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[6] μέλε γάρ οἱ ἐών. The strictly impersonal sense of “μέλειν” is not found in Homer: the nearest approach to it is in Od.1. 305“σοὶ δ᾽ αὐτῷ μελέτω”, where the subject is only suggested; and Od.16. 465“οὐκ ἔμελέν μοι ταῦτα μεταλλῆσαι”, where the infinitive stands as subject. The common construction is “μέλει τις” (or “τι”) “τινί”, or the corresponding use with the third person plural, as “μελήσουσί μοι ἵπποι” Il.10. 481.The 1st person is only once used, “εἴμ᾽ Ὀδυσεὺς Λαερτιάδης, ὃς πᾶσι δόλοισιν”

“ἀνθρώποισι μέλω” Od.9. 19; compare also “Ἀργὼ πᾶσι μέλουσα” 12. 70. The participle “μεμηλώς” is used with an active force, ‘caring for,’ as “μέγα πλούτοιο μεμηλώς” Il.5. 708.In Od.10. 505 we have “μελέσθω”.

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

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