Anno Mundi MMMMMMMDXXXIV · vii kal. Mai. Brother Eustathios the Book of Ceremonies of Constantine VII

Toward the Recovery of an Erased Gloss

"This is no defect; the cat pissed on top."

Hic non defectus est, sed cattus minxit desuper.

Abstract

This dispatch reports on a marginal annotation discovered at f. xxi r of the Book of Ceremonies of Constantine VII. The hand is unmistakably Br. Eustathios's; the ink, examined by Br. Symeon, with characteristic firmness, is cinnabar-orange. We have transcribed the note in full, and offer below such remarks as the desk has felt warranted.

Context

The present marginalium is unusual chiefly for its self-awareness; the scribe knows that what is written here will be read by another scribe, who is the chief audience for such asides. The reader at home is at best a third party.

Paleographic Note

Ductus is regular but not hurried; pen-pressure increases on the down-strokes of abbreviation stroke, easing on the uncial m. We note small bubbles, suggesting the scribe blew on the surface, which is consistent with a colder than usual brazier.

Notes

The pigment dish was rinsed twice between examinations.
The corrector's red ink is, as always, available.
An anonymous reader has questioned this attribution; we remain confident.
We have, on advice, not pursued the matter of the dropped line further.

The hand of the desk has done what it could. Where it has failed, charge that failure to Br. Theognostus, who suggested otherwise and was overruled. Calamus laetatur explicit habendo.