3 ms·
I have no problem with this: "to him that ye schuleth tribute, tribute" becoming "to him that you should tribute, tribute." It is a bit odd to modern ears but
by gerdesj 6y ago
I have no problem with this:
"to him that ye schuleth tribute, tribute" becoming "to him that you should tribute, tribute."
It is a bit odd to modern ears but the second tribute is clearly a shortened exhortation for emphasis. Should in English often implies an obligation and owe falls out from that. "You should apologise for that" -> "You own an apology for that".
- tankenmate 6y agothe first "tribute" is a gerund (i.e. a verb taking the place of a noun) although i'm not sure of the gerund declension in middle english. the second "tribute" is an imperative verb (with an implied subject and object).