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[*] 725. In the poets, especially Homer, the simple optative may express a command or exhortation, in a sense approaching that of the imperative. E.g. Ταῦτ᾽ εἴποις Ἀχιλῆι, (you may) say this to Achilles. Il. xi. 791. Τεθναίης, ὦ Προῖτ̓, ἢ κάκτανε Βελλεροφόντην, (you may) either die, or kill Bellerophontes. Il. vi. 164. Ἀλλά τις Δολίον καλέσειε, “let some one call Dolios.” Od. iv. 735.So in prohibitions with μή: μηδ᾽ ἔτι σοῖσι πόδεσσιν ὑποστρέψειας Ὄλυμπον, Il. iii. 407 (between two pairs of imperatives). See also AESCH. Prom. 1049 and 1051. For Homeric optatives (without ἄν), which form a connecting link between the potential and the wishing optative (like Il. iv. 18, Il. 19), see 13 and 233.
Macmillan. London, Melbourne, Toronto. 1889. reprint edition:. St. Martin's Press. New York. 1965.
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