The Graces and the Nymphs, together knit,
With rhythmic feet the meadow beat (Conington).

Ib. iv. 7. 5.

The Syracusan caught the notion readily.

By all that's holy, Socrates (he cried), a capital suggestion, and for
my part, I warrant you, I will put a piece upon the stage, which will
delight you, one and all.



VIII

With these words the Syracusan made his exit, bent on organising his
performance.[1] As soon as he was gone, Socrates once more essayed a
novel argument.[2] He thus addressed them:

[1] {sunekroteito}, "on the composition of his piece." Al. "amidst a
round of plaudits."

[2] "Struck the keynote of a novel theme." Cf. Plat. "Symp." 177 E.

It were but reasonable, sirs, on our part not to ignore the mighty
power here present,[3] a divinity in point of age coequal with the
everlasting gods, yet in outward form the youngest,[4] who in
magnitude embraces all things, and yet his shrine is planted in the
soul of man. Love[5] is his name! and least of all should we forget