A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Hens, adv. Also: hence. [ME. hens (c 1330), hennes (c 1290), f. the earlier henne. The more common Sc. word is Hyne adv.] Hence, from here.a. With verbs. b. With ellipsis of the vb. of motion. c. With the advb. far.a. c1475 Wall. ii. 93.
Go hens, the [v.r. thow] Scot, the mekill dewill thé speid 1513 Doug. i. iii. 74.
Withdraw ȝou hens Ib. x. Prol. 126.
That fruyt … Maid deth … be fund, and lyfe go hens Id. Conscience 18.
Riches and geir that gart all grace go hens c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5286.
I … lattis the uther bukis ga hence a1540 Freiris Berw. 238.
‘Go hens,’ scho sayis, ‘for Symon is fra hame’ 1567 G. Ball 212.
Gif Kingis wald mes to Rome hens dryueb. c1450-2 Howlat 38.
Tharfor in haist will I hens To the purpos 1531 Bell. Boece I. cviii.
Gif ony churle or velane thé dispise, Bid hence him, harlot c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus ii. 379.
Wald thow … prosper in thy wais, In all gude haist thow hence thé fra this ȝetc. 1513 Doug. v. i. 44.
Not far hens … The … sovir portis of Sycil beyn Ib. xi. viii. 28.
Our fays beyn not far from hens to seik
