f
all who ever came to this place, I will not impute the angry
feelings of other men, who rage and swear at me when, in obedience
to the authorities, I bid them drink the poison--indeed I am sure
that you will not be angry with me; for others, as you are aware,
and not I, are the guilty cause. And so fare you well, and try to
bear lightly what must needs be; you know my errand." Then bursting
into tears, he turned away, and went out.

Socrates looked at him and said, "I return your good wishes, and
will do as you bid." Then turning to us, he said: "How charming the
man is! Since I have been in prison, he has always been coming to
see me, and at times, he would talk to me, and was as good as could
be to me, and now see how generously he sorrows for me. But we must
do as he says, Crito; let the cup be brought."

"Not yet," said Crito; "the sun is still upon the hill-tops, and
many a one has taken the draft late, and after the announcement has
been made to him, he has eaten and drunk and indulged in sensual
delights; do not hasten then--there is still time."

Socrates said: "Yes, Crito, and they of whom you speak are right in
doing thus, but I do not think that I should gain anything by
drinking the poison a little later; I should be sparing and saving
a life which is already gone: I could only laugh at myself for
this. Please then to do as I say, and not to refuse me."

Crito, when he heard this, made a sign to the servant; and the
servant went in, and remained for some time, and then returned with
the jailer carrying the cup of poison. Socrates said, "You, my good
friend, who are experienced in these matters, shall give me
directions how I am to proceed." The man answered, "You have only
to walk about until your legs are heavy, and then to lie down, and
the poison will act." At the same time, he handed the cup to
Socrates, who, in the easiest and gentlest manner, without the
least fear or change of color or feature, looking at the man with
his eyes, Echecrates, as his manner was, took the cup and said:
"What do you say about making the libation out of this cup to any
god? May I, or not?" The man answered, "We only prepare, Socrates,
just so much as we deem enough." "I understand," he said. "Yet I
may and must pray to the gods to prosper my j