2. The Subjunctive Mood. § 251. The chief use of the Subjunctive Mood is in hypothetical sentences. It then usually follows such Conjunctions as if, unless, except, although, albeit, notwithstanding, whether or as "What matter where if I be still the same?" (P. L. i.) "Now this, though it make the unskilful laugh, cannot but make the judicious grieve." (Haml. iii. 2.) "No man can do these miracles except God be with him." (John iii. 2.) But in the estimation of a hair." (Merch. of V. iv. 1). It also frequently follows such expressions as provided (that), suppose (supposing), &c. : as 66 .. so we will, provided that he win her." (Taming of S. i. 2.) "Suppose you were to take a little journey now (Dickens, David C. ch. xix.) § 252. Sometimes the Verb in the Subjunctive Mood is placed before its Subject, and no Conjunction is then used: as were I[=if I were] Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up your spirits. . . .” (J. C. iii. 2.) "Were I the Moor, I would not be Iago." (Oth. i. 1.) "Oh, wert thou (=if thou wert) in the cauld blast "Led Bertrand Risingham [= if he led] the hearts That countered there on adverse parts, No superstitious fool had I Sought Eldorados in the sky." (Rokeby, i.) Obs. Such sentences as the last are not uncommon in our older writers. See § 253. The Subjunctive is also used in indirect questions after if, whether, and in the case of double questions (i. e. where there are two alternatives), after whether (if). ..or: as "Tell me, moreover, hast thou sounded him, "Look if your helpless father yet survive." (Dryden, Æn. ii.) § 254. The Subjunctive Mood is also used in dependent sentences to denote a command or wish. It is then often introduced by the word that. Examples: "Heat me these irons hot; and look thou stand Within the arras." (K. J. iv. 1.) "The king's further pleasure is That such a writ be served against you." (H. VIII. iii.) "And ere our coming see thou shake the bag Of hoarding abbots." (K. J. iii. 3.) "I would that I were low laid in my grave." (Ib. ii. 1.) § 255. Hence arises the use of the Subjunctive Mood in an Imperative or Optative [wishing: Lat. "opto," I wish] sense: as "Now, good digestion wait on appetite, And health on both!" (Macb. iii. 4.) "Never harm, nor spell nor charm, Come our lovely lady nigh." (Mids. N. D. ii. 3.) Obs. Or these Verbs may be said to be in the Imperative Mood. In Latin and French also the Subjunctive is used with an Imperative sense. § 256. The Subjunctive is likewise used, especially in our older writers, after the words that, so that, lest, to denote a purpose or consequence of something to be done: as, "Take heed, that thou speak not to Jacob." (Gen. xxxi. 24.) 66 Come, thick Night, That my keen knife see not the wound it gives." (Macb. i. 5.) "He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death." (Ex. xxi. 12.) "And if a man smite the eye of his servant shall let him go free for his eye's sake." (lb. ver. 26.) that it perish; he "Let him that standeth take heed, lest he fall." (1 Cor. x. 12.) "Get on your night-gown, lest occasion call us, And show us to be watchers." (Macb. ii. 2.) § 257. It must not be supposed that all Verbs used in hypothetical sentences are necessarily in the Subjunctive Mood. The Indicative is used after if in speaking of what is present at the time. Examples: "If I am to be a beggar [as appears likely], it shall never make me a rascal." (V. of Wakefield, ch. ii.) 66 And though my portion is but scant, I give it with good will." "If thou speakst false, (Ib. ch. viii.) Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive." (Macb. v. 5.) The Indicative is also used in hypothetical sentences, where there is no real contingency or doubt: as,— Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor." (2 Cor. viii. 9.) Also, the Indicative is sometimes used in preference to the Subjunctive for the sake of greater energy of expression. Compare the following example: Obs. The use of the Indicative and the Subjunctive Mood, in the same sentence, and in the same connection, though either of them might separately be right, is not to be justified: as, If there be but one body of legislators, it is no better than a tyranny; if there are only two, there will want a casting voice." (Addison, Spect. No. 287.) "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee." (Matt. v. 23.) § 258. Sequence of Tenses.-May, shall, will, are regularly used in subordinate sentences after Present and Future Tenses in the Principal sentence; and might, should, would, after Past Tenses: as, *The Present Complete I have feared is more naturally followed by might, should, or would, because it implies that the consequence feared belongs to the Past. "I have feared that I might (should) fall into danger, &c." thou mightst or wouldst, &c. he might or would, &c. 3. The Infinitive Mood. § 259. The Infinitive Mood is in modern English usually indicated by the prefix to. But it is used without to after the following classes of Verbs: 1. Some which serve as Auxiliaries in forming various Tenses and Moods: viz. do, shall, will; to which may be added, may, can, might, could, would, should. 2. The following old root-verbs: bid, dare, have, make, let, must, list, need. 3. Many Verbs denoting the operation of the senses: as, see (behold, watch, mark, &c.), hear, feel. Examples [2 and 3]: (2) "Bid me tear the bond." (Merch. of V. iv. 1.) "Dar'st thou, Cassius, Leap in with me . . . ?" (J. Cæsar, i. 2.) "We often had the traveller or stranger visit us "It was mine art (Vicar of W. i.) When I arrived and heard thee, that made gape "I will not let thee go ." (Gen. xxxii. 26.) "It must seem their deed . . . ." (Macb. ii. 2.) Ambling palfrey when at need, Him listed ease his battle steed.” (Marm. i.) "They need not depart; give ye them to eat." (Matt. xiv. 16.) Ethereal trumpet from on high gan blow.” (P. L. vi.) (3) "I see before me the gladiator lie." (Ch. Harold, iv.) "I feel The bond of Nature draw me to my own.' (P. L. ix.) ...9 Obs. 1. Most of the Verbs included under (2) and (3) sometimes admit the Infinitive with to after them. Thus, dare [Present Tense] occurs a few times in Shakspeare followed by to... and hath dared, had dared, in every case so where they occur. Bid is also sometimes followed by to and likewise have, make, list, need. Let is occasionally followed by to:"Which shall we let to triumph for ourselves? (Newcomes, ch. xxxvii.) But this construction should be avoided. The use of to after the Verb see is obsolete: " "To see so many to make so little conscience of so great a sin--" (Tillotson, vol. i. serm. 22.) Obs. 2. The Passive Infinitive after some of these Verbs is in danger of being confounded with the simple Past Participle: as "I heard the bell toll'd on thy burial day." (Cowper, Lines.) Here, toll'd to be toll'd. Obs. 3. Ought was formerly often followed by the Infinitive without to: as,— § 260. The Infinitive with to is often the Subject of a sentence; especially before the Verb to be: as— "To reign is worth ambition." (Ib.) "'Tis sweet to hear the watch-dog's honest bark [I.e. to hear is sweet: see § 244, No. 1.] (Byron.) “To be contents his natural desire.” (Pope, Ess. i.) Obs. 1. Such a sentence as this "Better dwell in the midst of alarms," is probably to be explained as elliptical one had better dwell. Obs. 2. In sentences like the following, the Infinitive is to be regarded as the Subject: "This was all thy care, To stand approved in the sight of God." (P. L. vi.) § 261. The Infinitive not unfrequently denotes the Object, especially after Verbs expressing the action of the MIND or WILL: such as, to mean, purpose, intend; expect, hope, fear; wish, desire, love, hate; learn, remember, forget: as "Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear “Which [will], pardon me, I do not mean to read.” (J. Cæs. iii. 2.) "The Countess of Kew purposes to stay here this evening." (Newc. ch. xxxviii.) "By that sin fell the angels; how can man then, The image of his Maker, hope to win by it?" (Hen. VIII. iii. 2.) "I like a thousand times better to think of Raphael's loving spirit." "I should like to have known that good Samaritan "Cease to do evil, learn to do well." (Is. i. 17.) "Such groans of roaring wind and rain, I never Remember to have heard." (Lear, iii. 2.) (Newc. ch. xxxv.) (Ib. ch. xxxvii.) K |