Diotima approached the fountain & seated herself on a mossy mound near it and her disciples placed themselves on the grass near her--Without noticing me who sat close under her she continued her discourse addressing as it happened one or other of her listeners--but before I attempt to repeat her words I will describe the chief of these whom she appeared to wish principally to impress--One was a woman of about 23 years of age in the full enjoyment of the most exquisite beauty her golden hair floated in ringlets on her shoulders--her hazle eyes were shaded by heavy lids and her mouth the lips apart seemed to breathe sensibility[94]--But she appeared thoughtful & unhappy--her cheek was pale she seemed as if accustomed to suffer and as if the lessons she now heard were the only words of wisdom to which she had ever listened--The youth beside her had a far different aspect--his form was emaciated nearly to a shadow--his features were handsome but thin & worn--& his eyes glistened as if animating the visage of decay--his forehead was expansive but there was a doubt & perplexity in his looks that seemed to say that although he had sought wisdom he had got entangled in some mysterious mazes from which he in vain endeavoured to extricate himself--As Diotima spoke his colour went & came with quick changes & the flexible muscles of his countenance shewed every impression that his mind received--he seemed one who in life had studied hard but whose feeble frame sunk beneath the weight of the mere exertion of life--the spark of intelligence burned with uncommon strength within him but that of life seemed ever on the eve of fading[95]--At present I shall not describe any other of this groupe but with deep attention try to recall in my memory some of the words of Diotima--they were words of fire but their path is faintly marked on my recollection--[96]