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378 378 PLATO

Crito. And yet other old men find themselves in similar misfortunes, and age does not prevent them from repining.

Socrates. That is true. But you have not told me why you come at this early hour.

Crito. I come to bring you a message which is sad and painful ; not, as I believe, to yourself, but to all of us who are your friends, and saddest of all to me.

Socrates. What ? Has the ship come from Delos, on the arrival of which I am to die ?

Crito. No, the ship has not actually arrived, but she will probably be here to-day, as persons who have come from Sunium ^ tell me that they left her there ; and therefore to-morrow, Socrates, will be the last day of your life.

Socrates. Very well, Crito ; if such is the wiU of God, I am willing ; but my belief is that there will be a delay of a day.

Crito. Why do you think so ?

Socrates. I will tell you. I am to die on the day after the arrival of the ship.

Crito. Yes ; that is what the authorities say.

Socrates. But I do not think that the ship will be here until to-morrow ; this I infer from a vision which I had last night, or rather only just now, when you fortunately allowed me to sleep.

CHto. And what was the nature of the vision ?

Socrates. There appeared to me the likeness of a woman, fair and comely, clothed in bright raiment, who called to me and said : " Ο Socrates,

" ' The third day hence to fertile Phthia thou shalt go.' " ^

Crito. What a singular dream, Socrates !

^ Southern promontory of Attica. ^ Homer, Iliad, ix. 363.