Essays in Portraiture (9-10)

This, then, is what sculptors and painters and poets can achieve; but who could counterfeit the fine flower of it all—the grace; nay, all the Graces in company, and all the Loves, too, circling hand in hand about her?

POLYSTRATUS It is a miraculous creature that you describe, Lycinus; “dropt from the skies”[*] in very truth, quite like something out of Heaven. But what was she doing when you saw her?

LYCINUS She had a scroll in her hands, with both ends of it rolled up, so that she seemed to be reading the one part and to have already read the other.[*]— As she walked along, she was discussing something or other with one of her escorts; I do not know what it was, for she did not speak so that it could be overheard. But when she smiled, Polystratus, she disclosed such teeth! How can I tell you how white they were, how symmetrical and well matched? If you have ever seen a lovely string of very lustrous, equal pearls, that is the way they stood in row; and they were especially set off by the redness of her lips. They shone, just as Homer says, like sawn ivory.[*] Nor could you say that some of them were too broad,

others misshapen, and others prominent or wide apart, as they are with most women. On the contrary, all were of equal distinction, of the selfsame whiteness, of uniform size, and similarly close together. In short, it was a great marvel; a spectacle transcending all human beauty!

POLYSTRATUS Hold still! I perceive now quite clearly who the woman is that you describe; I recognize her by just these points and also by her country. Besides, you said that there were eunuchs in her following.

LYCINUS Yes, and several soldiers.

POLYSTRATUS It is the Emperor’s mistress, you simpleton —the woman who is so famous!

LYCINUS What is her name?

POLYSTRATUS Like herself, it is very pretty and charming. She has the same name as the beautiful wife of Abradatas. You know whom I mean, for you have often heard Xenophon praise her as a good and beautiful woman.[*] LYCINUS Yes, and it makes me feel as if I saw her when I reach that place in my reading; I can almost hear

her say what she is described as saying, and see how she armed her husband and what she was like when she sent him off to the battle.