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[502] ἐπίτρεψον δὲ θεοῖσιν ‘leave the matter to the gods,’ a formula for de precating further action. Cp. 22. 288 “ἀλλὰ θεοῖσι μῦθον ἐπιτρέψαι” (in contrast to “μέγα εἰπεῖν”): also of the contest with the bow, 21. 279 “νῦν μὲν παῦσαι τόξον, ἐπιτρέψαι δὲ θεοῖσι”. Here, as Ameis points out, and in 21. 279 it has a double meaning. To the person addressed it is a mere formula = ‘say no more’: to the hearer, who knows the course of events, it is significant of the fate that the gods have in store.

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