Observe the flower that Midas has touched. It looks as stiff and hard as the products of the goldsmith's skill. If it had the gift of speech, it would tell a mournful tale. It would say, "O Mortals, hearken to me, and from my fate learn wisdom. I was endowed by the gods with beauty, with fragrance, with life. I was courted by the bee and the butterfly, and the birds of the air sang their best songs in my honor. Men called me the queen of flowers. Oh! that I had been content with a lot so happy! If I had known the value of the gifts I have lost, I should never have wished for anything less precious. But in the hand of a statue in the garden was a rose, marble rose, whose petals were never stirred by the wind nor bruised by the rain. We had been told that this flower had lain in the hand of the statue year after year, that it would lie there forever, while the frail, living things in the garden would

a

last but a single summer.

I envied the marble rose. I prayed the gods that they would place me too beyond the reach of death. Alas! my wish has been granted, but at the sacrifice of all that makes life dear."

VERBALS

There is a class of words having some of the functions of verbs combined with the functions of other parts of speech. They are called verbals. Verbals are not verbs, for they do not assert anything; but they have the form of verbs, and their modifiers and complements are similar to those of verbs.

This horse likes to go fast.

Playing golf is fine sport.

Holding the flag aloft, he marched along.

There are two classes of verbals :

Grammarians used to regard the infinitive as a verb in the infinitive (from Latin in, not, and finis, limit) mode; that is, as a verb not limited as to person and number by its subject. The infinitive mode was defined as that form or use of the verb by which action or state is named after the manner of a noun.

To see is to believe.

We desire to be honored.

In only one case is the infinitive really a mode -that in which it is preceded by a subject, a noun or pronoun in the objective case; as, He advised him to proceed. In all other cases the infinitive is used as a noun, an adjective, or an adverb, and should be classed among verbals.

INFINITIVE AS NOUN:

To hear is to obey.

INFINITIVE AS ADJECTIVE MODIFIER: We have furniture to sell.

INFINITIVE AS ADVERBIAL MODIFIER: I am glad to go.

Infinitives may have the same complements and modifiers as the verbs from which they are derived.

To rest while all others work is not easy.

We are commanded to love our enemies.
It is our duty to be faithful.

In the foregoing sentences the infinitive to rest is modified by the adverbial clause, while all others work; the word enemies is the object noun of the infinitive to love; and the infinitive to be is completed by the adjective faithful.

The infinitive with its modifiers and complements is called an infinitive phrase. The infinitive or the infinitive phrase may be used for various purposes in

a sentence:

1. As a noun phrase forming the subject.

To climb steep hills requires slow pace at first,

-Shakespeare.

2. As a noun phrase forming the object of a verb. I like to walk.

3. As a noun phrase forming the predicate comple

4. As a noun phrase in apposition with a pronoun. It is easy to make mistakes.

5. As part of a noun phrase used as the object of a verb. The teacher told her scholars to sing.

In this construction the noun or pronoun that precedes the infinitive is said to be its subject, and is parsed as in the objective case.

6. As an adverbial phrase modifying the meaning of a verb, an adverb, or an adjective.

The sower went forth to sow.

I am glad to hear this.

7. As an adjective phrase.

Water to drink is scarce.

8. As an adjective phrase forming the complement of a verb.

The governor's authority is to be supported.

The infinitive has two forms; as, to sit and to have sat; and, in the case of infinitives formed from transitive verbs, has forms for both the active and the passive voice; as, to love, to be loved; to have loved, to have been loved.

The preposition to is called the sign of the infinitive, but it is often omitted, especially after the verbs may, can, must, bid, dare, feel, hear, see, let, make, need, etc.

He dared not attempt the journey.

You make me think ill of you.

EXERCISE 60.- Change the following complex sentences to simple by substituting infinitive phrases for the subordinate clauses:

COMPLEX: There is a time when we may sow and a time when we may reap.

SIMPLE: There is a time to sow and a time to reap.

1. I was much gratified when I heard your promise.
2. You will be amused when you read my report.

3. I was greatly encouraged because I heard you say so. 4. This fort was erected that the harbor might be defended.

5. Is there any evidence by which this charge is supported?

6. That peace may be preserved, I will drop the subject. 7. The new minister was anxious that he might promote reforms.

8. We were sorry that we parted with him.

9. The cargo was thrown over, that the ship might be lightened.

10. The wind was so strong that it drove the vessel

ashore.

11. What have we done that we should be treated so?

12. They will do their utmost that they may prevent his election.

13. The ship is so near the shore that it is in danger.