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[143] εἰρύσσαιτο: a singular use of this verb, obviously different from that in 1.216 (see note there), where it means ‘to obey, observe.’ It appears to be rather analogous to 2.859 “ἐρύσατο κῆρα”, warded off fate, here no man can ward the design of Zeus, the idea of watching (ob-serv-are) passing on the one hand into that of guarding a friend, on the other into that of guarding against a foe. “φυλάσσω” and “φυλάσσομαι” shew a similar divergence in sense, as the scholia note; though there the distinction is aided by the difference of voice. Cf. Od. 16.463, where “εἰρύαται” = watch for in a hostile sense. The form “εἰρύσσαιτο” for “ἐρυ?σαιτο” is due to the analogy of the reduplicated “εἴρυμαι” and the similar aor. of “ϝερύω”, draw, aided by metrical necessity.

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

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