Suhstantivation in Chaucer 15 



It is to be noted that whereas we now use the expression, such 

 a one, Chaucer omits the article, thus : 



With szvich oon as he is. Troylus and Cryseyde. Bk. V. 740. — 

 To have a newe. Anelyda and Arcite, 277. — In love a falser 

 herde I never none. Phillis, 5. — And cowde a certeyn of conclu- 

 siouns. Milleres Tale, 7. — For trusteth wel, it is an impossible. 

 Prologue of Wyf of Bathe, 688. — The proverbe saith that many 

 smale maketh a grct. Persones Tale. — To lene a man a noble 

 or two or thre. Chanounnes Yemannes Tale, 26. 



The use of a in the last example is somewhat different, how- 

 ever, because ngblc is so thoroughly substantivized. So also 

 with an cvyle, a grene, etc. 



(b) The definite article. By Chaucer the definite article is 

 often omitted where in modern usage it seems necessary. With 

 plural personal substantives (without -s) we do not omit except 

 in such couplets as good and bad, old and young, wise and fool- 

 ish, etc. But Chaucer is much more free to omit the article. 



O trouble wit, O ire recheles That unavised smytest gultelcs. 

 Maunciples Tale, 175. — The way of blynde. Secounde Nonnes 

 Tale, 92. — ^Victorious tre, proteccioun of trewe. Man of Lawes 

 Tale, 358. — Now, lady bright, to whom alle wofulle cryen. ibid. 

 752. 



Of course the personal substantives (with -s) are so far sub- 

 stantivized that the article may be used or omitted, just as with 

 any other noun. This is true also of the plural abstracts. 



With the singular abstract substantives the article may be 

 used or omitted. With substantivized adjectives of color it is 

 generally omitted as in Modern English, "a lady thus al in- blak." 

 Knyghtes Tale, 600. Likewise with proper adjectives it is gen- 

 erally omitted. "Who couthe ryme in Englissh propurly," 

 Knyghtes Tale, 600. 



Neuter concrete nouns, made from adjectives, are used with 

 the or without, "the goodes of nature." ' Persones Tale. — "For 

 lak of goode." Court of Love, 1142. 



6. Use as adverbial substantives. Many adjectives substan- 

 tives, which were undoubtedly abstract nouns at first, seem 



265 



