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[42] The constr. of ἀλκ̂ης and φόβοιο is not quite clear. It is possible to join them with “πόνος”, the struggle for victory or flight (battle for life or death, as we say), but it is perhaps more natural to take them with the neg. adjectives. Nikanor connected them directly with “ἀπείρητος”, without trial of victory or defeat, “ἀδήριτος” being parenthetical. But the relation is in any case a vague one, and we may combine both, the struggle shall not be untried or unfought of life or death. For ἀδ́ηριτος cf. note on 16.756. — ἤ τ᾽ . . ἤ τε seems to be equivalent to “εἴτε . . εἴτε”. The combination recurs only in 9.276, 11.410 [19.177] and is of doubtful authenticity (see H. G. § 340). On the other hand “ἠδ᾽ . . ἠδέ”, though approved here by Ar., is never found again; it must be taken as = “ἠμὲν . . ἠδέ”. It makes little difference to the sense whether the conjunctive or disjunctive form or the negative “οὔτ᾽ . . . οὔτε” is adopted.

The Iliad, edited, with apparatus criticus, prolegomena, notes, and appendices. Walter Leaf. London. Macmillan. 1900.

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