I2 Mary Crawford 
see wa above. The form worth comes from OE. weorpan, 
happen, become. Originally a curse, this expression has lost 
most of its force. 
York Plays, v, 107, Adam: Ille counsaille woo worthe the! 
York, vi, 51, Eua: wa worthe be whyle! York, v, 150, 
Dominus: A! wikkid worme, woo worthe pe ay! In the last 
example, the idea of malediction is still forceful. 
we. For discussion, see we expressing surprise (I) above. Cf. 
also we expressing consternation (II) above, and anger (IV) 
below. 
York Plays, xi, 313, Egyptian: We! lorde, we may not lede 
this liffe. York, xiii, 141: Joseph: We! why gab ye me swa? 
York, xxviii, 273, Malcus: We! oute! all my deueres are done. 
York, xi, 139, Moses: We! lord, pai wil noght to me trayste. 
York, i, 115, devil: We! lurdane, pu lost vs. Towneley, iv, 
128, Abraham: Shuld I that ganstand? We, nay, ma fay! 
walaway, wala way, well a way, well a wo, well-away, wele-wo, 
walo-way, welawo, weleaway, welaway. 
With some modification, this expression of grief has come 
down in Shakespeare as well-a-day! Compare woe the day! 
See, also, Rossetti’s revival of it in the refrain (4A Death-Part- 
ing), “ Water-willow and well-away!” Originally OE. wa- 
la-wa, which properly meant wo! lo! wo! For discussion of 
wo, see wa above, and we expressing surprise (1). ‘For lo! cf. 
calls for attention in XVI, 4. 
Castell of Perseverance, 3035: Ye, a-las, & welawo! Castell 
of Per., 3070: weleaway! I was ful wod. Nativity, Joseph: 
Well-away! woman, now may I go. Robin Hood Ballad, 8th 
fytte: Alas, then said good Robin, Alas and well a wo! 
Towneley Plays, v, 36, Esaw: Now, alas, and walo-way! 
Towneley, I, 132, Demon: Alas, alas, and wele-wo! Battle of 
Agincourt, Therefore their song was Well a way! York, i, 
113, Lucifer: Walaway! wa! es me now, nowe es it war pane it 
was. York, xxxii, 309, Judas: So wala way! Coventry Plays, 
xil, Joseph: Alas and welaway! 
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