Thus reads the ‘optimus Laurentianus,’ and starting hence we shall refuse claudent, the facile but incoherent correction of some MSS., and still more the claudunt which the majority offer. Nor for all that shall we make the ineptitude of these readings a ground for condemning the pentameter, which, save for its lack of grammatical construction, is perfectly faultless in expression. Turning our attention to the hexameter, we observe that Parca, a synonym for fata (Ex Pont. III. 7. 20 ‘Parcaque ad extremum qua mea coepit eat’ by id. II. 7. 17 sq. ‘iam mihi fata liquet coeptos seruantia cursus | per sibi consuetas semper itura uias’) with trahebat will set everything right. The offending fata is due to a gloss or an unfortunate reminiscence.