IMPERATIVE MOOD
[Sidenote: _Definition._]
231. The imperative mood is the form of the verb used in direct
commands, entreaties, or requests.
[Sidenote: _Usually second person._]
232. The imperative is naturally used mostly with the second
person, since commands are directed to a person addressed.
(1) _Command._
_Call up_ the shades of Demosthenes and Cicero to vouch for your
words; _point_ to their immortal works.--J.Q. ADAMS.
_Honor_ all men; _love_ all men; _fear_ none.--CHANNING.
(2) _Entreaty._
Oh, from these sterner aspects of thy face
_Spare_ me and mine, nor _let_ us need the wrath
Of the mad unchained elements.
--BRYANT.
(3) _Request._
"_Hush_! mother," whispered Kit. "_Come_ along with me."--DICKENS
_Tell_ me, how was it you thought of coming here?--_Id._
[Sidenote: _Sometimes with_ first person _in the plural_.]
But the imperative may be used with the plural of the first person.
Since the first person plural person is not really I + I, but I + you,
or I + they, etc., we may use the imperative with _we_ in a command, request, etc., to _you_ implied in it. This is scarcely ever found outside of poetry.
_Part we_ in friendship from your land,
And, noble earl, receive my hand.
--SCOTT.
Then _seek we_ not their camp--for there
The silence dwells of my despair.
--CAMPBELL.
_Break we_ our watch up.--SHAKESPEARE.
Usually this is expressed by _let_ with the objective:
"_Let_ us go."
And the same with the third person:
"_Let_ him be accursed."
0 comments:
Post a Comment