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f Socrates[93]--The company about her are those just escaped from the world there they were unthinking or misconducted in the pursuit of knowledge. She leads them to truth & wisdom untill the time comes when they shall be fitted for the journey through the universe which all must one day undertake--farewell-- And now, gentlest reader--I must beg your indulgence--I am a being too weak to record the words of Diotima her matchless wisdom & heavenly eloquence[.] What I shall repeat will be as the faint shadow of a tree by moonlight--some what of the form will be preserved but there will be no life in it--Plato alone of Mortals could record the thoughts of Diotima hopeless therefore I shall not dwell so much on her words as on those of her pupils which being more earthly can better than hers be related by living lips[.] Diotima approached the fountain & seated herself on a mossy mound near it and her disciples placed themselves on the grass near her--Without noticing me who sat close under her she continued her discourse addressing as it happened one or other of her listeners--but before I attempt to repeat her words I will describe the chief of these whom she appeared to wish principally to impress--One was a woman of about 23 years of age in the full enjoyment of the most exquisite beauty her golden hair floated in ringlets on her shoulders--her hazle eyes were shaded by heavy lids and her mouth the lips apart seemed to breathe sensibility[94]--But she appeared thoughtful & unhappy--her cheek was pale she seemed as if accustomed to suffer and as if the lessons she now heard were the only words of wisdom to which she had ever listened--The youth beside her had a far different aspect--his form was emaciated nearly to a shadow--his features were handsome but thin & worn--& his eyes glistened as if animating the visage of decay--his forehead was expansive but there was a doubt & perplexity in his looks that seemed to say that although he had sought wisdom he had got entangled in some mysterious mazes from which he in vain endeavoured to extricate himself--As Diotima spoke his colour went & came with quick changes & the flexible muscles of his countenance shewed every impression that his mind received--he seemed one who in life had studied hard but whose feeble frame sunk beneath the weight of the mere exertion of life--the spark of intelligence burned with uncommon strength within him but that of life seemed ever on the eve
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