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[32] μάλα. This is to be closely connected with οὐ, and both words with ἀνέχονται, the combination containing a strong litotes. As we might say in vernacular, ‘are not over and above fond of,’ meaning, ‘not at all fond of.’ But οὐκ ἀνέχονται is a stronger expression than “οὐ ξενίζουσι”, signifying ‘they cannot put up with,’ or ‘endure.’ Nitzsch remarks here that the character ascribed by Athena to the Phaeacians is at variance with the sentiments expressed, not only by Nausicaa ( Od.6. 207), but also by Alcinous himself (inf. 186 foll.), and by the chiefs at his court (159 foll.). He assigns as the explanation of the inconsistency, that Athena's communication here does not throughout represent a statement of facts, but really embodies the thoughts of the wary and much-travelled hero, at the moment of entering a strange city, blended with the natural incident of his meeting a maiden with an urn upon her head, and asking the way of her. This seems rather too subtle a refinement. It is simpler to suppose that Athena is speaking only of the ordinary Phaeacians, whom a stranger would meet in the street: and according to Nausicaa's showing in bk. vi, they could make themselves very unpleasant.

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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