CHAPTER XXVII.

THE IMPERSONAL VERBS.

s. 392. _Meseems._--Equivalent to _it seems to me_; _mihi videtur_, [Greek: phainetai moi]. The verb _seems_ is intransitive; consequently the pronoun _me_ has the power of a dative case. The pronoun it is not required to accompany the verb.

s. 393. _Methinks._--In Anglo-Saxon there are two forms; _thencan_=_to think_, and _thincan_=_to seem_. It is from the latter form that the verb in _methinks_ comes. Such being the case, it is intransitive, and consequently the pronoun _me_ has the power of a dative case. The pronoun _it_ is not required to accompany the verb.

Of this word we have also the past form _methought_.

Methought I saw my late espoused wife Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave.

MILTON.

s. 394. _Me listeth_, or _me lists_.--Equivalent to _it pleases me_=_me juvat_. Anglo-Saxon _lystan_=_to wish_, _to choose_, also _to please_, _to delight_; Norse, _lysta_. Unlike the other two, the verb is transitive, so that the pronoun _me_ has the power of an accusative case. The pronoun _it_ is not required to accompany the verb.

These three are the only true impersonal verbs in the English language. They form a class by themselves, because no pronoun accompanies them, as is the case with the equivalent expressions _it appears_, _it pleases_, and with all the other verbs in the language.

In the old language impersonal verbs, or rather the impersonal use of verbs, was commoner than at present.

Him _oughten_ now to have the lese pain.

_Legend of Good Women_, 429.

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Him _ought_ not to be a tyrant.

_Legend of Good Women_, 377.

Me mete.--CHAUCER.

Well me quemeth.--_Conf. Amantis._

In the following lines the construction is, _it shall please your Majesty_.

I'll muster up my friends to meet your Grace, Where and what time your Majesty shall please.

_Richard III_., iv. 4.

See a paper of Mr. Guest's, Phil. Trans., vol. ii. 241.

Strictly speaking, the impersonal verbs are a part of syntax rather than of etymology.

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