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[*] 262. (a) By prefixing δείδω or φοβοῦμαι to any of the subjunctives with μή in 261, we get the full construction with verbs of fearing; as δείδω μὴ νῆας ἕλωσι, I fear they may seize the ships, in which μὴ ἕλωσι represents an original construction which at first followed δείδω paratactically—I fear: may they not seize the ships— and afterwards became welded with it as a dependent clause. So if δείδω were removed from a sentence like δείδω μή τι πάθῃσιν, Il. xi. 470, we should have an independent clause like those quoted above. See μὴ δαμάσσῃ and δείδω μὴ γένωμαι, Od. v. 467 and 473. (b) In like manner, by prefixing other verbs than those of fearing to such clauses, the original negative final clause with μή is developed; as μαχούμεθα μὴ νῆας ἕλωσι, we will fight that they may not seize the ships. Again, if the leading clause were removed from a sentence like αὐτοῦ μίμν᾽ ἐπὶ πύργῳ, μὴ παῖδ᾽ ὀρφανικὸν θήῃς χήρην τε γυναῖκα, remain here on the tower, lest you make your child an orphan and your wife a widow, Il. vi. 431, there would remain μή . . . θήῃς, do not make, or may you not make, in the originally independent form, like the clauses with μή in 261. (See 307.)
Macmillan. London, Melbourne, Toronto. 1889. reprint edition:. St. Martin's Press. New York. 1965.
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