Persons of the Dialogue: Euboulios, Gregorion, Arete; Marcella, Theophila, Thaleia, Theopatra, Thallousa, Agathe, Procilla, Thekla, Tusiane, Domnina.
Introduction.—Plan of the Work; Way to Paradise; Description and Personification of Virtue; The Agnos a Symbol of Chastity; Marcella, the Eldest and Foremost Among the Virgins of Christ.
. You have
arrived most seasonably, Gregorion, for I have just been looking for
you, wanting to hear of the meeting of Marcella and Theopatra, and of
the other virgins who were present at the banquet, and of the nature of
their discourses on the subject of chastity; for it is said that they
argued with such ability and power that there was nothing lacking to
the full consideration of the subject. If, therefore, you have
come here for any other purpose, put that off to another time, and do
not delay to give us a complete and connected account of the matter of
which we are inquiring.
. I seem to
be disappointed of my hope, as some one else has given you intelligence
beforehand on the subject respecting which you ask me. For I
thought that you had heard nothing of what had happened, and I was
flattering myself greatly with the idea that I should be the first to
tell you of it. And for this reason I made all haste to come here
to you, fearing the very thing which has happened, that some one might
anticipate me.
. Be comforted, my excellent friend, for we have had no precise information respecting anything which happened; since the person who brought us the intelligence had nothing to tell us, except that there had been dialogues; but when he was asked what they were, and to what purpose, he did not know.
. Well then, as I
came here for this reason, do you want to hear all that was said from
the beginning; or shall I pass by parts of it, and recall only those
points which I consider worthy of mention?
. By no means the
latter; but first, Gregorion, relate to us from the very beginning
where the meeting was, and about the setting forth of the viands, and
about yourself, how you poured out the wine
“They in golden cups
Each other pledged, while towards broad heaven
they looked.”
. You are always
skilful in discussions, and excessively powerful in
argument—thoroughly confuting all your adversaries.
. It is not worth
while, Gregorion, to contend about these things at present; but do
oblige us by simply telling us what happened from the beginning.
. Well, I
will try. But first answer me this: You know, I presume, Arete, the daughter of Philosophia?
. Why do you
ask?