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[791] ὅσσα δὲ μερμήριξε λέων. Eustath. “οὐ λέοντι αὐτὴν εἴκασε θρασυνομένῳ . . ἀλλὰ λέοντι δεδιότι καὶ δἰ αὐτὸ μερμηρίζοντι”. The fear and the sense of helplessness form the point of comparison: the poet choosing the picture of a lion for his simile, because it is a natural way of introducing the evil designs of the suitors, who like huntsmen “δόλιον περὶ κύκλον ἄγουσι”, that is, draw a cordon of men round the lion and gradually narrow the circle. For the double accusative with “περὶ . . ἄγειν” compare “παρθένον τὴν καλλιστεύουσαν περιάγουσι τὴν λίμνην” Hdt.4. 180.A similar construction with “ἀμφιεννύναι” is found in Hom. Od.10. 542.

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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