[*] 397. Pure optative in relative sentences. The pure optative seems to us strangest in relative sentences. Here the English idiom requires the expression of the notion of wish, if the relative form is to be retained. “οἰ̔̂ αὐτοῖς τύχοι”, SOPH. Ph. 275: Which manner of things I wish Fortune may send to them, Fortune send them the like! “ὃ μὴ γένοιτο”, AESCHYL. Sept. 5; May it not come to pass, Heaven forbid! (a common formula). DIN.1.66: “ὃ μὴ γένοιτο”. DEM.8.51: “ἃ μήτε γένοιτ᾽ οὔτε λέγειν ἄξιον”. 21.209: “εἰ γένοινθ̓, ὃ μὴ γένοιτ᾽ οὐδ᾽ ἔσται, οὗτοι κύριοι τῆς πολιτείας”. 25.31. 27.67. 28.21: “εἰ δ᾽ ὑμεῖς ἄλλο τι γνώσεσθε, ὃ μὴ γένοιτο”. [40]DEM., 56. LYS.31.14: “ἐάν ποτε, ὃ μὴ γένοιτο, λάβωσι τὴν πόλιν” . PLATO, Legg. 918D: “ἐπεὶ εἴ τις, ὃ μήποτε γένοιτο, οὐδ᾽ ἔσται, προσαναγκάσειε κτἑ”. HDT.5.111: “τὸ μὴ γένοιτο”. AR. Vesp. 535: “ὃ μὴ γένοιτο”. Lys. 147. EUR. Heracl. 512: “ἃ μὴ τύχοι ποτέ”. 714: “ὃ μὴ γένοιτο”. Phoen. 571: “ὃ μὴ τύχοι ποτέ”. SOPH. Ph. 275 (see above). 315-6: “ὦ παῖ, δεδράκας᾿, οἰ̔̂ Ὀλύμπιοι θεοὶ” | “δοῖέν ποτ᾽ αὐτοῖς ἀντίποιν̓ ἐμοῦ παθεῖν”. AESCHYL. Sept. 5 (see above). 426: “ἃ μὴ κραίνοι τύχη”. HOM. Od. 4.699: “ὃ μὴ τελέσειε Κρονίων”.
Syntax of Classical Greek from Homer to Demosthenes. Basil L. Gildersleeve. New York. American Book Company. 1900.
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