Is this a purpose clause? Catullus 15

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Phoebus Apollo
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Is this a purpose clause? Catullus 15

Post by Phoebus Apollo »

commendo tibi me ac meos amores,
Aureli. ueniam peto pudentem,
ut, si quicquam animo tuo cupisti,
quod castum expeteres et integellum,
conserues puerum mihi pudice,
non dico a populo—nihil ueremur
istos, qui in platea modo huc modo illuc
in re praetereunt sua occupati,—
uerum a te metuo tuoque pene
10 infesto pueris bonis malisque.

I think the line in bold is a purpose clause - 'that, if in your heart, you have ever longed for something to seek out, pure and unspoiled...' - but I'm not 100% sure. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

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Barry Hofstetter
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Re: Is this a purpose clause? Catullus 15

Post by Barry Hofstetter »

I don't think purpose, but a relative clause of characteristic explaining quicquam.
N.E. Barry Hofstetter

Cuncta mortalia incerta...

Phoebus Apollo
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Re: Is this a purpose clause? Catullus 15

Post by Phoebus Apollo »

Barry Hofstetter wrote:I don't think purpose, but a relative clause of characteristic explaining quicquam.
Ah, I see - so 'which you might seek out' is probably a better translation?

I'm also having trouble with the phrase 'ubi erit foris paratum' and can only render it very literally 'when it will be ready outside' (although I am really not sure what the sense is here)

edit: I have just read Ellis' commentary which says "Quod expeteres, i.e. ut id exp. Epexegetic." so I think it might in fact be a purpose clause

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Barry Hofstetter
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Re: Is this a purpose clause? Catullus 15

Post by Barry Hofstetter »

Phoebus Apollo wrote: edit: I have just read Ellis' commentary which says "Quod expeteres, i.e. ut id exp. Epexegetic." so I think it might in fact be a purpose clause
No. epexegetic(al) means "explanatory," so it is certainly not expressing purpose.
N.E. Barry Hofstetter

Cuncta mortalia incerta...

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