The principles of Latin grammar; comprising the ... - Essan.org

——:292 SYNTAX.—LATIN ARRANGEMENT. § 151depends on their position in a sentence than in those language I which areable, by the changes of form only, to indicate the relation of words toeach other, however they may be arranged. Thus, when we say in Knglish, "Alexander conquered Darius-" if we change the order of the words,we necessarily change the meaning also ; as, Darius conquered Alexander.But whether we say in Latin, Alexander vlcit Darium, or Darium vlcitAlexander, or Alexander Darium vlcit, or Darium Alexander vlcit, or placethese words in any other possible order of arrangement, the meaning isthe same, and cannot be mistaken ; because it depends, not on the position,but on the form of the words. This gave the Latin writer much morescope to arrange his words in that order which would best promote thestrength or euphony of the sentence, without endangering its perspicuity.Still, even in Latin, custom has established a certain order of arrangementwhich is considered the best. And, though no certain rules can be givenon this subject, which are applicable to every instance, the followinggeneral principles and Rules may be noticed. •738.General principles of Latin Arrangement1. The word governed is placed before the word whichgoverns it.2. The word agreeing is placed after the word with whichit agrees. More particularly,739. Rule I. The subject is generally put before the verb )as,Deus mundum gubernat.Exc. 1. When the subject is closely connected with a clause followingthe verb, it is placed after the verb ;as, erant omnlno duo itinera, quibus,&c.Exc. 2. When the subject is emphatic, it usually follows the verb andconcludes the sentence.740. Rule II. The adjective or participle most cpmmonlyfollows the substantive with which it agrees.With few exceptions, however, the place of the adjective orparticiple is entirely arbitrary. The following usages maybe noticed1st.The adjectives, primus, medius, ultimus, extremus, summus, infimus ylimes, supremus, reliquus, easterns, denoting the first part, the middlepart, cfec, are generally put before the substantive ; as, summusmoyis ; extremo libro, "the top of the mountain," (fee.2d. When the substantive governs another in the genitive, the adjectivegenerally precedes both ; as, Duo Platonis precepta.3d. When the substantive is governed by a preposition, the adjective ismag-frequently put before the substantive; as, Hdc in questione ;na in parte.4th. The adjective is often put before the substantive for the sake oiEuphony.