^{page 209 note 1} The ‘metaphorical’ interpretation was not suggested in my earlier article; it is a more recent addition. The existence of three levels of meaning is not an extravagance; this phenomenon occurs whenever a metaphorical expression is used with allusive force, e.g. Homer's ‘A man cannot ward off the intent of Zeus’.

Level 1: ‘ward off’ in physical sense (literal).

Level 2: ‘ward off’ in sense of ‘stop it happening’ (metaphorical).

Level 3: ‘we cannot ward off the enemy, since Zeus is against us’ (allusive).

^{page 209 note 2} Scholars have sought to find a continuation of the hunting metaphor in lines 93–5, the image being that of a wild animal being hunted down in dark woodland places. But Aeschylus' imagery is of hawks chasing doves (P.V. 856–9, Supppl. 223–4), not of wild animals in the woods. Here I think that the scholiast's interpretation of is shrewd and very much to the point; I developed this idea in my earlier article. (The scholion reads: )

^{page 210 note 1} I have already discussed the emendation of line 86 and the general implication of the Strophe in my earlier article.