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[435] It is better to join νωλεμέως with ἐχόμην, as in Od.12. 437, and, similarly, Od.20. 24.νωλεμέως is a word of unknown etymology. But however the meaning may come, there seems no doubt that the general sense is ‘firmly’ or ‘constantly.’

στρεφθείς is generally rendered ‘twisted in,’ i. e. with hands interlaced with the wool. But no analogy is found to support this use of στρεφθείς, which commonly means ‘turning round’ or ‘back;’ cp. Il.5. 575; 15.645; 16.598. Düntzer would interpret it here ‘turned round,’ meaning that the head of Odysseus peered out at one side. But it is more likely that it means only ‘turned round,’ i. e. hanging downwards; just as in Od.12. 432 foll. Odysseus clings to the fig-tree, and holds on “ὡς νυκτερίς”. Translate, ‘And, turning myself over, I firmly gripped his thick wool with my hands.’

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

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