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[370] κολούσει is clearly necessary if the line is to stand; the ambiguous τελέει may have led to “κολούει”, which nearly all MSS. give. The present, after “ἐπιθήσει”, turns the line into a weak platitude. As an alternative we may regard it as a gnomic interpolation referring originally to Zeus. In this connexion “κολούει” is suitable, being equivalent to “ἐνικλᾶν” 8.408, “ἐπικείρειν” 16.120. It is used again = make to fail in Od. 8.211 “ἕο δ᾽ αὐτοῦ πάντα κολούει”. The clause τὸ μὲν τελέει is only introduced for the sake of antithesis, to set off the other alternative on which stress is laid; ‘though he will sometimes succeed, yet at other times he shall fail.’

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

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