s that might be devised, to
move Socrates, amongst the rest, to stir him the more, he shuts up all with
a pleasant interlude or dance of Dionysius and Ariadne. [5150]"First
Ariadne dressed like a bride came in and took her place; by and by
Dionysius entered, dancing to the music. The spectators did all admire the
young man's carriage; and Ariadne herself was so much affected with the
sight, that she could scarce sit. After a while Dionysius beholding
Ariadne, and incensed with love, bowing to her knees, embraced her first,
and kissed her with a grace; she embraced him again, and kissed him with
like affection, &c., as the dance required; but they that stood by, and saw
this, did much applaud and commend them both for it. And when Dionysius
rose up, he raised her up with him, and many pretty gestures, embraces,
kisses, and love compliments passed between them: which when they saw fair
Bacchus and beautiful Ariadne so sweetly and so unfeignedly kissing each
other, so really embracing, they swore they loved indeed, and were so
inflamed with the object, that they began to rouse up themselves, as if
they would have flown. At the last when they saw them still, so willingly
embracing, and now ready to go to the bride-chamber, they were so ravished,
with it, that they that were unmarried, swore they would forthwith marry,
and those that were married called instantly for their horses, and galloped
home to their wives." What greater motive can there be than this burning
lust? what so violent an oppugner? Not without good cause therefore so many
general councils condemn it, so many fathers abhor it, so many grave men
speak against it; "Use not the company of a woman," saith Siracides, 8. 4.
"that is a singer, or a dancer; neither hear, lest thou be taken in her
craftiness." _In circo non tam cernitur quam discitur libido_. [5151]Haedus
holds, lust in theatres is not seen, but learned. Gregory Nazianzen that
eloquent divine, ([5152]as he relates the story himself,) when a noble
friend of his solemnly invited him with other bishops, to his daughter
Olympia's wedding, refused to come: [5153]"For it is absurd to see an old
gouty bishop sit amongst dancers;" he held it unfit to be a spectator, much
less an actor. _Nemo saltat sobrius_, Tully writes, he is not a sober man
that danceth; for some such reason (belike) Domitian forbade the Roman
senators to dance, and for that fact removed many of them from the senate.
But these, you will say,