III. The Objective
[Sidenote: _The old_ dative _case._]
89. In Old English there was one case which survives in use, but not
in form. In such a sentence as this one from Thackeray, "Pick _me_ out
a whip-cord thong with some dainty knots in it," the word _me_ is
evidently not the direct object of the verb, but expresses _for whom_,
_for whose benefit_, the thing is done. In pronouns, this dative
use, as it is called, was marked by a separate case.
[Sidenote: _Now the objective._]
In Modern English the same _use_ is frequently seen, but the _form_ is
the same as the objective. For this reason a word thus used is called
a dative-objective.
The following are examples of the dative-objective:--
Give _me_ neither poverty nor riches.--_Bible._
Curse _me_ this people.--_Id._
Both joined in making _him_ a present.--MACAULAY
Is it not enough that you have _burnt me_ down three houses with
your dog's tricks, and be hanged to you!--LAMB
I give _thee_ this to wear at the collar.--SCOTT
[Sidenote: _Other uses of the objective._]
90. Besides this use of the objective, there are others:--
(1) _As the direct object of a verb._
They all handled _it_.--LAMB
(2) _As the object of a preposition._
Time is behind _them_ and before _them_.--CARLYLE.
(3) _In apposition._
She sate all last summer by the bedside of the blind beggar,
_him_ that so often and so gladly I talked with.--DE QUINCEY.
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