attle with."

After such sort the theme of their discourse reached its conclusion.

Then Critobulus spoke: It is now my turn, I think, to state to you the
grounds on which I pride myself on beauty. (19)

(19) See "Hellenica Essays," p. 353.

A chorus of voices rejoined: Say on.

Crit. To begin with, if I am not beautiful, as methinks I be, you will
bring on your own heads the penalty of perjury; for, without waiting to
have the oath administered, you are always taking the gods to witness
that you find me beautiful. And I must needs believe you, for are you
not all honourable men? (20) If I then be so beautiful and affect you,
even as I also am affected by him whose fair face here attracts me, (21)
I swear by all the company of heaven I would not choose the great king's
empire in exchange for what I am--the beauty of the world, the paragon
of animals. (22) And at this instant I feast my eyes on Cleinias (23)
gladlier than on all other sights which men deem fair. Joyfully will I
welcome blindness to all else, if but these eyes may still behold him
and him only. With sleep and night I am sore vexed, which rob me of
his sight; but to daylight and the sun I owe eternal thanks, for they
restore him to me, my heart's joy, Cleinias. (24)

(20) Or, "beautiful and good."

(21) Or, "whose fair face draws me." Was Cleinias there as a "muta
persona"? Hardly, in spite of {nun}. It is the image of him which
is present to the mind's eye.

(22) Lit. "being beautiful"; but there is a touch of bombast infused
into the speech by the artist. Cf. the speech of Callias ("Hell."
VI. iii. 3) and, for the humour, "Cyrop." passim.

(23) See Cobet, "Pros. Xen." p. 59. Cf. "Mem." I. iii. 8.

(24) Or, "for that they reveal his splendour to me."

Yes, and herein also have we, the beautiful, (25) just claim to boast.
The strong man may by dint of toil obtain good things; the brave, by
danger boldly faced, and the wise by eloquence of speech; but to the
beautiful alone it is given to achieve all ends in absolute quiescence.
To take myself as an example. I know that riches are a sweet possession,
yet sweeter far to me to give all that I have to Cleinias than to
receive a fortune from another. Gladly would I become a slave--ay,
forfeit freedom--if Cleinias would deign to be my lord. Toil in his
service were easier for me than rest from labour: danger incurred in his
behalf far sweeter than security of days. So that if yo