and to be visible. But to the other (soul)— for let us say it again, [1]since it is to be said not merely once,[1]— (it pertains) to be in visible, and to know and to be intelligible,[2] and to have a share of memory and of the reasoning power in the changes of even and odd.As there are, therefore, five bodies, it is requisite to say that fire [3](is the first), and water (the second),[3] and air the third, and earth the fourth, and æther the fifth; and in the do minions of each of these there is produced many an animal and of every kind. Now it is meet to learn this singly, thus. Let us, in the first place, lay down the whole of the things of earth as one, namely, all human beings, and all such animals as are with many feet, or none, and such as can move on, and such as are stationary, as being held down by roots. And it is requisite to consider the one thing belonging to it as this, that all these are formed of all those genera, but that the greater part is of the earth and the nature of solidity. It is, however, requisite to lay down another kind of animal, which is generated, and, at the same time, able to be seen. For it consists for the most part of fire; but contains likewise a small portion of earth and air, and of all the other things. Hence, it is requisite to assert that animals of every kind and visible are generated from them. [4]It is necessary likewise to think that all in the heavens are these genera of animals,[4] [5]which it is necessary to say[5] is the whole divine race of the stars, consisting of a most beautiful body, and of a soul the most happy and the best. [6]It is requisite moreover to impart to them, at least in opinion, one of two fates.[6]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The words between the numerals are omitted by Ficinus, and Taylor after him.
- ↑ In lieu of νοητῷ I have adopted νοερῷ, suggested by Sydenham from "cognitionis compos" in Ficinus.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 I have translated, as if the Greek were πῦρ φάναι ᾶ καὶ ῶ ὔδωρ— where ᾶ is "first" and ῶ "second"— On ῶ as one form of β, see Bast in Palæograph. p. 708.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ficinus has more briefly— "hæc cœlestia putamus animalia esse."
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 The words between the numerals are omitted by Ficinus. Taylor has "or in other words—"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Such, I presume, is the meaning of the Greek, δυοῖν δὲ αὐτοῖς μοιρῶν τὴν ἑτέραν χρἡ δόξῃ μεταδιδιδόναι σχεδόν: which Ficinus thus translates, "his utique animalibus e duabus sortibus alteram tribuendam putamus:" where δόξῃ and σχεδὸν are both omitted, as being here equally unintelligible, and ἑτέραν taken in the sense of "alterutram;" for so, I suspect, Ficinus wrote, not "alteram," which would be without any meaning. Taylor's version is— "It is also requisite to consider this respecting the two genera of animals—" where there is scarcely a word like the original.
