promises and threatenings
éssere mercéde peccáto pure proméssa mináccia
move not stubborn minds.
muóvere ostináto mente.
_The verbs preténdere and aspiráre govern the Dative Case._
All those who call themselves Christians pretend to everlasting life;
tutto quello chiamársi Cristiáno preténdere etérno vita
but few are they that would suffer the least thing to deserve it; but
ma pochi sono soffríre minimo cosa meritáre
if it is a point to aspire to some employment, or dignity,
se si tratta aspiráre qualche impiégo dignità
there is none but would suffer a great deal of fatigue, labour, and
non vi è nissúno che non sopporti molto fatíca lavóro
pain to obtain it.
pena
_The verb giuocáre (when one speaks of all sorts of games) governs the
Dative Case._
I do not love to play at games of chances, as at cards, or at dice, but
amáre giuocáre giuóco azzardo come carta dadi ma
I love to play sometimes at bowls, at billiards, at tennis, or
amáre giuocáre qualche volta bocce bigliárdo pallacórda o
at nine-pins.
birilli.
Do you never play at cards, at chess, or draughts?
mai giuocáre carte scacchi dama?
I play sometimes at piquet to please the company.
giuocáre picchétto far piacére compagnía.
Verbs governing an Accusative Case of the Person, and a Genitive of the
Thing.
_The verbs accusáre, biasimáre, avvertíre, and assólvere, will have the
Accusative of the Person, and the Genitive of the Thing._
One boy accuses another of idleness; the master hears their tales,
ragázzo accusáre altro pigrízia maéstro sentíre stória
but punishes him only whom he thinks guilty, and deserving of
ma puníre solaménte quello crédere colpévole degno
punishment.
castígo.
Every one blames you for your negligence and ignorance.
tutti biasimáre negligénza ignoránza.
I often admonished you of your duty; if you do not improve
spesso avvertíre vostro dovére se profittáre
as well as others, it is not my fault.
come altro non è colpa.
When a judge acquits a man of a crime he is guilty of, if he
quando giúdice assólvere uno delítto reo se
commits again the same fault, he deserves a double punishment.
comméttere di nuovo stesso fallo merita dóppio castígo.
_The verb condannáre governs the Accusative of the Person, and the
Genitive of the Thing; but when it signifies to condemn to death, the
name of the punishment ought to be put in the Dative Case._
Every one condemns you very much for the action you committed
ogn’ uno condannáre molto azióne comméttere
the other day.
altro giórno.
During the persecution in France, many brave gentlemen were condemned,
nel tempo della persecuzióne Fráncia molto bravo cavaliére condannáre
some to the gallows, and some to the galleys, for the defence of their
forca[1] galéra difésa
religion.
religióne.
[1] Nouns ending in _ca_ and _ga_, make _che_ and _ghe_ in the plural,
as _forca_, _forche_; _pága_, _paghe_.
_The verb ottenére will have an Accusative of the Thing, and an
Ablative of the Person._
A scholar who obtains his master’s favour is more happy than he who is
scoláro ottenére maéstro favóre più felíce
idle, who loses his honour, wastes his time, and continues
pigro pérdere onóre consumáre tempo continuáre
a blockhead, though play be pleasant to him for a little while.
ad éssere sciocco benchè giuóco éssere piacévole poco.
Verbs governing an Accusative Case of the Dative.
_The verbs invitáre, esortáre, will have an Accusative of the Person,
and a Dative of the Thing._
God invites sinners to eternal happiness, he calls them to repentance,
Iddio invitáre peccatóre etérno felicità chiamáre pentiménto
he speaks most graciously to them.
parláre benignaménte
He has prepared for penitent sinners all that belongs to blessedness,
preparáre peniténte peccatóre tutto appartenére felicità
all that they can desire.
tutto potére bramáre.
Remember your master’s words; he exhorts you to industry, which is
ricordársi maéstro paróla esortáre indústria éssere
beneficial to yourselves; your pains shall produce a great advantage;
vantaggióso lavóro prodúrre grande vantággio
he uses his best endeavours for your benefit; be not your own
fare ogni suo sforzo utile éssere di voi stessi
enemies.
nemíco.
_Paragonáre requires an Accusative of the first Noun, (either of the
Person or of the Thing) and the other in the Dative._
If we compare the longest life to eternity, it is very short.
se paragonáre lungo vita eternità corto.
If we compare the happiest condition of this world to everlasting life,
comparáre felíce condizióne mondo etérno vita
it is miserable, and not worthy our desire. If we compare the number of
miserábile indegno desidério paragonáre número
good men to the multitude of wicked, it is small.
buóno moltitúdine malvágio píccolo.
_Dare and restituíre will have an Accusative of the Thing, and a Dative
of the Person._
I will soon give my mother the money she entrusted me with.
presto dare madre danáro confidáre
God will give a reward to those men who please him, and to those whom
Iddío dare mercéde quello piacére quello che
he has set up governors of the world.
avére costituíto governatóre mondo.
I returned my master the book which I borrowed; he lent it to me,
restituíre maéstro libro prender ad impréstito prestáre
and it was my duty to read it, and not to keep it; though books
éssere dovére léggere tenére benchè[1] libro
delight me very much, I ought to restore them to those whom
piacére moltíssimo dovére restituíre quello cui
they belong to.
appartenére.
[1] _Benchè_ governs the subjunctive mood. See _Gram._ p. 209.
_These verbs dovére, prométtere, and pagáre, will have an Accusative of
the Thing, and a Dative of the Person._
I owe him money, because I promised to pay him another man’s debt;
dovére danáro perchè prométtere pagáre altro débito
but at present I have myself need of money, that I may pay what
ma adésso avére io stesso bisógno danáro pagáre
I owe to my creditors.
dovére creditóre.
When will you pay me what you owe me?
quando volére pagáre dovére?
I promise you I will pay it to you next week.
prométtere pagáre próssimo settimána.
_Insegnáre requires an Accusative of the Thing, and a Dative of the
Person._
I have been twelve years in this country, during which time I have had
[1]éssere stato dódici anno paése nel quale tempo avére avúto
the honour of teaching several ladies and gentlemen the Italian language.
onóre insegnáre molta signóra signóre Italiáno
Masters ought to teach children not only the things which concern
maéstro dovére insegnáre ragázzo non solaménte cosa risguardáre
science; but they ought also to teach them things which concern their
sciénza ma dovére anche insegnáre cosa risguardáre
soul and their salvation: for science without religion is an
ánima salvazióne perchè scienza
unprofitable thing.
inutile.
[1] I have been twelve years in this country; render, _Sono dódici anni
che sto in questo paése_.
Of the construction of the Infinitive, with the preposition _di_.
_When after the verbs astenérsi, consideráre, and avvertíre, there
follows an Infinitive, it ought to be put with the Preposition di._
Rash men often propose to do things which are above their capacity.
temerário uómo spesso propórsi fare cosa éssere superióre capacità
A man that abstains from eating and drinking to excess, from swearing,
uómo astenérsi mangiáre bere all’eccésso bestemmiáre
and keeping bad company, may be called an honest man.
frequentáre compagnía potere chiamáre onésto uómo.
I thought of going this morning to see Mr. ---- but a friend
pensáre andáre questa mattina vedére il Signór ---- ma amíco
of mine advised me not to go there.
consigliáre andáre.
I had a mind to advise you not to keep company with that man who brought
avére voglia consigliáre andáre compagnía uómo causáre
this trouble upon you; but I since resolved to say nothing about it,
disturbo ma poi risolvérsi dire niente
for fear of disobliging you.
per timóre dispiacére.
_The verbs supplicáre, consigliáre, incaricársi, and costríngere, will
have an Infinitive with the Preposition di._
I have a mind to compel Mr. ---- to pay me the money he owes me;
avére vóglia costríngere il Signor ---- pagáre danáro dovére
nevertheless I should be very glad not to put him to trouble, because
nulladimeno avére a caro non dare briga perchè
he has always been my friend: what do you advise me to do in this case?
éssere sempre stato amíco consigliáre fare caso?
I beg of you to have a little patience; I take the charge
pregáre avére paziénza incaricársi
to get you your money.
ricuperáre danáro.
_The verbs proibíre, desideráre, differíre, procuráre, impedíre,
speráre, fíngere, affrettársi, require also an Infinitive with the
Preposition di._
God forbids us to sin, nevertheless we never desist from offending him,
Iddío proibíre peccáre nulladiméno mai desístere offéndere
we always defer obeying his voice; we seem to strive to disobey him
sempre differíre obbedíre voce parére procuráre disobbedíre
in every thing. If we hope to share in the merits of our blessed
ogni cosa speráre avére parte mérito beáto
Saviour’s sufferings, let nothing hinder us from beginning this day
Salvatóre patimenti niénte impedíre principiáre oggi
to use all our endeavours to deserve it; let us make haste to begin
fare tutto sforzo meritáre affrettársi principiáre
the great work of our salvation; let us not feign to be converted,
grande ópera salvazióne fíngere éssere convertíto
but let us convert ourselves in good earnest, for nobody
convertíre da davvéro nessúno
can deceive God.
potére ingannáre
_The verbs meditáre, parláre, perméttere, prométtere, propórre,
presúmere, preténdere, protestáre, rifiutáre, risólvere, auguráre, will
also have an Infinitive with the Preposition di, after them._
Never meditate to do any wrong to your neighbour. When you speak
mai meditáre fare torto próssimo quando parláre
of undertaking some great thing, permit me to tell you, that you ought
intrapréndere grande cosa perméttere dire dovére
to consult your friends before you begin it.
amíco prima cominciáre.
Never promise to do any thing, unless you are sure to do it.
mai prométtere fare cosa se non éssere sicúro fáre.
Never presume to have more understanding than those who have the care
presúmere avére intendiménto che quello cura
of your conduct.
condótta.
Do not pretend ever to prosper in this world, if you have not the
preténdere mai prosperáre mondo se avére
fear of God.
timóre Dio.
If you protest to God with an humble and sincere heart to amend your
protestáre úmile sincéro cuóre emendáre
life, he will receive you among his children.
vita ricévere fra figliuólo.
Never refuse to do a good office to your friends, when it is in your
rifiutáre réndere servízio amíco
power.
potére.
Do you desire to pass for an honest man? Endeavour to do all you can
desideráre passáre galántuómo procuráre fare tutto potére
to oblige every body.
obbligáre chicchessia.
_When there follows after the Verb avére either of these substantives
permissióne, desidério, vóglia, cura, costúme, bisógno, motivo,
ragióne, torto, dritto, occasióne, the following Verb must be put in
the Infinitive with the Preposition di._
I believe you have a mind to play; but I will not give you leave
crédere avére vóglia giuocáre ma volére dare permissióne
to go out till you have done your exercise. You are in the right, sir,
uscíre [1]finchè avére fare esercízio [2] ragióne signóre
to forbid me to go out, and I am in the wrong to desire it--I have no
proibirmi d’andar fuori [3] torto desideráre
cause to be angry with you, for it is not your custom to be idle.
motivo éssere cóllera éssere costúme pigro.
[1] _Finchè_ governs the subjunctive mood.
[2] You are in the right, sir, _Ella ha ragióne_.
[3] I am in the wrong, sir, _ho torto_.
_When a Verb is followed by l’opportunità, l’occasione, il tempo, il
mezzo, la volontà, il cuóre, il potére, l’autorità, that Verb ought to
be put in the Infinitive with the Preposition di._
When I have an opportunity to see your father, I will tell him how much
quando [1]avére occasione vedére padre dire quanto
you deserve to be praised for your uncommon diligence.
meritáre éssere lodáto straordinário diligénza.
Whilst we have it in our power to acquire knowledge, let us improve
mentre [2]avére potére acquistáre cognizióne profittáre
such precious opportunity.
tale prezióso opportunità.
I wonder how men have the heart to hate one another.
maravigliársi uómo avére cuóre odiársi gli uni gli altri.
God has given to kings power to command, and to judges authority
Iddio dáre Re potére comandáre giúdice autorità
to judge.
giudicáre.
[1] _I have_, put it in the future, and say, _avrò_.
[2] _We have it_, is changed into _it is_ for the Italian idiom.
_When after the Verb substantive éssere there follows either of these
nouns conténto, obbligáto, in pena, sul punto, in perícolo, the
following Verb is to be put in the Infinitive with the Preposition di._
I am very glad to hear that you overcame your enemies, and I
éssere conténto sentíre víncere nemíco
should have been sorry to have heard the contrary.
[1]rincréscere sentire contrário.
I return you many thanks for your friendship, for I was in danger of
réndere molto grázia amicízia perchè éssere in perícolo
losing my suit.
pérdere lite.
I was anxious to know what had happened to you; and if you had not come,
ansióso sapére succédere se éssere veníre
I was on the point of going to see you.
éssere sul punto venire vedére.
[1] I should have been sorry; _mi sarébbe rincresciúto_.
_The Verbs avvezzársi, impiegáre, incoraggíre, eccitáre, invitáre,
esibírsi, dilettársi, tenérsi pronto, lavoráre, will have after them an
Infinitive with the Preposition a, or ad before a vowel._
We ought to employ the days of our life in preparing ourselves for
dovere impiegáre giórno vita preparársi
the other world.
altro mondo.
Masters who use mildness in teaching their scholars, encourage them more
maéstro usáre dolcézza insegnáre scoláro incoraggíre
to learn well than those who use too much severity. An honest man
imparáre bene usáre troppo severità onésto uómo
takes always pleasure in obliging his friends.
dilettársi sempre favorire amíco.
The love of God invites us to love one another.
amóre Dío invitáre amáre
Let us keep ourselves in readiness to appear before the living God.
tenérsi pronto comparíre innánzi vivénte Dío.
Let us labour continually to obtain eternal life.
lavoráre continuaménte ottenére etérna vita.
_When vi è, or v’è, precedes the Adverb niénte, the next Verb must be
in the Infinitive with the Preposition da, or a._
There is nothing to fear in serving God.
non vi è niénte temére [1]servíre Iddío.
There is nothing to say to what you have done.
non v’è niénte dire avére fatto.
There is nothing to do in that at present.
niénte fare adésso.
There is nothing so easy to learn as the Italian language.
niénte così fácile imparáre Italiáno lingua.
[1] In serving God, _nel servíre Iddío_.
_When an Adverb of quantity follows v’è, it requires an Infinitive with
the Preposition a, or da._
There is a great deal of satisfaction in teaching diligent boys, but
v’è gran [1]soddisfazióne insegnáre diligénte ragázzo
there is a great deal of trouble in instructing idle scholars.
gran incomodo istruíre pigro scoláro.
There is a great deal to say against the conduct of wicked people; but
v’è molto dire contro condótta malvágio gente
there is nothing to say against the conduct of honest people.
non v’è niénte dire contro condótta onésto gente.
[1] See _Gram._ p. 210, _a great deal of_.
On the ENGLISH PARTICIPLE in ING.
_When the English Participle in ing comes after a Verb of motion with
the Preposition a before it, we use the corresponding substantive,
instead of the Verb, though sometimes the latter._
He who goes a hunting or visiting his friends, when business requires
quello che andáre caccia [1] visitáre amíco quando affáre richiédere
his care and time, shows by his conduct that he prefers his diversion
cura tempo mostráre condótta [2]preferíre divertiménto
before his profit, the company of his friends before the advantage
profítto compagnía amíco vantággio
of his family.
famíglia.
The boy who goes a playing with his school-fellows, when he ought
ragázzo andáre giuocáre condiscepolo quando dovére
to be diligently employed at the task his master gave him, evinces,
éssere diligéntemente intórno a lavoro maéstro assegnare prováre
by his neglect, that he prefers play to his master’s love, and his own
negligénza preferíre giuóco maéstro affétto
profit.
profítto.
[1] Ibid. p. 201, on _verbs of motion_.
[2] _Preferisce il divertimento al profitto, la compagnia degli amici
al, &c._
_The English Participle in ing, after from, must be put in Italian in
the Infinitive with the Preposition di._
The providence of God keeps us from perishing; the power of God hinders
provvidenza Dio impedíre períre poténza Dio impedíre
us from doing those things which displease him; the grace of God
fare cosa dispiacére grazia Dio
prevents us from sinning; the goodness of God preserves us from
impedíre peccáre bontà preserváre
suffering afflictions.
soffríre afflizióne.
_The English Participle in ing after a Verb importing to cease, to
leave, or to go over, must be rendered in Italian by the Infinitive
mood with the Preposition di._
He who leaves off doing praise-worthy actions, and plunges into
quello che cessáre fare lodévole azióne immergérsi
vice, was never truly good.
vízio éssere mai veraménte buono.
A wise man never leaves off learning whilst he lives; for he who has
sávio uómo mai tralasciáre imparáre finchè vivere perchè è dotato
great wisdom, has still need of more knowledge.
di grande sapere ancora bisógno maggiore conoscènza.
_When the Participle in ing follows the auxiliary Verb to be, this verb
must be left out, and the Italian Verb that represents the Participle,
must be put in the same tense, number, and person as the auxiliary is._
A diligent boy is always learning, not only while the master
diligénte ragázzo sempre studiare non solaménte mentre maéstro
is instructing, but also while other boys are playing.
istruíre ma anche altro ragázzo giuocáre.
Apelles was daily drawing some excellent pictures with wonderful art;
Apélle ogni giórno dipingere eccellénte pittúra maraviglióso arte
no day passed without a line.
nessúno giórno passáre senza linéa.
Those who do not employ their time well in the beginning of their lives,
impiegáre bene tempo [1] princípio vita
will be perpetually lamenting their folly; they will be incessantly
perpetuamente piangere pazzia ad ogni moménto
condemning themselves, and saying, Ah! at what a price would not I
condannársi díre Ah! prezzo
purchase the time past!
compráre tempo passato!
[1] In the beginning of their lives; _i. e._ _nella loro gioventù_.
Of the PARTICIPLE past.
_When one of these Pronouns che, il, lo, la, &c. meets before the
compound tenses, the Pronoun ought to agree with the Participle in
gender and number._
I received the books which my brother sent me; I read them all,
ricévere libro fratéllo mandáre léggere tutto
they are very good, and well written.
éssere buóno bene scrítto.
The letter which my father wrote to me is very severe; I showed it to
léttera padre scrivere éssere sevéro mostráre
my mother, and she is very sorry for it.
madre [1] dispiacére.
[1] She is very sorry for it; _glíene dispiáce moltíssimo_.
_When these Pronouns, mio, me, te, noi, voi, &c. are the case of the
Verb, they must agree with the Participle in gender and in number._
My dear friends, I have always loved you like my children, I have often
caro amíco avére sempre amáto come figlio avére spesso
admonished you for your own good; I have several times exhorted you to
ammoníre proprio bene spesse volte esortáre
practise virtue; if you are not truly virtuous, it is not my fault.
praticáre virtù se veraménte virtuóso éssere colpa.
I met your brother this morning, we embraced one another like good
incontráre fratéllo mattína abbracciársi da buóno
friends, and I rejoice that we are reconciled.
amíco rallegrársi riconciliársi.
The books which I have seen you reading are not good.
libro avére vedére léggere buóno.
These are all the copies which you have given me to write.
ecco tutto cópia avére dare scrívere.
Your brothers have done quite the contrary of what I had advised
fratéllo fare tutto contrário avére consigliáre
them to do.
fare.