Examples of the Subjunctive Mood.

(1) If Tom return in time he shall go to the party.

Here return is in the Subjunctive Mood, because Tom's returning is thought of, not as a fact, but as a condition' of his going to the party.

(2) I wish father were here.

Here were is in the Subjunctive Mood, because we speak of father's being here, not as a fact (for he is not here), but as a wish.

(3) Give them food lest they perish with hunger.

Here we speak of their perishing, not as a fact, but as something we purpose shall not happen.

313. The Subjunctive Mood, being the Mood of doubt,' naturally comes after such Conjunctions as if, though, unless, except, lest, whether, and that. It does not follow, however, that the Verb coming after these words is certain to be in the Subjunctive Mood; it may be in the Indicative Mood.

Subjunctive Mood.-If my brother were at the door I would not open it.

Indicative Mood.-If my brother is at the door I will open it.

In the first sentence my brother's being at the door is a matter of doubt, or is even believed to be contrary to the fact; in the second it is assumed that he is there.

Subjunctive Mood.-Though the vase were made of steel, the careless servant would break it.

Indicative Mood.-Though the vase was made of steel, the careless servant broke it.

In the first sentence we speak of a vase that might be, in the second we speak of one that was, made of steel.

Subjunctive Mood.—Whether the prisoner be innocent is uncertain. Indicative Mood.-Whether the prisoner is innocent or guilty he deserves pity.

1 That is, if he does not return he cannot go to the party.

2 The doubt must be expressed by the Verb, not by any other word in the sentence Compare If he be coming. [Subjunctive] and

Perhaps he is coming [Indicativel

314. It should be observed that when the Verb introduced by if, though, etc., is in the Subjunctive Mood, the other Verb in the sentence is usually in the Indicative Mood; as,

If he come (Subjunctive) back in time, I shall feel happy (Indicative). Though He slay me (Subjunctive), yet will I trust Him (Indicative). Lest the boy lose his way (Subjunctive), I am going with him to the corner (Indicative).

Exercise 145.

Pick out the Verbs in the Subjunctive Mood.

a. So [= if] thou be happy I am content. If it were so, it was a grievous fault. He is gracious if he be observed. Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Unless he behave better he will be punished. You must obey the laws, however you dislike them.

The tear-drop who can blame,

Though it dim the veteran's aim?

Had she lived a twelvemonth more
She had not died to-day.

If she love me (this believe),

I will die ere she shall grieve.

b. Oh that it were with me as in the days that are past. See that my room be got ready for me at once. I would [= wish] I were a bird. We wish it were fine. Hallowed be Thy name.

c. Beware lest ye fall. Drink that you thirst not.

Strive that you fail not. Eat lest you faint.

Exercise 146.

Say whether the Verbs printed in italics are in the Indicative or in the Subjunctive Mood.

Though you took his life, bury him as a prince. Though gods they were, as men they died. My master said that even if I was not clever I was not lazy. If I were clever, I should gain prizes. Though Tom is young, he is tall. Though Tom were younger, he would still be too old for an infant school. If at the close of the holiday everybody was tired, everybody was happy. If it be true that war is about to break out, there

is much misery before us. Though the law is severe, we must obey it. If the law be severe, we must try to get it changed.

If I am right, oh teach my heart
Still in the right to stay;

If I am wrong, Thy grace impart
To find the better way.

Mean though I am, not wholly so,

Since quickened by Thy breath.

315. The Subjunctive Mood is often expressed by means of an Auxiliary or helping Verb, followed by the Infinitive of the principal Verb.

Simple Subjunctive.

If Tom return in time, he shall
go to the party.
Thy kingdom come.

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Subjunctive with Auxiliary.

If Tom should return in time, he shall go to the party.

May Thy kingdom come.

They judged not, that they might not be judged

316. The most-used Auxiliary of the Subjunctive Mood is should1; as,

I cannot do so, unless my father should consent.

If the bridge should be washed away, how may we get home?

If I should say that, I might be to blame.

You could not break it, though you should try your best.

Other Auxiliaries, as can, could, do, did, must, may, might, would, are also used; as,

If I could write shorthand, the work would be easy.

If you would call later, I might be able to tell you about it.

Unless you can go, I shall not go.

If I do come, you will know me by my hat.

317. It must not, however, be supposed that Verbs con. taining these Auxiliaries are always in the Subjunctive

1 See "Notes for Teachers," p. 321, Note 14.

Mood. In the following examples they are in the Indicative Mood:

Boys should not tease little girls.

That is, "It is the duty of boys not to tease little girls,"—a statement of a fact.

Mary may go home now.

Here, too, we have a simple statement of fact,-"Mary is permitted to go home now."

The roar of the sea might be heard five miles away.

Here, again, we have the simple statement of fact,-"It was possible to hear the roar of the sea."

The farmer would not lend his horse.

That is, the farmer was not willing to lend his horse.

I could not work that example.

The fact was, I was unable to work that example.

318. If, before the Subjunctive, is left out when the Subject is placed after the Verb; thus,

When if is omitted before a compound Verb the Subject is placed next after the Auxiliary; thus,

With if. If he were taught, he would learn.
Without if. Were he taught, he would learn.

Exercise 147.

Pick out the Verbs in the Subjunctive Mood.

a. Be good, that you may be happy. If Frank were a kind boy, he would not tease his sister. If the story were true, we should have heard it; we would not believe it without better proof. Dick would help us if he could. May you be happy all your days. Lazy men would not work if they could live without working. Mr. Jones, fearing that we might fail to find the way, came to meet us. Everybody hopes that Jack may win the prize. The girl wished she might be a fairy. The father would

feel sorry if he heard it. If we had known you were in town we should have called on you. That man might have been in a good position if he had been steady. Beware lest you should fall into temptation.

Little flower, but if I could understand

What you are, root and all, and all in all,

I should know what God and man is.

b. Had I your chance I would seize it. Were Mrs. Howe here she would support you. Should the messenger arrive, make him wait. Be he young or old, he must come.

Go not my horse the better

I must be late to town.

Were you but riding out to air yourself

Such parting were [= would be] too petty.

Were others happy he looked smiling on;
He
gave allowance where he needed none.

Had she lived a twelvemonth more

She had [= would have? not died to-day.

Exercise 148.

Give the Mood of each Verb.'

Fear no more the heat of the sun.

Fortune brings in some boats that

are not steered. Oh that it were with me as in the days that are past.

If it be thou, bid me come.

Ah! what would the world be to us

If the children were no more?

How often, oh, how often

I had wished that the ebbing tide
Would bear me away on its bosom
O'er the ocean wild and wide.

"Hadst thou stayed I must have fled !"
This is what the vision said.

Suddenly, as if it lightened,
An unwonted splendor brightened
All within him and without him.

1 Disregard the Infinitives; see par. 24.