. But the plot of this
satyric or Selinic drama has been detected, and you must not allow
him, Agathon, to set us at variance."

"I believe you are right," said Agathon, "and I am disposed to think
that his intention in placing himself between you and me was only to
divide us; but he shall gain nothing by that move, as I will go and
lie in the couch next to you."

"Yes, yes," replied Socrates, "by all means come here and lie on the
couch below me."

"Alas," said Alcibiades, "how am I fooled by this man! He is
determined to get the better of me at every turn. I do beseech you,
allow Agathon to lie between us."

"Impossible," said Socrates, "as you praised me, and I ought to praise
my neighbor on the right, he will be out of order in praising me again
when he ought rather to be praised by me, and I must entreat you to
consent to this, and not be jealous, for I have a great desire to
praise the youth."

"Ha! ha!" cried Agathon; "I will rise instantly, that I may be praised
by Socrates."

"The usual way," said Alcibiades; "where Socrates is, no one else has
any chance with the fair, and now how readily has he invented a
specious reason for attracting Agathon to himself!"

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 66: From "The Symposium." Translated by Benjamin Jowett.
This picture of Socrates is declared by Mahaffy to be the most
wonderful of all pictures of him, inasmuch as it shows him "in all his
ugliness, his fascination, his deep sympathy, his iron courage, his
unassailable chastity." Mahaffy's enthusiasm has been shared by many
writers and readers in all generations.]

[Footnote 67: The famous comic poet and dramatist, author of the
"Frogs," "Clouds," "Birds," and many other works, of which only eleven
are now extant; born about 451 B.C., died not later than 380.]

[Footnote 68: The Corybantes were priests of the Phrygian goddess
Rhea, worship of whom was exprest in dances, which often took the
character of orgies.]

[Footnote 69: Charmides was an uncle of Plato, noted for moderation.]

[Footnote 70: Euthydemus was a name given by Plato to one of his
dialogs, in which virtue and the teaching of virtue are the themes.]

V

THE REFUSAL OF SOCRATES TO ESCAPE FROM PRISON[71]

_Crito_: There are persons who at no great cost are willing to save
you and bring you out of prison; and as for the informers, you may
observe that they are far from being exorbitant in their demands; a
little money will satisfy them. My me