The Syntax of Early English - Cryptm.org

80 The syntax of early Englishprecede the determiner that could not do so in Old English (e.g. many in (28)),or cannot do so any more in present-day English (e.g. each in (29)).(28) Ich aue hy go mani amyleI have gone many a-mile‘I have travelled many a mile’ (King Horn (Ld) 66.1215)(29) urh out vch a tounethroughout each a town‘throughout every town’ (King Horn (Hrl) 12.218)These small differences have not so far inspired any interesting theoreticalwork, perhaps because of their smallness, but perhaps also because there haslong been no theoretical framework making very precise claims about NPinternalpositions. It is possible that the so-called ‘DP-hypothesis’, which takesthe determiner to be the head of what we are calling NP, will lead to fruitfulwork in this area.Attributive adjectives in Middle English were usually in prenominal position,though – as in present-day English (see Ferris (1993)) – they sometimesfollowed the noun. The latter option was not unusual (especially in poetry)with single adjectives borrowed from French, as in (30), and with adjectivesforming a longer phrase, for example when there were two coordinated adjectives,as in (31).(30) schame eternal schulde be my medeshame eternal should be my reward‘eternal shame would be my reward’ (Lydgate Troy Book 1.2476)(31) ise bye gaueleres kueade and uoulethese are usurers evil and foul‘These are foul and evil usurers’ (Ayenb. 35.14)It was also possible for one adjective to precede and one to follow the headnoun, as in (32).(32) King Pandyones fayre doughter dereking Pandion’s fair daughter dear‘King Pandion’s beautiful beloved daughter’ (Chaucer Legend 2247)From the thirteenth century on, the second adjective was sometimes precededby and. It could then be preceded by a determiner, as in example (33).(33) A trewe swynkere and a good was hea true labourer and a good was he‘He was a good and faithful labourer’ (Chaucer Gen. Prol. 531)In present-day English, the prop-word one would be needed in this construction,since only generic and/or abstract adjectives like the poor and the oriental