μ974Μήπω γε μήπω
not yet at any rate, not yet
This sort of form of expression is called a reduplication, using the same words twice. It makes the expression prominent and exceedingly robust; for being alarmed he needs a delay.
Μήπω γε, μήπω· ἐπαναδίπλωσις καλεῖται τὸ τοιοῦτο σχῆμα τοῦ λόγου, τὸ δὶς τοῖς αὐτοῖς ὀνόμασι χρῆσθαι. ἐμφαντικὸν δὲ καὶ λίαν ἐνεργητικὸν ἀπεργάζεται τὸν λόγον· δεδιττόμενος γὰρ…