[147]
[150] φεύγοντες, ‘driven in flight.’
151, 152. The protasis occurs, after a repeated apodosis, in l. 166.[153] ‘For now again the foot-soldiers and chariots of the Trojans overtook him.’
[155] μετόπισθε ποδῶν λάβε, ‘seized him by the feet, behind.’
[157] δύ᾽ Αἴαντες, the two Ajaxes were defending the corpse from behind, during the retreat. In the previous book (P 722 ff., 735) Menelaus and Meriones are said to have been carrying Patroclus on high in their arms; here, perhaps we are to imagine the body laid on the ground again.
θοῦριν ἐπιειμενοι ἀλκήν, ‘clothed in impetuous strength,’ cf. A 149.[159] For quantity of ultima of κατά and μέγα (l. 160) see § 38.
[165] ἤρατο (preferably written “ἤρετο”), from “ἄρνυμαι”.
[167] θωρήσσεσθαι, limiting “ἄγγελος ἦλθε”, ‘had come as a messenger for his arming,’ ‘had come to bid him arm.’
[168] Note that the ultima of Διός receives the ictus (l. 32); a slight pause must be made after the word.
[174] ἠνεμόεσσαν, § 35, § 159.
[175] ἐπ-ιθύουσι: a participle corresponding with “ἀμυνόμενοι” (l. 173) might be expected; instead, the appositive form is abandoned and a finite verb introduced. The poem affords several parallels of this construction; they are interesting as showing the poet's attitude toward his work. He is drawing a picture in words, and hurried on by his imagination he neglects strictly logical construction. Cf. l. 537 and note.
[177] ἀνὰ σκολόπεσσι, ‘on the palisade’ of Troy.
[178] σέβας δέ σε κτλ., ‘and let awe come over your heart § 180] at the thought of Patroclus's becoming the sport of Trojan dogs.’ The construction is the same as after “νεμεσίζομαι”, accusative and infinitive.
[180] σοὶ λώβη, supply “ἔσται.”
ᾐσχυμμένος, ‘disfigured.’