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[191] ξτεῦτο, a word which occurs six times in Il., always in the sense to declare, whether by way of boast (2.597, 9.241, 21.455) or promise, as here and E 832, or simple declaration, 3.83. The latter sense also suits Od. 17.525. The only other instance, Od. 11.584, is in a very late passage (“κέχρηται τῆι λέξει ὁ διασκευαστὴς παρὰ τὴν ποιητοῦ συνήθειαν”, Schol. v', and does not affect the question. Ar. explained the word in all the other cases by “κατὰ διάνοιαν ὁρίζεσθαι”, to have the mind set upon a thing. This interpretation, though of course defended by Lehrs (Ar. 98), is less suitable to the passages where the word occurs, with the exception perhaps of 3.83. The word is probably not syncopated from “στεύομαι”, but a genuine non-thematic form with the long stem (H. G. § 11). παροιξέμεν is recommended by the rhythm against “πάρ᾽ οἰσέμεν”, the reading of Ar. (who wrote the accent with anastrophe against the rule, in order to shew clearly how he took the preposition). “παραφέρειν” does not recur, it is true, in H., except possibly in tmesis in the very similar 4.97, q.v.; but we may compare the later “παραδιδόναι”, to hand over, and it is better to accept an unusual compound than to leave the line virtually without any caesura.

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

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