How to use "forbear" as an imperative
According to freedictionary, the verb forbear is often followed by from or an infinitive.
I ran a search on ngram with the specific example I need (with the verb think) and found out that the most used version is actually the one that uses a gerund (without from).
I have two questions:
1. Can I even use the verb forbear as an imperative?
I know that I could use refrain or hold back, but I need to sound archaic.
For instance:
Forbear desiring your neighbour's wife.
2. Which of the three options is the most appropriate for an imperative?
Forbear desiring your neighbour's wife.
Forbear from desiring your neighbour's wife.
Forbear to desire your neighbour's wife.
The definitive English usage of forbear is surely the epitaph on Shakespeare’s grave:
William Shakespeare's grave, Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-on-Avon, England.
ᴀᴛᴛʀɪʙᴜᴛɪᴏɴ: Clipping of image by David Jones from Wikipedia
Containing this quatrain in iambic tetrameter:
Good frend for Iesvs sake forebeare,
To digg the dvst encloased heare.
Bleste be þͤ man þͭ spares thes stones,
And cvrst be he þͭ moves my bones.
Which in modern spelling reads:
Good friend for Jesus’ sake forbear,
To dig the dust enclosed here.
Blest be the man that spares these stones,
And cursed be he that moves my bones.
Interestingly, and as you wish to be "archaic", the verb to forbear + from (intransitive and reflexive) is agood choice:
Yes, there is no reason why you should not use "forbear" in the imperative.
OED:
- a. transitive. To refrain from using, uttering, mentioning, etc.; to withhold, keep back. †Formerly const. from, to, or dative.
b. reflexive. To restrain oneself, refrain. rare.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Chron. xxxv. 21 Forbeare thee from medling with God.
Thus "Forbear thee/theyself from desiring your neighbour's wife." would be good 16th century English and be so archaic as to be obsolete.
My only caveat is that your examples look like attempts at changing a Bible verse: Exodus 20:17b. The verse in the 1611 King James Version is
17 ... thou shalt not couet thy neighbours wife,
and that is genuinely archaic.