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[82] εἴην, a proper opt. I would be in this place or that — and the wish is its own accomplishment; by the power of memory he is in an instant wherever he wills. μενοιν́ηηισί τε πολλά is rather obscure, but it probably means and he has many wishes, i.e. however many wishes he has (respecting the place he would be in), it is all the same. The primitive parataxis by which a clause is simply tacked on by a “τε” or “δέ”, and the exact connexion of thought — here ‘even though’ — left to be inferred is common enough. Others take it to mean he longs much (after the places he remembers), or makes many plans (for the future); but these seem hardly relevant. μενοιν́ηηισι is the reading of Ar.; the assimilation (for “μενοινα?ηισι”) is rare (H. G. § 55), but the subj. seems preferable to the opt. of the vulg., which is probably due to the influence on the copyist's mind of the neighbouring εἴην, or “εἴη” as many MSS. have. No doubt the latter form was taken to mean considers whether he should go (cf. Hesych. “εἴημι: πορεύομαι”) hither or thither. But the explanation first given seems decidedly better.

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

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