ἐπὶ γῆρας καὶ πενίαν ἑλκομένων λόγων
The commentary says that ‘the speeches are dragged into the presence of old age and poverty.’ Can we understand the verb not as passive but as middle and say that the speeches drag the audience into the presence…?
I don’t think the middle would be used so, especially without an object, whereas the passive, like the active, is quite common in a variety of settings. That said, “into the presence" doesn’t seem right for the επι. More like tearjerking speeches dragged into service (and/or dragged out to inordinate length?) to be deployed against (the miseries of) old age etc.?
dragged out to inordinate length?) to be deployed against, I think would be the best interpretation, thank you.