καὶ γὰρ ὑστέρῳ=“καὶ” (‘even’) “ὑστέρῳ γάρ”. This use of “καὶ γάρ”,—where “καί” affects a following adj.,—is somewhat rare; but cp. fr. 86. 9 “καὶ γὰρ δυσειδὲς σῶμα καὶ δυσώνυμον” | “γλώσσῃ σοφὸν τίθησιν” etc.: O. T.334“καὶ γὰρ ἂν πέτρου” etc.: Ai.669“καὶ γὰρ τὰ δεινὰ” etc. More often, in such cases, “γάρ” follows that which “καί” affects, as Ph.1268“καὶ τὰ πρὶν γάρ”. τό γ᾽ εὖ | πράσσειν: for the place of the art., cp. O. C.265 n. ‘Even to one who is late, good fortune, if he should ever hear of it, brings gain.’ The general sentiment, ‘better late than never,’ is adapted to the particular case. Hyllus is going in search of tidings; and even now, if he hears good tidings, he will have his reward. The words “ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο” make it clear (I think) that “τὸ εὖ πράσσειν” has here its ordinary sense, ‘faring well,’—not the much rarer sense, ‘acting aright’ (like “πράσσοντα καλῶς”, O. C.1764 n.). The optat. gives abstract generality, which suits a “γνώμη” ( Ant.666 n.). ἐμπολᾷ. Any profitable action may be said, by a metaphor from trading, to ‘bring in’ gain. The bold phrase here is qualified by the fact that “τὸ εὖ πράσσειν” is followed by “ἐπεὶ πύθοιτο”. It is not, strictly, the thing ascertained, but the act of ascertaining it, that “ἐμπολᾷ κέρδος”.— Distinguish the phrase in Ph.303“ἐξεμπολήσει κέρδος” (‘sell off wares at a profit’).
This text is part of:
Sophocles: The Plays and Fragments, with critical notes, commentary, and translation in English prose. Part V: The Trachiniae. Sir Richard C. Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1902.
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