“Suppose some god should say: Die when thou wilt,
Mortal, expect another life on earth;
And for that life make choice of all creation
What thou wilt be—dog, sheep, goat, man, or horse;
For live again thou must; it is thy fate;
Choose only in what form; there thou art free.
So help me, Crato, I would fairly answer
Let me be all things, anything but man.
He only of all creatures feels afflictions.
The generous horse is valued for his worth.