A question on Georgics 2.433

[Bill Walderman]

et dubitant homines serere atque impendere curam

This line is omitted by M (although apparently added by a later hand)
and not commented on by Servius or the Scholia Bernensia. It seems to
be universally punctuated with a question mark—an “indignant” question
according to Page: “and yet [in view of nature’s bounty] do men
hesitate to sow and expend care [on trees or crops]?” Apparently
Ribbeck rejected it and so does Thomas, on the ground that it doesn’t
make sense coming as it does at the end of a passage discussing trees
that need no cultivation. As a question, it seems to refer to
agricultural activities generally, not just to trees. I wonder
whether notwithstanding this line’s less than unanimous attestation it
can be saved by punctuating it with a period/full stop instead of a
question mark: “and yet [despite their usefulness in providing fodder
for goats and light at night] men hesitate to [i.e., they don’t] plant
[these trees or shrubs] or expend care on them [because there’s no
need to do so].” “Serere” for planting trees seems to be at Cato de
Agricultura 40.1: “Per ver . . . in locis crassis et umectis ulmos,
ficos, poma, oleas seri oportet.” There would a slight stretch of
the meaning of “dubitare” but maybe not beyond the realm of
possibility.

[Leofranc Holford-Strevens]

If we took it as an indignat staement should we not expect _at_ not _et_?
Geymonat reports that Sabbadini supposed this line to have been added by
Vergil in the revised version (secundis curis) reported in various places to
have been made; but see Mynors's defence, pointing out that questions of
this nature are attested not only at _Aen._ 6. 808-9: Augustus will extend
Roman rule over more of the earth than either Hercules or Father Liber did,

et dubitamus adhuc uirtutem extendere facts,
aut metus Ausonia prohibet consistere terra?

(that is, Aeneas and his company, with whom Anchises still identifies
himself though dead, should proceed in confidence), but already in Cicero
(_De imperio Cn. Pompei_ 42 and 45: Pompey has amply proved himself already,
Et quisquam dubitabit to entrust him with the war against Mithridates/what
he will accomplish?) So the sequence of though 'nature does all this by
herself; do men doubt to exploit and improve her gifts?' need not disturb us
here.

Leofranc Holford-Strevens
67 St Bernard's Road
Oxford
usque adeone
OX2 6EJ scire MEVM nihil est, nisi ME scire hoc sciat
alter?

tel. +44 (0) 1865 552808 (home)/353865 (work) fax +44 (0) 1865 512237

[falmouth]

Does Stat. Theb. 2.150 imitate Vergil's line?

quo *serere* arcanas aptum *atque* euoluere
*curas*,                150

cf. Verg. 2.433

et dubitant homines *serere* *atque* impendere *curam*

And if so, might it suggest that 'serere' is to be taken with 'curas'
in Vergil - i.e. because of nature's fruitful and spontaneous bounty,
men hesitate to exercise their own wit/intelligence/attention/effort
(... a sort of verbal paraprosdokian given the 'rustic proverb'
'serere ne dubites' referred to by Mynors - i.e. "and men hesitate to
sow... ... *concerns*).

[Cf. of course for the thought / theme Geo. 1.122-4

haud facilem esse uiam uoluit, primusque per artem
mouit agros, curis acuens mortalia corda
nec torpere graui passus sua regna ueterno.]



On 4 Aug, 21:18, "Leofranc Holford-Strevens"

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