poison very late, after it had been announced to them, and have
supped and drank freely. Do not hasten, then, for there is yet time."

Upon this Socrates replied, "These men whom you mention, Crito, do
these things with good reason, for they think they shall gain by so
doing, and I, too, with good reason shall not do so; for I think I
shall gain nothing by drinking a little later, except to become
ridiculous to myself, in being so fond of life, and sparing of it when
none any longer remains. Go, then," he said, "obey, and do not
resist."

Crito having heard this, nodded to the boy that stood near. And the
boy having gone out, and stayed for some time, came, bringing with him
the man that was to administer the poison, who brought it ready
pounded in a cup. And Socrates, on seeing the man, said, "Well, my
good friend, as you are skilled in these matters, what must I do?"

"Nothing else," he replied, "than, when you have drank it, walk about
until there is a heaviness in your legs, then lie down: thus it will
do its purpose." And at the same time he held out the cup to Socrates.
And he having received it very cheerfully, neither trembling, nor
changing at all in color or countenance, but, as he was wont, looking
steadfastly at the man, said, "What say you of this potion, with
respect to making a libation to any one, is it lawful or not?"

"We only pound so much, Socrates," he said, "as we think sufficient to
drink."

"I understand you," he said, "but it is certainly both lawful and
right to pray to the gods that my departure hence thither may be
happy; which therefore I pray, and so may it be." And as he said this
he drank it off readily and calmly. Thus far, most of us were with
difficulty able to restrain ourselves from weeping; but when we saw
him drinking, and having finished the draught, we could do so no
longer; but in spite of myself the tears came in full torrent, so
that, covering my face, I wept for myself, for I did not weep for him,
but for my own fortune, in being deprived of such a friend. But Crito,
even before me, when he could not restrain his tears, had risen up.
But Apollodorus even before this had not ceased weeping, and then
bursting into an agony of grief, weeping and lamenting, he pierced the
heart of every one present, except Socrates himself. But he said,
"What are you doing, my admirable friends? I indeed for this reason
chiefly, sent away the women, that they might not commit any folly of
t