Georg Autenrieth, A Homeric Dictionary

ἦ : in truth, surely, verily.—(1) particle of asseveration, always standing at the beginning of its clause except in the phrase ἐπεὶ ἦ (sometimes written ἐπειή). Freq. in combination with other particles, ἦ δή, ἦ μάλα (δή), ἦ θήν, ἦ τε, ἦ τοι (q. v.), and esp. ἦ μήν (μέν), which may be retained even in indirect quotation, καί μοι ὄμοσσον | ἦ μέν μοι.. ἀρήξειν (representing in the direct form, ἦ μέν σοι ἀρήξω, ‘I sol emnly declare that I will defend thee’), Il. 1.77, Il. 14.275.—(2) the same particle may introduce a direct question, esp. a specific question following a general one, always, however, with the expression of some feeling; τίπτ᾽ αὖτ̓.. εἰλήλουθας; ἦ ἵνα ὕβριν ἴδῃ Ἀγαμέμνονος, ‘is it that thou may'st behold, etc.?’ Il. 1.203, Il. 3.400, Il. 20.17 ; Ζεῦ πάτερ, ἦ ῥά τις ἔστι βροτῶν, κτλ., ‘pray, lives there a man, etc.?’ Il. 7.446.