Page:Xenophon by Alexander Grant.djvu/129

Rh the boy's dancing, and when exhausted with his exertions, called for some wine, which Callias commanded to be handed round; and Socrates gave his theory of the way in which they ought to drink—"not in huge quantities at once, which would be like a deluge of rain beating down the plants, but in small cups repeated frequently, which like gentle dew would refresh their spirits." And this mode of potation was made the order of the night.

There was more music; but Socrates urged that they ought not to be entirely dependent for their amusement on these children, but should by conversation entertain each other. The question now arose, "What each of the party most prided himself on?"

Callias prided himself on making others better.

Niceratus, on knowing all Homer by heart.

Critobulus, on his beauty.

Antisthenes, on his wealth.

Charmides, on his poverty.

Socrates, on his powers as a go-between.

Lycon, on his son Autolycus.

Autolycus, on his father Lycon.

Hermogenes, on the merit and power of his friends.

Then they had to justify their boasts, and it turned out that Callias was proud of making others better, because he did so by giving them money, so as to render them less necessitous, and less tempted to do wrong. Niceratus was proud of his knowledge of Homer, as being an encyclopædia of wisdom. For present purposes he wished to apply his knowledge