thing itself, but likewise occasions some injury to our souls. You
must have a good courage, then, and say that you bury my body, and
bury it in such a manner as is pleasing to you, and as you think is
most agreeable to our laws."

When he had said this, he rose, and went into a chamber to bathe, and
Crito followed him, but he directed us to wait for him. We waited,
therefore, conversing among ourselves about what had been said, and
considering it again, and sometimes speaking about our calamity, how
severe it would be to us, sincerely thinking that, like those who are
deprived of a father, we should pass the rest of our lives as orphans.
When he had bathed, and his children were brought to him, for he had
two little sons and one grown up, and the women belonging to his
family were come, having conversed with them in the presence of Crito,
and giving them such injunctions as he wished, he directed the women
and children to go away, and then returned to us. And it was now near
sunset; for he spent a considerable time within. But when he came from
bathing he sat down, and did not speak much afterwards. Then the
officer of the Eleven came in, and, standing near him, said,
"Socrates, I shall not have to find that fault with you that I do with
others, that they are angry with me, and curse me, when, by order of
the archons, I bid them drink the poison. But you, on all other
occasions during the time you have been here, I have found to be the
most noble, meek, and excellent man of all that ever came into this
place; and, therefore, I am now well convinced that you will not be
angry with me, for you know who are to blame, but with them. Now,
then, for you know what I came to announce to you, farewell, and
endeavor to bear what is inevitable as easily as possible." And at the
same time, bursting into tears he turned away and withdrew.

And Socrates, looking after him, said, "And thou, too, farewell; we
will do as you direct." At the same time turning to us, he said, "How
courteous this man is; during the whole time I have been here he has
visited me, and conversed with me sometimes, and proved the worthiest
of men; and now how generously he weeps for me. But come, Crito, let
us obey him, and let some one bring the poison, if it is ready
pounded, but if not, let the man pound it."

Then Crito said, "But I think, Socrates, that the sun is still on the
mountains, and has not yet set. Besides, I know that others have drank
the