symposium   

no knowledge. Who will deny that the creation of the animals is his

doing? Are they not all the works his wisdom, born and begotten of

him? And as to the artists, do we not know that he only of them whom

love inspires has the light of fame?-he whom Love touches riot walks

in darkness. The arts of medicine and archery and divination were

discovered by Apollo, under the guidance of love and desire; so that

he too is a disciple of Love. Also the melody of the Muses, the

metallurgy of Hephaestus, the weaving of Athene, the empire of Zeus

over gods and men, are all due to Love, who was the inventor of

them. And so Love set in order the empire of the gods-the love of

beauty, as is evident, for with deformity Love has no concern. In

the days of old, as I began by saying, dreadful deeds were done

among the gods, for they were ruled by Necessity; but now since the

birth of Love, and from the Love of the beautiful, has sprung every

good in heaven and earth. Therefore, Phaedrus, I say of Love that he

is the fairest and best in himself, and the cause of what is fairest

and best in all other things. And there comes into my mind a line of

poetry in which he is said to be the god who



Gives peace on earth and calms the stormy deep,

Who stills the winds and bids the sufferer sleep.



This is he who empties men of disaffection and fills them with

affection, who makes them to meet together at banquets such as

these: in sacrifices, feasts, dances, he is our lord-who sends

courtesy and sends away discourtesy, who gives kindness ever and never

gives unkindness; the friend of the good, the wonder of the wise,

the amazement of the gods; desired by those who have no part in him,

and precious to those who have the better part in him; parent of

delicacy, luxury, desire, fondness, softness, grace; regardful of

the good, regardless of the evil: in every word, work, wish,

fear-saviour, pilot, comrade, helper; glory of gods and men, leader