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[46] 46-47. This couplet, which is quite unnecessary, seems to be a late addition. It twice has a short vowel before the “λ” of “λιτ”-. Of this there is no other instance in Il. (see on 1.15), and only eight in Od. out of some thirty instances of the root (including “λιτῆισιOd. 11.34). Further, the aor. “λιτέσθαι” (or pres. if we read “λίτεσθαι” with Ask.Ptol.) does not recur in H. (in Od. 14.406 read “Κρονίων᾽ ἀλιτοίμην”: see van L. Ench. p. 280); nor does either aor. or pres. agree with the Epic use of “μέλλω” (Platt in J. P. xxi. 41). If the line is to be saved we must read “λίσεσθαι” with van L.; he was destined to pray; not he was like to have been (or to be) praying.

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