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[*] 236. In the following examples of the potential optative no definite form of condition is present to the mind:— “Ἐμοὶ δὲ τότ᾽ ἂν πολὺ κέρδιον εἴη,” “but it would at that time (be likely to) profit me far more.” Il. xxii. 108. “Φεύγωμεν: ἔτι γάρ κεν ἀλύξαιμεν κακὸν ἦμαρ,” “let us flee; for perchance we may still escape the evil day.” Od. x. 269. “Πλησίον ἀλλήλων: καί κεν διοϊστεύσειας,” “the rocks are close together: you might perhaps shoot an arrow across the space.” Od. xii. 102. So Od. xxiii. 125. “Οὐκοῦν πόροις ἂν τήνδε δωρεὰν ἐμοί;” “would you then grant me this favour?” AESCH. Prom. 616. So “πᾶν γὰρ ἂν .πύθοιό μου,” “for you can learn anything (you please) from me.” Ib. 617. “Τί τόνδ᾽ ἂν εἴποις ἄλλο;” “what else could you say of this man?” SOPH. Ant. 646. So Ant. 552 and 652. Πολλὰς ἂν εὕροις μηχανάς, “you can find many devices.” And. 85. Ἕψομαί τοι καὶ οὐκ ἂν λειφθείην, “I will follow you and in no case will I be left behind.” HDT. iv. 97. Οἱ μὲν (sc. λέγοντες) ὡς οὐδενὶ ἂν τρόπῳ ἔλθοιεν οἱ Ἀθηναῖοι. THUC. vi. 35. Ἔνθα πολλὴν μὲν σωφροσύνην καταμάθοι ἄν τις. XEN. An. i. 9, 3. So Mem. i. 3, Mem. 5, Mem. iii. 5, Mem. 1 and 7. Δὶς ἐς τὸν αὐτὸν ποταμὸν οὐκ ἂν ἐμβαίης, you cannot step twice into the same river (saying of Heraclitus). PLAT. Crat. 402A. Οὐ μὴν ἔστι καλλίων ὁδὸς οὐδ᾽ ἂν γένοιτο, “there is none and there could be none.” Ib. Phil. 16B; so 64 B. Ἀκούοις ἄν, “you can hear.” Rep. 487E. Δειξάτω ὡς οἱ Θετταλοὶ νῦν οὐκ ἂν ἐλεύθεροι γένοιντο ἄσμενοι, “let him show that they would not now gladly become free.” DEM. ii. 8. Ἡδέως δ᾽ ἂν ἔγωγ᾽ ἐροίμην Λεπτίνην, “but I would gladly ask Leptines.” Id. xx. 129. Εἰ ἠγνόησε ταῦτα, γένοιτο γὰρ ἂν καὶ τοῦτο, if he did not know this,—and it might easily so happen. Ib. 143. Οὔτ᾽ ἂν οὗτος ἔχοι λέγειν οὔθ᾽ ὑμεῖς πεισθείητε. Id. Ib. xxii. 17. Ποῖ οὖν τραποίμεθ᾽ ἂν ἔτι; “ in what other direction could we possibly turn?” PLAT. Euthyd. 290A. Οὐκ ἂν μεθείμην τοῦ θρόνου, “I will not give up the throne.” AR. Ran. 830.So οὐκ ἂν δεχοίμην, AESCH. Eum. 228. Τίς οὐκ ἂν ἀγάσαιτο τῶν ἀνδρῶν ἐκείνων τῆς ἀρετῆς; who would not admire the valour of these men? (i.e. every one must admire their valour). DEM. xviii. 204. Βουλοίμην ἄν, I should like, is used like velim. For ἐβουλόμην ἄν, vellem, see 246.
Macmillan. London, Melbourne, Toronto. 1889. reprint edition:. St. Martin's Press. New York. 1965.
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