William Watson Goodwin, Syntax of the Moods and Tenses of the Greek Verb, Chapter IV, I. Potential Optative., chapter 237

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In Final Clauses.

In Object Clauses after Verbs of Striving etc.

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[*] 237. The potential optative in the second person may have the force of a mild command or exhortation. E.g.

“Σὺ μὲν κομίζοις ἂν σεαυτὸν ᾗ θέλεις,” “you may take yourself off whither you please (a milder expression than κόμιζε σεαυτόν).” SOPH. Ant. 444. So Ant. 1339.

“Κλύοις ἂν ἤδη, Φοῖβε προστατήριε,” “hear me now.” El. 637.
“Χωροῖς ἂν εἴσω” Id. Ph. 674.

So probably Il. ii. 250: τῷ οὐκ ἂν βασιλῆας ἀνὰ στόμ᾽ ἔχων ἀγορεύοις, therefore you must not take kings upon your tongue and talk (or do not take, etc.)

Macmillan. London, Melbourne, Toronto. 1889. reprint edition:. St. Martin's Press. New York. 1965.

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