The Valley Below Profile Photo

The Valley Below

Dialogue

    ∞

    Socrates: (cont.) But even that wasn’t enough. And he, managing to take possession of the book, examined what his heart most desired (malista epithumos).

    // 228β

    ∞

    Socrates: (cont.) Well do I know, that when that man heard Lysias' speech, he didn’t hear it only once. But often and repeatedly, Phaedrus urged him to speak. And Lysias eagerly (prothumos) obliged.

    // 228α-228β

    ∞

    Socrates: (cont.) and yet, ( i have done ) neither of these.

    // 228α

    ∞

    Socrates: O Phaedrus— if i fail to know Phaedrus, i have forgotten myself.

    // 228α

    ∞

    Phaedrus: what could you mean, O best Socrates? when Lysias, who is the cleverest (deinos) of contemporary writers, composed it over a long time, and at his leisure; while i’m just—any old body—(idiotes)—

    how could i remember this, in a way worthy of that ?

    so i lack, abundantly; and yet, i’d want to— more than much gold becoming mine.

    // 227δ-228α

    ∞

    Soc.: (cont.) nonetheless, i set my heart’s desire (thumos) on hearing. so even if you, walking, made your walkabout to Megara, and like Herodicus came to the wall and departed again, i still would not leave your side. // 227δ

    ∞

    Phaedrus: indeed Socrates, and the hearing relates to you. for the account was— of our spending, somehow, i don’t know— erotic. for Lysias has written the temptation of a beauty. but not by a lover, this is his very subtlety. he says one must gratify one who is not a lover, rather than a lover.

    // 227ξ

    ∞

    Socrates: O beloved (phile) Phaedrus, whereto and wherefrom?

    Phaedrus: From Lysias, Socrates, son of Cephalus, and I am going for a walk outside the wall. For I spent a long time there, sitting since early morning. Persuaded by your fellow and mine, Acumenus, I make my walkabout along the paths. He says they remedy weariness better than the racetracks.

    Socrates: Beautifully said, fellow. But it seems Lysias was in town.

    Phaedrus: Yes, at Epicrates', the house of Morychus near the Olympian temple.

    Socrates: So, what was the spending? Or obviously Lysias was feasting you with speeches?

    Phaedrus: You will learn, if you have leisure (schole) to hear, as you go.

    Socrates: What? Don’t you think I make it, as Pindar says, “a matter higher even than business (a-scholias)”, to hear about your and Lysias' spending?

    Phaedrus: Then lead.

    Socrates: And speak.

    // 227α-β