concealed: with husbandry it is different. Here the man who has the
most skill in planting will take most pleasure in being watched by
others; and so too the most skilful sower. Ask any question you may
choose about results thus beautifully wrought, and not one feature in
the whole performance will the doer of it seek to keep concealed. To
such height of nobleness (he added), Socrats, does husbandry appear,
like some fair mistress, to conform the soul and disposition of those
concerned with it.

[8] "Nay, if you will but listen, Socrates, with husbandry it is not
the same as with the other arts."

[9] {katatribenai}, "worn out." See "Mem." III. iv. 1; IV. vii. 5. Al.
"bored to death."

[10] Or, "before the products of his pupilage are worth his keep."

[11] Or, "critical and crucial."

The proem[12] to the speech is beautiful at any rate (I answered), but
hardly calculated to divert the hearer from the previous question. A
thing so easy to be learnt, you say? then, if so, do you be all the
readier for that reason to explain its details to me. No shame on you
who teach, to teach these easy matters; but for me to lack the
knowledge of them, and most of all if highly useful to the learner,
worse than shame, a scandal.

[12] Or, "the prelude to the piece."