Demetrius

Accordingly, when any one else came in, Antiochus showed no change; but whenever Stratonicé came to see him, as she often did, either alone, or with Seleucus, lo, those tell-tale signs of which Sappho sings[*](Fragment 2 (Bergk, Poet. Lyr. Graeci, iii.4 pp. 88 ff.).) were all there in him,—stammering speech, fiery flushes, darkened vision, sudden sweats, irregular palpitations of the heart, and finally, as his soul was taken by storm, helplessness, stupor, and pallor.

And besides all this, Erasistratus reasoned further that in all probability the king’s son, had he loved any other woman, would not have persisted to the death in refusing to speak about it. He thought it a difficult matter to explain the case fully to Seleucus, but nevertheless, relying on the father’s kindly feelings towards his son, he took the risk one day, and told him that love was the young man’s trouble, a love that could neither be satisfied nor cured.

The king was amazed, and asked why his son’s love could not be satisfied. Because, indeed, said Erasistratus, he is in love with my wife. Then canst thou not, O Erasistratus, said Seleucus, since thou art my son’s friend, give him thy wife in addition to thy friendship, especially when thou seest that he is the only anchor of our storm-tossed house? Thou art his father, said Erasistratus, and yet thou wouldst not have done so if Antiochus had set his affections on Stratonicé.