taking the place he embraced Agathon and crowned him. Take off his
sandals, said Agathon, and let him make a third on the same couch.

By all means; but who makes the third partner in our revels? said
Alcibiades, turning round and starting up as he caught sight of Socrates.
By Heracles, he said, what is this? here is Socrates always lying in wait
for me, and always, as his way is, coming out at all sorts of unsuspected
places: and now, what have you to say for yourself, and why are you lying
here, where I perceive that you have contrived to find a place, not by a
joker or lover of jokes, like Aristophanes, but by the fairest of the
company?

Socrates turned to Agathon and said: I must ask you to protect me,
Agathon; for the passion of this man has grown quite a serious matter to
me. Since I became his admirer I have never been allowed to speak to any
other fair one, or so much as to look at them. If I do, he goes wild with
envy and jealousy, and not only abuses me but can hardly keep his hands off
me, and at this moment he may do me some harm. Please to see to this, and
either reconcile me to him, or, if he attempts violence, protect me, as I
am in bodily fear of his mad and passionate attempts.

There can never be reconciliation between you and me, said Alcibiades; but
for the present I will defer your chastisement. And I must beg you,
Agathon, to give me back some of the ribands that I may crown the
marvellous head of this universal despot--I would not have him complain of
me for crowning you, and neglecting him, who in conversation is the
conqueror of all mankind; and this not only once, as you were the day
before yesterday, but always. Whereupon, taking some of the ribands, he
crowned Socrates, and again reclined.