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Socr. From what has been admitted, then, this consideration arises, whether it is just or not that I should endeavor to leave this place without the permission of the Athenians. And should it appear to be just, we will make the attempt, but if not, we will give it up.
Are these able to instruct the youth, and make them better? Mel. Certainly. Socr. Whether all, or some of them, and others not? Mel. All. Socr. You say well, by Juno! and have found a great abundance of those that confer benefit. But what further? Can these hearers make them better, or not? Mel. They, too, can. Socr. And what of the senators? Mel. The senators, also. Socr.
SOCR. Ay: for when to the brim filled with water they swim, by Necessity carried along, They are hung up on high in the vault of the sky, and so by Necessity strong In the midst of their course, they clash with great force, and thunder away without end. STREPS. But is it not He who compels this to be? does not Zeus this Necessity send? SOCR. No Zeus have we there, but a vortex of air.
Then you first must explain, who it is sends the rain; or I really must think you are wrong. SOCR. Well then, be it known, these send it alone: I can prove it by argument strong. Was there ever a shower seen to fall in an hour when the sky was all cloudless and blue? Yet on a fine day, when the clouds are away, he might send one, according to you.
But answer to this at least: is there any one who believes that there are things relating to demons, but does not believe that there are demons? Mel. There is not. Socr. How obliging you are in having hardly answered; though compelled by these judges!
Yes, by Zeus! and I shake, and I'm all of a quake, and I fear I must sound a reply, Their thunders have made my soul so afraid, and those terrible voices so nigh Socr. Don't act in our schools like those comedy-fools, with their scurrilous, scandalous ways. Deep silence be thine, while these Clusters divine their soul-stirring melody raise. To which the chorus again responds.
What shall we say to these things, Crito? That the laws speak the truth, or not? Cri. It seems so to me. Socr. "Consider, then, Socrates," the laws perhaps might say, "whether we say truly that in what you are now attempting you are attempting to do what is not just toward us.
It has not yet arrived, but it appears to me that it will come to-day, from what certain persons report who have come from Sunium, and left it there. It is clear, therefore, from these messengers, that it will come to day, and consequently it will be necessary, Socrates, for you to die to-morrow. Socr. But with good fortune, Crito, and if so it please the gods, so be it.
And what character can be more disgraceful than this to appear to value one's riches more than one's friends? For the generality of men will not be persuaded that you were unwilling to depart hence, when we urged you to it. Socr. But why, my dear Crito, should we care so much for the opinion of the many?
For I highly esteem your endeavors to persuade me thus to act, so long as it is not against my will Consider, then, the beginning of our inquiry, whether it is stated to your entire satisfaction, and endeavor to answer the question put to you exactly as you think right. Cri. I will endeavor to do so. Socr.
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