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[*] 474. The verb of the protasis is suppressed in the Homeric εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε, come now! This is commonly explained by an ellipsis of βούλει, if you will, come now! But it is probable that no definite verb was in the speaker's mind in such expressions, even when we find it necessary to supply one. E.g. Εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε, τοι κεφαλῇ κατανεύσομαι, “come now! I will nod my assent to thee.” Il. i. 524. Εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε μὴν, πείρησαι, ἵνα γνώωσι καὶ οἵδε, well! come now, try it. Il. i. 302. Εἰ μὲν δὴ θεός ἐσσι θεοῖό τε ἔκλυες αὐδῆς, εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε μοι καὶ κεῖνον ὀιζυρὸν κατάλεξον (the apodosis being introduced by εἰ δ᾽ ἄγε, come now, tell me). Od. iv. 831.
Macmillan. London, Melbourne, Toronto. 1889. reprint edition:. St. Martin's Press. New York. 1965.
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