symposium   

of all our happiness and harmony, and makes us friends with the gods

who are above us, and with one another. I dare say that I too have

omitted several things which might be said in praise of Love, but this

was not intentional, and you, Aristophanes, may now supply the

omission or take some other line of commendation; for I perceive

that you are rid of the hiccough.

Yes, said Aristophanes, who followed, the hiccough is gone; not,

however, until I applied the sneezing; and I wonder whether the

harmony of the body has a love of such noises and ticklings, for I

no sooner applied the sneezing than I was cured.

Eryximachus said: Beware, friend Aristophanes, although you are

going to speak, you are making fun of me; and I shall have to watch

and see whether I cannot have a laugh at your expense, when you

might speak in peace.

You are right, said Aristophanes, laughing. I will unsay my words;

but do you please not to watch me, as I fear that in the speech

which I am about to make, instead of others laughing with me, which is

to the manner born of our muse and would be all the better, I shall

only be laughed at by them.

Do you expect to shoot your bolt and escape, Aristophanes? Well,

perhaps if you are very careful and bear in mind that you will be

called to account, I may be induced to let you off.

Aristophanes professed to open another vein of discourse; he had a

mind to praise Love in another way, unlike that either of Pausanias or

Eryximachus. Mankind; he said, judging by their neglect of him, have

never, as I think, at all understood the power of Love. For if they

had understood him they would surely have built noble temples and

altars, and offered solemn sacrifices in his honour; but this is not

done, and most certainly ought to be done: since of all the gods he is

the best friend of men, the helper and the healer of the ills which

are the great impediment to the happiness of the race. I will try to

describe his power to you, and you shall teach the rest of the world