English Interjections in Fifteenth Century 23 
Digby Plays, Conversion of Saint Paul, 412: Ho, ho, be-holde 
me, the mygte prince of the parts in-fernall. 
hof. Apparently equivalent to ho! above. 
Digby Plays, Mary Magdalen, 491: Hof, hof, hof, a frysch 
new galavnt. 
0. For other-uses, see O in sections I, II, III, IV, IX, and XXI. 
As in modern usage, this form may express many different emo- 
tions, according to the context. In the following example it 
is used in self-gratulation. 
York Plays, i, 65, Angel: O! what I am fetys and fayre and 
figured full fytt! 
Owe, ow. See ow/!, owe! expressing surprise, in I, above; con- 
sternation, in I]; lamentation, IIT. 
York Plays, i, 81, Lucifer: Owe! certes! what I am worthely 
wroghte with wyrschip, i-wys! York, i, 92, Lucifer: Owe! 
what I am derworth and defte! Castell of Perseverance, 2779: 
ow, now it is tyme hye. 
XII. Greeting 
It might be supposed that the word ave would be set aside to 
indicate reverential greeting, and that the vernacular hail would 
serve as the more common form. As shown by the examples 
cited, however, these terms are used interchangeably to express 
great respect in greeting. The Norman French supplies the more 
colloquial form in what cheer. Benste and God save you, 
originally blessings, have, by the fifteenth century, become as lack- 
ing in force as the modern good-bye. 
ave. Meaning hail! welcome! or farewell! adieu! From Latin 
ave, imperative of avere, to be well or to fare well. Identical 
in meaning with wassail, of Germanic origin. (Cf. wassaille, 
. expressing mockery, in VI above.) 
Coventry Plays, xiii, Maria: Gabryel come and seyde to me, 
Ave! York, xxxiii, 409, Miles: Aue! riall roy and rex judeo- 
fiat? (Ironical:)* > | 
383 
