λόγῳ, in an argument upon the claim, before a competent tribunal. εἰς ἔλεγχον: cp. 835 “τάχ᾽ εἰς βάσανον εἶ χερῶν.” χειρὸς οὐδ᾽ ἔργου is a species of hendiadys,—the practical test of single combat (cp. Ai. 814 “τάχος γὰρ ἔργου καὶ ποδῶν ἅμ᾽ ἕψεται”). We cannot distinguish χειρός, as the duel, from ἔργου, as a trial of strength between adherents, since Thebes was with Eteocles. Hermann's οὐδ̓ (for the MS. οὔτ̓), before ἔργου, is necessary, unless we suppose an “οὔτε” understood before χειρός: cp. on O. T. 236 ff.
This text is part of:
Sophocles: The Plays and Fragments, with critical notes, commentary, and translation in English prose. Part II: The Oedipus Coloneus. Sir Richard C. Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1899.
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