Homeric Questions and On the Cave of the Nymphs

A descending in figure, and becoming filled with weight. And its moisture, taking up more space in the figure, is raised suspended, being reduced in weight compared to the carrier. But what is the meaning of the verses? For the writing is twofold. In some places he writes "will leap under the black shivering." In others, he writes "will escape the black shivering." According to "will leap under," we shall say he means that of the fish jumping through B the wave, it will leap under the shivering—that is, having paused from leaping up, it will submerge under the shivering. And it will rush downward, being carried along with the corpse, so that it may eat the fat of Lycaon. This, then, we understand as leaping on the surface of the wave. But if leaping up from the depth onto the wave, it will be as he said regarding the stone: "leaping high, it flies." So that he may signify leaping from the abyss Γ below along the wave. Not, however, to leap over the shivering, but being under it, to touch the corpse if it is being carried on the surface. But if it should be written "will escape," Polycleitus says this meaning will be such: the fish will submerge into the depth of the wave, fleeing the coldness of the shivering. For indeed it is most hostile to it. At any rate, in winter they come down from the sea to the land. D And that many of them hibernate in the depths for the same reason, Aristotle also records in the seventh book, On the Nature of Animals. And the shivering is very cold, and especially if it be from the north. And having become in the depth, it will eat the fat of Lycaon. But it does not seem to me that this man correctly rendered the meaning of the verses. For Homer does not say that he suffered this immediately upon being slaughtered and thrown. So that we may accept that the fish is said to go down into the depths of the wave not for the eating, but to be carried out E by the Scamander into the sea. So that it is no longer submerged, but it is necessary for it to float above. For the verses go thus: "Lie here now among the fish who will lick the blood of your wound, uncared for: nor will your mother, placing you on a bier, lament you, but the eddying Scamander will carry you into the broad bosom of the sea."