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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 February 2009
There is nothing that renders this punctuation and the standard understanding of these verses (i.e. ‘seu tollere seu ponere volt freta’) impossible. Parallels can certainly be found (e.g. Cat. 4.19; Prop. 2.26.33). It is however true that this ellipse of seu has no good parallel in the Odes and the two examples in the Satires (2.5.10; 2.8.16) are much easier to tolerate than the use here. Thus, it may be worth noting that a different view of the verse seems possible. Remove the comma from line 16 and take tollere with maior: ‘than whom there is no master of the Adriatic greater at raising or calming – if he desires – the waters.’ Seu then = vel si, as frequently. Horace has a particular affection for infinitives governed by adjectives (as in line 25 of this poem); Wickham provides a lengthy list at vol. 1, pp. 316–17. At Satire 2.3,313 minor is so used.
1 L. J. D. Richardson, CR 50 (1936), 118.
2 CR 27 (1913), 24.
3 Loc. cit. 119. But at Epist. 1.19.3 potoribus appears to be dative with the present passive.
3 Statius, Theb. 3.521 reads auditus lasone, but editors justifiably assume this to be corrupt, probably the result of a deliberate change by a scribe who failed to recognize the short Greek i in lasoni.
4 Statius, Theb. 3.521 reads auditus lasone, but editors justifiably assume this to be corrupt, probably the result of a deliberate change by a scribe who failed to recognize the short Greek i in lasoni.
5 For varius (‘variegated’) of birds, see e.g. Ovid, Fasti 5.430; Prop. 3.13.32; and possibly at Verg. Aen. 7.32–4 of singing birds.
6 Aside from physiological considerations, see Hesiod, Op. 203 (poikilodeiros) with West's and Verdenius' comments ad loc.
7 One could interpret this theme here in a more sophisticated fashion, especially if one pressed the question of whether the wolf saw Horace first or he the wolf. Theocritus 14.22 is not concerned with any such distinction nor is the text at Leutsch Paroem. 2.511, but Vergil at Eel. 9.53 is, as is the Geoponica 15.1.8.
I am indebted to Professors J. K. Newman and D. Sansone for helpful suggestions on some points discussed in these notes.