12 Arthur Garfield Kennedy 



E. The Syntax of substantivized adjectives. 



Chaucer uses his adjective substantives, as a general rule, just 

 about as he uses other nouns. Certain peculiarities of usage we 

 may note specially. 



I. General uses: 



(a) As subject of a verb. 



Now foule falle hire for thi wo and care. Troylus and Cry- 

 seyde. Bk. IV. 434. — good and wikkednesse ben two contraries. 

 Tale of Melibeus. — The stronge the feble overgoth. Romaunt 

 of the Rose, 6823. 



Adjectives thus substantivized are used very often in appo- 

 sition to the subject. 



Faire they were welcomed, bothe leste and meste. Cokes Tale 

 of Gamelyn, 460. — Ful besily they wayten, yonge and olde. 

 Squyeres Tale, 80. 



(b) As the object of a verb. 



A! wolde ye nowe repent and love some newef Court of Love, 

 462. — and sauf your fcithful trewe. ibid. 993. — That any clerk 

 schal speke good of wyves. Prologue of Wyf of Bathe, 689. — 

 So that ye offren nobles or starlings. Prologue of Pardoner, 

 445. 



(c) As the predicate noun. 



he is the worthyeste. Troylus and Cryseyde. Bk. II. 739. — For 

 trusteth wel, it is an impossible. Prologue of Wyf of Bathe, 688. 



{d) Traces of the old partitive genitive are shown still in a 

 few expressions : 



I am a sede foule, oon the unzvorthieste. Assembly of Foules, 

 512. — And yet was he, wher-so men went or riden Found oon 

 the fairest under sonne. Troylus and Cryseyde. Bk. I. 493. — For 

 sche was oon the fairest under sonne. Frankeleynes Tale, 6. — I 

 have the most stedefast wyf And eek the meekest oon that ber- 

 eth lyf. Marchaundes Tale, 307. — I am oon the faireste out of 

 drede. Troylus and Cryseyde. Bk. II. 746. 



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