ὡς ταχεῖά τις, ‘in what quick fashion’ (with what strange quickness): cp. O.T. 618 “ὅταν ταχύς τις οὑπιβουλεύων λάθρᾳ ι χωρῇ”, ‘when the stealthy plotter is advancing in quick fashion.’ βροτοῖς, ethic dat., ‘in the minds of men.’ διαρρεῖ: said in fr. 787. 9 of the waning moon; “διαρρεῖ κἀπὶ μηδὲν ἔρχεται”. Cp. 523 “ἀπορρεῖ μνῆστις.” προδοῦσ᾽ ἁλίσκεται. Here “χάρις τοῦ θανόντος” is that grateful memory of the dead which ought to abide in men's minds. When this memory deserts them, it is a traitor to the dead. Cp. Ant. 46“οὐ γὰρ δὴ προδοῦσ᾽ ἁλώσομαι”.
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Sophocles: The Plays and Fragments, with critical notes, commentary, and translation in English prose. Part VII: The Ajax. Sir Richard C. Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1907.
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