[292] Brugmann holds (Prob. p. 62) that both here and in 310 ταχύν has taken the place of an original “ἑόν”, his own (in 310 thine own), i.e. favourite. When the free use of the pronominal adj. was forbidden, it was first changed to “ταχύν” in 310, and this line naturally followed suit. The papyrus actually has “ἑόν” here, though it has “ταχύν” in 310, thus representing the first stage of the change. The marginal variants in A recognize “ἑόν” in both places, and it has the express support of Apollonios (Pronom. 48. 1) “τινές, πάλιν ἀγνοήσαντες τὸ μεταβατικόν” (capability of transition from one person to another), “τὸ “αἴτει δ᾽ οἰωνὸν ἑὸν ἄγγελον” μεταγράφουσιν εἰς τὸ “ταχὺν ἄγγελον,” ἢ τὸν ἀγαθὸν ἐκδέχονται” (take it in the sense of ‘good,’ on the analogy of “ἑάων”). It must however be remarked that though the argument holds good for 310, in this line “ἑόν” is less suitable, for the reflexive use is sacrificed; it should here mean ask for thine own messenger, not for his. The license however has good analogies; see App. A, vol. i. p. 561.
