227. After a verb of wishing, the subjunctive is regularly used in the dependent clause.
The transmigiation of souls is no fable. I would it _were_! --EMERSON.
Bright star! Would I _were_ steadfast as thou art!--KEATS.
I've wished that little isle _had_ wings, And we, within its fairy bowers, _Were wafted_ off to seas unknown. --MOORE.
228. The noun clause, in its various uses as subject, object, in apposition, etc., often contains a subjunctive.
The essence of originality is not that it _be_ new.--CARLYLE
[Sidenote: _Apposition or logical subject._]
To appreciate the wild and sharp flavors of those October fruits, it is necessary that you _be breathing_ the sharp October or November air.--THOREAU.
The first merit, that which admits neither substitute nor equivalent, is, that everything _be_ in its place.--COLERIDGE.
As sure as Heaven shall rescue me, I have no thought what men they _be_.--COLERIDGE.
Some might lament that I _were_ cold.--SHELLEY.
This subjunctive is very frequent after verbs of _commanding_.
See that there _be_ no traitors in your camp.--TENNYSON.
Come, tell me all that thou hast seen, And look thou _tell_ me true. --SCOTT.
See that thy scepter _be_ heavy on his head.--DE QUINCEY.
(1) In the nature of the verb; for example,--
_Be_ the matter how it may, Gabriel Grub was afflicted with rheumatism to the end of his days.--DICKENS.
_Be_ the appeal _made_ to the understanding or the heart, the sentence is the same--that rejects it.--BROUGHAM
(2) By an indefinite relative word, which may be
Whatever _betide_, we'll turn aside, And see the Braes of Yarrow. --WORDSWORTH.
That hunger of applause, of cash, or whatsoever victual it _may be_, is the ultimate fact of man's life.--CARLYLE.
Wherever he _dream_ under mountain or stream, The spirit he loves remains. --SHELLEY.
230. As shown by the wide range of literature from which these examples are selected, the subjunctive is very much used in literary English, especially by those who are artistic and exact in the expression of their thought.
At the present day, however, the subjunctive is becoming less and less used. Very many of the sentences illustrating the use of the subjunctive mood could be replaced by numerous others using the indicative to express the same thoughts.