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448. The Imperative is used in Commands and Entreaties:—
  1. cōnsulite vōbīs, prōspicite patriae, cōnservāte vōs (Cat. 4.3) , have a care for yourselves, guard the country, preserve yourselves.
  2. dīc , Mārce Tullī, sententiam, Marcus Tullius, state your opinion.
  3. ipsum concute (Hor. S. 1.3.35) , examine yourself.
  4. vīve, valēque (id. 2.5.110), farewell, bless you (live and be well)!
  5. miserēre animī nōn dīgna ferentis (Aen. 2.144) , pity a soul bearing undeserved misfortune.

a. The third person of the imperative is antiquated or poetic:—

  1. ollīs salūs populī suprēma lēx estō (Legg. 3.8) , the safety of the people shall be their first law.
  2. iūsta imperia suntō, eīsque cīvēs modestē pārentō (id. 3.6), let there be lawful authorities, and let the citizens strictly obey them.

Note.--In prose the Hortatory Subjunctive is commonly used instead (§ 439).

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  • Cross-references to this page (1):
    • Anne Mahoney, Overview of Latin Syntax, Verbs
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