Manilius: Astronomica

[The manuscript] written with care has fol. 65, with the inscription ‘The first book of the Astronomicon by M. Manilius, an illustrious poet, to Octavian Augustus begins auspiciously.’ Codex Nr. 5160 (Vat. 2) in the same library, a paper manuscript in small quarto format, contains the first book and part of the second, written neatly in 1469 without inscription or subscription. Dr. Damus, a most distinguished man, examined both for my use. Now I must speak of the Paris codex (p), about which [one can find information] in the catalogue of manuscripts of the Royal Library, Part 3, Vol. IV, Paris 1744, p. 420, VIIIMXXII (8022): a parchment codex, which contains 1) the five books of the Astronomicon by M. Manilius, 2) Q. Serenus — — — This codex appears to have been copied in the fifteenth century. Duebner collated this book and added variant readings to the margin of the Pingré edition (Paris, 1736). Through the kindness of the director of the library, I was permitted to use this collation, which is preserved among the philosophical manuscripts, no. 138, of the Göttingen library. Pingré (preface XXXIII) says: ‘later than the first editions, very well written, that is all I can say about it.’ Lastly, I mention the Munich codex (M). It is preserved in the Royal Library of Munich (cod. lat. 15743), a paper book, large octavo, 113 folios, from the 15th–16th century. On fol. 1r, written by a recent hand: ‘Manilius’ astronomy in verse, year 1500.’ Then follow lines 1–8 of Book I, and ‘Quom’ [as] line 9; fol. 1v is blank; fol. 2r (page 3) begins Book I without a heading. At the end of Book I, there is a blank space of seven lines, then: ‘The first book of M. Manilius’ Astronomicon ends, the second begins’; similarly at the end of the second book. After books III, IV, and V, there is no subscription. I collated this book in 1890 without any result: it appears to have been copied from a printed edition of Manilius. From these books, the vulgate reading of the old editions originated, an example of which Jacob inserted for utility at the end of his edition (under the letter A), using the edition of Antonius Molinius, concerning which cf. Cramer (The Oldest Editions of Manil. Astron., p. 17). I now add the variants of some verses to make it easier to judge these books. Book IV, line 744: sortitur F Vat. 2. p M. 745 gelidum F Vat. 2. M., gelidumque p, per tempora Vat. 2., pro tempore p M., uertitur axis F Vat. 2. p M. 746 in uicès p, positum p, euicerit Vat. 2. M., euicerat p. 748 nimium Vat. 2., minimi M. 753, 754, 755 they contaminate in this way: taurus habet scythicos portus sinuatus in arcus F M (Molinius edition). 753 montis Vat. 2 p. 754 molles Vat. 2 p. 757 ultius M and solitus F Vat. 2 p M. ganges colit India cancer F Vat. 2 p M. 759 potiris F Vat. 2 p M. 762 Macedum Vat. 2 p M. 764 and 765 M places after 762. tuque Vat. 2 p M, es F Vat. 2 p M (l2 c). 766 caperent F Vat. 2 p M, limen p. 767 quae sunt F Vat. 2 p, iura M. 768 Archades Vat. 2 M. 769 dotat