Again, in the second period the first clause ἀρξάμενος εὐθὺς καθισταμένου has been pretty successfully arranged by the author in the way in which it would produce the most smooth and euphonious effect. But he roughens and dislocates the very next clause by sundering its joints: καὶ ἐλπίσας μέγαν τε ἔσεσθαι καὶ ἀξιολογώτατον τῶν προγεγενημένων. For thrice in close succession vowels are juxtaposed which cause clashings and obstructed utterance, and make it impossible for the ear to take in the impression of one continuous clause; and the period which he ends with the words τῶν προγεγενημένων has no well-defined and rounded close, but seems to be without beginning or
2 ἐφαμαρτόμεν(ον) F: ἐπαγόμενον E 6 μετὰ τούτων F 7 καὶ τοῦ π̄ (post ν̄) ins. Uptonus 8 παρακειμένων Us.: παρακείμεναι libri 11 οὐδὲν PMV: οὐθὲν EF 12 οὖν F: οὐχὶ EPMV: οὐ ‹σιωπῇ› Us. 13 ὑπὸ] ἐπὶ P || τελευταῖαν F, MV: om. P 17 διέστακεν P, MV: διέστηκε EF 18 γὰρ EF: τε γὰρ PMV 21 καὶ αὖτις F: αὖθις PMV || τὸ F: om. PMV 24 ἀποτραχύνει PV: ἐπιτραχύνει FM || διαχαλάσμασιν P: ἀπὸχαλασμασι F 26 τρὶς Sauppe: τρία libri 27 ἑξῆς οὐ] ἐξ ἴσου P 29 λαβεῖν φαντασίαν F: φαντασίαν λαμβάνειν PMV
9. Perhaps an effect analogous to that of syncopation in music is meant.
10, 11. Different words, and a different order, seem hardly possible here. If πόλεμον were put after Ἀθηναίων, the juxtaposed letters would be much the same as in the existing arrangement.
16. τελευταίαν: it may be that some word like συγκοπήν is to be supplied. Or τελευτὴν may be read: or τελευταῖα.
19. The present passage (lines 15-19) shows, as Blass (Ancient Greek Pronunciation p. 66) remarks, that the educated pronunciation of the Augustan period did not confuse αι with ε.
22-5. Here, again, the author would hardly have much choice in the arrangement of the words in question.
26. τρίς: viz. in the words καὶ ἐλπίσας, τε ἔσεσθαι, καὶ ἀξιολογώτατον.