Page:Works of Plato his first fifty-five dialogues (Taylor 1804) (Vol 2 of 5) (IA Vol2worksofplato00plat).pdf/70

60 THE LAWS. what is not so: for these have been compelled to sing and walk in rhythm. But in consequence of doing each of these ignorantly, they would not syllogize as follows: Every melody, when it possesses things which accord, subsists in a proper manner ; but when it does not poffefs things which accord, it is defective. Clin. Mod: necessarily so. Guest. What then? Can he who does not understand what it possesses, and what its definition is, know, as we have faid, how it properly subsists at any time in any one ? Clin. How is it possible he Should ? Guest. This then, as it appears, we have now discovered, that those fingers which we have now called upon, and have after a manner compelled to sing voluntarily, ought from necessity to be disciplined thus far, as to be able each of them to follow the progressions of the rhythms, and the chords of the melodies, that, perceiving the harmonies and the rhythms, they may choose such as are fit to be sung by so many, and by such particular persons; and, thus singing, may themselves immediately be innocently delighted, and thus induce young men to embrace worthy manners.

But, being thus far inftru£ted, they will participate of a more accurate difcipline than that which is diredted to the multitude, and to poets themfelves.

For, in the third place,

it is by no means necessary that a poet Should know whether the imitation is beautiful cr not; but it is nearly necessary that he Should know this of harmony and rhythm.

But all the three ought to be known for the fake of

choosing the most beautiful, and the second ; for otherwise they will never become a Sufficient enchantment to youth to the acquisition of virtue. And thus, that which our discourse intended in the beginning, viz. that it might afford proper affiffance to the choir of Bacchus, has been accomplished by us to the utmoft of our ability. accomplished in this maimer.

But let us consider whether this Should be For fuch an affembly muff: neceffarily be tu¬

multuous, in confequence of the compotation proceeding to a greater degree, which we fuppofed in the beginning of our difcourfe muff neceffarily happen to drinking affociations of the prefent day. Clin. It is neceffary it Should. Guest. But every one becoming lighter than himfelf will be elevated

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