(2) But this generally occurs where an opposition is to be emphasised; as, Quam molestiam debeat capere, non capiunt: eam Rationes defuerunt, ubertas orationis non defuit; in all of which cases the repetition of the verb is un- (3) A distinctive verb is added to a substantive where we might use a verb of more general application. The state would have remained in the same condition. You have made a first step towards freedom. (4) An explanatory link is supplied between a substantive, and what in English is put in immediate connection with it: Traces that he had been there, Vestigia quibus apparebat eum ibi fuisse, A letter to Lucceius, Epistola ad Lucceium scripta, The war with Germany, Bellum cum Germanis gestum, though this link can be dispensed with where the verbal action is inseparable from the substantive, as in fuga ab urbe; reditus in gratiam; benevolentia, studium, 4 ira, in aliquem; and in any case the rule is not strictly observed. (5) A distinguishing object is supplied to a verb. = To dazzle our minds praestringere aciem animorum nostrorum. To corrupt the jury=iudicum sententias corrumpere. To disbelieve one's ears=suarum aurium fidei minimum credere. To make the soldiery uneasy=animos militum perturbare. To make a man better: =mores alicuius corrigere. Suspicion being thus aroused hoc initio suspicionis orto. (6) A distinguishing genitive is supplied to a substantive. The cases in which Latin is more explicit than English in this matter are very common, the addition of rerum being specially frequent. We find rerum attached to desperatio, inopia, ignoratio, causa, potentia, inscitia, exitus, successus, motus, etc.: hesitation, stammering-haesitantia linguae. dullness stupor cordis. = (7) Certain adjectives, such as dignus, indignus, idoneus, peritus, imperitus, studiosus, etc., the English equivalents of which are employed without qualification, need some addition unless it is obviously implied by the context. If an adequate punishment can be discovered. Si digna poena pro factis eorum reperitur. (8) The duplication of substantives, verbs, and, less commonly, adjectives, tends to express an idea more fully. The following instances are given amongst a large number: Laus et gloria-vis et necessitas-spectator atque testisvictus et cultus-levitas et iactatio-fraus ac vanitasignominia et calamitas-gravitas et severitas-portus et perfugium-veri inquisitio et investigatio-ratio numerusque -labes et pernicies-consensus concentusque-bonitas et beneficentia-fundere ac fugare-instare et urgere-divellere ac distrahere perpeti et perferre—frangere et debilitare— frangi et comminui-delinire et corrumpere-investigare et consequi-reconditus et abstrusus-mollis tenerque-debitus iam destinatusque morti-sponte et ultro-temere et fortuito. (9) Words of wide meaning, such as genus, ratio, etc., are used far more extensively than similar words in English. He made up his army of unconquered veterans. Exercitum ex invicto genere veteranorum militum To be possessed of every virtue. Oratio aliena ab iudiciorum ratione. (10) The addition of participles makes a phrase more explicit than the corresponding English. After a few days=paucis diebus interpositis (-iectis). In representing such phrases as 'through pity, love,' etc., a participle is regularly employed in Latin; as, misericordia adductus, amore impulsus: the participles mostly used being these and ductus, motus, excitatus, incensus, accensus. (11) Similarly, 'through' or 'by,' with persons, may be with advantage to the sense represented by opera, consilio, gratia, auxilio, beneficio, in combination with a possessive pronoun or a genitive. (12) The employment of certain phrases must be noted as, est (facio, committo, fit, accedit) ut; unde efficitur ut, etc. Several philosophers leave behind them no system of rhetoric. Est ut plerique philosophi nulla tradant praecepta dicendi. Do not think that I do not write myself from laziness. Nolite putare pigritia me facere quod non mea manu scribam. It will be noticed how these phrases and others, like is sum qui, nemo est qui, nihil est quod, lend themselves to the marking of emphasis. (13) Latin is far more accurate than English in the use of the tenses. Notice this in the case of the futures: I hope to be successful, Spero me hoc adsecuturum, If we take Nature for our guide, we shall never go astray, war, Qui Antonium oppresserit, is bellum confecerit, and of the participles. The English present often denotes a past action, while the Latin present participle cannot. Attacking the enemy, he put the wavering mass to flight. And care must be taken in translating the English past participle passive to see if it is really a past. If not, a relative clause must be employed, though the inconvenience was felt so much by the Romans themselves that in certain words of common occurrence the past participle is used even where the time is present, e.g., obsessi=ii qui obsidentur; amatus, dilectus=is qui amatur, diligitur, besides their proper past meanings. Ordinarily, however, the very poverty of Latin in participles makes it more explicit. The Achaeans, being allies of the Romans, sent them aid. Morini cum quo se reciperent non haberent in (14) Latin is more accurate too in the use of number. The doctor having discovered the cause of the disease, thinks that the means of cure is discovered. So Medici causa morbi inventa curationem inventam putant. Law and morality=leges moresque, Day and night =dies noctesque, and especially where the 'eyes' and 'ears,' etc., are men tioned: To delight eye and ear aures et oculos delectare. iter ingredi pedibus. |