The e of the genitive is long after a vowel, as faciei, and common after a consonant, as fidei or fidei. The genitive is sometimes contracted, as fidē. ON THE PERFECT TENSES of the INDICATIVE MOOD. 67. The Perfect-Present represents an action as completed at the present time. Thus the Perfect-Present of Video, I see, which is Vidi, means I saw, or I have seen; and the words Romam vidi, may mean I saw Rome, on some occasion in time past, or I have seen Rome, which may mean, at the time of speaking I have seen and still see Rome." Here observe one of the defects of Latin, that it has but one tense to express the simple momentary act in time past-I came, and the completed act, of which the effects continue to the present time, I have come, both of which are expressed by Vēni. 68. The Perfect-Present of Active Verbs is formed in various ways, but always ends in i:— 1. By adding the syllable vi to the stem of the verb; which may be regarded as the regular formation in the First and Fourth Conjugations, as Amāvi, Audīvi. 2. By adding ui to the stem, as Colui, from Cŏlo, I till; or to the stem after the removal of a final vowel, as Secui, from Sěco, I cut; Monui, from Moneo, I advise. 3. By adding si to the stem, as Carpsi, from Carpo, I pluck. 4. By reduplication, that is, prefixing a syllable like that of the first syllable of the stem, as Cucurri, from Curro, I run—the first vowel being often changed to e, as Fefelli, from Fallo, I deceive. 5. By modifying the stem without adding a syllable, as Ēgi, from Ago, I drive; Volvi, from Volvo, I roll. NOTE.-When, by the addition of si to the verb-stem, s is brought into contact with a consonant, changes are made of which the following are examples : scribo has for its Perfect-Present scripsi. 69. The following is a list of some verbs in common use, to illustrate the various formations of the Perfect-Present. The verbs to which D is prefixed take a dative to express the object favoured, hurt, etc.; thus, Faveo tibi, Noceo tibi. 70. Removing the suffix i we get the Perfect Stem, as amav-, monu-, scrips-, vid-. By adding to this stem the suffixes -ĕram, and -ěro, we form the Perfect-Past and Perfect-Future; thus amaveram, I had loved (at some specified past time); amavero, I shall have loved (at some specified future time). 71. These three Perfect Tenses are conjugated in the same way in all the conjugations; thus NOTE 1.-In and Sub with the Accusative are much used with verbs of motion. In and Sub with the Ablative are much used with verbs of rest. NOTE 2.-The Preposition is often inserted between the noun and the adjective Magno cum periculo, at great risk. Multis de causis, for many reasons. NOTE 3.-A genitive depending on a noun is often placed between the noun and the preposition that governs it; thusPompeium in amicorum numero habeo, I regard Pompeius as a friend. 73. The following are examples of the use of the Perfect in simple sentences: Hostium clamor milites terruit. Librum de Amicitia scripsit Cicero. |