The last age of the church

by John‏ Wycliffe

Of no degree availleth for to strive.[61]

On live is now contracted or corrupted into alive. Thus we say, a-coming, a-saying, a-board, a-purpose, a-sleep, a-way, &c., for on coming, on saying, on board, on purpose, &c. By which it appears that Dr. Wallis[62] is mistaken in supposing this Class of Words to be compounded with the Preposition at.

John Hopkins, in his Version of Psalm lxxvii. 16, has retained the old Form, on trembling, for a-trembling;

“The Waters, Lord, perceived thee,

The Waters saw thee well,

And they for Feare away did flee

The Depths on trembling fell.”

Numerous instances will be found in Chaucer[63], as,

“On hunting ben they ridden really.”

and again,[64]