of parties concerned in a suit, to see whether the action lay. Cf.
Plat. "Charm." 176 C. See Gow, "Companion," xiv. 74.

Crit. Do you be good enough yourself to put your questions.

Soc. Do you consider that the quality of beauty is confined to man, or
is it to be found in other objects also? What is your belief on this
point?

Crit. For my part, I consider it belongs alike to animals--the horse,
the ox--and to many things inanimate: that is to say, a shield, a
sword, a spear are often beautiful.

Soc. How is it possible that things, in no respect resembling one
another, should each and all be beautiful?[4]

[4] See "Mem." III. viii. 5, quoted by Galen, "de Usu Part." i. 370.

Crit. Of course it is, God bless me! if well constructed by the hand
of man to suit the sort of work for which we got them, or if naturally
adapted to satisfy some want, the things in either case are beautiful.

Soc. Can you tell me, then, what need is satisfied by our eyes?

Crit. Clearly, the need of vision.

Soc. If so, my eyes are proved at once to be more beautiful than
yours.

Crit. How so?