Here’s a late thankyou for the prompt resolution of my problem.
Yes, Alatius, my Latin-Swedish dictionary has this example under ’feri’: ’is regem interemisse fertur’ – ’han lär ha dödat’ (for non-Swedish speakers: ’he is said/supposed/believed to have killed’ (the king)). Much like your example, Benissimus ("Agamemnon was said to desire...").
As a matter of interest, Lewis & Short has:
c. (See Zumpt, Gram. § 607.) Dicor, diceris, dicitur, with nom. and inf., it is said that I, thou, he, etc.; or, they say that I, thou, etc.
and it quotes Horace (Ode 3.30):
‘dicar.../ princeps Aeolium carmen ad Italos / deduxisse modos’ (I’ll be declared the first to have imported Aeolian song to Italic verse’). That gives me an extra handle on an old favourite.
Timeodaneos: thanks for the Sjöstrand tip. My only Swedish grammar up to now has been Tidner (it too takes up the Nom. & Infin. so I have no excuse). I’ve now acquired a Sjöstrand (seemingly the last copy available on the Net). It’s a beaut! More comprehensive than Tidner. Is Madvig even better? And who’s that Zumpt fellow? Speaking of nationalities, I confess I’m an expat. English, actually.
Cheers,
Int