they are applied as a test of the genuineness or spuriousness of a considerable number of verses in the received texts.* It is, I repeat, in some measure conjectural to what extent the digamma was used in the epic language. But this I will venture to affirm; that there are yet left uncorrected many verses in the early epic writings where a Te or a ye has to be ejected, the v épeλKvσTIKòv to be removed, or some easy change to be effected either in the order of the words or in their cases or numbers.5 The editors of Hesiod hitherto have paid no attention to the digamma in his language, and so have failed to discover numerous minor corruptions, which have either been removed or pointed out in the present work. * See Schoemann, Com. Crit. p. 44, “In toto hoc carmine vix unus locus est, in quo obscuratum in codicibus digamma non adeo facili emendatione restitui possit, ut merito ambigas, verane sit codicum scriptura, an a describentibus propter digammi ignorationem corrupta." 5 e. g. In Il. iv. 516, we should read ὅπου μεθιέντα Fίδοιτο for ὅπου μεθιέντας ἴδοιτο, and in Il. xxi. 356, for καίετο δ ̓ ἂς ποταμοῖο, we may restore καίετο Fὶς ποταμολο. In Od. xv. 334, it is obvious to emend καὶ οἴνου for ἠδ ̓ οἴνου. One very remarkable instance may be cited from Pindar, Isthm. v. 42, where the absurd reading αὔδασε τοιοῦτόν γ ̓ ἔπος has been introduced in forgetfulness that Pindar used τοιοῦτον έπος. 6 This was written before Dr. Flack had published the Theogony with the digamma restored in the text. EPITOME OF THE SUBJECT. 1-10, Address to the Muses and invocation of Zeus.-11-26, Distinction of two kinds of Contention, viz. jealousy and honourable emulation.-27-41, Complaint of the dishonest conduct of Perses in depriving his brother of part of his inheritance through the favour of corrupt judges.-42-53, Causes of woe and suffering on earth traced to the fraud of Prometheus.-54-89, Episode of Prometheus and the punishment of mankind by the creation of the woman Pandora.-90-105, Primitive happiness of man, and the present evils that issued from Pandora's casket.-109-201, The ages of the human race; golden (109-126), silver (127-142), brazen (143-155); the age of heroes (156-173). The present and greatly deteriorated age, and prospects of a yet worse (174-201).— 202-211, Story of the kite and the nightingale.-212-218, Its application to Perses, and advice to be honest.-219-247, Effects of practising justice and injustice on the prosperity of cities.— 248-269, Appeal to the judges to decide impartially.-274-285, Reiterated address to Perses to desist from his evil ways, and place right before might.-286-292, The broad road to vice and the narrow road to virtue.-293-326, Advice to Perses to rely on his own industry; the consequences of industry and idleness contrasted; and the end of ill-gotten gains.-327-334, Examples of crimes that bring special vengeance from the gods.-335-341, The practice of piety recommended.-342-382, Maxims, chiefly relating to domèstic economy.-PART II. Precepts on Husbandry. -393-390, The proper times for reaping, ploughing, and sowing. -395–404, Threat to Perses that he shall have no further help if he continues idle.-405–413, Advice to get the required implements of husbandry ready in time.-414-447, Instructions for - making a wain, a plough, a mortar and pestle, &c.-448-454, Advice to keep cattle in good condition, and not to rely on the loan of them from others at a busy season.-458-492, The best times for first and second ploughing.-493-503, What is to be done, and what to be avoided in the cold season. 506-563, Description of winter and its effects on man and beast.-564-581, The season of pruning vines and gathering in the vintage.582-596, Midsummer, and its permissible rest and enjoyments. 597-608, Winnowing and storing corn, and fodder for winter stock.-609-617, How to treat grapes when gathered, and how to store wine.-618-640, Precepts respecting navigation; how to keep boats and tackle in the winter.-632-640, How the poet's father came by sea from Cyme in Aeolis to Ascra.-641-662, The poet's own adventure from Aulis to Euboea, to be present at a musical contest. 663-677, The time for summer voyaging.— 678-694, The time for spring voyaging, more hazardous than the other.-695-705, Advice touching marriage.-706-764, Religious and ceremonial obligations inculcated.-PART III. The Calendar, with the lucky and unlucky days. |