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377 CRITO 377

coward is afraid of death itself, but he is afraid of doing wrong. For to go to the world below having one's soul full of injustice is the last and worst of all evils.

CRITO

Socrates. Crito.

Scene. — The Prison of Socrates.

Socrates. Why have you come at this hour, Crito ? it must be quite early ?

Crito. Yes, certainly.

Socrates. What is the exact time ?

Crito. The dawn is breaking.

Socrates. I wonder that the keeper of the prison would let you in.

Crito. He knows me because I often come, Socrates ; moreover, I have done him a kindness.

Socrates. And are you only just arrived ?

Crito. No, I came some time ago.

Socrates. Then why did you sit and say nothing instead of at once awakening me ?

Crito. I should not have liked myself, Socrates, to be in such great trouble and unrest as you are — in- deed I should not : I have been watching with amaze- ment your peaceful slumbers ; and for that reason I did not awake you, because I wished to minimize the pain. I have always thought you to be of a happy disposition ; but never did I see anything like the easy, tranquil manner in which you bear this calamity.

Socrates. Why, Crito, when a man has reached my age he ought not to be repining at the approach of death.