[171]. The Vocative is the Case of direct address; as,—
crēdite mihi, jūdicēs, believe me, judges.
1. By a species of attraction, the Nominative is occasionally used for the Vocative, especially in poetry and formal prose; as, audī tū, populus Albānus, hear ye, Alban people!
2. Similarly the Appositive of a Vocative may, in poetry, stand in the Nominative; as, nāte, mea magna potentia sōlus, O son, alone the source of my great power.
THE ACCUSATIVE.
[172]. The Accusative is the Case of the Direct Object.
[173]. The Direct Object may express either of the two following relations:—
A. The PERSON OR THING AFFECTED by the action; as,—
cōnsulem interfēcit, he slew the consul;
legō librum, I read the book.