symposium   

friends.

Do you think, Socrates, said Agathon, that my head is so full of the

theatre as not to know how much more formidable to a man of sense a

few good judges are than many fools?

Nay, replied Socrates, I should be very wrong in attributing to you,

Agathon, that or any other want of refinement. And I am quite aware

that if you happened to meet with any whom you thought wise, you would

care for their opinion much more than for that of the many. But then

we, having been a part of the foolish many in the theatre, cannot be

regarded as the select wise; though I know that if you chanced to be

in the presence, not of one of ourselves, but of some really wise man,

you would be ashamed of disgracing yourself before him-would you not?

Yes, said Agathon.

But before the many you would not be ashamed, if you thought that

you were doing something disgraceful in their presence?

Here Phaedrus interrupted them, saying: not answer him, my dear

Agathon; for if he can only get a partner with whom he can talk,

especially a good-looking one, he will no longer care about the

completion of our plan. Now I love to hear him talk; but just at

present I must not forget the encomium on Love which I ought to

receive from him and from every one. When you and he have paid your

tribute to the god, then you may talk.

Very good, Phaedrus, said Agathon; I see no reason why I should

not proceed with my speech, as I shall have many other opportunities

of conversing with Socrates. Let me say first how I ought to speak,

and then speak:-

The previous speakers, instead of praising the god Love, or

unfolding his nature, appear to have congratulated mankind on the

benefits which he confers upon them. But I would rather praise the god

first, and then speak of his gifts; this is always the right way of

praising everything. May I say without impiety or offence, that of all

the blessed gods he is the most blessed because he is the fairest