compelled me to learn the whole of Homer's poems, and it so happens
that even now I can repeat the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey" by heart.[12]

[11] Nicias.

[12] Of, "off-hand." See "Mem." III. vi. 9; Plat. "Theaet." 142 D.

You have not forgotten (interposed Antisthenes), perhaps, that besides
yourself there is not a rhapsodist who does not know these epics?

Forgotten! is it likely (he replied), considering I had to listen to
them almost daily?

Ant. And did you ever come across a sillier tribe of people than these
same rhapsodists?[13]

[13] Cf. "Mem." IV. ii. 10.

Nic. Not I, indeed. Don't ask me to defend their wits.

It is plain (suggested Socrates), they do not know the underlying
meaning.[14] But you, Niceratus, have paid large sums of money to
Anaximander, and Stesimbrotus, and many others,[15] so that no single
point in all that costly lore is lost upon you.[16] But what (he
added, turning to Critobulus) do you most pride yourself upon?

[14] i.e. "they haven't the key (of knowledge) to the allegorical or
spiritual meaning of the sacred text." Cf. Plat. "Crat." 407;
"Ion," 534; "Rep." 378, 387; "Theaet." 180; "Prot." 316. See
Grote, "H. G." i. 564.