Vouchsafe

v. Forms: α. 4–5 vowche-, 5 vowch-, 4–6 vouche- (4–5 voche-, 5 woche-, vousshe-), 4– vouch-, 6 voutchsafe, etc.; also 4 votesave, 6 voutsalfe, vousalf, vowt-, voult-, 6–8 voutsafe, 7 voutchafe. β. 4–5 fowche-, fouche-, 5 ffouch-, foche-, fuch(e)safe, etc.; also 5 fuchesef. γ. 4–5 woche- (5 woches-; whoche-), 5 woch-, 4–6 wouche- (5 woushe-), 6 wouchsafe, etc.; also 5 wot-save, 7 wow-, wouchaife, wouchaiffe. δ. 4 weche-, 5 wych(e-, wiche-, 6 wich-safe, etc.; also 5 wet-saffe, wytsaff, Sc. witsaufe, 6 -save, -saffe, -safe, wytsaue, -save, -saufe; 5 Sc. wichauf, wiche-, wichsauf, -saif, 5–6 witschaif, 6 withsaif, -save, -schaif, wythsaue, -save; 5 witeselfe, 6 -safe, 6 wytesave (5 wyȝt-). (For usual variants of the second element see SAFE a., and for special illustration of forms see sense 6 b.) [f. VOUCH v. (in the sense of ‘warrant’) + SAFE a. In early use still treated as two words, with normal inflection of the verb, and occasional inversion (safe vouch), or insertion of words between the verb and adj.]

  I.  † 1. trans. To confer or bestow (some thing, favor, or benefit) on a person: a. With separable vb. and adj. (Freq. in 14th-cent. romances.) Obs.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 6345. He vouchede hyt [sc. his property] saufe on vs, he seyd, Þat we ȝave hyt whan he deyde.

a. 1400.  Sir Amadace (Camden), liii. And ȝe be a mon that wille wedde a wife, I vouche hur safe, be my life, On ȝo that fayre may.

c. 1425.  Seven Sag. (P.), 453. I vowch hym wylle save on the, To do what thy wylle bee.

1456.  Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 103. Quhy suld man tak it fra thame sen God vouchis it sauf on thame.

1457.  Harding, Chron., I. in Eng. Hist. Rev., Oct. (1912), 742. Seth that prynce is gone … I vouche it sauf, wyth all benyvolence, On yow, gode lorde, hys sonne and hayre that bene.

1508.  Gest Robyn Hode, ccclxxxi. in Child, Ballads, III. 75/1. But yf I had an hondred pounde, I wolde vouch it safe on the.

  † b.  With vb. and adj. in juxtaposition or combination. Obs.

c. 1330.  King of Tars, 336. Ich fouchesaf on him my blod, To him heo nis not to good, Though heo weore ten so briht.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Anel. & Arc., 254. Is þer now neyþer worde ne chere Ye vowchensauff vpon myn hevynesse?

a. 1440.  Sir Eglam., 222. Lorde, y have servyd yow many a day, Vowchesafe ye hur on mee.

c. 1475.  Babees Bk., 175. For yt ys nouhte ywys convenyent,… Alle forto holde that vnto yow ys brouhte, And as wrecches on other vouchesauf nouhte.

c. 1485.  Digby Myst. (1882), I. 624. But syth þou wytyst saff a dyner on me, with pes and grace I entyr þi hows.

1560.  Rolland, Seven Sages, 10. Na rewaird desire I of ȝour grace Bot to witchaif on me sa greit credence [etc.].

1599.  Hakluyt, Voy., I. Pref. **2. You may see … what gracious priuileges and high prerogatiues were by diuers kings vouchsafed vpon them.

1671.  Milton, P. R., II. 210. What woman will you find … On whom his leisure will vouchsafe an eye Of fond desire?

  2.  To give, grant or bestow in a gracious or condescending manner: a. Without const.

13[?].  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1391. Tas yow þere my cheuicaunce, I cheued no more; I wowche hit saf fynly, þaȝ feler hit were.

a. 1400.  Sir Amadace (Camden), xxxii. Sadyll, brydyll, and oder geyre, Fowre so gud thoffe hit were I woch hit save, bi Sen Jon!

1424.  in R. R. Sharpe, Lond. & Kingd. (1895), III. 369. Of þat þat your lordly clemence so beningly voucheþ sauf … it excedeth inestimablich our power … to yeve you thankynges.

1594.  Kyd, Cornelia, Ded. And so vouchsafing but the passing of a Winters weeke with desolate Cornelia, I [etc.].

1611.  Shaks., Cymb., II. iii. 45. I haue assayl’d her with Musickes, but she vouchsafes no notice.

1642.  Chas. I., in 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., 420/2. There is hardly anything … that we shall not finde in our hart a willingnesse and readinesse to voutsafe it.

1667.  Milton, P. L., V. 881. Those indulgent Laws will not now be voutsaf’t, other Decrees Against thee are gon forth without recall.

1781.  Cowper, Hope, 487. Nature indeed vouchsafes, for our delight, The sweet vicissitudes of day and night.

1838.  Talfourd, Athenian Captive, II. i. Wilt thou not join thy fellows at the feast, And taste a cup of wine the king vouchsafes For merriment to-day?

1856.  R. A. Vaughan, Mystics (1860), II. IX. iii. 138. Forms of glory come and go: gifts of subtlest discernment are vouchsafed.

1881.  Besant & Rice, Chapl. of Fleet, I. 2. They ought not to lessen the glad song of praise for blessings formerly vouchsafed of love, of joy, and of happiness.

  b.  With indirect object. † Also (quot. 1595), to make a grant of something.

1587.  Golding, De Mornay, xxxii. (1592), 515. Men voutchsafed them not so much as a Tombe to be buried in.

1592.  G. Harvey, Four Lett., iii. 19. Not Tubulcain,… but Tuball, whom Genesis voutsafeth honourable mention.

1595.  Spenser, Col. Clout, 484. But say, who else vouchsafed thee of grace? They all (quoth he) me graced goodly well.

1605.  Shaks., Lear, II. iv. 158. On my knees I begge That you’l vouchsafe me Rayment, Bed, and Food.

1610.  Holland, Camden’s Brit., To Rdr. *4 b. As for obscure Etymologies,… I have vouchsafed them no place in this worke.

1659.  Hammond, On Ps. lxxii. 1. They are vouchsafed that dignity.

1778.  Miss Burney, Evelina (1791), II. xxi. 136. Should I once more remind you of the promise you vouchsafed me yesterday?

1791.  Cowper, Iliad, IV. 466. Them Tydeus vanquish’d easily, such aid Pallas vouchsafed him.

1848.  W. K. Kelly, trans. L. Blanc’s Hist. Ten Y., I. 315. Men who are not always vouchsafed the use of a church steps or stones of the street for their bed.

1867.  ‘Ouida,’ C. Castlemaine’s Gage (1879), 13. That is all you vouchsafe me.

  c.  Const. to (or unto).

a. 1660.  Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archæol. Soc.), III. 40. His Lordship may be pleased … to voutchafe a meetinge … to Sir Walter Dungan.

1671.  Milton, P. R., I. 490. Thy Father … vouchsaf’d his voice To Balaam Reprobate, a Prophet yet Inspir’d.

1756–7.  trans. Keysler’s Trav. (1760), I. 20. Whether they will vouchsafe any new memorial to their benefactor, time must discover.

1781.  Cowper, Table-t., 699. Nature … But seldom … Vouchsafes to man a poet’s just pretence.

1818.  Scott, Br. Lamm., xxvii. I will be true to my word, while the exercise of my reason is vouchsafed to me.

1856.  Kane, Arct. Expl., II. iii. 47. We have marked every dash of color which the great Painter in his benevolence vouchsafed to us.

1880.  Swinburne, Stud. Shaks., 4. It is as yet but a partial revelation that has been vouchsafed to them.

  d.  To deign or condescend to give (a word, answer, etc.) in reply or by way of friendly notice.

1597.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. lxiv. § 2. Vouchsafe me hereunto some short answer, such as … may … instruct me in the cause thereof.

1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., III. i. 152. Vouchsafe a word, yong sister, but one word.

1648.  Milton, Tenure Kings, 22. Yet to a tyrant we hear him not voutsafe an humble word.

1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., II. § 12. Lysicles … smiled at Crito, without vouchsafing any answer.

1836.  W. Irving, Astoria, II. 163. So saying, he flung out of their presence without vouchsafing any further conversation.

1848.  Lytton, Harold, I. v. Twice the Duke paced the chamber without vouchsafing a word to either.

1872.  Black, Adv. Phaeton, iv. 40. All the reply that Tita vouchsafed was to wear a pleased smile of defiance.

  ellipt.  1598.  B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum., I. v. Bob. You were wish’d for, and drunk to, I assure you. Mat. Vouchsafe mee, by whom, good Captaine.

  † 3.  a. To condescend to engage in (some pursuit). Obs.

c. 1581.  Lodge, Repl. Gosson’s Sch. Abuse (Shaks. Soc., 1853), 10. Ask Josephus, and he wil tel you that Esay, Job and Salomon, voutsafed poetical practises, for … theyre verse was Hexameter, and Pentameter.

1667.  Milton, P. L., VI. 823. Nor other strife with them do I voutsafe.

  † b.  To receive (a thing) graciously or condescendingly; to deign to accept. Obs.

1589.  Greene, Tullies Love, Wks. (Grosart), VII. 156. Considering it [a letter] came from so honourable a personage as Lentulus, shee vouchsafed it.

1599.  ? Greene, George a Greene, D j. Geo. Why then, to honour G. a Greene the more, Vouchsafe a peice of beefe at my poore house.

1599.  Broughton’s Let., iii. 11. Whose singular affabilitie and clemencie … [is] such, that shee will vouchsafe the speech of the meanest.

1601.  Shaks., Jul. C., II. i. 313. Vouchsafe good morrow from a feeble tongue. Ibid. (1607), Timon, I. i. 152. Vouchsafe my Labour, And long liue your Lordship.

  † c.  To be prepared to bear or sustain. Obs.

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., II. iii. 43. If your backe Cannot vouchsafe this burthen, ’tis too weake Euer to get a Boy.

  † 4.  To acknowledge (a person) in some favorable relationship or manner. Obs.

1582.  in T. Watson’s Poems (Arb.), 34. Let Britan beare your spring … That it hence foorth may of your fauour boast, And him, whome first you heere voutsafe for hoast.

1584.  Lodge, Hist. Forbonius & Prisceria, K 4 b. He which whilome hated Forbonius, now vouchsafeth him his son in lawe.

1615.  T. Adams, Two Sonnes, 73. It is no ordinary favour that God will vouchsafe thee his Servant; yet hath hee made us his Sonnes.

1634.  Ford, Perk. Warbeck, I. ii. If my princely mistress Vouchsaf’d me not her servant, twere as good I were reduc’d to clownery.

  II.  † 5. To grant, permit or allow, as an act of grace or condescension. Usually const. with clause introduced by that. Obs.

1338.  R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 260. Homage vp to ȝeld, lordschip to forsake,… As ȝe haf mad present, þe Kyng vouches it saue.

c. 1350.  Will. Palerne, 1449. He prayeth, lord, vowchesauf þat his sone hire wedde. Ibid., 4152. Þat þe quen be ofsent sauf wol i fouche.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Frankl. T., 315. Now voucheth sauf, that I may you devise How that I may be holpe.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 2002. My mouthe… to no vilayn was never couthe … For sauff of cherlis I ne vouche That they shulle never neigh it nere.

1430–40.  Lydg., Bochas, III. v. (1554), 74. Rehearce I wil, so that ye sauf it vouch, A mortal wronge which the and me doth touch.

1539.  Elyot, Cast. Helthe, Proheme a ij b. Truely yf they wyll call hym a physition,… I wytsaufe they so name me.

1560.  Rolland, Seven Sages, 72. War I gyltie or ȝit committit crime, I wald witschaif ȝe held me out this time.

1594.  Kyd, Cornelia, III. i. 50. Doe ye vouchsafe that thys victorious title Be not expired in Cornelias blood.

1601.  Shaks., Jul. C., III. i. 130. If Brutus will vouchsafe, that Anthony May safely come to him.

1639.  Sir W. Mure, Psalm xvii. 2. Wouchaife furth from before thy face, My sentence may proceid.

  b.  To permit or allow (a person) to do something. † Also ellipt., to allow to speak.

14[?].  Lydg., Lyfe our Ladye (1484), a viij b. And lord also on me saue thou vouche … That holy mayde to handyl and touche.

1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., V. i. 282. Most mighty Duke, vouchsafe me speak a word. Ibid. (1599), Much Ado, III. ii. 3. Clau. Ile bring you thither my Lord, if you’l vouchsafe me.

1608.  Chapman, Byron’s Conspir., V. Plays, 1873, II. 244. 2. Truely we are not of his counsaile of warre. Sau. Nay but vouchsafe me. 3. Vouchsafe him, vouchsafe him, else there is no play in ’t.

1827.  Keble, Chr. Y., St. Luke, xx. Be it vouchsaf’d thee still to see Thy true, fond nurslings closer cling.

  6.  To show a gracious readiness or willingness, to grant readily, to condescend or deign, to do something: † a. In earlier types of usage (with verb and adj. still distinct).

  (a)  a. 1350.  St. Stephen, 207, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1881), 30. Gamaliell wouched safe To lay þat body in his awyn graue.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 339. For as Crist vouchiþ-saaf to clepe þis Chirche his spouse, so he clepiþ curside men fendis.

c. 1400.  Prymer, in Maskell, Mon. Rit. (1847), II. 23. The maker of mankynde takynge a bodi … fouchide saaf to be born.

c. 1450.  trans. De Imitatione, III. vi. 69. I blesse þe, heuenly fader,… for þou vouchist saaf to haue mynde on me.

1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 376/1. Thou haste vouched sauf to comforte me poure caytyf.

1545.  Udall, Erasm. Par. Luke (1548), 21. Who … hath vouchedsafe to cast a fauourable iye on me.

1555.  W. Watreman, Fardle Facions, Ded. 3. The Emperours Maiestie … vouchedsaulfe to receiue the presentacion therof.

1565.  Golding, Ovid’s Met., IV. (1593), 81. In vouching safe to let Our sayings to our friendly eares thus freely come and go.

  (b)  c. 1380.  Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 73. Ȝit he fouchide nevere saaf to fede hem þus wiþ a kide.

c. 1400.  Prymer, in Maskell, Mon. Rit. (1847), II. 29. Fouche thou saaf to liȝtne our hertis and bodies.

14[?].  Lydg., Lyfe our Ladye, lviii. (1484), i ij. Glad mayst thou be that sauf [he] list to vouche … To have plesaunce thy brestis for to towche.

1540–1.  Elyot, Image Gov., Pref. He wouched not saufe to loke on them.

1565.  Golding, Ovid’s Met., I. (1593), 6. As Satyres … Whom into heaven since that as yet we vouch not safe to take.

  b.  In ordinary later forms.

  α¹.  c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 55. Lord, vouchesaaf to kepe us þis day wiþouten synne.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VI. 373. I þonke God … þat he wole vouchesauf þis day to axe me þat he haþ i-yeve me.

1411.  Rolls of Parlt., III. 650/2. He besought the Kyng of grace, And that he wold vouchesauf to praye the Lord the Roos, that he wold chese two Lordes of hys kyn.

1447.  Bokenham, Seyntys, Introd. (Roxb.), 7. I you beseche frend ryht enterly That ye vouchesaf for me to preye.

c. 1489.  Caxton, Blanchardyn, v. 24. Blanchardyn … prayed hym that he vousshesauff to helpe hym that he were doubed knyght wyth his armes.

c. 1539.  in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. I. II. 126. The most bountiful gifts … wich your Grace hath vouchsavid to bestowe upon us.

1542.  Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 83 b. Diogenes … would not vouchesalve so muche as ones to aryse up from his taille.

1579.  W. Wilkinson, Confut. Fam. Love, Brief Desc., ☞ iij b. For the testimony of the truth hereof vouchsafe good reader to read the booke.

1624.  Trag. Nero, II. iii., in Bullen, O. Plays, I. 37. O Piso, that vouchsafest To grace our headlesse partie with thy name.

1648.  J. Beaumont, Psyche, XI. 17. The only Thing Which Heav’n’s peculiar Hand vouchaf’d to frame.

1661.  Papers on Alter. Prayer-bk., 88. We had a conceit that you would have vouchsaved to treate with us personally in presence.

c. 1713.  Ellwood, Autobiog. (1714), 2. The many Deliverances and Preservations, which the Lord hath vouchsafed to work for me.

1765.  Goldsm., New Simile, 31. Lastly, vouchsafe t’ observe his hand Filled with a snake-encircled wand.

1807.  Wordsw., White Doe, III. 75. A Maid o’er whom the blessed Dove Vouchsafed in gentleness to brood.

1862.  Chr. Wordsw., Misc. (1879), I. 280. The Pope vouchsafed to give bulls of institution to the ecclesiastics named by the crown to fill the vacant sees.

1880.  Mrs. Forrester, Roy & V., I. 177. She did not even vouchsafe to answer him.

  α².  1546.  Supplic. Poore Commons (E.E.T.S.), 85. Onles your Hyghnes wyll voultsafe to take our cause in hand.

1565.  Stapleton, trans. Bede’s Hist., 116. That most louely geast,… who was wonte to visit our bretherne, hath voutsafed this day to come to me also.

1577.  Fulke, Answ. True Christian, Pref. If any one of these … shall voutsalfe to reade this answere.

c. 1597.  Sir J. Harington, On Play, in Nugæ Ant. (1804), I. 206. Her Highnes can vowtsafe to play somtyme with her servantes.

1642.  Milton, Apol. Smect., Wks. 1851, III. 303. We count it ample honour when God voutsafes to make man the instrument and subordinate worker of his gracious will. Ibid. (1667), P. L., VII. 80. Since thou hast voutsaf’t Gently for our instruction to impart Things above Earthly thought.

1704.  N. N., trans. Boccalini’s Advts. fr. Parnass., III. 176. They besought her Imperial Majesty, that she would voutsafe to acquaint ’em [etc.].

  β.  c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 359. Ȝif þat God wolde fouchesafe to ȝyve þes preestis of his grace, þat þei wolden mekeli leeve þis.

1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. XIX. 18. Ich þonke ȝow a þowsend sythes … þat ȝe fowche-saue to seye me what hit hihte.

c. 1420.  Chron. Vilod., 2195. Ȝyff God wold fouchesave to consent þerto.

1432–43.  in Cal. Proc. Chanc. Q. Eliz. (1827), I. Introd. 24. That ye wold fuchesef of your benygne grace to graunte a writ of sub pena.

c. 1440.  Gesta Rom., iv. 9 (Harl. MS.). Thei prayd him … that he wold fuchsafe to helpe hem ayenst theyre enemeys.

  γ.  c. 1420–30.  in Hampole’s Wks. (1895), I. 171. Þis syght is bot be tymes, wen god will woches-sawf forto gif it vnto a wyrkande saule.

1448.  Paston Lett., Suppl. (1901), 18. My mastres … pray yow that and ye wold wochesaff to speke to my master Edmund.

1491.  Caxton, Vitas Patr. (W. de W., 1495), II. 223 b/2. I prayed hym that he wolde woushesauf to haue me in mynde.

1518.  H. Watson, Hist. Oliver of Castile (Roxb.), C 4. Wherfore I praye the that thou wouchesauf for to kepe the honour of my fader and me.

1530.  Palsgr., 769/1. If he wyll nat wouchesaufe to do it, you lese your payne.

c. 1590.  Montgomerie, Sonn., xxxiv. 2. Melpomene,… Wouchsaiv to help a wrechit woman weep.

1639.  Sir W. Mure, Psalms cvi. 4. Wowchaife, O Lord, to visite me With thy salvation.

  δ¹.  c. 1425.  Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. xv. 2332. To pray þis paip Bonyface That he wald witschaif of his grace … Off þai iniuris to set remeid.

1455.  Paston Lett., I. 355. Besechyng you that ye woll weche safe to be her goode mastre. Ibid. (1462), II. 119. I beseche yow that ye wole wychesave to send me sume mony.

c. 1500.  Lancelot, 356. Beseiching hyme he wold wichsaif to wende To camelot the Cetee.

1560.  Rolland, Seven Sages, 8. The caus na way we knaw Quhill y^t ȝour grace will witchaif for to schaw.

1585.  Sc. Acts Jas. VI. (1814), III. 408/1. That our said souerane lord wald wischeaf … To appoint [etc.].

  δ².  1444.  Aberdeen Reg. (1844), I. 10. We counsaile … yhour lordschip … that … yhe witsaufe to louse and deliuer frely the said Inglisemen.

1482.  Monk of Evesham (Arb.), 28. Y blessyd our lorde and thankid him that he wolde white safe to chaste me … in a fadyrly chastment.

1509.  Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), II. 228. The Mast nowe meuyth, the taklynge and the sayle, O god wythsaue the wayke shyp to socour.

1523.  Cromwell, in Merriman, Life & Lett. (1902), I. 42. Most humbly beseching … that he wyll of his haboundaunt goodnes to wytsaufe to take me as I meane.

1549.  Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. Rom., Prol. ** i. Praye God that he wyll witesafe to worke faith in thyne herte.

1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xix. (Arb.), 245. O Phebus,… Wouldst thou witsafe to slide a downe: And dwell with vs.

  † c.  With omission of the connective to. Obs.

a. 1400.  Prymer (1891), 26. The makere of mankynde takynge a body … fowchede sauf be bore.

1444.  Rolls of Parlt., V. 73/2. That they wold wochesaf, for the said considerations, pray and beseche our said Soveraigne Lorde the Kyng [etc.].

1455.  Paston Lett., I. 357. I besech your gode grace that ye will vouchesafe remember the premissez.

1501.  in Eng. Misc. (Surtees), 51. We pray…, y^t thei woll votesave, at our request & prayer, beald, succour, & releffe the said Ric’ Hammylton.

  † d.  intr. To be pleased to accept of something. Obs. rare. (Cf. VOUCH v. 12.)

1587.  Greene, Penelope’s Web, Ep. Ded. I hope your Ladyships wil vouchsafe of Penelopes Web. Ibid. (1587), Euphues Cens., Ep. Ded. As Alexander did vouchsafe of Misons rude and vnpolished picture of Mars. Ibid. (1590), Mourning Garm., Concl. So I hope … you will vouchsafe of my Mourning Garment.

  † 7.  ellipt. To grant; to agree graciously; to condescend. Chiefly in clauses introduced by as or if. Obs.

  (a)  c. 1308.  Pol. Songs (Camden), 199. Whan hit is so, ich vouchsave, Ic forȝive the this gilte.

c. 1450.  Mirk’s Festial, 234. ‘Yf þow see hur … þou most lese þyn een-syght.’ Then sayde he: ‘Syr, I vouchesaf wele, so þat I may se hur.’

1596.  Edward III., IV. ii. 27. And if your grace no otherwise vouchsafe, As welcome death is vnto vs as life.

  (b)  13[?].  Northern Passion (H.), 452. Lat þis paines pas fra me. And noght anly als I will craue Bot, fader, als þou vowchis saue.

c. 1340.  Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 3002. Þus sal þe saules, als God vouches save, For sere syns, sere maledys have.

14[?].  Tundale’s Vis., 2344. No worldly goode more wold he have, But lyved as longe, as god vowche save.

  (c)  13[?].  Seuyn Sages (W.), 3030. Gif me a place … that I may my wonyng haue, At myne ese, if ye vowchesaue.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 466. And þus ȝif god wolde fouche-saf, hooly chirche shulde be purgid of heresyes in þis mater.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Frankl. T., 606. I haue do so as ye comanded me, And if ye vouche sauf ye may go see.

1463.  Bury Wills (Camden), 17. Item I wyll that Maist’ Thomas Harlowe sey the sermon at my interment, if he wochesaft.

1535.  Coverdale, Tobit xii. 2. I praye the … that thou wilt desyre him, yf happlie he wil voutsafe, to take with him the half of all that we haue brought.

1736.  Sheridan, Lett. to Swift, 15 Sept. If you pleased, or would vouchsafe, or condescend, or think proper, I would rather that you would … charge only five per cent.

  † 8.  impers. To be pleasing or agreeable to (a person) to do something. Obs.^–1

1543.  Grafton, Contn. Harding, 587. Thomas Trencharde … went to the kyng, desyring hym (yf it would wite salfe hym) to take a lodging at his house.

  Hence Vouchsafed ppl. a., Vouchsafing vbl. sb.

1561.  T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., III. xxii. (1634), 454. By that vouchsafing, whereof there is found no cause elsewhere than in God.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., III. i. 100. My matter hath no voice Lady, but to your owne most pregnant and vouchsafed eare.

1649.  Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., I. Ad Sect. ii. 22. His graces and all other his vouchsafings and descents into our hearts.

1755.  Johnson, Deigning,… a vouchsafing; a thinking worthy.