450That Helenus sang this to Aeneas, bearer of the household gods, I recall with a mindful heart, and I rejoice that kindred walls are growing, and that the Pelasgians conquered to the Phrygians' advantage. 453But lest we stray far afield with horses that forget to make for the goal, the sky and whatever is under it changes its forms, and so does the earth and whatever is in it: we too, a part of the world, since we are not only bodies but also winged souls, and can pass into the dwellings of wild beasts and be lodged in the bodies of cattle, let us allow bodies that may have held the souls of our parents or brothers or of those joined to us by some bond, or at least of men, to be safe and respected, and let us not stuff our insides with Thyestean banquets!
463How badly he trains himself, how impiously he prepares himself for human blood, who cuts the calf's throat with the knife and offers unmoved ears to its lowing, or who can slaughter a kid that utters cries like a child's, or feed on a bird to which he himself has given food! 468How much is lacking in these acts from complete crime? 469To what is the way being prepared from there? 470Let the ox plough, or owe its death to the years of old age, let the sheep furnish arms against the shuddering north wind, let the well-fed she-goats give their udders to be pressed by hands! 473Away with nets and traps and nooses and deceitful arts; do not trick the bird with the limed twig, nor hem in deer with dreaded feathers, nor hide barbed hooks in deceptive food!
477Destroy whatever does harm, but even these only destroy: let your mouths abstain from such feasts and take gentle nourishment!'