Greek Texts & Translations

Alexis again in the Meropis ^note:

You have come in the nick of time. For I am at my wits' end and walking up and down, like Plato, and yet have discovered no wise plan but only tired my legs.

And in the Ancylion ^note:

You don't know what you are talking about: run about with Plato, and you'll know all about soap and onions.

Amphis, ^note too, in the Amphicrates says: a. And as for the good, whatever that be, that you are likely to get on her account, I know no more about it, master, than I do of the good of Plato.

b. Just attend.

And in the Dexidemides ^note:

O Plato, all you know is how to frown with eyebrows lifted high like any snail.

Cratinus, ^note too, in The False Changeling:

a. Clearly you are a man and have a soul.

b. In Plato's words, I am not sure but suspect that I have.

And Alexis in the Olympiodorus ^note:

a. My mortal body withered up, my immortal part sped into the air.

b. Is not this a lecture of Plato's?

And in the Parasite ^note:

Or, with Plato, to converse alone.

Anaxilas, ^note again, in the Botrylion, and in Circe and Rich Women, has a gibe at him.

Aristippus in his fourth book On the Luxury of the Ancients says that he was attached to a youth named Aster, who joined him in the study of astronomy, as also to Dion who has been mentioned above, and, as some aver, to Phaedrus too. His passionate affection is revealed in the following epigrams which he is said to have written upon them ^note:

Star-gazing Aster, would I were the skies,

To gaze upon thee with a thousand eyes.

And another:

Among the living once the Morning Star,

Thou shin'st, now dead, like Hesper from afar.

And he wrote thus upon Dion ^note:

Tears from their birth the lot had been

Of Ilium's daughters and their queen.

By thee, O Dion, great deeds done

New hopes and larger promise won.

Now here thou liest gloriously,

How deeply loved, how mourned by me.

This, they say, was actually inscribed upon his tomb at Syracuse.

Again, it is said that being enamoured of Alexis and Phaedrus, as before mentioned, he composed the following lines ^note:

Now, when Alexis is of no account, I have said no more than this. He is fair to see, and everywhere all eyes are turned upon him. Why, my heart, do you show the dogs a bone? And then will you smart for this hereafter? Was it not thus that we lost Phaedrus?

He is also credited with a mistress, Archeanassa, upon whom he wrote as follows ^note:

I have a mistress, fair Archeanassa of Colophon, on whose very wrinkles sits hot love. O hapless ye who met such beauty on its first voyage, what a flame must have been kindled in you!

There is another upon Agathon ^note:

While kissing Agathon, my soul leapt to my lips, as if fain, alas! to pass over to him.

And another ^note:

I throw an apple to you and, if indeed you are willing to love me, then receive it and let me taste your virgin charms. But if you are otherwise minded, which heaven forbid, take this very apple and see how short-lived all beauty is.

And another ^note:

An apple am I, thrown by one who loves you. Nay, Xanthippe, give consent, for you and I are both born to decay.

It is also said that the epigram on the Eretrians, who were swept out of the country, was written by him ^note:

We are Eretrians by race, from Euboea, and lie near Susa. How far, alas, from our native land!

And again ^note:

Thus Venus to the Muses spoke:

Damsels, submit to Venus' yoke,

Or dread my Cupid's arms.

Those threats, the virgins nine replied,

May weigh with Mars, but we deride

Love's wrongs, or darts, or charms.

And again ^note:

A certain person found some gold,

Carried it off and, in its stead,

Left a strong halter, neatly rolled.

The owner found his treasure fled,

And, daunted by his fortune's wreck,

Fitted the halter to his neck.