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[359] ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσι, a phrase found only in Od. and the late 11.669 — where, as in Od. 11.394, Od. 13.398, the epithet is more in place, as it indicates the ‘flexible limbs’ as the seat of strength. Here it must be taken either as a mere epitheton ornans, a reminiscence from a familiar phrase, or in the different sense bent with age. The old man's sudden terror, in spite of the courage with which he started, is a very natural touch.

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

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