[19] See "Hellenica Essays," p. 353.

A chorus of voices rejoined: Say on.

Crit. To begin with, if I am not beautiful, as methinks I be, you will
bring on your own heads the penalty of perjury; for, without waiting
to have the oath administered, you are always taking the gods to
witness that you find me beautiful. And I must needs believe you, for
are you not all honourable men?[20] If I then be so beautiful and
affect you, even as I also am affected by him whose fair face here
attracts me,[21] I swear by all the company of heaven I would not
choose the great king's empire in exchange for what I am--the beauty
of the world, the paragon of animals.[22] And at this instant I feast
my eyes on Cleinias[23] gladlier than on all other sights which men
deem fair. Joyfully will I welcome blindness to all else, if but these
eyes may still behold him and him only. With sleep and night I am sore
vexed, which rob me of his sight; but to daylight and the sun I owe
eternal thanks, for they restore him to me, my heart's joy,
Cleinias.[24]

[20] Or, "beautiful and good."

[21] Or, "whose fair face draws me." Was Cleinias there as a "muta
persona"? Hardly, in spite of {nun}. It is the image of him which
is present to the mind's eye.

[22] Lit. "being beautiful"; but there is a touch of bombast infused
into the speech by the artist. Cf. the speech of Callias ("Hell."
VI. iii. 3) and, for the humour, "Cyrop." passim.