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[471] εἴ με μεθείη. There is a great preponderance of MSS. in favour of this optative (see crit. note). And there is no syntactical difficulty in adopting it, but a real advantage, for μεθείη is not parallel to καταδράθω or ἐπέλθῃ, both of which verbs follow upon “εἰ δέ κεν”. We see in “μεθείη” a further possible result of “καταδράθω”, which is therefore accurately expressed by a more distant mood. ‘But if having mounted to the hill side and thick wood I should take my rest, in the hope that my chill and weariness might quit me, and if sweet sleep should steal upon me, I fear, etc.’

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

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