Theme: syntax in oe contents I. Introduction II. Main body. Structural relations of old english

Clauses of Purpose

These are introduced by the conjunction pæt and contain a verb in the subjunctive mood. E. g. swa sceal ʒeonʒ ʒuma gode ʒewyrcean, fromum feoh-ʒiftum on fæder ærne, pæt hine on ylde eft ʒewunien wil-ʒesiðas, ponne wiʒ cume, leode ʒelæstetn, 'thus shall a young warrior well achieve, by generous gifts in his father's house, that willing companions should be with him in his old age, when a war comes, people should follow him'.

If the clause of purpose expresses an action to be avoided it is introduced by the conjunctional locution py læs (pe), e. g. forpon ic leof werud læran wille æ-fremmende, pæt ʒe eower hus ʒefæstiʒen py læs hit ferblædum windas toweorpan 'therefore I want to teach my dear people, law-abiding, that you should fortify your house, lest winds should destroy it by sudden gusts'.