his city as a trooper mounted on a charger of his own: why not combine
the rearing of horses with other stock? it is the farmer's chance.[7]
Or would your citizen serve on foot? It is husbandry that shall give
him robustness of body. Or if we turn to the toil-loving fascination
of the chase,[8] here once more earth adds incitement, as well as
furnishing facility of sustenance for the dogs as by nurturing a
foster brood of wild animals. And if horses and dogs derive benefit
from this art of husbandry, they in turn requite the boon through
service rendered to the farm. The horse carries his best of friends,
the careful master, betimes to the scene of labour and devotion, and
enables him to leave it late. The dog keeps off the depredations of
wild animals from fruits and flocks, and creates security in the
solitary place.

[7] Lit. "farming is best adapted to rearing horses along with other
produce."

[8] Lit. "to labour willingly and earnestly at hunting earth helps to
incite us somewhat."

Earth, too, adds stimulus in war-time to earth's tillers; she pricks
them on to aid the country under arms, and this she does by fostering
her fruits in open field, the prize of valour for the mightiest.[9]
For this also is the art athletic, this of husbandry; as thereby men
are fitted to run, and hurl the spear, and leap with the best.[10]

[9] Cf. "Hipparch," viii. 8.

[10] Cf. "Hunting," xii. 1 foll.