R. J. Cholmeley, M.A., The Idylls of Theocritus

[31] There is again considerable doubt as to the right reading (vid. note crit.). We want a proper name with the definite reference to some particular witch (cf. ii. 145; vi. 40). Meineke's Παραιβάτις is therefore probable: it is a feminine form of the name Παραιβάτης (Herod. v. 46). The lectio vulgata is ᾿Αγροιώ. k has ἁ γροιώ, and Schol. k gives Γροιὼ ὄνομα κύριον. Hence Ziegler (Hiller) ἁ Γροιώ: but the place of the article is hardly justified for Theocritus by the Homeric τὸν Χρύσην ἀρητῆρα (which Hiller quotes). Greek says ὁ ῥήτωρ Δημοσθένης or ὁ Δημοσθένης ῥήτωρ ὤν, not ὁ Δημοσθένης ῥήτωρ: see on xiii. 19; xv. 97. ἁ γραία is only conjecture and does not explain the MSS. reading. I adopt therefore Warton's conjecture ἀγροιῶτις ἀλαθέα, 'And a country-woman too divining by the sieve told me sooth, Paraebatis who the other day was gathering her herbs, that I dote on thee.'