On a Dropped Line at f. xlviii v
"Saint Patrick of Armagh, deliver me from writing."
Sancte Patricie de Armach, libera me a scribendo.
Abstract
A small but persistent marginalium at f. xlviii v of the compendium of classical Greek authors prompts these notes. The annotation, in cinnabar-orange, has been variously read; we present here the lectio of the desk, with such hesitations as the corrector has permitted us to keep.
Context
The genre — if we may dignify it as such — has been treated elsewhere only in passing. Our own contribution is modest: a growing card-index, kept by Br. Photios when he can find it.
Paleographic Note
Ductus is regular but not hurried; pen-pressure increases on the down-strokes of tau crossbar, easing on the rho-descender. We note a faint metallic sheen, consistent with ferrous additives, which is consistent with an exemplar held at an awkward angle.
Notes
- The marginalia were photographed under low candlelight; results were as expected.
- All folio numberings follow our internal census; the imperial census differs.
We thank Br. Photios for the loan of the third calamus, and the desk for not interrupting. The work proceeds; the cat is fine.
Manus scriptoris in libro hoc opera complevit. Si quis hoc opus rapuerit, anathema sit.