LLPSI CAP. XXIX Question

Latin Learning Latin
1

Hi All,

I had a question about the text in chapter XXIX of “Familia Romana”. This passage occurs when the helmsman is attempting to console the merchant:

Mercator: vos quidem filices estis, nemo enim vestrum assem amisit. Mirum not est vos laetari.

My (cumbersome) translation is:

Merchant: Certainly you are happy, for not one of you lost an as. It is not surprising you are rejoicing.

What I’m confused about it the use of the infinitive ‘laetari’ here. I feel as if I’m missing something obvious. I’d appreciate any pointers on why the infinitive is used here instead of something like ‘laetamini’.

Thanks.

P.S. This is my first post on textkit!

2

Welcome to textkit.

Is this not explained in your text? The infinitive is here the subject of the sentence and construed as a neuter substantive. Vos is the subject associated with the infinitive and is put in the accusative case.

Allen and Greenough’s Latin Grammar:

"397. The accusative has the following special uses.

e. The subject of an infinitive is in the Accusative.

Intellegō tē sapere. (Fam. 7.32.3)
I perceive that you are wise.

Eās rēs iactārī nōlēbat. (B. G. 1.18)
He was unwilling that these matters should be discussed.

Note— This construction is especially common with verbs of knowing, thinking, telling, and perceiving (§ 580)."

http://dcc.dickinson.edu/grammar/latin/idiomatic-accusatives

So - Mirum non est -it is not surprising- vos laetari -that you are happy-.

3

Thank you seneca2008. It is clear to me now.