Book 19
1
So, you’ve come to join us at last, Polystratus, after living to be, I think, almost a hundred?
1
Ninety-eight, Simylus.
1
Whatever sort of life did you have for these thirty years after my death? I died when you were about seventy.
1
An exceedingly pleasant life, even if you will think it strange.
1
Strange indeed, if you were not only old and weak but also childless, and yet could enjoy life.
2
At first, I could do anything. I still could enjoy plenty of pretty boys, and the nicest women, unguents and fragrant wine, and a table to outdo any in Sicily.
2
That’s something new. I knew you to be very sparing.
2
Ah, but the good things came pouring in from others, my good fellow; at crack of dawn crowds of folk would start flocking to my doors, and later in the day all kinds of choice gifts from every corner of the earth would arrive.
2
Did you become tyrant, Polystratus, after my time?
2
No, but I had thousands of lovers.
2
You make me laugh. Lovers? At your age? With only four teeth in your head?
2
Yes indeed, the noblest lovers in the city. Though I was old and bald, as you see, yes, and blear-eyed and snivelling too, they were delighted to court me, and anyone of them I favoured with a mere glance thought himself in heaven.
2
You weren’t another to have a divine passenger, as did Phaon, Phaon was said to have been an ugly old ferryman of Mytilene, who was made young and handsome by Aphrodite as a reward for ferrying her, and then to have won the love of Sappho. when he ferried Aphrodite over from Chios, and have your prayers answered, becoming young, handsome and attractive all over again?
2
No, I was the desire of all, though just as you see me now.
2
You’re talking in riddles.
3
Yet this great love for rich, childless old men is there for all to see.
3
Now I understand your beauty, you old wonder; it came from the golden Aphrodite.
