gorgias   

Scene: The house of Callicles.

Callicles. The wise man, as the proverb says, is late for a fray,

but not for a feast.

Socrates. And are we late for a feast?

Cal. Yes, and a delightful feast; for Gorgias has just been

exhibiting to us many fine things.

Soc. It is not my fault, Callicles; our friend Chaerephon is to

blame; for he would keep us loitering in the Agora.

Chaerephon. Never mind, Socrates; the misfortune of which I have

been the cause I will also repair; for Gorgias is a friend of mine,

and I will make him give the exhibition again either now, or, if you

prefer, at some other time.

Cal. What is the matter, Chaerephon-does Socrates want to hear

Gorgias?

Chaer. Yes, that was our intention in coming.

Cal. Come into my house, then; for Gorgias is staying with me, and

he shall exhibit to you.

Soc. Very good, Callicles; but will he answer our questions? for I

want to hear from him what is the nature of his art, and what it is

which he professes and teaches; he may, as you [Chaerephon] suggest,

defer the exhibition to some other time.

Cal. There is nothing like asking him, Socrates; and indeed to

answer questions is a part of his exhibition, for he was saying only

just now, that any one in my house might put any question to him,

and that he would answer.

Soc. How fortunate! will you ask him, Chaerephon-?

Chaer. What shall I ask him?

Soc. Ask him who he is.

Chaer. What do you mean?

Soc. I mean such a question as would elicit from him, if he had been

a maker of shoes, the answer that he is a cobbler. Do you understand?

Chaer. I understand, and will ask him: Tell me, Gorgias, is our