A satire on the boasted wisdom, fortitude, magnanimity, and
temperance of man, in the form of a dialogue between Ulysses in the
island of Circe, and Gryllus, whom she had changed into a swine, and
who now prefers his swinish condition to a return to the human form;
Ulysses asks Circe for permission to restore his companions to the
human shape, 218. Circe will grant the request if the men themselves
desire it, 219. Gryllus, one of them, is brought forward to answer in
behalf of the entire company, 219. He refuses, and gives his reasons,
220, et seq. He says that by making him and his companions beasts,
Circe has done them a great favor, 220. Beasts have more fortitude
than men; they fight in fair, open combat, without trick or artifice;
they are no cowards, they never cry for mercy, 222. Beasts are
courageous and daring, even the females; while the courage of men is
artificial, and women are timid, 223, 224. Beasts are more temperate
and chaste than men; they indulge their appetites only in a natural
way, and at the proper season, 225, 226, 228. Beasts do not value
silver or gold, 227. They have no adventitious desires, 227. Their
senses are more accurate, 227. Men are incontinent: they indulge
unnatural and excessive appetites; are never satisfied, 229, 230.
Beasts are satisfied with one kind of food, and this procured without
difficulty; they have nature for their teacher, and could teach men
many useful lessons, 231, 232.