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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