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[133] Three ways of translating this line have been proposed. (a) ‘Wouldest thou, while thou thyself keepest thy prize, have me for my part sit idle with empty hands?’ (b) ‘Wouldest thou, in order that thou mayest keep,’ etc. (c) ‘Dost thou wish that thou shouldest keep thy prize, but that I should sit,’ etc. In favour of the construction of “ἐθέλειν” with “ὄφρα” instead of the infin. in (c) 5.690 is quoted, “λελιημένος ὄφρα τάχιστα ὤσαιτ᾽ Ἀργείους”, and so 4.465; but in neither of these passages is it necessary to join “ὄφρα” with the participle. Cf. also 6.361 “θυμὸς ἐπέσσυται ὄφρα”. In 16.653 “ὄφρα” with the opt. seems to be epexegetic of “εἶναι”: but that single passage does not justify our assuming so harsh a construction here, especially as there is nothing in the way of the natural construction “αὐτὸς μὲν ἔχειν”. Both (a) and (b) give a good sense, (a) referring to the distance of time at which the recompense is to be made (128), (b) to Achilles' refusal to accord the restitution at all. But (b) is preferable, firstly, because “ὄφρα” when it stands alone is commonly a final particle; in the sense of “ἕως” it is regularly followed by “τόφρα” (not always, v. 23.47, 4.346; H. G. § 287); and secondly, because for “ἔχηις” we want in this sense “ἔχεις” (which C reads). The αὐτάρ is not of course logical, but the interposition of an adversative particle to accent the contrast between the two persons is a perfectly natural anacoluthon. A very similar instance is 3.290 “εἰ δ᾽ ἂν .. αὐτὰρ ἐγώ. κέλεαι” is paratactic = seeing that thou biddest me. Ar. athetized the two lines on subjective and insufficient grounds.

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

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