The Symposium [30]
famous line,[90] which with Iacchus marched to encounter the barbarian.[91] And still, at the sacred festival to-day, it is agreed that no one among your ancestors has ever been more fitted to discharge the priestly office than yourself; yours a person the goodliest to behold in all our city, and a frame adapted to undergo great toils.
[88] Cf. "Mem." III. vii.
[89] i.e. Demeter and Core. Callias (see "Hell." VI. l.c.) was dadouchos (or torch-holder) in the mysteries.
[90] Or, "whose rites date back to Erechtheus." Cf. Plat. "Theag." 122.
[91] At Salamis. The tale is told by Herod. viii. 65, and Plut. "Themist." 15; cf. Polyaen. "Strat." iii. 11. 2. Just as Themistocles had won the battle of Salamis by help of Iacchus on the 16th Boedromion, the first day of the mysteries, so Chabrias won the sea-fight of Naxos by help of the day itself, {to 'Alade mustai}, 376 B.C.
But if I seem to any of you to indulge a vein more serious than befits the wine-cup, marvel not. It has long been my wont to share our city's passion for noble-natured souls, alert and emulous in pursuit of virtue.
He ended, and, while the others continued to discuss the theme of his discourse, Autolycus sat regarding Callias. That other, glancing the while at the beloved one, turned to Socrates.
Call. Then, Socrates, be pleased, as go-between,[92] to introduce me to the state, that I may employ myself in state affairs and never lapse from her good graces.[93]
[92] Lit. "as pander."
[93] So Critobulus in the conversation so often referred to. "Mem." II. vi.
Never fear (he answered), if only people see your loyalty to virtue is genuine,[94] not of mere repute. A false renown indeed is quickly seen for what it is worth, being tested; but true courage[95] (save only what some god hinder) perpetually amidst the storm and stress of circumstance[96] pours forth a brighter glory.
[94] See "Mem." I. vii. 1, passim; II. vi. 39; "Econ." x. 9.
[95] Cf. Thuc. ii. 42, {andragathia}, "true courage in the public service covers a multitude of private shortcomings."
[96] {en tais praxesi}. Cf. Plat. "Phaedr." 271 D, "in actual life."
IX
On such a note he ended his discourse.
At that, Autolycus, whose hour for walking exercise had now come, arose. His father, Lycon, was about to leave the room along with him, but before so doing, turned to Socrates, remarking:
By Hera, Socrates, if ever any one deserved the appellation "beautiful and good,"[1] you are that man!
[1] For {kalos ge kalathos} see "Econ." vii. 2 and passim.
So the pair departed. After they were gone, a sort of throne was first erected in the inner room abutting on the supper chamber. Then the Syracusan entered, with a speech:
With your good pleasure, sirs, Ariadne is about to enter the bridal chamber set apart for her and Dionysus. Anon Dionysus will appear, fresh from the table of the gods, wine-flushed, and enter to his bride. In the last scene the two will play[2] with one another.
[2] {paixountai}. The Syracusan naturally uses the Doric form. See Cobet, "Pros. Xen." p. 16, note 23. Rutherford, "N. Phrynicus," p. 91.
He had scarce concluded, when Ariadne entered, attired like a bride. She crossed the stage and sate herself upon the throne. Meanwhile, before the god himself appeared a sound of flutes was heard; the
cadence of the Bacchic air proclaimed his coming.
At this point the company broke forth in admiration of the ballet- master. For no sooner did the sound of music strike upon the ear of Ariadne than something in her action revealed to all the pleasure which it caused her. She did not step forward to meet her lover, she did not rise even from her seat; but the flutter of her unrest was plain to see.[3]
[3] Lit. "the difficulty she had to keep so still was evident."
When Dionysus presently caught sight of her he loved, lightly he danced towards her, and with show of tenderest passion gently reclined upon her knees; his arms entwined about her lovingly, and upon her lips he sealed a
[88] Cf. "Mem." III. vii.
[89] i.e. Demeter and Core. Callias (see "Hell." VI. l.c.) was dadouchos (or torch-holder) in the mysteries.
[90] Or, "whose rites date back to Erechtheus." Cf. Plat. "Theag." 122.
[91] At Salamis. The tale is told by Herod. viii. 65, and Plut. "Themist." 15; cf. Polyaen. "Strat." iii. 11. 2. Just as Themistocles had won the battle of Salamis by help of Iacchus on the 16th Boedromion, the first day of the mysteries, so Chabrias won the sea-fight of Naxos by help of the day itself, {to 'Alade mustai}, 376 B.C.
But if I seem to any of you to indulge a vein more serious than befits the wine-cup, marvel not. It has long been my wont to share our city's passion for noble-natured souls, alert and emulous in pursuit of virtue.
He ended, and, while the others continued to discuss the theme of his discourse, Autolycus sat regarding Callias. That other, glancing the while at the beloved one, turned to Socrates.
Call. Then, Socrates, be pleased, as go-between,[92] to introduce me to the state, that I may employ myself in state affairs and never lapse from her good graces.[93]
[92] Lit. "as pander."
[93] So Critobulus in the conversation so often referred to. "Mem." II. vi.
Never fear (he answered), if only people see your loyalty to virtue is genuine,[94] not of mere repute. A false renown indeed is quickly seen for what it is worth, being tested; but true courage[95] (save only what some god hinder) perpetually amidst the storm and stress of circumstance[96] pours forth a brighter glory.
[94] See "Mem." I. vii. 1, passim; II. vi. 39; "Econ." x. 9.
[95] Cf. Thuc. ii. 42, {andragathia}, "true courage in the public service covers a multitude of private shortcomings."
[96] {en tais praxesi}. Cf. Plat. "Phaedr." 271 D, "in actual life."
IX
On such a note he ended his discourse.
At that, Autolycus, whose hour for walking exercise had now come, arose. His father, Lycon, was about to leave the room along with him, but before so doing, turned to Socrates, remarking:
By Hera, Socrates, if ever any one deserved the appellation "beautiful and good,"[1] you are that man!
[1] For {kalos ge kalathos} see "Econ." vii. 2 and passim.
So the pair departed. After they were gone, a sort of throne was first erected in the inner room abutting on the supper chamber. Then the Syracusan entered, with a speech:
With your good pleasure, sirs, Ariadne is about to enter the bridal chamber set apart for her and Dionysus. Anon Dionysus will appear, fresh from the table of the gods, wine-flushed, and enter to his bride. In the last scene the two will play[2] with one another.
[2] {paixountai}. The Syracusan naturally uses the Doric form. See Cobet, "Pros. Xen." p. 16, note 23. Rutherford, "N. Phrynicus," p. 91.
He had scarce concluded, when Ariadne entered, attired like a bride. She crossed the stage and sate herself upon the throne. Meanwhile, before the god himself appeared a sound of flutes was heard; the
cadence of the Bacchic air proclaimed his coming.
At this point the company broke forth in admiration of the ballet- master. For no sooner did the sound of music strike upon the ear of Ariadne than something in her action revealed to all the pleasure which it caused her. She did not step forward to meet her lover, she did not rise even from her seat; but the flutter of her unrest was plain to see.[3]
[3] Lit. "the difficulty she had to keep so still was evident."
When Dionysus presently caught sight of her he loved, lightly he danced towards her, and with show of tenderest passion gently reclined upon her knees; his arms entwined about her lovingly, and upon her lips he sealed a