[40.1] Latin is extremely exact in the use of the tenses. Of two past actions the prior is expressed by the pluperfect tense; of two future actions the prior is expressed by the future perfect tense. Apply this principle here. We say simply, ‘if you do.’
[40.2] Join with meliōrēs, and cf. [p. 39, n. 12].
[40.3] i.e. the Carthaginians. To the Roman mind Pūnica fidēs was a synonym for the vilest treachery. So Livy says of the great Hannibal that his character was marred by ‘worse than Punic treachery.’ For Āfrīs, see [p. 10, n. 18].
[40.4] pār . . . referrī = ‘retaliation.’ How literally?
[40.5] ‘consistent with.’
[40.6] prīmus . . . trāiēcit: cf. [p. 38, n. 1].
[40.7] indefinite, like our ‘hundreds of.’ Sēscentī and mīlle are often used in the same way.
[40.8] = et nōn (cf. [l. 13]).
[40.9] ēlīdō.
[40.10] dūrissimā . . . repellente: what does the abl. abs. express?