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The optative is sometimes found in present unattained (impossible) wishes also, where Attic Greek uses the imperfect indicative—not an Homeric construction. E. g. 16.722, “αἴθ᾽ , ὅσον ἥσσων εἰμί, τόσον σέο φέρτερος εἴην”, ‘oh that I were as much superior to you as I am your inferior!’ (Cf. § 207.)
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