...ddresses them in the same ironical language with Socrates. Then he draws parallels between the writings of the two. Diotima says to Socrates that love flourishes in abundance, but dies in want. Sappho conveys the same meaning when she calls love sweetly bitter and a painful gift. Socrates calls love a sophist, Sappho a ringlet of words. Socrates says that he is agitated with Bacchic fury throu...