The Symposium (PDF, MOBI, EPUB, FB2, TEXT)
by some, whilst others of them took a bath,
the guests were severally presented to the master of the house.
Autolycus was seated next his father, as was natural,[20] while the
rest reclined on couches. Noting the scene presented, the first idea
to strike the mind of any one must certainly have been that beauty has
by nature something regal in it; and the more so, if it chance to be
combined (as now in the person of Autolycus) with modesty and self-
respect. Even as when a splendid object blazes forth at night, the
eyes of men are riveted,[21] so now the beauty of Autolycus drew on
him the gaze of all; nor was there one of those onlookers but was
stirred to his soul's depth by him who sat there.[22] Some fell into
unwonted silence, while the gestures of the rest were equally
significant.
[20] Al. "Autolycus found a seat beside his father, while the rest
reclined on couches in the usual fashion." See Schneider's note.
[21] Passage imitated by Max. Tyr. "Or." xxiv. 4.
[22] Cf. Plat. "Charm." 154
