Symposium.
Companion, Apollodorus.
Companion. I see, Apollodorus, that you are just the same always speaking evil of yourself, and of others; and I do believe that you pity all mankind, with the exception of Companion, Socrates, yourself first of all, true in this to your old name, which, however deserved, I know not how you acquired, of Apollodorus the madman; for you are always raging against yourself and everybody but Socrates.
Apollodorus. Yes, friend, and the reason why 1 am said to be mad, and out of my wits, is just because I have these notions of myself and you; no other evidence is required.
Com. No more of that, Apollodorus; but let me renew my request that you would repeat the conversation.
Apoll. Well, the tale of love was on this wise:—But perhaps 174 I had better begin at the beginning, and endeavour to give you the exact words of Aristodemus:
Aristodemus the narrator had gone to the banquet on the investigation of Socrates.He said that he met Socrates fresh from the bath and sandalled: and as the sight of the sandals was unusual, he asked him whither he was going that he had been converted into had gone such a beau:—
To a banquet at Agathon's, he replied, whose invitation to invitation his sacrifice of victory I refused yesterday, fearing a crowd, but promising that I would come to-day instead; and so 1 have put on my finery, because he is such a fine man. What say you to going with me unasked?
I will do as you bid me, I replied.
Follow then, he said, and let us demolish the proverb:—
'To the feasts of inferior men the good unbidden go;'
instead of which our proverb will run:—
'To the feasts of the good the good unbidden go;'
Homer violates his own rule.and this alteration may be supported by the authority of Homer himself, who not only demolishes but literally outrages the proverb. For, after picturing Agamemnon as the most valiant of men, he makes Menelaus, who is but a faint-hearted warrior, come unbidden[1] to the banquet of Agamemnon, who is feasting and offering sacrifices, not the better to the worse, but the worse to the better.
I rather fear, Socrates, said Aristodemus, lest this may still- ↑ Iliad ii. 408, and xvii. 588.
