When you were with child, it was also invisible; but when, it was born, it was visible, and especially audible. Thus occupations which are at first invisible, become visible later on. They are therefore not to be despised, least of all by those who only believe in the visible.
Is your business with Aspasia something of that sort?
Something of that, and of another sort too.
You drink also a good deal.
Yes, those who speak become thirsty, and the thirsty must drink.
What is it in Aspasia that attracts men?
Certain qualities which give zest to social intercoursethoughtfulness, tact, moderation.
You mean that for me?
I mean it for Aspasia.
Is she beautiful?
No.
Anytos declares that she is.
He tells an untruth. Do you see Anytos, Cleons friend and my enemy?
He is not my enemy.
But mine. You always love my enemies and hate my friends; that is a bad sign.
Your friends are bad men.
No, on the contrary. Pericles was the greatest of the Athenians, Phidias the best, Euripides the noblest, Plato the wisest, Alcibiades the most gifted, Protagoras the most acute.
And Aristophanes?
He is my enemy, though I do not know why. I suppose you have heard of the comedy which he has written about me.
Anytos told me. Have you seen it?
I saw the Clouds yesterday.
Was it amusingwas it clever?
What did Anytos think?
He made me laugh when he described some scenes.
Then it must be amusing, or you would not have laughed.
Did you not laugh, my Socrates?
Yes, of course; otherwise they would have thought me a blockhead. You know that he has depicted me as a rogue and fool. Since I am neither, it was not serious; therefore it was in jest.
Do you think so? I think it was serious.
And you laugh at the serious? Do you weep, then, at jesting? Then you would be mad.
Do you think I am mad?
Yes, if you think me a rogue.
You know that Cleon is with the army.
I was astonished to hear it.
Astonished! You think, then, that he is not fit to command.
No, I know nothing about his fitness as commander, for I have never seen him in the field. But I am astonished at his election, as he himself was, because it was unexpected.
You therefore expect him to be defeated.
No, I wait for the result, in order to see whether he wins or loses.
You would be glad if he lost?
I do not love Cleon, but as an Athenian I would mourn if he were defeated; therefore I would not rejoice at his overthrow.
You hate Cleon, but you do not wish his overthrow.
On account of Athensno.
But except for that?
Except for that, Cleons overthrow would be a blessing for the State, for he has been unjust to Pericles, to Phidias, to all who have done anything great.
Here comes a visitor.
It is Alcibiades.
The wretch! Are you not ashamed to be on intimate terms with him?
He is a man; he has great faults and great merits, and he is my friend. I do not wish to be on intimate terms with my enemies. Alcibiades knocked at the door, and rushed in. Papaia! The pair are philosophising together, and talking of yesterdays comedy! This Aristophanes is an ass! If one wishes to kill an enemy, one must hit him; but Aristophanes aims at the clouds. Hit, yes! Do you know that Cleon is defeated?
What a pity! exclaimed Socrates.
Is it a pity that the dog is unmasked?
I think Alcibiades is misinformed, broke in Xantippe.
No, by Zeus, but I wish I was!
Hush! here is Anytos coming, said Socrates.
The second tanner! It is strange that the destiny of Athens is guided by tanners.
The destiny of Athens! Who knows it?
I, Alcibiades, am the destiny of Athens.
[Greek: Hubris]! Beware of the gods!
I come after Cleon; Cleon is no more; therefore it is my turn.
Here is Anytos!
Anytos entered: I seek Alcibiades.
Here I am.
Must I prepare you....
No, I know.
Prepare you for the honour....
Have I waited long enough.
To go at the head....
That is what I was born for.
To take the lead....
That is my place.
And conduct the triumphal procession?
What procession?
Ah! you did not know. Cleons triumphal procession from the harbour.
Alcibiades passed his hand downwards over his face, as though he wished to changed his mask, and it was done in a moment.
Yes, certainly, certainly, certainly. I have in fact just come here toannounce his victory.
He lies, broke in Xantippe.
I jested with the pair. There will be a triumphal procession, then, for Cleon! How fine!
Socrates, continued Anytos, are you not glad?
I am glad that the enemy is beaten.
But not that Cleon has won a victory?
Yes, it is nearly the same thing.
Xantippe seized the opportunity and struck in: He is not glad, and he does not believe in Cleon.
I know you, concluded Anytos. I know you philosophers and quibblers! But take care!And now, Alcibiades, come and receive the despised Cleon, who has saved the fatherland!
Alcibiades took Socrates by the hand, and whispered in his ear. What a cursed mischance! Well, not yet!but the next time!
ALCIBIADES
Kartaphalos, the shoemaker, sat in his shop by the Acarnanian Gate, and repaired cothurns for the Dionysian theatre, which was about to make a last attempt to revive the tragic drama, which had been eclipsed by the farces of Aristophanes. The Roman Lucillus lounged at the window-sill, and, since philosophy had been brought into fashion by Socrates and the Sophists, the shoemaker and the exiled Decemvir philosophised as well as they could.
Roman! said Kartaphalos, you are a stranger in the city, as I am: what do think of the state and the Government?
They are exactly like the Roman. One may sum up the whole past history of Rome in two wordsPatricians and Plebeians.
Just as it is here.
With the difference that Rome has a future. Hellas only a past.
What is known of Romes future?
The Cumaean Sibyl has prophesied that Rome will possess the earth.
What do you say? Rome? No, Israel will possess it; Israel has the promise.
I do not venture to deny that, but Rome has also the promise.
There is only one promise, and one God.
Perhaps it is the same promise, and the same God.
Perhaps Israel will conquer through Rome.
Israel will conquer through the promised Messiah.
When will Messiah come, then?
When the time is fulfilled, when Zeus is dead.
May we live to see it. I wait, for Zeus has gone to Rome, and is called there Jupiter Capitolinus.
Aristophanes, who was easily recognised by his crane-like neck and open mouth, looked in through the window.
Have you a pair of low shoes, Kartaphalos? A pair of socks? [Footnote: a low-heeled shoe worn by comic actors.] You have plenty of cothurns, I see, but the sock has won the day.
At your service, sir.
We want them for the theatre, you understand.... Ah! there is Lucillus! and of raw leather, not tanned.