(3) Pluperfect:--_þ[=a] þ[=a] [.g]e·c[=o]mon þe ymb þ[=a] [e,]ndlyftan t[=i]d c[=o]mon_ (when those came who had come at the eleventh hour).
Periphrastic tenses are sometimes formed, as in Modern E., by _hæbbe_ and _hæfde_ with the past participles, and often have the meanings of the modern perfect and pluperfect respectively, as in _n[=u] ic hæbbe [.g]estr[=i]ened [=o]þru tw[=a] pund_ (now I have gained two other pounds), but even the pluperfect often has the sense of a simple preterite. The participle is undeclinable in the later language, but originally it was declined, being really an adjective in apposition to the noun or pronoun governed by _habban_: _h[=i]e hæfdon hiera cyning [=a]·worpenne_ (they had deposed their king).
The pluperfect sense is often indicated by the addition of the adverb _[=æ]r_ (before):--_his sw[=e]ora, þe [=æ]r wæs for·slæ[.g]en_ (his neck, which had been cut through).
The periphrastic forms of intransitive verbs are formed with _wesan_:--_siþþan h[=i]e [=a]·farene w[=æ]ron_ (after they had gone away). Here the participle always agrees with the noun or pronoun with which it is connected.
The periphrases with the present participle have no distinctive meanings of duration, &c.:--_[=a]n mann wæs eardiende on Israh[=e]la þ[=e]ode, Manu[=e] [.g]e·h[=a]ten_ (a man dwelt in Israel called Manue). { 47}
The passive is formed with _wesan_ or _weorþan_ with the past participle. These forms are very vague in meaning, and the distinction between the two auxiliaries is not clearly marked, but _wesan_ appears to indicate a state, _weorþan_ an action.
_wearþ [.g]e·lufod_ is generally preterite or perfect in meaning: _[=a]n wulf wearþ [=a]·s[e,]nd_ (a wolf was sent); _m[=i]ne l[=e]ofe þe[.g]nas, þe on hiera b[e,]ddum wurdon of·slæ[.g]ene_ (my beloved thanes, who have been killed in their beds).
_wæs [.g]e·lufod_, indicating a state, is naturally pluperfect in meaning:--_se [=æ]rendraca sæ[.g]de his hl[=a]forde h[=u] him [.g]e·andwyrd wæs_ (the messenger told his lord how he had been answered).
The subjunctive states something not as a fact, as in the indicative, but merely as an object of thought. Hence it is used to express wish, conditions, doubt, &c.
_Wish_ and _command_ (often nearly equivalent to the imperative):--_þæs him s[=i]e wuldor and lof [=a] b[=u]tan [e,]nde_ (therefore let there be to him praise and glory ever without end); _ne h[=e] ealu ne drince n[=æ]fre oþþe w[=i]n_ (nor shall he ever drink ale or wine).