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[197] This disjointed sentence is very natural in Achilles's great surprise, and it is probably useless to attempt to produce from it one connected logical whole. Two thoughts spring to his lips; first, sincere pleasure at a visit from his friends — from whom perhaps he has been separated for a fortnight; and next, gratified pride at what he sees is the object of their visit — a confession of their sore need for him (ἦ τι μάλα χρεώ). This latter he checks, with his native courtesy, the instant he has uttered it, and returns directly to his first expression, which he puts in a still stronger form, with a half excuse (σκυζομένωι περ) for his unpatriotic satisfaction at the disasters of the army. Welcome: surely ye are dear friends that are here — the need must be very sore — aye, ye are the dearest to me of all the Achaians even in my anger. It is possible, however, to take ἦ τι μάλα χρεώ as meaning ‘I had sore need of such a visit from my dearest friends.’ The variant “ἡμέτερόνδε” (or “ἡμέτερον δῶ”) gives a smoother sense, but for that very reason is probably only an ancient conjecture.

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

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