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[555] On the analogy of Od. 5.300 “δείδω μὴ δὴ πάντα θεὰ νημερτέα εἶπεν” and the regular Attic use we should have expected here the past tense of the indic., to express a fear that something has already happened. This use of “μή” with indic., however, seems to be a comparatively late development, and there is no other case in H. Fear indeed naturally refers to something future; when we say ‘I fear that a thing has happened,’ we mean ‘I fear that it will prove to have happened.’ Thus it is natural to use the aor. subj. as in 10.98, 538, 18.8; see particularly 22.455-6-7 “δείδω μὴ δή .. δίηται, καὶ δή μιν καταπαύσηι” (see M. and T. § 93, 307-8). The neglected “ϝ” of “παρϝείπηι” has led to Bentley's “παρέλθηι” and other conjectures. Brandreth suggests “μή σε παραιφῆι, μὴ παραϝείπηι, μή σ᾽ ἄρα” (or “σέ γε”) “πείσηι”.

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

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