[*] 580. In Indirect Discourse the main clause of a Declaratory Sentence is put in the Infinitive with Subject Accusative. All subordinate clauses take the Subjunctive:—
- “sciō mē paene incrēdibilem rem pollicērī ” (B. C. 3.86) , I know that I am promising an almost incredible thing. [Direct: polliceor .]
- “nōn arbitror tē ita sentīre ” (Fam. 10.26.2) , I do not suppose that you feel thus. [Direct: sentīs .]
- spērō mē līberātum [esse] dē metū; (Tusc. 2.67), I trust I have been freed from fear. [Direct: līberātus sum .]
- “[dīcit] esse nōn nūllōs quōrum auctōritās plūrimum valeat ” (B. G. 1.17) , he says there are some, whose influence most prevails. [Direct: sunt nōn nūllī ... valet.]
- “ nisi iūrāsset, scelus sē factūrum [esse] arbitrābātur ” (Verr. 2.1.123) , he thought he should incur guilt, unless he should take the oath. [Direct: nisi iūrāverō , faciam .]
- “cōnsulis alterīus nōmen invīsum cīvitātī fuit: nimium Tarquiniōs rēgnō adsuēsse; initium ā Prīscō factum; rēgnāsse dein Ser. Tullium, etc. ” (Liv. 2.2) , the name of the other consul was hateful to the state; the Tarquins (they thought) had become too much accustomed to royal power, etc. [Here invīsum implies a thought, and this thought is added in the form of Indirect Discourse.]
- ōrantēs ut urbibus saltem—iam enim agrōs dēplōrātōs esse—opem senātus ferret (id. 41.6), praying that the senate would at least bring aid to the cities—for the fields [they said] were already given up as lost.
- “[Stōicī] negant quidquam [esse] bonum nisi quod honestum sit ” (Fin. 2.68) , the Stoics assert that nothing is good but what is right.
- “minātur sēsē abīre ” (Pl. Asin. 604) , he threatens to go away. [Direct: abeō, I am going away.]
- “spērant sē maximum frūctum esse captūrōs ” (Lael. 79) , they hope to gain the utmost advantage. [Direct: capiēmus .]
- “spērat sē absolūtum īrī ” (Sull. 21) , he hopes that he shall be acquitted. [Direct: absolvar .]
- quem inimīcissimum futūrum esse prōmittō ac spondeō; (Mur. 90), who I promise and warrant will be the bitterest of enemies. [Direct: erit .]
- “dolor fortitūdinem sē dēbilitātūrum minātur ” (Tusc. 5.76) , pain threatens to wear down fortitude. [Direct: dēbilitābō .]
- “cōnfīdō mē quod velim facile ā tē impetrātūrum ” (Fam. 11.16.1) , I trust I shall easily obtain from you what I wish. [Direct: quod volō , impetrābō .]
[*] Note.--These verbs, however, often take a simple Complementary Infinitive (§ 456) So regularly in early Latin (except spērō ):—
1- “pollicentur obsidēs dare ” (B. G. 4.21) , they promise to give hostages.
- “prōmīsī dōlium vīnī dare ” (Pl. Cist. 542) , I promised to give a jar of wine.
- Infinitive with Subject Accusative (Indirect Discourse):
—
- “laudem sapientiae statuōesse maximam ” (Fam. 5.13) , I hold that the glory of wisdom is the greatest. [Indirect Discourse.]
- “rēs ipsa monēbat tempus esse” (Att. 10.8.1) , the thing itself warned that it was time. [Cf. monēre ut, warn to do something.]
- “fac mihi esse persuāsum” (N. D. 1.75) , suppose that I am persuaded of that. [Cf. facere ut, bring it about that.]
- “hōc volunt persuādēre,nōn interīre animās” (B. G. 6.14) , they wish to convince that souls do not perish.
- Subjunctive (Substantive Clause of Purpose or
Result):—
- “statuunt ut decem mīlia hominum mittantur” (B. G. 7.21) , they resolve that 10,000 men shall be sent. [Purpose clause (cf. § 563).]
- huic persuādetutī ad hostīs trānseat (id. 3.18), he persuades him to pass over to the enemy.
- “Pompêius suīs praedīxerat ut Caesaris impetum exciperent” (B. C. 3.92) , Pompey had instructed his men beforehand to await Cæsar's attack.
- dēnūntiāvitut essent animō parātī; (id. 3.86), he bade them be alert and steadfast (ready in spirit).
[*] Note.--The infinitive with subject accusative in this construction is Indirect Discourse, and is to be distinguished from the simple infinitive sometimes found with these verbs instead of a subjunctive clause (§ 563. d).