The principle that I recognise for myself is to consider no word irregular unless it can be proved so. This view includes the words affected by ambiguous processes, and by processes of confusion, and no others. The words affected by {341} extraordinary processes form a provisional class, which a future increase of our etymological knowledge may show to be regular. _Worse_ and _could_ (its spelling being considered) are the fairest specimens of our irregulars. The class, instead of filling pages, is exceedingly limited. * * * * * {342} CHAPTER XXVII. THE IMPERSONAL VERBS. s. 392. _Meseems._--Equivalent to _it seems to me_; _mihi videtur_, [Greek: phainetai moi]. The verb _seems_ is intransitive; consequently the pronoun _me_ has the power of a dative case. The pronoun it is not required to accompany the verb. s. 393. _Methinks._--In Anglo-Saxon there are two forms; _thencan_=_to think_, and _thincan_=_to seem_. It is from the latter form that the verb in _methinks_ comes. Such being the case, it is intransitive, and consequently the pronoun _me_ has the power of a dative case. The pronoun _it_ is not required to accompany the verb. Of this word we have also the past form _methought_. Methought I saw my late espoused wife Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave. MILTON. s. 394. _Me listeth_, or _me lists_.--Equivalent to _it pleases me_=_me juvat_. Anglo-Saxon _lystan_=_to wish_, _to choose_, also _to please_, _to delight_; Norse, _lysta_. Unlike the other two, the verb is transitive, so that the pronoun _me_ has the power of an accusative case. The pronoun _it_ is not required to accompany the verb. These three are the only true impersonal verbs in the English language. They form a class by themselves, because no pronoun accompanies them, as is the case with the equivalent expressions _it appears_, _it pleases_, and with all the other verbs in the language. In the old language impersonal verbs, or rather the impersonal use of verbs, was commoner than at present. Him _oughten_ now to have the lese pain. _Legend of Good Women_, 429. {343} Him _ought_ not to be a tyrant. _Legend of Good Women_, 377. Me mete.--CHAUCER. Well me quemeth.--_Conf. Amantis._ In the following lines the construction is, _it shall please your Majesty_. I'll muster up my friends to meet your Grace, Where and what time your Majesty shall please. _Richard III_., iv. 4. See a paper of Mr. Guest's, Phil. Trans., vol. ii. 241. Strictly speaking, the impersonal verbs are a part of syntax rather than of etymology. * * * * * {344} CHAPTER XXVIII. THE VERB SUBSTANTIVE.