gard to meats, (28) so will the feelings of a lover towards his idol.
But the soul's attachment, owing to its purity, knows no satiety.
(29) Yet not therefore, as a man might fondly deem, has it less of the
character of loveliness. (30) But very clearly herein is our prayer
fulfilled, in which we beg the goddess to grant us words and deeds that
bear the impress of her own true loveliness. (31)

(28) Cf. "Mem." III. xi. 13.

(29) Lit. "is more insatiate." Cf. Charles Wesley's hymn:

O Love Divine, how sweet Thou art! When shall I find my willing heart
All taken up by Thee?

(30) Lit. "is she, the soul, more separate from Aphrodite."

(31) Or, "stamped with the image of Aphrodite." Zeune cf. Lucr. i. 24,
addressing Venus, "te sociam studeo scribendis versibus esse," "I
would have thee for a helpmate in writing the verses..."; and
below, 28, "quo magis aeternum da dictis, diva, leporem,"
"Wherefore all the more, O lady, lend my lays an ever-living
charm" (H. A. J. Munro).

That a soul whose bloom is visible alike in beauty of external form,
free and unfettered, and an inner disposition, bashful, generous; a
spirit (32) at once imperial and affable, (33) born to rule among its
fellows--that such a being will, of course, admire and fondly cling to
his beloved, is a thesis which needs no further argument on my part.
Rather I will essay to teach you, how it is natural that this same type
of lover should in turn be loved by his soul's idol. (34)

(32) Cf. Plat. "Phaedr." 252 E.

(33) The epithet {philophron} occurs "Mem." III. i. 6, of a general;
ib. III. v. 3 (according to the vulg. reading), of the Athenians.

(34) Or, "the boy whom he cherishes."

How, in the first place, is it possible for him to hate a lover who,
he knows, regards him as both beautiful and good? (35) and, in the next
place, one who, it is clear, is far more anxious to promote the fair
estate of him he loves (36) than to indulge his selfish joys? and above
all, when he has faith and trust that neither dereliction, (37) nor
loss of beauty through sickness, nor aught else, will diminish their
affection.

(35) Or, "perfection."

(36) Lit. "the boy."

(37) Reading {en para ti poiese}. Al. "come what come may," lit. "no
alteration"; or if reading {parebese} transl. "although his May of
youth should pass, and sickness should mar his features, the tie
of friendship will not be weakened."

If, then, th