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[*] 786. In two passages of the Odyssey, we find the infinitive in a wish introduced by αἲ γάρ, once in the sense of the optative and once in that of a past tense of the indicative, with the subject (understood) in the nominative:— Αἲ γὰρ, τοῖος ἐὼν οἷός ἐσσι, . . . παῖδά τ᾽ ἐμὴν ἐχέμεν καὶ ἐμὸς γαμβρὸς καλέεσθαι, O that, being such as you now are, you might have (= ἔχοις) my daughter and be called my son-in-law. Od. vii. 311. Αἲ γὰρ, οἷος Νήρικον εἷλον, . . . τοῖος ἐών τοι χθιζὸς ἐφεστάμεναι καὶ ἀμύνειν ἄνδρας μνηστῆρας: τῷ κε σφέων γούνατ᾽ ἔλυσα, “O that I had stood by you yesterday and had punished the suitors; then would I have loosened their knees.” Od. xxiv. 376.So also AESCH. Cho. 362-366, and 368. These passages agree in construction with the second person of the infinitive in commands (784, 1).
Macmillan. London, Melbourne, Toronto. 1889. reprint edition:. St. Martin's Press. New York. 1965.
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