_Wolde_ is used after verbs of _purpose_:--_se cyning [=e]ode inn þæt he wolde [.g]e·s[=e]on þ[=a] þe þ[=æ]r s[=æ]ton_ (the king went in to see those who were sitting there).
After verbs of commanding the infinitive often seems to have a passive sense:--_h[=i]e h[=e]ton him s[e,]ndan m[=a]ran fultum_ (they ordered that more forces should be sent to them). So also after verbs of hearing, &c.:--_þæt m[=æ]ste wæl þe w[=e] s[e,][.c][.g]an h[=i]erdon_ (the greatest slaughter we have heard told of). In such cases an indefinite pronoun has been omitted: 'ordered them to send ...' etc.
(1) to express purpose:--_[=u]t [=e]ode se s[=a]were his s[=æ]d t[=o] s[=a]wenne_ (the sower went forth to sow his seed).
(2) it defines or determines an adjective (adverb or noun): _hit is scandlic ymb swelc t[=o] sprecenne_ (it is shameful to speak of such things). { 51}
Some prepositions govern the accusative, such as _þurh_ (through), _ymbe_ (about); some the dative (and instrumental), such as _æfter_ (after), _[=æ]r_ (before), _æt_ (at), _be_ (by), _binnan_ (within), _b[=u]tan_ (without), _for_ (for), _fram_ (from), _of_ (of), _t[=o]_ (to).
Some govern both accusative and dative, such as _ofer_ (over), _on_ (on, in), _under_ (under). The general rule is that when motion is implied they take the accusative, when rest is implied, the dative. Thus _on_ with the accusative signifies 'into,' with the dative 'in.' But this rule is not strictly followed, and we often find the accusative used with verbs of rest, as in _h[=e] his h[=u]s [.g]e·timbrode ofer st[=a]n_ (he built his house on a rock), and conversely, the dative with verbs of motion, as in _h[=i]e f[=e]ollon on st[=æ]nihte_ (they fell on stony ground).
As regards the use and meaning of the prepositions, it must be noticed that _in_ is very seldom used, its place being supplied by _on_, the meaning 'on' being in its turn often expressed by _ofer_, as in the passage just quoted.
When a thing is referred to, _þ[=æ]r_ is substituted for _hit_, the preposition being joined on to the _þ[=æ]r_, so that, for instance, _þ[=æ]r-t[=o]_ corresponds to _t[=o] him_; _h[=i]e l[=æ]ddon þone cyning t[=o] [=a]num tr[=e]owe, and t[=i]e[.g]don hine þ[=æ]r-t[=o]_ (they led the king to a tree, and tied him to it). So also _h[=e]r-be[=e]astan_ is equivalent to 'east of this (country).'