Phaedrus — Plato
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p. 128ribbons that I may crown the marvelous head of this universal despot, — I would not have him complain of me for crowning you, and neglecting him, who in conversation is the conqueror of all mankind ; and this not once only, as you were the day before yesterday, but always. Then taking some of the ribbons, he crowned Socrates, and again reclined.
When he had lain down again, he said : You seem, my friends, to be sober, which is a thing not to be endured ; you must drink, — for that was the agreement which I made with you, — and I elect myself master of the feast until you are well drunk. Let us have a large goblet, Agathon, or rather, he said, addressing the attendant, bring me that wine-cooler.
The winecooler was a vessel holding more than two quarts which ^ caught his eye, — this he filled and emptied, and bid the attendant fill it again for Socrates. Observe, my friends, said Alcibiades, that my ingenious device will have no effect on Socrates, for he can drink any quantity of wine and not be at all nearer being drunk. Socrates drank the cup which the attendant filled for him. Eryximachus said : What is this, Alcibiades?
Are we to have neither conversation nor singing over our cups; but simply to drink as if we were thirsty ? Alcibiades replied : Hail, worthy son of a most wise and worthy sire ! The same to you, said Eryximachus ; but what shall we do ? That I leave to you, said Alcibiades. "The wise physician skilled our wounds to heal." shall prescribe and we will obey. What do you want ?
Well, Eryximachus said : Before you appeared a resolution was agreed to by us that each one in turn should speak a discourse in praise of love, and as good a one as he could : this was passed round from left to right ; and as all of us have spoken, and you have not spoken but have well drunken, you ought to speak, and then impose upon Socrates any task which you please, and he on his right hand neighbor, and so on.
That is good, Eryximachus, said Alcibiades ; and yet the comparison of a drunken man's speech with those of sober men is hardly fair ; and I should like to know, «weet friend, whether you really believe what Socrates was just now saying; for I can assure you that the very reverse is the fact, and that p. 129if I praise any one but himself in his presence, whether God or man, he will hardly keep his hands off me. For shame, said Socrates. By Poseidon, 26 said Alcibiades, there is no use in your denying this, for no creature will I praise in your presence. Well then take your own course, said Eryximachus, and if you like praise Socrates.
What do you think, Eryximachus ? said Alcibiades ; shall I attack him and inflict the punishment in your presence ? What are you about ? said Socrates ; are you going to raise a laugh at me? Is that the meaning of your praise? I am going to speak the truth, if you will permit me. I not only permit you but exhort you to speak the truth.
Then I will begin at once, said Alcibiades, and if I say anything that is not true, you may interrupt me if you will, and say that I speak falsely, though my intention is to speak the truth. But you must not wonder if I speak anyhow as things come into my mind ; for the fluent and orderly enumeration of all your wonderful qualities is not a task the accomplishment of which is easy to a man in my condition.
I shall praise Socrates in a figure which will appear to him to be a caricature, and yet I do not mean to laugh at him, but only to speak the truth. I say then, that he is exactly like the masks of Silenus,^ which may be seen sitting in * the statuaries' shops"," Tiaving pipes and flutes in their mouths; and they are made to open in the middle, and there are images of gods inside them.
I say also that he is like Marsyas ^ the satyr.23 You will not deny, Socrates, that your face is like that of a satyr.* Aye, and there is a resemblance in other points too. For example, you are a bully, — that I am in a '"' See Euthydemus, note 21. «'" Silenus (si-le'nus) : the childhood instructor and constant companion of Bacchus, god of wine. He is mentioned with others as the inventor of the flute, which he often plays.
He was a jovial fat old man, fond of wine ^nd music, and generally intoxicated ; but he was also regarded as an inspired prophet, and a sage who despised the gifts of fortune. •' Figures of Silenus were used as caskets for precious pieces of sculpture." (L.andS.) '* See Euthydemus, note 17. '• The satyrs were a class of minor divinities — the companions of Bacchus ^Kiwelling m the forest, and fond of sleep, wine, and music.
They are represented with bristling hair, blunt, up-turned nose, pointed ears, small horns, and dressed in the skins of animals. »" Though of robust constitution, Socrates is said to have had a remarkably ugly face, with flat nose, thick lips, and prominent eyes.
I30 PLATO THE TEACHER position to prove by the evidence of witnesses, if you will not confess. And are you not a flute-player ? That you are, and a far more wonderful performer than Marsyas.
For he indeed with instruments charmed the souls of men by the power of his breath, as the performers of his music do still : for the melodies of Olympus^* are derived from the teaching of Marsyas, and these, whether they are played by a great master or by a miserable flute-girl, have a power which no others have ; they alone possess the soul and reveal the wants of those who have need of gods and mysteries,® because they are inspired.
But you produce the same effect with the voice only, and do not RHiuirc the flute : that is the difference between you and him.
When wo hoar any other si)eaker, even a very good one, \\h w>nls priHlui^ al^solutely no effect upon us in comparison, whtfrctts the wry fn\gments of you and your words, even at «etH«)d-h{inil, anil however imixirfectly repeated, amaze and |Hk<ksrss the souls of every man, woman, and child who comes within hearing of them.
And if I were not afraid that you wouUl think me drunk, I would have sworn as well as spoken to the influence which they have always had and still have t>ver me. For my heart leaps within me more than that of any Corybantian reveler,^ and my eyes rain tears when I hear them. And I observe that many others are affected in the same way.
I have heard Pericles^ and other great orators, but though I thought that they spoke well, I never had any ^ similar feeling ; my soul was not stirred by them, nor was I angry at the thought of my own slavish state.
But this Marsyas has often brought me to such a pass, that I have felt as if I could hardly endure the life which I am leading (this, »» Olympus (6-lym'pus): a mythical poet and musician, a pupil of Marsyas. whose art of flute-playing he perfected. 83 Secret religious ceremonies of ancient origin employed in the worship of certain gods and goddesses.
Only those who had been initiated could take part in these rites, which consisted of purifications, sacrifices, processions, songs, dances, and dramatic spectacles. On account of the secrecy maintained, there is much doubt concerning the nature and purpose of the mystic rites. The dramatic spectacles were probably scenic representations of mythical legends about the god worshipped.
Passages in the Greek poets seem to indicate that the mysteries were intended to encourage belief in a future life, and in reward or punishment there, as merited by the life on earth. Certain of the rites were supposed to be a means of purification from sin, and reconciliation with the gods. ** Those who took part in the wild and furious rites in honor of the goddess Cybele. See Euthydemns, note 13. »* See Protagoras, note 37.
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