I have carefully read all that has been written on this difficult passage, and conclude that it is better to rest contented with the natural reference of ἀιὼν to the old age of the singer, indicated by ἐτι, and the previous tone of the Anapests, than to venture with FR., HUM., and LINWOOD, on a reference which I cannot but think is more far-fetched. The line ἀλκὰν σύμφυτος ἀιων is corrupt, and no rigid rendering of it ought to be attempted. BUCKLEY in a note almost disclaims his own version. Note 13 (p. 46). "The diverse-minded kings." δυό λήμασι δισσούς. Surely this expression is too distinct and prominent to be slurred over lightly, as CON. seems inclined to do. I follow my own feeling of a passage so strongly marked by a peculiar phraseology, and LINWOOD. It will be observed that, in the Iliad, while Agamemnon behaves in a high and haughty style to Achilles, Menelaus conducts himself everywhere, and especially in the case of Antilochus (xxiii. 612), with mildness and moderation, so as justly to allow himself the boast, "ὠς ἐμὸς ὀύποτε θυμὸς ῦπερφιάλος κὰι ἀπηνής." Note 14 (p. 46). "Winged hounds." "This is one of those extravagances of expression in which the wild fancy of Æschylus often indulged, and for which he is rallied by Aristophanes."--HARFORD. I cannot allow this to pass without remark. No expression could be more appropriate to picture that singular combination of the celerity of the bird nature, with the ferocity of the quadruped, which is described here, and in the Prometheus, in the speech of Mercury. Besides, in the present case the prophetic style would well excuse the boldness of the phrase, were any excuse required. HARFORD has put the tame expression, "Eagles," into his text; but Shelley in his "Prometheus Unbound," had not the least hesitation to adopt the Greek phrase. {338} Note 15 (p. 47). "The fair goddess." ἁ καλὰ, "the beauteous one,"--SEW. An epithet which CON. was surely wrong to omit, for it is characteristic. To this MÜLLER has called attention in his _Prolegomena zu einer wissensch; Mythologie_ (p. 75; edit. 1825) noting the expressions of Sappho, ἀρίστη καὶ καλλίστη, _the best and the fairest_, as applied to Artemis, according to the testimony of Pausanias, I. 29. The prominence given by Æschylus here to that function of Artemis, by which, as the goddess of beauty, she is protectress of the wild beasts of the forest, is quite Homeric; as we may see from these three lines of the Odyssey:-- "Even as Artemis, dart-rejoicing, o'er the mountains walks sublime, O'er the lofty ridge of Taygetus, o'er the Erymanthian steep, And with gladsome heart beholds the wild boar and the nimble stag." VI. 102. According to the elemental origin of mythology, this superintendence naturally arose from the fact, that Artemis was the Moon, and that the wild beasts go abroad to seek for prey in the night time.