306 Dk DONALDSON, ON PLATO'S COSMICAL SYSTEM 



revolutions of the spheres are kept up. The shaft and hook of this spindle are of steel, but 

 the ring or wheel is compounded of this and other metals. The nature of the ring is as 

 follows. In shape it is like those which are used to balance and twirl the ordinary spindle; 

 but, according to the Pamphylian's description, we must conceive it, as though in a large, 

 hallow ring, scooped out in the middle, another similar ring were inserted, so as to fit it 

 exactly, like the boxes which are made to fit into one another. In the same way, a third and 

 fourth and then four others are inserted. For there are in all eight hoops inserted into one 

 another, showing their rims on the upper surface like so many circles, and making one 

 continuous surface of a broad ring around the shaft of the spindle, which is driven right 

 through the middle of the eighth hoop. The first and outermost hoop has the circle of its rim 

 broadest ; the sixth from the outside has the next broadest rim ; in the third place comes that 

 of the fourth ; in the fourth place that of the eighth ; in the fifth that of the seventh ; in the 

 sixth that of the fifth ; in the seventh that of the third ; and in the eighth place that of the 

 second (which is therefore the narrowest rim). Then again the rim of the greatest circle is 

 spangled with points of light ; that of the seventh is the most brilliant ; that of the eighth has 

 its colour from that of the seventh reflected on it ; that of the second and that of the fifth are 

 similar, but yellower than the former ; that of the third has the whitest colour ; the fourth is 

 rather red ; and the sixth exceeds the second in whiteness. Now the spindle as a whole 

 revolves in the same direction, but, while the whole is revolving, the seven included rings 

 perform the circuit slowly in a direction opposite to that of the whole ; and of these the eighth 

 travels quickest, then the seventh, sixth, and fifth, which rotate uniformly ; the third in point 

 of velocity, as it appeared to Er and his companions, was the fourth ring ; the fourth in speed 

 was the third, and the slowest was the second. The spindle itself spins round on the knees of 

 Necessity. And on each of the circles, on the upper side of the ring, there stands a Siren, 

 carried round with the rotation, and uttering each one note according to the scale, so that from 

 all the eight there results a single harmony. At equal distances all round the ring are seated 

 three other female forms, each on a throne ; these are the daughters of Necessity, the Desti- 

 nies — Lachesis, Clotho, and Atropos ; and they, arrayed in white vestments and wearing 

 crowns on their heads, chant to the harmony of the Sirens, Lachesis the past, Clotho the 

 present, and Atropos the future. And Clotho with her right hand from time to time takes 

 hold of the outer circle of the spindle and twirls it altogether, and Atropos with her left hand 

 turns the inner circle in like manner; whereas Lachesis now with her right hand, and now 

 with her left, twirls the outermost and the inner hoops alternately. The souls, as soon as 

 they arrived, were obliged to go forthwith to Lachesis. An interpreter first marshalled them 

 in order, and then, taking from the lap of Lachesis a number of lots and patterns of lives, 

 mounted a lofty pulpit, and spoke as follows : ' Thus saith the virgin Lachesis, the daughter 

 of Necessity. Souls, whose life endureth but for a day, behold the beginning of another 

 period of the mortal race, that will end in death ! Your fate shall not choose you by lot, but 

 you shall choose your fate. Let him, who draws the first lot, choose for himself a life, which 

 shall of necessity abide with him. Virtue hath no master: every one that honoureth her 

 shall have more of her ; and he who slights her shall have less of her. The blame rests with 

 the chooser. God is blameless !' " 



