The three uses of the subjunctive now most frequent are, to express a wish, a concession, and condition contrary to fact.
In spoken English, the subjunctive _were_ is much used in a wish or a condition contrary to fact, but hardly any other subjunctive forms are.
It must be remembered, though, that many of the verbs in the subjunctive have the same form as the indicative. Especially is this true of unreal conditions in past time; for example,--
Were we of open sense as the Greeks were, we _had found_ [should have found] a poem here.--CARLYLE.
231. The imperative mood is the form of the verb used in direct commands, entreaties, or requests.
232. The imperative is naturally used mostly with the second person, since commands are directed to a person addressed.
_Call up_ the shades of Demosthenes and Cicero to vouch for your words; _point_ to their immortal works.--J.Q. ADAMS.
_Honor_ all men; _love_ all men; _fear_ none.--CHANNING.
Oh, from these sterner aspects of thy face _Spare_ me and mine, nor _let_ us need the wrath Of the mad unchained elements. --BRYANT.
"_Hush_! mother," whispered Kit. "_Come_ along with me."--DICKENS
_Tell_ me, how was it you thought of coming here?--_Id._
[Sidenote: _Sometimes with_ first person _in the plural_.]
But the imperative may be used with the plural of the first person. Since the first person plural person is not really I + I, but I + you, or I + they, etc., we may use the imperative with _we_ in a command, request, etc., to _you_ implied in it. This is scarcely ever found outside of poetry.
_Part we_ in friendship from your land, And, noble earl, receive my hand. --SCOTT.
Then _seek we_ not their camp--for there The silence dwells of my despair. --CAMPBELL.
Usually this is expressed by _let_ with the objective: "_Let_ us go." And the same with the third person: "_Let_ him be accursed."
(_a_) Tell the mood of each verb in these sentences, and what special use it is of that mood:--
1. Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart and her prayers be.
2. Mark thou this difference, child of earth! While each performs his part, Not all the lip can speak is worth The silence of the heart.
3. Oh, that I might be admitted to thy presence! that mine were the supreme delight of knowing thy will!