Why is it "BE"?

[whitemoon]

Dear teachers and members,
Please help me.
Why is it BE? It should be WAS.

He GRIPPED his brother's arm lest he BE trampled by the mob.

Thank you in advance.

[2006]

Dear teachers and members,
Please help me.
Why is it BE? It should be WAS.

He GRIPPED his brother's arm lest he BE trampled by the mob.

Thank you in advance.

Why do you think it should be "was"?
Think about the meaning of the sentence you are asking about.

[whitemoon]

"gripped" is past tense, and so I think "BE" should be "was".

[2006]

"gripped" is past tense, and so I think "BE" should be "was".

No, there is no rule or reason to have all the verbs in a sentence the same tense.

No trampling occurred.
He feared that he/his brother might be trampled.
He gripped his brother's arm in order that he/his brother not be trampled.

"lest" means 'for fear that'.

[whitemoon]

Do you mean "might" is omitted before the "BE".
If so, I understand.

[2006]

Do you mean "might" is omitted before the "BE".
If so, I understand.

The word "might" is not omitted, because it should not be there. But the fear that he might/could be trampled is expressed in the sentence.

[whitemoon]

The word "might" is not omitted, because it should not be there. But the fear that he might/could be trampled is expressed in the sentence.

I get confused.
If so, what is the reason of "BE"?
Please explain me.
Could you give me a better explanation?
Is that one of the rules?
Thank you very much.

[engee30]

The conjunction lest, which is extremely formal, is one of the very few contexts in the English language where the subjunctive mood is absolutely required.
The normal use is as follows:

Students have to be transported across the campus lest they arrive at their classes in a state of physical exhaustion.
In Buenos Aires, referees are sometimes hustled out under police escort lest they be torn limb from limb by the spectators.

However, you can also use should before the verb:
Students have to be transported across the campus lest they should arrive at their classes in a state of physical exhaustion.
In Buenos Aires, referees are sometimes hustled out under police escort lest they should be torn limb from limb by the spectators.

[RonBee]

Note:

Say:

Please explain it to me.

Not:

Please explain me.
(Which means something else entirely.)