Page:The works of Plato, A new and literal version, (vol 6) (Burges, 1854).djvu/27

c. 5] Clin. Well and beautifully are you speaking, guest; and may the end of your laws be this, that after falling down before the gods, and passing a life the most pure, you may meet with its close the best and the most beautiful.

Athen. How then shall we speak, Clinias? Does it not seem to you that we honour the gods greatly by hymning them, and by praying that it may come into your minds to say things the most beautiful and the best respecting them? Say you in this way, or how?

Clin. In this way, wonderfully. But do thou, O godlike man, confiding in the gods, offer up a prayer, and speak the one amongst your beautiful speeches that comes into your mind relating to the gods and goddesses.

Athen. This shall be, if the deity himself be our leader. Do you only pray with me.

Clin. Say then what is to follow this.

Athen. It is necessary then, as it seems, for me, since those, who have gone before, have represented improperly the generation of gods and of animals, to give in the first place, according to our former reasoning, a better representation, by resuming the discourse, which I took in hand against impious assertions, and to assert that there are gods, who have a care for all things both small and great; and that they are not to be softened down by those, who are engaged in unjust acts, if you remember, Clinias; for you took down a memorandum of it; for what was then said was very true. But this was the great-