The Symposium
by
Xenophon
Part 1 out of 2
Etext prepared by John Bickers, jbickers@templar.actrix.gen.nz.
The Symposium
By Xenophon
Translation by H. G. Dakyns
Xenophon the Athenian was born 431 B.C. He was a
pupil of Socrates. He marched with the Spartans,
and was exiled from Athens. Sparta gave him land
and property in Scillus, where he lived for many
years before having to move once more, to settle
in Corinth. He died in 354 B.C.
The Symposium records the discussion of Socrates
and company at a dinner given by Callias for the
youth Autolycus. Dakyns believed that Plato knew
of this work, and that it influenced him to some
degree when he wrote his own "Symposium."
PREPARER'S NOTE
This was typed from Dakyns' series, "The Works of Xenophon," a
four-volume set. The complete list of Xenophon's works (though
there is doubt about some of these) is:
Work Number of books
The Anabasis 7
The Hellenica 7
The Cyropaedia 8
The Memorabilia 4
The Symposium 1
The Economist 1
On Horsemanship 1
The Sportsman 1
The Cavalry General 1
The Apology 1
On Revenues 1
The Hiero 1
The Agesilaus 1
The Polity of the Athenians and the Lacedaemonians 2
Text in brackets "{}" is my transliteration of Greek text into
English using an Oxford English Dictionary alphabet table. The
diacritical marks have been lost.
The Symposium
By Xenophon
Translation by H. G. Dakyns
THE SYMPOSIUM
or
The Banquet
I
For myself,[1] I hold to the opinion that not alone are the serious
transactions of "good and noble men"[2] most memorable, but that words
and deeds distinctive of their lighter moods may claim some record.[3]
In proof of which contention, I will here describe a set of incidents
within the scope of my experience.[4]
[1] See Aristid. ii. foll.
[2] Or, "nature's noblemen."
[3] Cf. Plut. "Ages." 29 (Clough, iv. 35): "And indeed if, as Xenophon
says, in conversation good men, even in their sports and at their
wine, let fall many sayings that are worth preserving." See Grote,
"Plato," ii. 228 foll. as to the sportive character of the work.
[4] Or, "let me describe a scene which I was witnes of." See Hug.
"Plat. Symp." p. xv. foll.
The occasion was a horse-race[5] at the great Panathenaic festival.[6]
Callias,[7] the son of Hipponicus, being a friend and lover of the boy
Autolycus,[8] had brought the lad, himself the winner of the
pankration,[9] to see the spectacle.
[5] See "Hipparch," ii. 1.
[6] "Held towards the end of July (Hecatombaeon) every year, and with
greater pomp every four years (the third of each Olympiad)."--Gow,
84, 129, n.
[7] Callias. Cobet, "Pros. X." p. 67 foll.; Boeckh, "P. E. A." p. 481.
[8] See Cobet, op. cit. p. 54; Plut. "Lysand." 15 (Clough, iii. 120);
Grote, "H. G." ix. 261.
[9] 420 B.C., al. 421. The date is fixed by the "Autolycus" of
Eupolis. See Athen. v. 216. For the pankration, which comprised
wrestling and boxing, see Aristot. "Rhet." i. S. 14.
As soon as the horse race was over,[10] Callias proceeded to escort
Autolycus and his father, Lycon, to his house in the Piraeus, being
attended also by Niceratus.[11] But catching sight of Socrates along
with certain others (Critobulus,[12] Hermogenes, Antisthenes, and
Charmides), he bade an attendant conduct the party with Autolycus,
whilst he himself approached the group, exclaiming:
[10] See A. Martin, op. cit. p. 265.
[11] Niceratus. See Cobet, op. cit. 71; Boeckh, "P. E. A." 480; Plat.
"Lach." 200 C; "Hell." II. iii. 39; Lys. xviii.; Diod. xiv. 5.
[12] Critobulus, Hermogenes, Antisthenes, Charmides. See "Mem."
A happy chance brings me across your path, just when I am about to
entertain Autolycus and his father at a feast. The splendour of the
entertainment shall be much enhanced, I need not tell you, if my
hall[13] should happily be graced by worthies like yourselves, who
have attained to purity of soul,[14] rather than by generals and
cavalry commanders[15] and a crowd of place-hunters.[16]
[13] Or, "dining-room." See Becker, "Charicles," 265.
[14] See Grote, "H. G." viii. 619 foll. Cf. Plat. "Rep." 527 D;
"Soph." 230 E.
[15] Lit. Strategoi, Hipparchs.
[16] Or, "petitioners for offices of state." Reading {spoudarkhiais}.
Whereat Socrates: When will you have done with your gibes, Callias?
Why, because you have yourself spent sums of money on Protagoras,[17]
and Gorgias, and Prodicus, and a host of others, to learn wisdom, must
you pour contempt on us poor fellows, who are but self-taught
tinkers[18] in philosophy compared with you?
[17] As to Protagoras of Abdera, Gorgias of Leontini, Prodicus of
Ceos, see Plat. "Prot." 314 C, "Rep." x. 600 C, "Apol." 19 E;
"Anab." II. vi. 17; "Mem." II. i. 21; "Encyc. Brit." "Sophists,"
H. Jackson.
[18] Or, "hand-to-mouth cultivators of philosophy," "roturiers." Cf.
Plat. "Rep." 565 A: "A third class who work for themselves"; Thuc.
i. 141: "The Peloponnesians cultivate their own soil, and they
have no wealth either public or private." Cf. "Econ." v. 4.
Hitherto, no doubt (retorted Callias), although I had plenty of wise
things to say, I have kept my wisdom to myself; but if only you will
honour me with your company to-day, I promise to present myself in
quite another light; you will see I am a person of no mean
consideration after all.[19]
[19] Or, "I will prove to you that I am worthy of infinite respect."
Socrates and the others, while thanking Callias politely for the
invitation, were not disposed at first to join the dinner party; but
the annoyance of the other so to be put off was so obvious that in the
end the party were persuaded to accompany their host.
After an interval devoted to gymnastic exercise (and subsequent
anointing of the limbs) by some, whilst others of them took a bath,
the guests were severally presented to the master of the house.
Autolycus was seated next his father, as was natural,[20] while the
rest reclined on couches. Noting the scene presented, the first idea
to strike the mind of any one must certainly have been that beauty has
by nature something regal in it; and the more so, if it chance to be
combined (as now in the person of Autolycus) with modesty and self-
respect. Even as when a splendid object blazes forth at night, the
eyes of men are riveted,[21] so now the beauty of Autolycus drew on
him the gaze of all; nor was there one of those onlookers but was
stirred to his soul's depth by him who sat there.[22] Some fell into
unwonted silence, while the gestures of the rest were equally
significant.
[20] Al. "Autolycus found a seat beside his father, while the rest
reclined on couches in the usual fashion." See Schneider's note.
[21] Passage imitated by Max. Tyr. "Or." xxiv. 4.
[22] Cf. Plat. "Charm." 154.
It seems the look betokening divine possession, no matter who the god,
must ever be remarkable. Only, whilst the subject of each commoner
emotion passion-whirled may be distinguished by flashings of the eye,
by terror-striking tones of voice, and by the vehement fervour of the
man's whole being, so he who is inspired by temperate and harmonious
love[23] will wear a look of kindlier welcome in his eyes; the words
he utters fall from his lips with softer intonation; and every gesture
of his bodily frame conform to what is truly frank and liberal. Such,
at any rate, the strange effects now wrought on Callias by love. He
was like one transformed, the cynosure of all initiated in the
mysteries of this divinity.[24]
[23] Cf. Plat. "Rep." iii. 403 A: "Whereas true love is a love of
beauty and order, temperate and harmonious."
[24] Cf. "Econ." xxi. 12.
So they supped in silence, the whole company, as if an injunction had
been laid upon them by some superior power. But presently there came a
knocking on the door! Philippus the jester bade the doorkeeper[25]
announce him, with apologies for seeking a night's lodging:[26] he had
come, he said, provided with all necessaries for dining, at a friend's
expense: his attendant was much galled with carrying, nothing but an
empty bread-basket.[27] To this announcement Callias, appealing to his
guests, replied: "It would never do to begrudge the shelter of one's
roof:[28] let him come in." And as he spoke, he glanced across to
where Autolycus was seated, as if to say: "I wonder how you take the
jest."
[25] Lit. "him who answers the knock," "the concierge" or hall-porter.
Cf. Theophr. "Char." xiv. 7; Aristot. "Oec." i. 6.
[26] Lit. "and why he wished to put up."
[27] Lit. "and being breakfastless"; cf. Theocr. i. 51. The jester's
humour resembles Pistol's ("Merry Wives," i. 3. 23) "O base
Hungarian wight!"
[28] Or, "How say you, my friends, it would hardly do, methinks, to
shut the door upon him." See Becker, "Charicles," p. 92.
Meanwhile the jester, standing at the door of the apartment where the
feast was spread, addressed the company:
I believe you know, sirs, that being a jester by profession, it is my
business to make jokes. I am all the readier, therefore, to present
myself, feeling convinced it is a better joke to come to dinner thus
unbidden than by solemn invitation.
Be seated,[29] then (replied the host). The company are fully fed on
serious thoughts, you see, if somewhat starved of food for laughter.
[29] Lit. "Pray, find a couch then."
The feast proceeded; and, if only to discharge the duty laid upon him
at a dinner-party, Philippus must try at once to perpetrate a jest.
Failing to stir a smile, poor fellow, he made no secret of his
perturbation. Presently he tried again; and for the second time the
joke fell flat. Whereat he paused abruptly in the middle of the
course, and muffling up his face, fell prostrate on the couch.
Then Callias: What ails you, sirrah? Have you the cramp? the
toothache? what?
To which the other heaving a deep groan: Yes, Callias, an atrocious
ache; since laughter has died out among mankind, my whole estate is
bankrupt.[30] In old days I would be asked to dinner to amuse the
company with jests.[31] Now all is changed, and who will be at pains
to ask me out to dinner any more? I might as well pretend to be
immortal as to be serious. Nor will any one invite me in hopes of
reclining at my board in his turn. Everyone knows so serious a thing
as dinner in my house was never heard of; it's against the rules--the
more's the pity.
[30] Cf. "Cyrop." VI. i. 3; Plat. "Laws," 677 C.
[31] Lit. "by the laughter which I stirred in them."
And as he spoke he blew his nose and snuffled, uttering the while so
truly dolorous a moan[32] that everybody fell to soothing him. "They
would all laugh again another day," they said, and so implored him to
have done and eat his dinner; till Critobulus could not stand his
lamentation longer, but broke into a peal of laughter. The welcome
sound sufficed. The sufferer unveiled his face, and thus addressed his
inner self:[33] "Be of good cheer, my soul, there are many battles[34]
yet in store for us," and so he fell to discussing the viands once
again.
[32] Philippus would seem to have anticipated Mr. Woodward; see
Prologue to "She Stoops to Conquer":
Pray, would you know the reason I'm crying?
The Comic Muse long sick is now a-dying!
And if she goes . . .
[33] Cf. "Cyrop." I. iv. 13; Eur. "Med." 1056, 1242; Aristoph. "Ach."
357, 480.
[34] Or add, "ere we have expended our last shot." Philippus puns on
the double sense of {sumbolai}. Cf. Aristoph. "Ach." 1210, where
Lamachus groans {talas ego xumboles bareias}, and Dicaeopolis
replies {tois Khousi gar tis xumbolas epratteto}.
Lam. 'Twas at the final charge; I'd paid before
A number of the rogues; at least a score.
Dic. It was a most expensive charge you bore:
Poor Lamachus! he was forced to pay the score.
H. Frere.
II
Now the tables were removed, and in due order they had poured out the
libation, and had sung the hymn.[1] To promote the revelry, there
entered now a Syracusan, with a trio of assistants: the first, a
flute-girl, perfect in her art; and next, a dancing-girl, skilled to
perform all kinds of wonders; lastly, in the bloom of beauty, a boy,
who played the harp and danced with infinite grace. This Syracusan
went about exhibiting his troupe, whose wonderful performance was a
source of income to him.
[1] See Plat. "Symp." 176 A; Athen. ix. 408.
After the girl had played to them upon the flute, and then the boy in
turn upon the harp, and both performers, as it would appear, had set
the hearts of every one rejoicing, Socrates turned to Callias:
A feast, upon my word, O princeliest entertainer![2] Was it not enough
to set before your guests a faultless dinner, but you must feast our
eyes and ears on sights and sounds the most delicious?
[2] Lit. "in consummate style."
To which the host: And that reminds me, a supply of unguents might not
be amiss;[3] what say you? Shall we feast on perfumes also?[4]
[3] Lit. "suppose I tell the servant to bring in some perfumes, so
that we may further feast on fragrance . . ." Cf. Theophr. "Char."
vii. 6 (Jebb ad loc.)
[4] See Athen. xv. 686.
No, I protest (the other answered). Scents resemble clothes. One dress
is beautiful on man and one on woman; and so with fragrance: what
becomes the woman, ill becomes the man. Did ever man anoint himself
with oil of myrrh to please his fellow? Women, and especially young
women (like our two friends' brides, Niceratus' and Critobulus'), need
no perfume, being but compounds themselves of fragrance.[5] No,
sweeter than any perfume else to women is good olive-oil, suggestive
of the training-school:[6] sweet if present, and when absent longed
for. And why? Distinctions vanish with the use of perfumes. The
freeman and the slave have forthwith both alike one odour. But the
scents derived from toils--those toils which every free man loves[7]--
need customary habit first, and time's distillery, if they are to be
sweet with freedom's breath, at last.[8]
[5] Cf. Solomon's Song, iv. 10: "How fair is thy love, my sister, my
spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of
thine ointments than all spices!"
[6] Lit. "the gymnasium."
[7] Cf. Aristoph. "Clouds," 1002 foll. See J. A. Symonds, "The Greek
Poets," 1st s., p. 281.
[8] See "Mem." III. x. 5; "Cyrop." VIII. i. 43.
Here Lycon interposed: That may be well enough for youths, but what
shall we do whose gymnastic days are over? What fragrance is left for
us?
Soc. Why, that of true nobility, of course.
Lyc. And whence shall a man obtain this chrism?
Soc. Not from those that sell perfumes and unguents, in good sooth.
Lyc. But whence, then?
Soc. Theognis has told us:
From the good thou shalt learn good things, but if with the evil
Thou holdest converse, thou shalt lose the wit that is in thee.[9]
[9] Theog. 35 foll. See "Mem." I. ii. 20; Plat. "Men." 95 D.
Lyc. (turning to his son). Do you hear that, my son?
That he does (Socrates answered for the boy), and he puts the precept
into practice also; to judge, at any rate, from his behaviour. When he
had set his heart on carrying off the palm of victory in the
pankration, he took you into his counsel;[10] and will again take
counsel to discover the fittest friend to aid him in his high
endeavour,[11] and with this friend associate.
[10] It looks as if something had been lost intimating that Autolycus
would have need of some one to instruct him in spiritual things.
For attempts to fill up the lacuna see Schenkl.
[11] Or, "these high pursuits."
Thereupon several of the company exclaimed at once. "Where will he
find a teacher to instruct him in that wisdom?" one inquired. "Why, it
is not to be taught!" exclaimed another; to which a third rejoined:
"Why should it not be learnt as well as other things?"[12]
[12] Cf. for the question {ei arete didakton}, "Mem." I. ii. 19; IV.
i; "Cyrop." III. i. 17; III. iii. 53.
Then Socrates: The question would seem at any rate to be debatable.
Suppose we defer it till another time, and for the present not
interrupt the programme of proceedings. I see, the dancing-girl is
standing ready; they are handing her some hoops.
And at the instant her fellow with the flute commenced a tune to keep
her company, whilst some one posted at her side kept handing her the
hoops till she had twelve in all. With these in her hands she fell to
dancing, and the while she danced she flung the hoops into the air--
overhead she sent them twirling--judging the height they must be
thrown to catch them, as they fell, in perfect time.[13]
[13] "In time with the music and the measure of the dance."
Then Socrates: The girl's performance is one proof among a host of
others, sirs, that woman's nature is nowise inferior to man's. All she
wants is strength and judgment;[14] and that should be an
encouragement to those of you who have wives, to teach them whatever
you would have them know as your associates.[15]
[14] Reading, as vulg. {gnomes de kai iskhuos deitai}; al. continuing
{ouden} from the first half of the sentence, transl. "she has no
lack of either judgment or physical strength." Lange conj. {romes}
for {gnomes}, "all she needs is force and strength of body." See
Newman, op. cit. i. 419.
[15] Lit. "so that, if any of you has a wife, he may well take heart
and teach her whatever he would wish her to know in dealing with
her." Cf. "N. A." i. 17.
Antisthenes rejoined: If that is your conclusion, Socrates, why do you
not tutor your own wife, Xanthippe,[16] instead of letting her[17]
remain, of all the wives that are, indeed that ever will be, I
imagine, the most shrewish?
[16] See Cobet, "Pros. Xen." p. 56; "Mem." II. ii. 1; Aul. Gell. "N.
A." i. 17.
[17] Lit. "dealing with her," "finding in her"; {khro} corresponding
to {khresthai} in Socrates' remarks.
Well now, I will tell you (he answered). I follow the example of the
rider who wishes to become an expert horseman: "None of your soft-
mouthed, docile animals for me," he says; "the horse for me to own
must show some spirit":[18] in the belief, no doubt, if he can manage
such an animal, it will be easy enough to deal with every other horse
besides. And that is just my case. I wish to deal with human beings,
to associate with man in general; hence my choice of wife.[19] I know
full well, if I can tolerate her spirit, I can with ease attach myself
to every human being else.
[18] Lit. "Because I see the man who aims at skill in horsemanship
does not care to own a soft-mouthed, docile animal, but some
restive, fiery creature."
[19] Lit. "being anxious to have intercourse with all mankind, to deal
with every sort of human being, I possess my wife."
A well-aimed argument, not wide of the mark by any means![20] the
company were thinking.
[20] Cf. Plat. "Theaet." 179 C.
Hereupon a large hoop studded with a bristling row of upright
swords[21] was introduced; and into the centre of this ring of knives
and out of it again the girl threw somersaults backwards, forwards,
several times, till the spectators were in terror of some accident;
but with the utmost coolness and without mishap the girl completed her
performance.
[21] See Becker, "Char." p. 101. Cf. Plat. "Symp." 190; "Euthyd." 294.
Here Socrates, appealing to Antisthenes: None of the present company,
I take it, who have watched this spectacle will ever again deny that
courage can be taught,[22] when the girl there, woman should she be,
rushes so boldly into the midst of swords.
[22] Cf. "Mem." III. ix. 1.
He, thus challenged, answered: No; and what our friend, the Syracusan
here, should do is to exhibit his dancing-girl to the state.[23] Let
him tell the authorities he is prepared, for a consideration, to give
the whole Athenian people courage to face the hostile lances at close
quarters.
[23] Or, "to the city," i.e. of Athens.
Whereat the jester: An excellent idea, upon my word; and when it
happens, may I be there to see that mighty orator[24] Peisander
learning to throw somersaults[25] into swords; since incapacity to
look a row of lances in the face at present makes him shy of military
service.[26]
[24] Or, "tribune of the people." Cf. Plat. "Gorg." 520 B; "Laws," 908
D.
[25] Or, "learning to go head over heels into swords."
[26] For Peisander see Cobet, "Pros. Xen." p. 46 foll. A thoroughgoing
oligarch (Thuc. viii. 90), he was the occasion of much mirth to
the comic writers (so Grote, "H. G." viii. 12). See re his "want
of spirit" Aristoph. "Birds," 1556:
{entha kai Peisandros elthe
deomenos psukhen idein, e
zont ekeinon proulipe, k.t.l.}
where the poet has a fling at Socrates also:
Socrates beside the brink,
Summons from the murky sink
Many a disembodied ghost;
And Peisander reached the coast
To raise the spirit that he lost;
With conviction strange and new,
A gawky camel which he slew,
Like Ulysses.--Whereupon, etc.
H. Frere
Cf. "Peace," 395; "Lysistr." 490.
At this stage of the proceedings the boy danced.
The dance being over, Socrates exclaimed: Pray, did you notice how the
beauty of the child, so lovely in repose, became enhanced with every
movement of his supple body?
To which Charmides replied: How like a flatterer you are! one would
think you had set yourself to puff the dancing-master.[27]
[27] See "The Critic," I. ii.
To be sure (he answered solemnly); and there's another point I could
not help observing: how while he danced no portion of his body
remained idle; neck and legs and hands together, one and all were
exercised.[28] That is how a man should dance, who wants to keep his
body light and healthy.[29] (Then turning to the Syracusan, he added):
I cannot say how much obliged I should be to you, O man of Syracuse,
for lessons in deportment. Pray teach me my steps.[30]
[28] Cf. "Pol. Lac." v. 9.
[29] Cf. Aristot. "H. A." vi. 21. 4.
[30] "Gestures," "postures," "figures." See Eur. "Cycl." 221;
Aristoph. "Peace," 323; Isocr. "Antid." 183.
And what use will you make of them? (the other asked).
God bless me! I shall dance, of course (he answered).
The remark was greeted with a peal of merriment.
Then Socrates, with a most serious expression of countenance:[31] You
are pleased to laugh at me. Pray, do you find it so ridiculous my
wishing to improve my health by exercise? or to enjoy my victuals
better? to sleep better? or is it the sort of exercise I set my heart
on? Not like those runners of the long race,[32] to have my legs grow
muscular and my shoulders leaner in proportion; nor like a boxer,
thickening chest and shoulders at expense of legs; but by distribution
of the toil throughout my limbs[33] I seek to give an even balance to
my body. Or are you laughing to think that I shall not in future have
to seek a partner in the training school,[34] whereby it will not be
necessary for an old man like myself to strip in public?[35] All I
shall need will be a seven-sofa'd chamber,[36] where I can warm to
work,[37] just like the lad here who has found this room quite ample
for the purpose. And in winter I shall do gymnastics[38] under cover,
or when the weather is broiling under shade. . . . But what is it you
keep on laughing at--the wish on my part to reduce to moderate size a
paunch a trifle too rotund? Is that the source of merriment?[39]
Perhaps you are not aware, my friends, that Charmides--yes! he there--
caught me only the other morning in the act of dancing?
[31] "Bearing a weighty and serious brow."
[32] "Like your runner of the mile race." Cf. Plat. "Prot." 335 E.
[33] Or, "resolute exercise of the whole body." See Aristot. "Pol."
viii. 4. 9; "Rhet." i. 5. 14.
[34] Or, "be dependent on a fellow-gymnast." "Pol. Lac." ix. 5; Plat.
"Soph." 218 B; "Laws," 830 B; "Symp." 217 B, C.
[35] Or, "to strip in puiblic when my hair turns gray." Socrates was
(421 B.C.) about 50, but is pictured, I think, as an oldish man.
[36] See Aristot. "H. A." ix. 45. 1; "Econ." viii. 13.
[37] Passage referred to by Diog. Laert. ii. 5. 15; Lucian, "de Salt."
25; Plut. "Praec. San." 496.
[38] "Take my exercise."
[39] Zeune cf. Max. Tyr. "Diss." vii. 9; xxxix. 5.
Yes, that I will swear to (the other answered), and at first I stood
aghast, I feared me you had parted with your senses; but when I heard
your explanation, pretty much what you have just now told us, I went
home and--I will not say, began to dance myself (it is an
accomplishment I have not been taught as yet), but I fell to
sparring,[40] an art of which I have a very pretty knowledge.
[40] "Sparring," etc., an art which Quintil. "Inst. Or." i. 11, 17,
attributes to Socrates. Cf. Herod. vi. 129 concerning
Hippocleides; and Rich, "Dict. of Antiq." s.v. "Chironomia."
That's true, upon my life! (exclaimed the jester). One needs but look
at you to see there's not a dram of difference between legs and
shoulders.[41] I'll be bound, if both were weighed in the scales
apart, like "tops and bottoms," the clerks of the market[42] would let
you off scot-free.
[41] Lit. "your legs are equal in weight with your shoulders." Cf.
"Od." xviii. 373, {elikes . . . isophoroi boes}, "of equal age and
force to bear the yoke."--Butcher and Lang.
[42] See Boeckh, "Public Economy of Athens," p. 48; Aristoph.
"Acharn." 723; Lys. 165, 34.
Then Callias: O Socrates, do please invite me when you begin your
dancing lessons. I will be your vis-a-vis,[43] and take lessons with
you.
[43] Cf. "Anab." V. iv. 12.
Come on (the jester shouted), give us a tune upon the pipe, and let me
show you how to dance.
So saying up he got, and mimicked the dances of the boy and girl in
burlesque fashion, and inasmuch as the spectators had been pleased to
think the natural beauty of the boy enhanced by every gesture of his
body in the dance, so the jester must give a counter-
representation,[44] in which each twist and movement of his body was a
comical exaggeration of nature.
[44] Reading {antepedeizen}. Cf. Plat. "Theaet." 162 B; "Ages." i. 12;
if vulg. {antapedeizen}, transl. "would prove per contra each
bend," etc. Cf. Aristot. "Rhet." ii. 26. 3.
And since the girl had bent herself backwards and backwards, till she
was nearly doubled into the form of a hoop, so he must try to imitate
a hoop by stooping forwards and ducking down his head.
And as finally, the boy had won a round of plaudits for the manner in
which he kept each muscle of the body in full exercise whilst dancing,
so now the jester, bidding the flute-girl quicken the time (presto!
presto! prestissimo!), fell to capering madly, tossing legs and arms
and head together, until he was fairly tired out, and threw himself
dead beat upon the sofa, gasping:
There, that's a proof that my jigs too are splendid exercise; at any
rate, I am dying of thirst; let the attendant kindly fill me the
mighty goblet.[45]
[45] Cf. Plat. "Symp." 223 C.
Quite right (said Callias), and we will pledge you. Our throats are
parched with laughing at you.
At this point Socrates: Nay, gentlemen, if drinking is the order of
the day, I heartily approve. Wine it is in very truth that moistens
the soul of man,[46] that lulls at once all cares to sleep, even as
mandragora[47] drugs our human senses, and at the same time kindles
light-hearted thoughts,[48] as oil a flame. Yet it fares with the
banquets of men,[49] if I mistake not, precisely as with plants that
spring and shoot on earth. When God gives these vegetable growths too
full a draught of rain, they cannot lift their heads nor feel the
light air breathe through them; but if they drink in only the glad
supply they need, they stand erect, they shoot apace, and reach
maturity of fruitage. So we, too, if we drench our throats with over-
copious draughts,[50] ere long may find our legs begin to reel and
our thoughts begin to falter;[51] we shall scarce be able to draw
breath, much less to speak a word in season. But if (to borrow
language from the mint of Gorgias[52]), if only the attendants will
bedew us with a frequent mizzle[53] of small glasses, we shall not be
violently driven on by wine to drunkenness, but with sweet seduction
reach the goal of sportive levity.
[46] Cf. Plat. "Laws," 649; Aristoph. "Knights," 96:
Come, quick now, bring me a lusty stoup of wine,
To moisten my understanding and inspire me (H. Frere).
[47] Cf. Plat. "Rep." vi. 488 C; Dem. "Phil." iv. 133. 1; Lucian v.,
"Tim." 2; lxxiii., "Dem. Enc." 36. See "Othello," iii. 3. 330:
Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world;
"Antony and Cl." i. 5, 4.
[48] Cf. 1 Esdras iii. 20: "It turneth also every thought into jollity
and mirth," {eis euokhian kai euphrosunen}. The whole passage is
quoted by Athen. 504. Stob. "Fl." lvi. 17.
[49] Reading {sumposia}, cf. Theog. 298, 496; or if after Athen.
{somata} transl. "persons."
[50] Or, "if we swallow at a gulp the liquor." Cf. Plat. "Sym." 176 D.
[51] See "Cyrop." I. iii. 10, VIII. viii. 10; Aristoph. "Wasps," 1324;
"Pol. Lac." v. 7.
[52] For phrases filed by Gorgias, see Aristot. "Rhet." iii. 3;
"faults of taste in the use of metaphors," Longin. "de Subl." 3.
See also Plat. "Symp." 198 C.
[53] Cf. Aristoph. "Peace," 1141; Theophr. "Lap." 13; Lucian, xvii.,
"De merc. cond." 27; Cic. "Cat. m." 14, transl. "pocula . . .
minuta atque rorantia."
The proposition was unanimously carried, with a rider appended by
Philippus: The cup-bearers should imitate good charioteers, and push
the cups round, quickening the pace each circuit.[54]
[54] Or, "at something faster than a hand-gallop each round." See the
drinking song in "Antony and Cl." i. 7. 120.
III
During this interval, whilst the cup-bearers carried out their duties,
the boy played on the lyre tuned to accompany the flute, and sang.[1]
[1] Cf. Plat. "Laws," 812 C; Aristot. "Poet." i. 4.
The performance won the plaudits of the company, and drew from
Charmides a speech as follows: Sirs, what Socrates was claiming in
behalf of wine applies in my opinion no less aptly to the present
composition. So rare a blending of boyish and of girlish beauty, and
of voice with instrument, is potent to lull sorrow to sleep, and to
kindle Aphrodite's flame.
Then Socrates, reverting in a manner to the charge: The young people
have fully proved their power to give us pleasure. Yet, charming as
they are, we still regard ourselves, no doubt, as much their betters.
What a shame to think that we should here be met together, and yet
make no effort ourselves to heighten the festivity![2]
[2] See Plat. "Prot." 347 D; "A company like this of ours, and men
such as we profess to be, do not require the help of another's
voice," etc.--Jowett. Cf. id. "Symp." 176: "To-day let us have
conversation instead; and if you will allow me, I will tell you
what sort of conversation."
Several of the company exclaimed at once: Be our director then
yourself. Explain what style of talk we should engage in to achieve
that object.[3]
[3] {exegou}. "Prescribe the form of words we must lay hold of to
achieve the object, and we will set to work, arch-casuist."
Nothing (he replied) would please me better than to demand of Callias
a prompt performance of his promise. He told us, you recollect, if we
would dine with him, he would give us an exhibition of his wisdom.
To which challenge Callias: That I will readily, but you on your side,
one and all, must propound some virtue of which you claim to have the
knowledge.
Socrates replied: At any rate, not one of us will have the least
objection to declaring what particular thing he claims to know as best
worth having.
Agreed (proceeded Callias); and for my part I proclaim at once what I
am proudest of. My firm belief is, I have got the gift to make my
fellow-mortals better.
Make men better! (cried Antisthenes); and pray how? by teaching them
some base mechanic art? or teaching them nobility of soul?[4]
[4] Or, "beauty and nobility of soul" ({kalokagathia}). See "Mem." I.
vi. 14.
The latter (he replied), if justice[5] be synonymous with that high
type of virtue.
[5] i.e. "social uprightness."
Of course it is (rejoined Antisthenes) the most indisputable specimen.
Since, look you, courage and wisdom may at times be found calamitous
to friends or country,[6] but justice has no single point in common
with injustice, right and wrong cannot commingle.[7]
[6] See "Mem." IV. ii. 33.
[7] i.e. "the one excludes the other."
Well then (proceeded Callias), as soon[8] as every one has stated his
peculiar merit,[9] I will make no bones of letting you into my secret.
You shall learn the art by which I consummate my noble end.[10] So
now, Niceratus, suppose you tell us on what knowledge you most pride
yourself.
[8] Reading {emon}. Al. {umon}, "when you others."
[9] Lit. "what he has for which to claim utility."
[10] Or, "give the work completeness." Cf. Plat. "Charm." 173 A;
"Gorg." 454 A.
He asnwered: My father,[11] in his pains to make me a good man,
compelled me to learn the whole of Homer's poems, and it so happens
that even now I can repeat the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey" by heart.[12]
[11] Nicias.
[12] Of, "off-hand." See "Mem." III. vi. 9; Plat. "Theaet." 142 D.
You have not forgotten (interposed Antisthenes), perhaps, that besides
yourself there is not a rhapsodist who does not know these epics?
Forgotten! is it likely (he replied), considering I had to listen to
them almost daily?
Ant. And did you ever come across a sillier tribe of people than these
same rhapsodists?[13]
[13] Cf. "Mem." IV. ii. 10.
Nic. Not I, indeed. Don't ask me to defend their wits.
It is plain (suggested Socrates), they do not know the underlying
meaning.[14] But you, Niceratus, have paid large sums of money to
Anaximander, and Stesimbrotus, and many others,[15] so that no single
point in all that costly lore is lost upon you.[16] But what (he
added, turning to Critobulus) do you most pride yourself upon?
[14] i.e. "they haven't the key (of knowledge) to the allegorical or
spiritual meaning of the sacred text." Cf. Plat. "Crat." 407;
"Ion," 534; "Rep." 378, 387; "Theaet." 180; "Prot." 316. See
Grote, "H. G." i. 564.
[15] See Aristot. "Rhet." iii. 11, 13. "Or we may describe Niceratus
[not improbably our friend] as a 'Philoctetes stung by Pratys,'
using the simile of Thrasymachus when he saw Niceratus after his
defeat by Pratys in the rhapsody with his hair still dishevelled
and his face unwashed."--Welldon. As to Stesimbrotus, see Plat.
"Ion," 530: "Ion. Very true, Socrates; interpretation has
certainly been the most laborious part of my art; and I believe
myself able to speak about Homer better than any man; and that
neither Metrodorus of Lampsacus, nor Stesimbrotus of Thasos, nor
Glaucon, nor any one else who ever was, had as good ideas about
Homer, or as many of them, as I have."--Jowett. Anaximander,
probably of Lampsacus, the author of a {'Erologia}; see Cobet,
"Pros. Xen." p. 8.
[16] Or, "you will not have forgotten one point of all that precious
teaching." Like Sir John Falstaff's page (2 "Henry IV." ii. 2.
100), Niceratus, no doubt, has got many "a crown's worth of good
interpretations."
On beauty (answered Critobulus).
What (Socrates rejoined), shall you be able to maintain that by your
beauty you can make us better?
Crit. That will I, or prove myself a shabby sort of person.
Soc. Well, and what is it you pride yourself upon, Antisthenes?
On wealth (he answered).
Whereupon Hermogenes inquired: Had he then a large amount of
money?[17]
[17] i.e. "out at interest," or, "in the funds," as we should say.
Not one sixpence:[18] that I swear to you (he answered).
[18] Lit. "not an obol" = "a threepenny bit," circa.
Herm. Then you possess large property in land?
Ant. Enough, I daresay, for the youngster there, Autolycus, to dust
himself withal.[19]
[19] i.e. "to sprinkle himself with sand, after anointing." Cf.
Lucian, xxxviii., "Amor." 45.
Well, we will lend you our ears, when your turn comes (exclaimed the
others).
Soc. And do you now tell us, Charmides, on what you pride yourself.
Oh, I, for my part, pride myself on poverty (he answered).
Upon my word, a charming business! (exclaimed Socrates). Poverty! of
all things the least liable to envy; seldom, if ever, an object of
contention;[20] never guarded, yet always safe; the more you starve
it, the stronger it grows.
[20] Cf. Plat. "Rep." 521 A; "Laws," 678 C.
And you, Socrates, yourself (their host demanded), what is it you
pride yourself upon?
Then he, with knitted brows, quite solemnly: On pandering.[21] And
when they laughed to hear him say this,[22] he continued: Laugh to
your hearts content, my friends; but I am certain I could make a
fortune, if I chose to practise this same art.
[21] Or, more politely, "on playing the go-between." See Grote, "H.
G." viii. 457, on the "extremely Aristophanic" character of the
"Symposium" of Xenophon.
[22] "Him, the master, thus declare himself."
At this point Lycon, turning to Philippus: We need not ask you what
you take the chiefest pride in. What can it be, you laughter-making
man, except to set folk laughing?
Yes (he answered), and with better right, I fancy, than
Callippides,[23] the actor, who struts and gives himself such pompous
airs, to think that he alone can set the crowds a-weeping in the
theatre.[24]
[23] For illustrative tales about him see Plut. "Ages." xxi.; "Alcib."
xxxii.; Polyaen. vi. 10. Cf. "Hell." IV. viii. 16.
[24] Or, "set for their sins a-weeping."
And now you, Lycon, tell us, won't you (asked Antisthenes), what it is
you take the greatest pride in?
You all of you, I fancy, know already what that is (the father
answered); it is in my son here.
And the lad himself (some one suggested) doubtless prides himself,
beyond all else, on having won the prize of victory.
At that Autolycus (and as he spoke he blushed) answered for
himself:[25] No indeed, not I.
[25] Cf. Plat. "Charm." 158 C.
The company were charmed to hear him speak, and turned and looked; and
some one asked: On what is it then, Autolycus?
To which he answered: On my father (and leaned closer towards him).
At which sight Callias, turning to the father: Do you know you are the
richest man in the whole world, Lycon?
To which Lycon: Really, I was not aware of that before.
Then Callias: Why then, it has escaped you that you would refuse the
whole of Persia's wealth,[26] in exchange for your own son.
[26] Lit. "of the Great King." Cf. "Cyrop." VIII. iii. 26.
Most true (he answered), I plead guilty; here and now I am
convicted[27] of being the wealthiest man in all the world!
[27] "Caught flagrante delicto. I do admit I do out-Croesus Croesus."
And you, Hermogenes, on what do you plume yourself most highly? (asked
Niceratus).
On the virtue and the power of my friends (he answered), and that
being what they are, they care for me.
At this remark they turned their eyes upon the speaker, and several
spoke together, asking: Will you make them known to us?
I shall be very happy (he replied).
IV
At this point, Socrates took up the conversation: It now devolves on
us to prove in turn that what we each have undertaken to defend is
really valuable.
Then Callias: Be pleased to listen to me first: My case is this, that
while the rest of you go on debating what justice and uprightness
are,[1] I spend my time in making men more just and upright.
[1] {to to dikaion}; cf. "Mem." IV. iv.
Soc. And how do you do that, good sir?
Call. By giving money, to be sure.
Antisthenes sprang to his feet at once, and with the manner of a
cross-examiner demanded: Do human beings seem to you to harbour
justice in their souls, or in their purses,[2] Callias?
[2] Or, "pockets."
Call. In their souls.
Ant. And do you pretend to make their souls more righteous by putting
money in their pockets?
Call. Undoubtedly.
Ant. Pray how?
Call. In this way. When they know that they are furnished with the
means, that is to say, my money, to buy necessaries, they would rather
not incur the risk of evil-doing, and why should they?
Ant. And pray, do they repay you these same moneys?
Call. I cannot say they do.
Ant. Well then, do they requite your gifts of gold with gratitude?
Call. No, not so much as a bare "Thank you." In fact, some of them are
even worse disposed towards me when they have got my money than
before.
Now, here's a marvel! (exclaimed Antisthenes, and as he spoke he eyed
the witness with an air of triumph). You can render people just to all
the world, but towards yourself you cannot?
Pray, where's the wonder? (asked the other). Do you not see what
scores of carpenters and house-builders there are who spend their time
in building houses for half the world; but for themselves they simply
cannot do it, and are forced to live in lodgings. And so admit that
home-thrust, Master Sophist;[3] and confess yourself confuted.
[3] "Professor of wisdom."
Upon my soul, he had best accept his fate[4] (said Socrates). Why,
after all, you are only like those prophets who proverbially foretell
the future for mankind, but cannot foresee what is coming upon
themselves.
[4] Or, "the coup de grace."
And so the first discussion ended.[5]
[5] Or, "so ended fytte the first of the word-controversy."
Thereupon Niceratus: Lend me your ears, and I will tell you in what
respects you shall be better for consorting with myself. I presume,
without my telling you, you know that Homer, being the wisest of
mankind, has touched upon nearly every human topic in his poems.[6]
Whosoever among you, therefore, would fain be skilled in economy, or
oratory, or strategy; whose ambition it is to be like Achilles, or
Ajax, Nestor, or Odysseus--one and all pay court to me, for I have all
this knowledge at my fingers' ends.
[6] Or, "his creations are all but coextensive with every mortal
thing."
Pray (interposed Antisthenes),[7] do you also know the way to be a
king?[8] since Homer praises Agamemnon, you are well aware, as being
A goodly king and eke a spearman bold.[9]
[7] Some modern critics (e.g. F. Dummler, "Antisthenica," p. 29 foll.)
maintain plausibly that the author is here glancing (as also Plato
in the "Ion") at Antisthenes' own treatises against the
Rhapsodists and on a more correct interpretation of Homer, {peri
exegeton} and {peri 'Omerou}.
[8] Or, "Have you the knowledge also how to play the king?"
[9] "Il." iii. 179. See "Mem." III. ii. 2.
Nic. Full well I know it, and full well I know the duty of a skilful
charioteer; how he who holds the ribbons must turn his chariot nigh
the pillar's edge[10]
Himself inclined upon the polished chariot-board
A little to the left of the twin pair: the right hand horse
Touch with the prick, and shout a cheery shout, and give him rein.[11]
I know another thing besides, and you may put it to the test this
instant, if you like. Homer somewhere has said:[12]
And at his side an onion, which to drink gives relish.
So if some one will but bring an onion, you shall reap the benefit of
my sage lore[13] in less than no time, and your wine will taste the
sweeter.
[10] "Il." xxiii. 335; Plat. "Ion," 537.
[11] Lit. "yield him the reins with his hands."
[12] "Il." xi.630: "And set out a leek savourer of drink" (Purves).
Plat. "Ion," 538 C.
[13] "My culinary skill."
Here Charmides exclaimed: Good sirs, let me explain. Niceratus is
anxious to go home, redolent of onions, so that his fair lady may
persuade herself, it never entered into anybody's head to kiss her
lord.[14]
[14] See Shakesp. "Much Ado," v. 2. 51 foll.; "Mids. N. D." iv. 2.
Bless me, that isn't all (continued Socrates); if we do not take care,
we shall win ourselves a comic reputation.[15] A relish must it be, in
very truth, that can sweeten cup as well as platter, this same onion;
and if we are to take to munching onions for desert, see if somebody
does not say of us, "They went to dine with Callias, and got more than
their deserts, the epicures."[16]
[15] Lit. "I warrent you! (quoth Socrates) and there's another funny
notion we have every chance of getting fathered on us."
[16] Or, "and had a most hilarious and herbaceous time."
No fear of that (rejoined Niceratus). Always take a bite of onion
before speeding forth to battle, just as your patrons of the cock-pit
give their birds a feed of garlic[17] before they put them for the
fight. But for ourselves our thoughts are less intent perhaps on
dealing blows than blowing kisses.[18]
[17] Cf. Aristoph. "Knights," 494:
Chorus. And here's the garlic. Swallow it down!
Sausage Seller. . . . What for?
Chorus. It will prime you up and make you fight the better.
H. Frere.
[18] "We are concerned less with the lists of battle than of love";
"we meditate no furious close of battle but of lips." Lit. "how we
shall kiss some one rather than do battle with."
After such sort the theme of their discourse reached its conclusion.
Then Critobulus spoke: It is now my turn, I think, to state to you the
grounds on which I pride myself on beauty.[19]
[19] See "Hellenica Essays," p. 353.
A chorus of voices rejoined: Say on.
Crit. To begin with, if I am not beautiful, as methinks I be, you will
bring on your own heads the penalty of perjury; for, without waiting
to have the oath administered, you are always taking the gods to
witness that you find me beautiful. And I must needs believe you, for
are you not all honourable men?[20] If I then be so beautiful and
affect you, even as I also am affected by him whose fair face here
attracts me,[21] I swear by all the company of heaven I would not
choose the great king's empire in exchange for what I am--the beauty
of the world, the paragon of animals.[22] And at this instant I feast
my eyes on Cleinias[23] gladlier than on all other sights which men
deem fair. Joyfully will I welcome blindness to all else, if but these
eyes may still behold him and him only. With sleep and night I am sore
vexed, which rob me of his sight; but to daylight and the sun I owe
eternal thanks, for they restore him to me, my heart's joy,
Cleinias.[24]
[20] Or, "beautiful and good."
[21] Or, "whose fair face draws me." Was Cleinias there as a "muta
persona"? Hardly, in spite of {nun}. It is the image of him which
is present to the mind's eye.
[22] Lit. "being beautiful"; but there is a touch of bombast infused
into the speech by the artist. Cf. the speech of Callias ("Hell."
VI. iii. 3) and, for the humour, "Cyrop." passim.
[23] See Cobet, "Pros. Xen." p. 59. Cf. "Mem." I. iii. 8.
[24] Or, "for that they reveal his splendour to me."
Yes, and herein also have we, the beautiful,[25] just claim to boast.
The strong man may by dint of toil obtain good things; the brave, by
danger boldly faced, and the wise by eloquence of speech; but to the
beautiful alone it is given to achieve all ends in absolute
quiescence. To take myself as an example. I know that riches are a
sweet possession, yet sweeter far to me to give all that I have to
Cleinias than to receive a fortune from another. Gladly would I become
a slave--ay, forfeit freedom--if Cleinias would deign to be my lord.
Toil in his service were easier for me than rest from labour: danger
incurred in his behalf far sweeter than security of days. So that if
you, Callias, may boast of making men more just and upright, to me
belongs by juster right than yours to train mankind to every
excellence. We are the true inspirers[26] who infuse some subtle fire
into amorous souls, we beauties, and thereby raise them to new heights
of being; we render them more liberal in the pursuit of wealth; we
give them a zest for toil that mocks at danger, and enables them where
honour the fair vision leads, to follow.[27] We fill their souls with
deeper modesty, a self-constraint more staunch; about the things they
care for most, there floats a halo of protecting awe.[28] Fools and
unwise are they who choose not beauteous men to be their generals. How
merrily would I, at any rate, march through fire by the side of
Cleinias;[29] and so would all of you, I know full well, in company of
him who now addresses you.
[25] "We beauties."
[26] The {eispnelas} in relation to the {aitas}, the Inspirer to the
Hearer. Cf. Theocr. xii. 13; Ael. "V. H." iii. 12. See Muller,
"Dorians," ii. 300 foll.
[27] {philokaloterous}. Cf. Plat. "Phaedr." 248 D; "Criti." 111 E;
Aristot. "Eth. N." iv. 4. 4; x. 9. 3.
[28] Lit. "they feel most awe of what they most desire."
[29] Cf. "Mem." I. iii. 9.
Cease, therefore, your perplexity, O Socrates, abandon fears and
doubts, believe and know that this thing of which I make great boast,
my beauty, has power to confer some benefit on humankind.
Once more, let no man dare dishonour beauty, merely because the flower
of it soon fades, since even as a child has growth in beauty, so is it
with the stripling, the grown man, the reverend senior.[30] And this
the proof of my contention. Whom do we choose to bear the sacred
olive-shoot[31] in honour of Athena?--whom else save beautiful old
men? witnessing thereby[32] that beauty walks hand in hand as a
companion with every age of life, from infancy to eld.
[30] Cf. ib. III. iii. 12.
[31] Cf. Aristoph. "Wasps," 544.
[32] Or, "beauty steps in attendance lovingly hand in hand at every
season of the life of man." So Walt Whitman, passim.
Or again, if it be sweet to win from willing hearts the things we seek
for, I am persuaded that, by the eloquence of silence, I could win a
kiss from yonder girl or boy more speedily than ever you could, O
sage! by help of half a hundred subtle arguments.
Eh, bless my ears, what's that? (Socrates broke in upon this final
flourish of the speaker). So beautiful you claim to rival me, you
boaster?
Crit. Why, yes indeed, I hope so, or else I should be uglier than all
the Silenuses in the Satyric drama.[33]
[33] The MSS. add ["to whom, be it noted, Socrates indeed bore a
marked resemblance"]. Obviously a gloss. Cf. Aristoph. "Clouds,"
224; Plat. "Symp." 215 B.
Good! (Socrates rejoined); the moment the programme of discussion is
concluded,[34] please remember, we must obtain a verdict on the point
of beauty. Judgment shall be given--not at the bar of Alexander, son
of Priam--but of these[35] who, as you flatter yourself, have such a
hankering to kiss you.
[34] Lit. "the arguments proposed have gone the round."
[35] i.e. "the boy and girl." Al. "the present company, who are so
eager to bestow on you their kisses."
Oh, Socrates (he answered, deprecatingly), will you not leave it to
the arbitrament of Cleinias?
Then Socrates: Will you never tire of repeating that one name? It is
Cleinias here, there, and everywhere with you.
Crit. And if his name died on my lips, think you my mind would less
recall his memory? Know you not, I bear so clear an image of him in my
soul, that had I the sculptor's or the limner's skill, I might portray
his features as exactly from this image of the mind as from
contemplation of his actual self.
But Socrates broke in: Pray, why then, if you bear about this lively
image, why do you give me so much trouble, dragging me to this and
that place, where you hope to see him?
Crit. For this good reason, Socrates, the sight of him inspires
gladness, whilst his phantom brings not joy so much as it engenders
longing.
At this point Hermogenes protested: I find it most unlike you,
Socrates, to treat thus negligently one so passion-crazed as
Critobulus.
Socrates replied: Do you suppose the sad condition of the patient
dates from the moment only of our intimacy?
Herm. Since when, then?
Soc. Since when? Why, look at him: the down begins to mantle on his
cheeks,[36] and on the nape[37] of Cleinias' neck already mounts. The
fact is, when they fared to the same school together, he caught the
fever. This his father was aware of, and consigned him to me, hoping I
might be able to do something for him. Ay, and his plight is not so
sorry now. Once he would stand agape at him like one whose gaze is
fixed upon the Gorgons,[38] his eyes one stony stare, and like a stone
himself turn heavily away. But nowadays I have seen the statue
actually blink.[39] And yet, may Heaven help me! my good sirs, I
think, between ourselves, the culprit must have bestowed a kiss on
Cleinias, than which love's flame asks no fiercer fuel.[40] So
insatiable a thing it is and so suggestive of mad fantasy. [And for
this reason held perhaps in higher honour, because of all external
acts the close of lip with lip bears the same name as that of soul
with soul in love.][41] Wherefore, say I, let every one who wishes to
be master of himself and sound of soul abstain from kisses imprinted
on fair lips.[42]
[36] Lit. "creeping down beside his ears." Cf. "Od." xi. 319:
{prin sphoin upo krotaphoisin ioulous
anthesai pukasai te genus euanthei lakhne.}
"(Zeus destroyed the twain) ere the curls had bloomed beneath
their temples, and darked their chins with the blossom of youth."
--Butcher and Lang. Cf. Theocr. xv. 85: {praton ioulon apo
krotaphon kataballon}, "with the first down upon his cheeks"
(Lang); Aesch. "Theb." 534.
[37] {pros to opisthen}, perhaps = "ad posteriorem capitis partem,"
which would be more applicable to Critobulus, whose whiskers were
just beginning to grow, than to Callias. Possibly we should read
(after Pollux, ii. 10) {peri ten upenen}, "on the upper lip." See
Plat. "Protag." 309 B; "Il." xxiv. 348; "Od." x. 279.
[38] Cf. Pind. "Pyth." x. 75.
[39] See "Cyrop." I. iv. 28; Shakesp. "Ven. and Ad." 89: "But when her
lips were ready for his pay, he winks, and turns his lips another
way."
[40] Or, "a kiss which is to passion as dry combustious matter is to
fire," Shakesp. ib. 1162.
[41] Or, "is namesake of the love within the soul of lovers." The
whole passage, involving a play on the words {philein
phileisthai}, "where kisses rain without, love reigns within," is
probably to be regarded as a gloss. Cf. "Mem." I. iii. 13.
[42] Cf. "Mem." I. iii. 8-14.
Then Charmides: Oh! Socrates, why will you scare your friends with
these hobgoblin terrors,[43] bidding us all beware of handsome faces,
whilst you yourself--yes, by Apollo, I will swear I saw you at the
schoolmaster's[44] that time when both of you were poring over one
book, in which you searched for something, you and Critobulus, head to
head, shoulder to shoulder bare, as if incorporate?[45]
[43] Cf. Plat. "Crit." 46 D; "Hell." IV. iv. 17; Arist. "Birds," 1245.
[44] "Grammarian's." Plat. "Protag." 312 B; 326 D; Dem. 315. 8.
[45] Like Hermia and Helena, "Mids. N. D." iii. 2. 208.
As yes, alack the day! (he answered); and that is why, no doubt, my
shoulder ached for more than five days afterwards, as if I had been
bitten by some fell beast, and methought I felt a sort of scraping at
the heart.[46] Now therefore, in the presence of these witnesses, I
warn you, Critobulus, never again to touch me till you wear as thick a
crop of hair[47] upon your chin as on your head.
[46] Reading {knisma}, "scratching." Plat. "Hipp. maj." 304 A. Al.
{knesma}.
[47] See Jebb, "Theophr. Ch." xxiv. 16.
So pell-mell they went at it, half jest half earnest, and so the
medley ended. Callias here called on Charmides.
Call. Now, Charmides, it lies with you to tell us why you pride
yourself on poverty.[48]
[48] Zeune, cf. "Cyrop." VIII. iii. 35-50.
Charmides responded: On all hands it is admitted, I believe, that
confidence is better than alarm; better to be a freeman than a slave;
better to be worshipped than pay court to others; better to be trusted
than to be suspected by one's country.
Well now, I will tell you how it fared with me in this same city when
I was wealthy. First, I lived in daily terror lest some burglar should
break into my house and steal my goods and do myself some injury. I
cringed before informers.[49] I was obliged to pay these people court,
because I knew that I could injure them far less than they could
injure me. Never-ending the claims upon my pocket which the state
enforced upon me; and as to setting foot abroad, that was beyond the
range of possibility. But now that I have lost my property across the
frontier,[50] and derive no income from my lands in Attica itself; now
that my very household goods have been sold up, I stretch my legs at
ease, I get a good night's rest. The distrust of my fellow-citizens
has vanished; instead of trembling at threats, it is now my turn to
threaten; at last I feel myself a freeman, with liberty to go abroad
or stay at home as suits my fancy. The tables now are turned. It is
the rich who rise to give me their seats, who stand aside and make way
for me as I meet them in the streets. To-day I am like a despot,
yesterday I was literally a slave; formerly it was I who had to pay my
tribute[51] to the sovereign people, now it is I who am supported by
the state by means of general taxation.[52]
[49] "And police agents."
[50] Cf. "Mem." II. viii. 1.
[51] {phoros}, tributum. Al. "property-tax." Cf. "Econ." ii. 6.
[52] {telos}, vectigal. Sturz, "Lex. Xen." s.v. Cf. "Pol. Ath." i. 3.
And there is another thing. So long as I was rich, they threw in my
teeth as a reproach that I was friends with Socrates, but now that I
am become a beggar no one troubles his head two straws about the
matter. Once more, the while I rolled in plenty I had everything to
lose, and, as a rule, I lost it; what the state did not exact, some
mischance stole from me. But now that is over. I lose nothing, having
nought to lose; but, on the contrary, I have everything to gain, and
live in hope of some day getting something.[53]
[53] "I feed on the pleasures of hope, and fortune in the future."
Call. And so, of course, your one prayer is that you may never more be
rich, and if you are visited by a dream of luck your one thought is to
offer sacrifice to Heaven to avert misfortune.[54]
[54] Or, "you wake up in a fright, and offer sacrifice to the
'Averters.'" For {tois apotropaiois} see Aristoph. "Plutus," 359;
Plat. "Laws," 854 B; "Hell." III. iii. 4.
Char. No, that I do not. On the contrary, I run my head into each
danger most adventurously. I endure, if haply I may see a chance of
getting something from some quarter of the sky some day.
Come now (Socrates exclaimed), it lies with you, sir, you,
Antisthenes, to explain to us, how it is that you, with means so
scanty, make so loud a boast of wealth.
Because (he answered) I hold to the belief, sirs, that wealth and
poverty do not lie in a man's estate, but in men's souls. Even in
private life how many scores of people have I seen, who, although they
roll in wealth, yet deem themselves so poor, there is nothing they
will shrink from, neither toil nor danger, in order to add a little to
their store.[55] I have known two brothers,[56] heirs to equal
fortunes, one of whom has enough, more than enough, to cover his
expenditure; the other is in absolute indigence. And so to monarchs,
there are not a few, I perceive, so ravenous of wealth that they will
outdo the veriest vagrants in atrocity. Want[57] prompts a thousand
crimes, you must admit. Why do men steal? why break burglariously into
houses? why hale men and women captive and make slaves of them? Is it
not from want? Nay, there are monarchs who at one fell swoop destroy
whole houses, make wholesale massacre, and oftentimes reduce entire
states to slavery, and all for the sake of wealth. These I must needs
pity for the cruel malady which plagues them. Their condition, to my
mind, resembles that poor creature's who, in spite of all he has[58]
and all he eats, can never stay the wolf that gnaws his vitals.
[55] Cf. "Cyrop." VIII. ii. 21; Hor. "Epist." i. 2. 26, "semper avarus
eget."
[56] Is Antisthenes thinking of Callias and Hermogenes? (presuming
these are sons of Hipponicus and brothers). Cf. "Mem." II. x. 3.
[57] Or, "'Tis want that does it." See "Pol. Ath." i. 5; "Rev," i. 1.
[58] Reading {ekhon}, or if {pinon}, transl. "who eats and drinks, but
never sates himself."
But as to me, my riches are so plentiful I cannot lay my hands on them
myself;[59] yet for all that I have enough to eat till my hunger is
stayed, to drink till my thirst is sated;[60] to clothe myself withal;
and out of doors not Callias there, with all his riches, is more safe
than I from shivering; and when I find myself indoors, what warmer
shirting[61] do I need than my bare walls? what ampler greatcoat than
the tiles above my head? these seem to suit me well enough; and as to
bedclothes, I am not so ill supplied but it is a business to arouse me
in the morning.
[59] "That I can scarce discover any portion of it." Zeune cf. "Econ."
viii. 2.
[60] So "the master" himself. See "Mem." I. ii. 1, vi. 5.
[61] Cf. Aristot. "Pol." ii. 8. 1, of Hippodamus.
And as to sexual desire, my body's need is satisfied by what comes
first to hand. Indeed, there is no lack of warmth in the caress which
greets me, just because it is unsought by others.[62]
[62] Cf. "Mem." I. iii. 14, the germ of cynicism and stoicism, the
Socratic {XS} form of "better to marry than to burn."
Well then, these several pleasures I enjoy so fully that I am much
more apt to pray for less than more of them, so strongly do I feel
that some of them are sweeter than what is good for one or profitable.
But of all the precious things in my possession, I reckon this the
choicest, that were I robbed of my whole present stock, there is no
work so mean, but it would amply serve me to furnish me with
sustenance. Why, look you, whenever I desire to fare delicately, I
have not to purchase precious viands in the market, which becomes
expensive, but I open the storehouse of my soul, and dole them
out.[63] Indeed, as far as pleasure goes, I find it better to await
desire before I suffer meat or drink to pass my lips, than to have
recourse to any of your costly viands, as, for instance, now, when I
have chanced on this fine Thasian wine,[64] and sip it without thirst.
But indeed, the man who makes frugality, not wealth of worldly goods,
his aim, is on the face of it a much more upright person. And why?--
the man who is content with what he has will least of all be prone to
clutch at what is his neighbour's.
[63] Or, "turn to the storehouse of a healthy appetite." See "Apol."
18, the same sentiment "ex ore Socratis."
[64] See Athen. "Deipnos." i. 28.
And here's a point worth noting. Wealth of my sort will make you
liberal of soul. Look at Socrates; from him it was I got these riches.
He did not supply me with it by weight or by measure, but just as much
as I could carry, he with bounteous hand consigned to me. And I, too,
grudge it to no man now. To all my friends without distinction I am
ready to display my opulence: come one, come all; and whosoever likes
to take a share is welcome to the wealth that lies within my soul.
Yes, and moreover, that most luxurious of possessions,[65] unbroken
leisure, you can see, is mine, which leaves me free to contemplate
things worthy of contemplation,[66] and to drink in with my ears all
charming sounds. And what I value most, freedom to spend whole days in
pure scholastic intercourse[67] with Socrates, to whom I am
devoted.[68] And he, on his side, is not the person to admire those
whose tale of gold and silver happens to be the largest, but those who
are well-pleasing to him he chooses for companions, and will consort
with to the end.
[65] See Eur. "Ion," 601. Lit. "at every moment I command it."
[66] "To gaze upon all fairest shows (like a spectator in the
theatre), and to drink in sounds most delectable." So Walt
Whitman.
[67] Aristot. "Rhet." ii. 4. 12; "Eth. N." ix. 4. 9.
[68] See "Mem." III. xi. 17.
With these words the speaker ended, and Callias exclaimed:
By Hera, I envy you your wealth, Antisthenes, firstly, because the
state does not lay burthens on you and treat you like a slave; and
secondly, people do not fall into a rage with you when you refuse to
be their creditor.
You may stay your envy (interposed Niceratus), I shall presently
present myself to borrow of him this same key of his to
independence.[69] Trained as I am to cast up figures by my master
Homer--
Seven tripods, which ne'er felt the fire, and of gold ten talents
And burnished braziers twenty, and horses twelve--[70]
by weight and measure duly reckoned,[71] I cannot stay my craving for
enormous wealth. And that's the reason certain people, I daresay,
imagine I am inordinately fond of riches.
[69] Or, "his want-for-nothing," or, "supply-all."
[70] Niceratus quotes "Il." ix. 122, 123, 263, 264.
[71] Or, "by number and by measure," "so much apiece, so much a
pound," in reference to Antisthenes' remark that Socrates does not
stint his "good things."
The remark drew forth a peal of laughter from the company, who thought
the speaker hit the truth exactly.
Then some one: It lies with you, Hermogenes, to tell us who your
friends are; and next, to demonstrate the greatness of their power and
their care for you, if you would prove to us your right to pride
yoruself on them.
Herm. That the gods know all things, that the present and the future
lie before their eyes, are tenets held by Hellenes and barbarians
alike. This is obvious; or else, why do states and nations, one and
all, inquire of the gods by divination what they ought to do and what
they ought not? This also is apparent, that we believe them able to do
us good and to do us harm; or why do all men pray to Heaven to avert
the evil and bestow the good? Well then, my boast is that these gods,
who know and can do all things,[72] deign to be my friends; so that,
by reason of their care for me, I can never escape from their
sight,[73] neither by night nor by day, whithersoever I essay to go,
whatsoever I take in hand to do.[74] But because they know beforehand
the end and issue of each event, they give me signals, sending
messengers, be it some voice,[75] or vision of the night, with omens
of the solitary bird, which tell me what I should and what I should
not do. When I listen to their warnings all goes well with me, I have
no reason to repent; but if, as ere now has been the case, I have been
disobedient, chastisement has overtaken me.
[72] Cf. "Mem." I. i. 19; I. iv. 18.
[73] Schneid. cf. Hom. "Il." x. 279, {oude se letho kinomenos}, "nor
doth any motion of mine escape thee" (A. Lang); and see Arrian,
"Epictet." i. 12. 3.
[74] Cf. Ps. cxxxix. "Domine probasti."
[75] See "Mem." I. i. 3; "Apol." xii. 13; "Cyrop." VIII. vii. 3.
Then Socrates: All this I well believe,[76] but there is one thing I
would gladly learn of you: What service do you pay the gods, so to
secure their friendship?
[76] Lit. "Nay, nought of the things you tell us is incredible,
but . . ."
Truly it is not a ruinous service, Socrates (he answered)--far from
it. I give them thanks, which is not costly. I make return to them of
all they give to me from time to time. I speak well of them, with all
the strength I have. And whenever I take their sacred names to
witness, I do not wittingly falsify my word.
Then God be praised (said Socrates), if being what you are, you have
such friends; the gods themselves, it would appear, delight in
nobleness of soul.[77]
[77] {kalokagathia}, "beautiful and gentle manhood."
Thus, in solemn sort, the theme was handled, thus gravely ended.
But now it was the jester's turn, and so they fell to asking him:[78]
What could he see to pride himself upon so vastly in the art of making
people laugh?
[78] Lit. "now that they had come to Philippus (in the 'period' of
discussion), they . . ." Or read, after Hartman, "An. Xen." p.
242, {eken} (sc. {o logos}).
Surely I have good reason (he replied). The whole world knows my
business is to set them laughing, so when they are in luck's way, they
eagerly invite me to a share of it; but if ill betide them, helter-
skelter off they go, and never once turn back,[79] so fearful are they
I may set them laughing will he nill he.
[79] Plat. "Rep." 620 E; "Laws," 854 C.
Nic. Heavens! you have good reason to be proud; with me it is just the
opposite. When any of my friends are doing well, they take good care
to turn their backs on me,[80] but if ever it goes ill with them, they
claim relationship by birth,[81] and will not let their long-lost
cousin out of sight.
[80] Or, "they take good care to get out of my way," "they hold aloof
from me entirely."
[81] Or, "produce the family-pedigree and claim me for a cousin." Cf.
Lucian v., "Tim." 49; Ter. "Phorm." ii. 33, 45.
Charm. Well, well! and you, sir (turning to the Syracusan), what do
you pride yourself upon? No doubt, upon the boy?
The Syr. Not I, indeed; I am terribly afraid concerning him. It is
plain enough to me that certain people are contriving for his
ruin.[82]
[82] {diaphtheirai} = (1) to destroy, make away with; (2) to ruin and
corrupt, seduce by bribes or otherwise.
Good gracious![83] (Socrates exclaimed, when he heard that), what
crime can they conceive your boy is guilty of that they should wish to
make an end of him?
[83] Lit. "Heracles!" "Zounds!"
The Syr. I do not say they want to murder him, but wheedle him away
with bribes to pass his nights with them.
Soc. And if that happened, you on your side, it appears, believe the
boy will be corrupted?
The Syr. Beyond all shadow of a doubt, most villainously.
Soc. And you, of course, you never dream of such a thing. You don't
spend nights with him?
The Syr. Of course I do, all night and every night.
Soc. By Hera, what a mighty piece of luck[84] for you--to be so
happily compounded, of such flesh and blood. You alone can't injure
those who sleep beside you. You have every right, it seems, to boast
of your own flesh, if nothing else.
[84] Cf. Plat. "Symp." 217 A.
The Syr. Nay, in sooth, it is not on that I pride myself.
Soc. Well, on what then?
The Syr. Why, on the silly fools who come and see my puppet show.[85]
I live on them.
[85] "My marionettes." Cf. Herod. ii. 48; Lucian lxxii., "De Syr. d."
16; Aristot. "de Mund." 6.
Phil. Ah yes! and that explains how the other day I heard you praying
to the gods to grant you, wheresoe'er you chance to be, great store of
corn and wine, but dearth of wits.[86]
[86] Or, "of fruits abundance, but of wits a famine." Cf. Plat. "Rep."
546 A. His prayer resembles that of the thievish trader in Ovid,
"Fast." v. 675 foll., "Grant me to-day my daily . . . fraud!" but
in spite of himself (like Dogberry), he seems to pray to the gods
to "write him down an ass"!
Pass on (said Callias); now it is your turn, Socrates. What have you
to say to justify your choice? How can you boast of so discredited an
art?[87]
[87] Sc. "the hold-door trade."
He answered: Let us first decide[88] what are the duties of the good
go-between;[89] and please to answer every question without
hesitating; let us know the points to which we mutually assent.[90]
Are you agreed to that?
[88] Or, "define in common." Cf. "Mem." IV. vi. 15.
[89] Or, "man-praiser." Cf. "The Manx Witch," p. 47 (T. E. Brown),
"And Harry, more like a dooiney-molla For Jack, lak helpin him to
woo." See, too, Mr. Hall Caine's "Manxman," p. 73.
[90] See Plat. "Rep." 342 D, for a specimen of Socratic procedure,
"from one point of agreement to another."
The Company, in chorus. Without a doubt (they answered, and the
formula, once started, was every time repeated by the company, full
chorus).
Soc. Are you agreed it is the business of a good go-between to make
him (or her) on whom he plies his art agreeable to those with
them?[91]
[91] Al. "their followers." See "Mem." II. vi. 36.
Omnes. Without a doubt.
Soc. And, further, that towards agreeableness, one step at any rate
consists in wearing a becoming fashion of the hair and dress?[92] Are
you agreed to that?
[92] See Becker, "Char." Exc. iii. to Sc. xi.
Omnes. Without a doubt.
Soc. And we know for certain, that with the same eyes a man may dart a
look of love or else of hate[93] on those he sees. Are you agreed?
[93] See "Mem." III. x. 5.
Omnes. Without a doubt.
Soc. Well! and with the same tongue and lips and voice may speak with
modesty or boastfulnes?
Omnes. Without a doubt.
Soc. And there are words that bear the stamp of hate, and words that
tend to friendliness?[94]
[94] Cf. Ep. St. James iii. 10, "Out of the same mouth proceedeth
blessing and cursing."
Omnes. Without a doubt.
Soc. The good go-between will therefore make his choice between them,
and teach only what conduces to agreeableness?
Omnes. Without a doubt.
Soc. And is he the better go-between who can make his clients pleasing
to one person only, or can make them pleasing to a number?[95]
[95] Or, "to the many." The question is ambiguous. {e} = "an" or
"quam."
The company was here divided; the one half answered, "Yes, of course,
the largest number," whilst the others still maintained, "Without a
doubt."
And Socrates, remarking, "That proposition is agreed to also," thus
proceeded: And if further he were able to make them pleasing to the
whole community, should we not have found in this accomplished person
an arch-go-between?
Clearly so (they answered with one voice).
Soc. If then a man had power to make his clients altogether pleasing;
that man, I say, might justly pride himself upon his art, and should
by rights receive a large reward?[96]
[96] Or, "he deserves to do a rattling business," "to take handsome
fees." Cf. Sheridan's Mrs. Coupler, in "A Trip to Scarborough."
And when these propositions were agreed to also, he turned about and
said: Just such a man, I take it, is before you in the person of
Antisthenes![97]
[97] See Diog. Laert. "Antisth." VI. i. 8; Plut. "Symp." ii. 1. 503.
Whereupon Antisthenes exclaimed: What! are you going to pass on the
business? will you devolve this art of yours on me as your successor,
Socrates?[98]
[98] Or, "going to give up business, and hand on the trade to me as
your successor?"
I will, upon my word, I will (he answered): since I see that you have
practised to some purpose, nay elaborated, an art which is the
handmaid to this other.
And what may that be? asked Antisthenes.
Soc. The art of the procurer.[99]
[99] Cf. Plat. "Theaet." 150 A; Aristot. "Eth. N." v. 2, 13; Aeschin.
3, 7; Plut. "Solon," 23.
The other (in a tone of deep vexation): Pray, what thing of the sort
are you aware I ever perpetrated?
Soc. I am aware that it was you who introduced our host here, Callias,
to that wise man Prodicus;[100] they were a match, you saw, the one
enamoured of philosophy, and the other in need of money. It was you
again, I am well enough aware, who introduced him once again to
Hippias[101] of Elis, from whom he learnt his "art of memory";[102]
since which time he has become a very ardent lover,[103] from
inability to forget each lovely thing he sets his eyes on. And quite
lately, if I am not mistaken, it was you who sounded in my ears such
praise of our visitor from Heraclea,[104] that first you made me
thirst for his society, and then united us.[105] For which indeed I am
your debtor, since I find him a fine handsome fellow and true
gentleman.[106] And did you not, moreover, sing the praises of
Aeschylus of Phlius[107] in my ears and mine in his?--in fact,
affected us so much by what you said, we fell in love and took to
coursing wildly in pursuit of one another like two dogs upon a
trail.[108]
[100] Or, "the sage," "the sophist." See "Mem." I. vi. 13; II. i. 21.
[101] See "Mem." IV. iv. 5; and for his art of memory cf. Plat. "Hipp.
min." 368 D; "Hipp. maj." 285 E.
[102] The "memoria technica" (see Aristot. "de An." iii. 3, 6), said
to have been invented by Simonides of Ceos. Cic. "de Or." ii. 86;
"de Fin." ii. 32; Quinct. xi. 2. 559.
[103] Or, "has grown amorous to a degree" [al. "an adept in love's
lore himself." Cf. Plat. "Rep." 474 D, "an authority in love."--
Jowett] "for the simple reason he can't forget each lovely thing
he once has seen." Through the "ars memoriae" of Hippias, it
becomes an "idee fixe" of the mind.
[104] Perhaps Zeuxippus. See Plat. "Prot." 318 B. Al. Zeuxis, also a
native of Heraclea. See "Mem." I. iv. 3; "Econ." x. 1.
[105] Or, "introduced him to me." Cf. "Econ." iii. 14; Plat. "Lach."
200 D.
[106] "An out-and-out {kalos te kagathos}."
[107] Who this Phliasian is, no one knows.
[108] Al. "like two hounds chevying after one another."
With such examples of your wonder-working skill before my eyes, I must
suppose you are a first-rate matchmaker. For consider, a man with
insight to discern two natures made to be of service to each other,
and with power to make these same two people mutually enamoured! That
is the sort of man, I take it, who should weld together states in
friendship; cement alliances with gain to the contracting
parties;[109] and, in general, be found an acquisition to those
several states; to friends and intimates, and partisans in war, a
treasure worth possessing.[110] But you, my friend, you got quite
angry. One would suppose I had given you an evil name in calling you a
first-rate matchmaker.
[109] Al. "and cement desirable matrimonial connections." Cf. Aristot.
"Pol." iii. 9, 13. 1280 B; v. 4, 5-8. 1303 B.
[110] See the conversation with Critobulus, so often referred to,
{peri philias}, in "Mem." II. vi.
Yes (he answered meekly), but now I am calm. It is clear enough, if I
possess these powers I shall find myself surcharged with spiritual
riches.
In this fashion the cycle of the speeches was completed.[111]
[111] See Hug, "Einleitung," xxxi. "Quellen des Platonischen
Symposion."
V
Then Callias: Our eyes are on you, Critobulus. Yours to enter the
lists[1] against the champion Socrates, who claims the prize of
beauty. Do you hesitate?
[1] Soph. "Fr." 234; Thuc. i. 93.
Soc. Likely enough he does, for possibly he sees Sir Pandarus stands
high in their esteem who are the judges of the contest.
In spite of which (retorted Critobulus), I am not for drawing back.[2]
I am ready; so come on, and if you have any subtle argument to prove
that you are handsomer than I am, now's your time, instruct us. But
just stop one minute; have the goodness, please, to bring the lamp a
little closer.
[2] Or, "I do; but all the same, I am not for shirking." Cf. Aristoph.
"Frogs," 860, {etiomos eum egoge, kouk anaduomai, daknein}: "I'm
up to it; I am resolved" (Frere); Dem. "de F. Leg." 406 20: "His
resolution never reached that point, but shrank back, for his
conscience checked it" (Kennedy).
Soc. Well then, I call upon you first of all, as party to this suit,
to undergo the preliminary examination.[3] Attend to what I say, and
please be good enough to answer.
[3] The {anakrisis}, or "previous inquiry" (before one of the archons)
of parties concerned in a suit, to see whether the action lay. Cf.
Plat. "Charm." 176 C. See Gow, "Companion," xiv. 74.
Crit. Do you be good enough yourself to put your questions.
Soc. Do you consider that the quality of beauty is confined to man, or
is it to be found in other objects also? What is your belief on this
point?
Crit. For my part, I consider it belongs alike to animals--the horse,
the ox--and to many things inanimate: that is to say, a shield, a
sword, a spear are often beautiful.
Soc. How is it possible that things, in no respect resembling one
another, should each and all be beautiful?[4]
[4] See "Mem." III. viii. 5, quoted by Galen, "de Usu Part." i. 370.
Crit. Of course it is, God bless me! if well constructed by the hand
of man to suit the sort of work for which we got them, or if naturally
adapted to satisfy some want, the things in either case are beautiful.
Soc. Can you tell me, then, what need is satisfied by our eyes?
Crit. Clearly, the need of vision.
Soc. If so, my eyes are proved at once to be more beautiful than
yours.
Crit. How so?
Soc. Because yours can only see just straight in front of them,
whereas mine are prominent and so projecting, they can see aslant.[5]
[5] Or, "squint sideways and command the flanks."
Crit. And amongst all animals, you will tell us that the crab has
loveliest eyes?[6] Is that your statement?
[6] Or, "is best provided in respect of eyeballs."
Soc. Decidedly, the creature has. And all the more so, since for
strength and toughness its eyes by nature are the best constructed.
Crit. Well, let that pass. To come to our two noses, which is the more
handsome, yours or mine?
Soc. Mine, I imagine, if, that is, the gods presented us with noses
for the sake of smelling. Your nostrils point to earth; but mine are
spread out wide and flat, as if to welcome scents from every quarter.
Crit. But consider, a snubness of the nose, how is that more beautiful
than straightness?[7]
[7] Or, "your straight nose." Cf. Plat. "Theaet." 209 C: Soc. "Or, if
I had further known you not only as having nose and eyes, but as
having a snub nose and prominent eyes, should I have any more
notion of you than myself and others who resemble me?" Cf. also
Aristot. "Pol." v. 9, 7: "A nose which varies from the ideal of
straightness to a hook or snub may still be a good shape and
agreeable to the eye; but if the excess be very great, all
symmetry is lost, and the nose at last ceases to be a nose at all
on account of some excess in one direction or defect in the other;
and this is true of every other part of the human body. The same
law of proportion holds in states."--Jowett.
Soc. For this good reason, that a snub nose does not discharge the
office of a barrier;[8] it allows the orbs of sight free range of
vision: whilst your towering nose looks like an insulting wall of
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