mparison with ordinary
folk."

To name marriage first. I presume a marriage (33) which is contracted
with some great family, superior in wealth and influence, bears away
the palm, since it confers upon the bridegroom not pleasure only but
distinction. (34) Next comes the marriage made with equals; and last,
wedlock with inferiors, which is apt to be regarded as degrading and
disserviceable.

(33) Cf. "Hunting," i. 9. Holden cf. Eur. "Rhes." 168; "Androm." 1255.

(34) Cf. Dem. "in Lept." S. 69, p. 499. See Plat. "Rep." 553 C.

Now for the application: a despotic monarch, unless he weds some foreign
bride, is forced to choose a wife from those beneath him, so that the
height of satisfaction is denied him. (35)

(35) Al. "supreme content, the quintessential bliss, is quite unknown
to him."

The tender service of the proudest-souled of women, wifely rendered, how
superlatively charming! (36) and by contrast, how little welcome is
such ministration where the wife is but a slave--when present, barely
noticed; or if lacking, what fell pains and passions will it not
engender!

(36) Or, "the gentle ministrations of loftiest-thoughted women and
fair wives possess a charm past telling, but from slaves, if
tendered, the reverse of welcome, or if not forthcoming..."

And if we come to masculine attachments, still more than in those
whose end is procreation, the tyrant finds himself defrauded of such
mirthfulness, (37) poor monarch! Since all of us are well aware, I
fancy, that for highest satisfaction, (38) amorous deeds need love's
strong passion. (39)

(37) "Joys sacred to that goddess fair and free in Heaven yclept
Euphrosyne."

(38) For {polu diapherontos} cf. Browning ("Abt Vogler"), not indeed
of Aphrodisia conjoined with Eros, but of the musician's gift:

That out of three sounds he frame not a fourth sound, but a
star.

(39) i.e. "Eros, the Lord of Passion, must lend his hand." "But," he
proceeds, "the god is coy; he has little liking for the breasts of
kings. He is more likely to be found in the cottage of the peasant
than the king's palace."

But least of all is true love's passion wont to lodge in the hearts of
monarchs, for love delights not to swoop on ready prey; he needs the
lure of expectation. (40)

(40) Or, "even on the heels of hoped-for bliss he follows."

Well then, just as a man who has never tasted thirst can hardly be said
to kno