[155] i.e.  I wish I might become a bird and fly homeward.

[156] See ed.  Camb.

[157] But see ibid.  Dindorf’s text is a hopeless display of bad readings and worse punctuation.

[158] Reading [Greek:  gennas], I have done my best with this passage, but I can only refer to the Cambridge editor for a text and notes worthy of the play.

[159] I have recalled the old reading, [Greek:  hosia].

[160] On these sort of prodigies, see Musgrave, and Dansq. on Quintus Calaber, xii. 497 sqq.

[161] “in eo, ut” is the force of [Greek:  en ergoi].

[162] Perhaps a sly allusion to their escape.

[163] See ed.  Camb.

[164] But we must read [Greek:  tois te] with the Cambridge editor = “who know more than men.”

[165] I can not too early impress upon the reader the necessity of a careful attention to the criticisms of the Cambridge editor throughout this difficult chorus, especially to his masterly sketch of the whole, p. 146, 147.

[166] [Greek:  pheren inin] is Burges’ elegant emendation, the credit of which has been unduly claimed by Seidler.

[167] i.e. the place afterward called Inopus.  See Herm., whose construction I have followed.

[168] On the [Greek:  omphalos] see my note on AEsch.  Eum. p. 180, ed.  Bohn.  On the Delphic priesthood, compare ibid. p. 179.

[169] See, however, the Cambridge editor.

[170] Read [Greek:  es thronon] with Barnes and Dind., or rather [Greek:  epi Zenos thronon] with Herm.

[171] But see Dindorf.

[172] See Dindorf’s note, but still better the Cambridge editor.

[173] I follow Seidler.

[174] So ed.  Camb.

[175] i.e. what evil inspiration of the Gods impelled her to this act?  Thoas, who is represented as superstitious to the most barbarian extent, naturally regards the infidelity of Iphigenia as proceeding from the intervention of heaven.

[176] Cf.  Monk. on Hippol. 828.

[177] Cf. vs. 1197. [Greek:  eremias dei].

[178] Dindorf and the Cambridge editor follow Hermann, who would place this line after vs. 1394.

[179] So Musgrave.

[180] Seidler has deserved well of this passage, both by his correction [Greek:  toin xenoin] for [Greek:  ten xenen], and by his learned and clear explanation of the nautical terms.

[181] Dindorf has adopted Markland’s emendation, but I prefer [Greek:  host’ exanapnein] with the Cambridge editor.

[182] i.e. capsize.

[183] But see ed.  Camb.

[184] I have introduced the line above mentioned, and have likewise adopted Hermann’s introduction of [Greek:  palimprymnedon] from Hesychius, in lieu of [Greek:  palin prymnesi’].

[185] See ed.  Camb.

[186] “The obvious intent of these measures was to fasten the vessel to some point of the rocks, and thus prevent her being wrecked.”  ED. CAMB.