BOOK I
CHAPTER I
[The author intends to treat of the vernacular or natural speech of mankind, which he distinguishes from the 'secondary' and 'artificial' speech of the learned, and declares to be the nobler. The treatise, as appears from the concluding passage of Book I. and the opening passage of Book II., was to embrace the vernacular of Italy in all its forms and ramifications, both literary and popular.]
Importance of the subjectSince we do not find that any one before us has treated of the science of the vernacular language, while in fact we see that this language is highly necessary for all, inasmuch as not only men, but even women and children, strive, in so far as nature allows them, to acquire it; and since it is our wish to enlighten to some little extent the discernment of those who walk through the streets [?] like blind men, generally fancying that those things which are [really] in front of them are behind them, we will endeavour, the Word aiding us from heaven, to be of service to the vernacular speech; not only drawing the water of our own wit for such a drink, but mixing with it the best of what we have taken or compiled from others, so that we may thence be able to give draughts of the sweetest hydromel.3
