Plato's Gorgias.) lectured me upon it the best part of a day. I
have hated the sight of him ever since. Such things may suit an
old sophist when he is fasting; but in the midst of wine and
music--

HIPPOMACHUS.
I differ from you. The enlightened Egyptians bring skeletons
into their banquets, in order to remind their guests to make the
most of their life while they have it.

CALLICLES.
I want neither skeleton nor sophist to teach me that lesson.
More wine, I pray you, and less wisdom. If you must believe
something which you never can know, why not be contented with the
long stories about the other world which are told us when we are
initiated at the Eleusinian mysteries? (The scene which follows
is founded upon history. Thucydides tells us, in his sixth book,
that about this time Alcibiades was suspected of having assisted
at a mock celebration of these famous mysteries. It was the
opinion of the vulgar among the Athenians that extraordinary
privileges were granted in the other world to alt who had been
initiated.)

CHARICLEA.
And what are those stories?

ALCIBIADES.
Are not you initiated, Chariclea?

CHARICLEA.