[*] 462. The Infinitive, with Subject Accusative,1 may be used in Exclamations (cf. § 397. d):—
- “ tē in tantās aerumnās propter mē incidisse ” (Fam. 14.1) , alas, that you should have fallen into such grief for me!
- “ mēne inceptō dēsistere victam ” (Aen. 1.37) , what! I beaten desist from my purpose?
[*] Note 1.--The interrogative particle -ne is often attached to the emphatic word (as in the second example).
[*] Note 2.--The Present and the Perfect Infinitive are used in this construction with their ordinary distinction of time (§ 486).
[*] a. A subjunctive clause, with or without ut , is often used elliptically in exclamatory questions. The question may be introduced by the interrogative -ne:—- “quamquam quid loquor? tē ut ūlla rēs frangat ” (Cat. 1.22) , yet why do I speak? [the idea] that anything should bend you!
- “egone ut tē interpellem ” (Tusc. 2.42) , what, I interrupt you?
- “ego tibi īrāscerer ” (Q. Fr. 1.3) , I angry with you?
[*] Note.--The Infinitive in exclamations usually refers to something actually occurring; the Subjunctive, to something contemplated.
Historical Infinitive