The principles of Latin grammar; comprising the ... - Essan.org

—§ 139 SYNTAX.—MOODS. 267and cequius^ melius, utilius, optabilius est, are put in the pastteuses of the indicative, though translated by the imperfect orpluperfect subjunctive. Hence,4. The indicative is used in the sense of the subjunctive,and translated by the potential in English, when an act, &c,though not performed, is expressed as what would have beenproper, practicable, or advantageous ;as, Miloni optabiliusfa it dare jugulum P. Clodio ; "it would have been more desirable;'&c, 1G4-4.5. Tte past tenses of the indicative, are sometimes usedfor the imperfect or pluperfect subjunctive, in the conclusionof a conditional clause, by which the description is renderedmore animated ; as, pons subliciusiter hosfibus dedit, ni, &c." the wooden bridge would have afforded a passage to theenemy, unless" &c; so, actum erect de pulcherrimo imperio,nisi, &c, 140 and 625-4th.The signification and use of this mood, in its several tenses, are specified,§44.§ 139. CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUBJUNCTIVEMOOD.[For the character and meaning of this mood, in its several tenses, see§ 42. II. and § 45.]The subjunctive mood is used sometimes in independent,but, for the most part, in dependentpropositions.THE SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD IN INDEPENDENT PROPO-SITIONS.625. The subjunctive mood is used, apparently at least, inindependent propositions:1st. To soften an assertion or statement; as. nemo istud tibi concedat," no one would grant that to you ;" forsltan temere feceri ?n, " perhaps/ may have acted rashly ;" quis dubitet? "who can doubtit?"2d. To express a wish or desire, like the Greek Optative; as, ed?nust"let us go;" moridmur, "let ns die;" nunc revertdmur, "let us nowreturn." In the second, and the third person, it is used to exbort orcommand; and, with a negative, to forbid; as, faciat, "let himdo it; 91 ipse viderit, "let him see to it himself." Cio. Kerneattingas, "do not touch me." Ter. Em as quod uecesse est,(171-1). Sex.