πάλιν δ' ὅ γε λάζετο μῦθον → he took back his speech, he retracted his speech, he altered his speech
xĭphĭas: ae, m., = ξιφίας (swordshaped).
I A sword-fish: Xiphias gladius, Linn.; Plin. 32, 2, 6, § 15; Ov. Hal. 97. —
II A sword-shaped comet, Plin. 2, 25, 22, § 89.