ἀρκεῖν … παρῇ. The thought is: “"I have trespassed on the grove of the Eumenides, and it might be doubted whether such deities would accept the atonement from any hand but my own. Nay, I believe that they regard the intention rather than the outward details. If my deputy approaches the shrine in a loyal spirit, the offering will be accepted—yes, would be accepted, not on behalf of one man alone, but of many."” Clemens Alex. Strom. 5. 258, after quoting Isaiah i. 16, “"Wash you, make you clean,"” cites verses ascribed (though wrongly) to Menander, among which are, “θεῷ δὲ θῦε διὰ τέλους δίκαιος ὤν,
μὴ λαμπρὸς ὢν ταῖς χλαμύσιν ὡς τῇ καρδίᾳ
”. Porphyry De Abstin. 2. 19 quotes an inscription from a temple at Epidaurus, “ἁγνὸν χρὴ νηοῖο θυωδέος ἐντὸς ἰόντα
ἔμμεναι: ἁγνείη δ᾽ ἐστὶ φρονεῖν ὅσια
”. Cp. the frequent sentiment that the poor man's offering, if pious, is welcome (Eur. fr. 940, Hor. Carm. 3. 23. 17, etc.).
