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[199] 199-201. “ἀθετοῦνται στίχοι τρεῖς ὅτι καὶ τῆι κατασκευῆι καὶ τῶι νοήματι εὐτελεῖς: καὶ γὰρ ἀπραξίαν δρόμου καὶ τὸ ἀπαράβατον σημαίνουσιν, ἐναντίως τῶι “ὡς δέ τ᾽” “ἀεθλοφόροι περὶ τέρματα μώνυχες ἵπποι”” (162). Against the latter objection it may be pointed out that there is every poetical justification for one simile to introduce the chase by the notion of speed, and another to close it by a representation of helpless fatigue. Indeed Virgil's imitation in Aen. xii. 908 shews that no poetical objection can be made, while the vividness of the feeling described is one which will come home to every one. The main difficulty lies in 200, which seems tautological and awkward, though quite intelligible, in expression. It may be a mere gloss. The difference between διώκειν and μάρψαι will be noticed; the inability to catch in reality is not compared to the inability to catch in a dream, which would be commonplace enough, but to the feeling of inability even to move in pursuit — a far more effective point. Achilles' powerlessness to overtake Hector is depicted with the utmost vividness when compared to the dreamer's feeling that he has to move and yet is rooted to the ground. For the omission of “τις” as subject cf. 13.287. The length of the -“ωι” of ὀνείρωι is suspicious, but v. 1.484, 5.215; and so -“ηι” remains long in 4.412. Various emendations have been proposed, but are too violent to command assent. The whole question of the genuineness of the lines is to some extent involved in those which follow. See therefore App. K, § 7.

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

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