exion would in very
truth be lovelier. The very look and aspect of the wife, the mistress,
seen in rivalry with that of her attendants, being as she is at once
more fair [13] and more beautifully adorned, has an attractive charm,
[14] and not the less because her acts are acts of grace, not services
enforced. Whereas your ordinary fine lady, seated in solemn state, would
seem to court comparison with painted counterfeits of womanhood.

[12] See Becker, p. 491. Breit., etc., cf. Nicostr. ap. Stob. "Tit."
lxxiv. 61.

[13] Lit. "more spotles"; "like a diamond of purest water." Cf.
Shakesp. "Lucr." 394, "whose perfect white Showed like an April
daisy in the grass."

[14] Or, "is wondrous wooing, and all the more with this addition,
hers are acts of grace, theirs services enforced."

And, Socrates, I would have you know that still to-day, my wife is
living in a style as simple as that I taught her then, and now recount
to you.

XI

The conversation was resumed as follows: Thanking Ischomachus for what
he had told me about the occupations of his wife; on that side I have
heard enough (I said) perhaps for a beginning; the facts you mention
reflect the greatest credit on both wife and husband; but would you now
in turn describe to me your work and business? In doing so you will have
the pleasure of narrating the reason of your fame. And I, for my part,
when I have heard from end to end the story of a beautiful and good
man's works, if only my wits suffice and I have understood it, shall be
much indebted.

Indeed (replied Ischomachus), it will give me the greatest pleasure to
recount to you my daily occupations, and in return I beg you to reform
me, where you find some flaw or other in my conduct. [1]

[1] Lit. "in order that you on your side may correct and set me right
where I seem to you to act amiss." {metarruthmises}--remodel. Cf.
Aristot. "Nic. Eth." x. 9. 5.

The idea of my reforming you! (I said). How could I with any show of
justice hope to reform you, the perfect model [2] of a beautiful, good
man--I, who am but an empty babbler, [3] and measurer of the air,
[4] who have to bear besides that most senseless imputation of being
poor--an imputation which, I assure you, Ischomachus, would have reduced
me to the veriest despair, except that the other day I chanced to come
across the horse of Nicias, [5] the foreigner? I saw a crowd of people
in attendance staring, and I listened t