صفحة 847 من 1391

That is true, he replied, if the deficiency be in his soul; but

if there be any merely bodily defect in another he will be

patient of it, and will love all the same.

I perceive, I said, that you have or have had experiences of this

sort, and I agree. But let me ask you another question: Has

excess of pleasure any affinity to temperance?

How can that be? he replied; pleasure deprives a man of the use

of his faculties quite as much as pain.

Or any affinity to virtue in general?

None whatever.

Any affinity to wantonness and intemperance?

Yes, the greatest.

And is there any greater or keener pleasure than that of sensual

love?

No, nor a madder.

Whereas true love is a love of beauty and order-temperate and

harmonious?

Quite true, he said.

Then no intemperance or madness should be allowed to approach

true love?

Certainly not.

Then mad or intemperate pleasure must never be allowed to come

near the lover and his beloved; neither of them can have any part

in it if their love is of the right sort?