Page:The Dialogues of Plato v. 1.djvu/623

 584

584 ' Amantium irae.' Sym- posium. Socrates, Aj.ciniADEs, Ervxima- CHUS. He begins to be vio- lent, and JSocrates claims the protection of Agathon. He crowns Socrates as well as Agathon. A new spirit passes over the dream. Socrates' powers of drinking. contrived to find a place, not by a joker or lover of jokes, like Aristophanes, but by the fairest of the company ? Socrates turned to Agathon and said : I must ask you to protect me, Agathon ; for the passion of this man has grown quite a serious matter to me. Since I became his admirer I have never been allowed to speak to any other fair one, or so much as to look at them. If I do, he goes wild with envy and jealousy, and not only abuses me but can hardly keep his hands off me, and at this moment he may do me some harm. Please to see to this, and either reconcile me to him, or, if he attempts violence, protect me, as I am in bodily fear of his mad and passionate attempts. There can never be reconciliation between you and me, said Alcibiades ; but for the present I will defer your chastisement. And I must beg you, Agathon, to give me back some of the ribands that I may crown the marvellous head of this universal despot — I would not have him complain of me for crowning you, and neglecting him, who in con- versation is the conqueror of all mankind ; and this not only once, as you were the day before yesterday, but always. Whereupon, taking some of the ribands, he crowned Socrates, and again reclined. Then he said : You seem, my friends, to be sober, which is a thing not to be endured ; you must drink — for that was the agreement under which I was admitted — and I elect myself master of the feast until you are well drunk. Let us have a large goblet, Agathon, or rather, he said, addressing the attendant, bring me that wine-cooler. The wine-cooler which had caught his eye was a vessel holding more than two quarts — this he filled and emptied, and bade the attendant fill it again for Socrates. Observe, my friends, said Alcibi- ades, that this ingenious trick of mine will have no effect on Socrates, for he can drink any quantity of wine and not be at all nearer being drunk. Socrates drank the cup which the attendant filled for him. Eryximachus said : What is this, Alcibiades ? Are we to have neither conversation nor singing over our cups ; but simply to drink as if we were thirsty? Alcibiades replied: Hail, worthy son of a most wise and worthy sire !