three children, under the
Roman Emperors. Frequent allusions are made to this law
by the ancient writers.

[46] Compare Lucretius, i. 10-20.

[47] A quotation from Simonides.

[48] We are not bound to swallow all the ancients tell
us. Credat Judaeus Apella!

[49] "Iliad," xvii. 134-136.

[50] "Iliad," ix. 324. Quoted again in "How one may be
aware of one's Progress in Virtue," Sec. 8.

[51] "Odyssey," xx. 14, 15.

[52] A theatre, that is, in which animals and birds and
human beings should meet in common.

[53] All that is said here about the milk, the menses,
and the blood, I have been obliged somewhat to condense
and paraphrase. The ancients sometimes speak more
plainly than we can. Ever and anon one must pare down a
phrase or word in translating an ancient author. It is
inevitable. _Verbum sat sapienti._

[54] Homer, "Iliad," xvii. 446, 447.

[55] Ibid. xi. 269-271.

[56] A fragment from Euripides, according to Xylander.

[57] Evenus of Paros was an Elegiac Poet.

[58] Aristophanes, "Equites," 50, 51.

[59] See Cicero "Tuscul." i. 34.

[60] Euripides, "Alcestis," 1159; "Helena," 1688;
"Andromache," 1284; "Bacchae," 1388.

[61] The discourse breaks off abruptly. It is directed
against the Epicureans. It throws ridicule on appealing
to the affection of brutes for their offspring instead
of appealing to human nature.

ON LOVE.

FLAVIANUS AND AUTOBULUS, THE OPENERS OF THE DIALOGUE,
ARE BROTHERS. THE OTHER SPEAKERS ARE THEIR FATHER,
DAPHNAEUS, PROTOGENES, PISIAS, AND OTHERS.

I. _Flavianus._--You say that it was on Mount Helicon, Autobulus, that
those conversations took place about Love, which you are now about to
narrate to us at our request, as you either wrote them down, or at least
remember them from frequently asking our father about them.

_Autobulus._--It was on Mount Helicon among the Muses, Flavianus, when
the people of Thespiae were celebrating their Festival to the God of
Love, which they celebrate very magnificently and splendidly every five
years to that God, as also to the Muses.

_Flavianus._--Do you know what all of us who have come to this audience
intend to ask of you?

_Autobulus._--No, but I shall know if you tell me.

_Flavianus._--Remove from your discourse for this once the poet's
meadows and shades, and talk about ivy and yews, and all other