[224] Plato, Legg. vii. pp. 790 E-791 A. δειμαίνειν ἐστί που ταῦτ’ ἀμφότερα τὰ πάθη, καὶ ἔστι δείματα δι’ ἕξιν φαύλην τῆς ψυχῆς τινά. ὅταν οὖν ἔξωθέν τις προσφέρη τοῖς τοιούτοις πάθεσι σεισμόν, ἡ τῶν ἔξωθεν κρατεῖ κίνησις προσφερομένη τὴν ἐντὸς φοβερὰν οὖσαν καὶ μανικὴν κίνησιν, κρατήσασα δὲ γαλήνην ἡσυχίαν τῆς περὶ τὰ τῆς καρδίας χαλεπῆς γενομένης ἑκάστων πηδήσεως.
About the effect of the movement, bustle, noise, and solemn exhibitions, &c., of a Grecian festival, in appeasing the over-wrought internal excitement of those who took part in it, see Lobeck, Aglaophamus, p. 689.
Compare Euripid. Hippolyt. 141, where the Chorus addresses the love-sick Phædra:—
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σὺ τἄρ’ ἔνθεος, ὦ κούρα, εἴτ’ ἐκ Πανὸς εἴθ’ Ἑκάτας, ἢ σεμνῶν Κορυβάντων, ἢ ματρὸς ὀρείας φοιτᾷς. |
Also Eurip. Medea, 1172 about Πανὸς ὀργάς.
To guard the child, during the first three years of his life, against disturbing fears, or at least to teach him to conquer them when they may spring up, is to lay the best foundation of a fearless character for the future.[225] By extreme indulgence he would be rendered wayward: by extreme harshness his spirit would be broken.[226] A middle course ought to be pursued, guarding him against pains as far as may be, yet at the same time keeping pleasures out of his reach, especially the stronger pleasures: thus shall we form in him a gentle and propitious disposition, such as that which we ascribe to the Gods.[227]
[225] Plato, Legg. vii. p. 791 C.
[226] Plato, Legg. vii. p. 791 D.
[227] Plato, Legg. vii. p. 792 C-D.
Choric and orchestic movements, their effect in discharging strong emotions.