MOODS of VERBS. 429 



moods, properly fo called, and taking only the roots or bafes 

 of the verbs refpedlively, Ego die — fu — Ilium. Any perfoa 

 may eafily try the efFed of fuch a refolution of any plain ele- 

 gant compofition, either in profe or verfe, wherein the indica- 

 tive and fimply fubjundlive moods are chiefly or folely em- 

 ployed ; as for inftance, the following beautiful lines of Ovid, 

 containing an account of Pythagoras. 



Vir FUiT hie ortu Samius : fed fugerat una 

 Et Sawon et doniinos; odioque tyrannidis exul 

 Sponte ERAT : if que licet cceli regione remotus 

 Mente deos adiit : et qua Natura negabat 

 * Vifibus humanis, oculis ea peBoris HAtJSiT. 

 Cumque animo, et vigili perspexerat omnia cura. 

 In medium difcenda DAV,A.T : catumque filentum, 

 DiElaque mirantum, magni primordia mundi, 

 Et rerum cauffas, et quid Natura, docebat : 

 ^dd Deusj unde nivesj qua fulminis esset origo : 

 Juppiter, an venti, difcuffa nube tonarent : 

 ^lid QU ATE RET terras J qua fidera lege mearent ;• 

 Et quodcunque LATET. Primufque animalia menfn 

 Arc u IT imponi : primus quoque talibus ora 

 DoBa quidem solvit, fed non et credita, verbis. 



In thefe fifteen lines, there are fixteen verbs, either in the 

 indicative or in the fimply fubjundlive mood. Without the ufe 

 of fuch a mood, the thoughts exprefled in the lines, fimple and 

 eafy of apprehenfion as they may appear, could hardly have 

 been exprefled intelligibly ; or if this, with much labour and 

 ingenuity, could be accompliflied, ft:ill the beauty, the charm, 

 of the compofition would be completely lofl:. The poet, the 

 orator, the philofopher, the hifl:orian, and indeed every perfon 

 who has the gift of fpeech, or who makes ufe of language in 

 any way, has almoft conftant occafion to employ that mood, 



and 



