ACT II.SCENE I.
SOCRATES, SOPHRONIMUS.
SOPHRONIMUS.
Divine Socrates, I know not how to believe my own happiness: how can Aglae, whose father died in extreme poverty be possessed of so considerable a fortune?
SOCRATES.
I told you before, she had more than she thought she had: I knew her father's affairs better than herself: let it suffice that you both enjoy a fortune which you deserve: the secrets of the dead should be preserved as religiously as those of the living.
SOPHRONIMUS.
I am only afraid the priest of Ceres, to whom you have preferred Sophronimus, will endeavor to avenge Aglae's refusal upon you: he is a man whom we have reason to dread.
SOCRATES.
What has he to fear who does his duty? I know the malice of my enemies; I know all their calumnies; but when we take care never to offend God, and endeavor to do all the good we can to mankind, then is it that we are afraid of nothing, or whilst we live, or when we die.
SOPHRONIMUS.
I know it well; yet I should die with grief if the happiness you bestowed on me should induce your enemies to put your virtue to the trial.
SCENE II.
SOCRATES, SOPHRONIMUS, AGLAE.
AGLAE.
O my benefactor, my father, let me fall at your feet, thou more than man; join me, Sophronimus, in mutual acknowledgments; 'tis he, 'tis Socrates who marries us at his own expense, and gives us best part of his own fortune to support us: but we must not suffer him, we must not be rich on these conditions; no, if our hearts have any gratitude, let them imitate his generosity.
SOPHRONIMUS.
O Socrates, with her I throw myself at thy feet; like her I am charmed, astonished and confounded at thy goodness; we will not, must not abuse it: look on us as your children, but do not let those children be a burden to their kind parent; thy friendship is fortune sufficient, 'tis all that we desire: you are not rich, and yet you do more than all the great ones of the earth; but were we to accept thy bounties, we should be unworthy of them.
SOCRATES.
Rise, my children, you affect me too deeply: are we not bound to respect the will of the dead? did not your father, Aglae, whom I always considered as part of myself, did he not enjoin me to treat you as my daughter? Had I not done so, I had betrayed the confidence of friendship: I took upon me the performance of his will, and I have executed it: the little I bestow on you would have been useless to my old age, which has not many wants to supply. If it was my duty to obey my friend, it is yours to obey your father. I am that father now, and by that sacred name command you not to make me unhappy by your refusal: but retire, I see Xantippe coming this way; I have reasons for desiring you to avoid her at present.
AGLAE.
Your commands are cruel, but they must be obeyed.
SCENE III.
SOCRATES, XANTIPPE.
XANTIPPE.
A fine piece of work you have made here; upon my word, my dear husband, I must put a stop to your proceedings. Here had I promised Aglae to Anitus the high-priest, a man of interest amongst the great, and Sophronimus to the rich Drixa, who has extensive influence in the whole nation; and you marry your two fools together, and make me break my word to both: not content with this, you must needs give them best part of your fortune too. Twenty thousand drachms! good gods! twenty thousand drachms! are you not ashamed of yourself? at the age of threescore and ten too? Who's to pay your physicians when you are sick? or your lawyers when you have a law-suit? What am I to do, when that villainous wry-necked fellow, Anitus, whom you might have had on your side, if he should join his party to persecute you, as they have done so often already? confusion to all philosophy and philosophers I say, and to my own foolish regard for you! You pretend to direct others, and want leading-strings yourself; always reasoning without a grain of common sense. If you were not one of the best men in the world, you would be the most ridiculous and the most insupportable: but mind me, you have only one way left, break off this foolish match, and do what your wife bids you.
SOCRATES.
You talk well, my dear Xantippe, and with great moderation; but hear what I have to say in return. I did not propose this marriage myself, but Aglae and Sophronimus love and are worthy of each other. I have already made over everything to you that the laws will allow me, and have given almost all that remained to the daughter of my friend: the little which I keep is enough for me. I have no physician to pay because I live sober; no lawyers because I have neither debts nor reversions: and with regard to that philosophy you reproach me with, it will teach me to bear the malice of Anitus, and your treatment of me; nay, even to love you, in spite of your ill-humor.
[Exit.
SCENE IV.
XANTIPPE.
[Alone.
The old fool! and yet, spite of myself, I can't help esteeming him; for after all, there is something great even in his follies: but his coolness and indifference make me mad. To scold him is but lost labor: for these thirty years past I have been perpetually pecking at him; and when I have tired myself with it, he bids me go on, and I am dumbfounded. Surely there must be something in that soul of his superior to mine.
SCENE V.
XANTIPPE, DRIXA.
DRIXA.
So, Madam Xantippe, I see you are mistress at home: fie! fie! how mean it is to be governed by a husband! this vile Socrates, to prevent my making a young fellow's fortune; but I'll be revenged.
XANTIPPE.
My dear Madam Drixa, don't be so angry with my husband, I am angry enough with him myself: he's a poor, weak man, I confess; but I verily believe has one of the best hearts in the world; has not the least degree of malice, and does a thousand foolish things without designing, and with so much honesty, that one can't help forgiving him: then indeed he is as obstinate as a mule: I have done nothing but tease and torment him my whole life; nay, I have even beat him sometimes, and yet I have never been able to mend him, nay, not so much as to put him into a passion. What can I do with him?
DRIXA.
I tell you, I'll be revenged; under yonder portico I perceive his good friend Anitus, and some more of our party: let me alone with him.
XANTIPPE.
My god! I am dreadfully afraid these folks, all together, will do my poor husband some mischief: I must go and tell him of it, for after all one can't help loving him.
SCENE VI.
ANITUS, DRIXA, TERPANDER, ACROS.
DRIXA.
Most noble Anitus, we have all been wronged: you are tricked as well as myself: this vile Socrates has given away three parts of his fortune on purpose to spite you: you must take ample revenge of him.
ANITUS.
I design it: heaven itself requires it of me: this man treats me with contempt, and of course must despise the gods. Already we have had several accusations against him, we must repeat them, you will all assist me: we will put him in danger of his life, then will I offer him my protection, on condition that he resigns Aglae to me, and to you the beautiful Sophronimus: thus we shall all gain our several points: he will be sufficiently punished by the fright we shall put him into: I shall get my mistress, and you your lover.
DRIXA.
Wisdom herself speaks in Anitus: sure some divinity inspires you: but tell us, how are we to proceed?
ANITUS.
This is about the time when the judges go to the tribunal, with Melitus at the head of them.
DRIXA.
That Melitus is a little pedant, a sad fellow, and your enemy.
ANITUS.
He is so; but he is still a greater enemy to Socrates; 'tis a rascally hypocrite who supports the rights of the Areopagus against me: but we always hold together when our mutual interest and business is to destroy these pretended wise men, who want to open the eyes of people on our conduct: hearken, my dear Drixa, you are a devotee.
DRIXA.
Certainly, my lord, I love money, and I love pleasure with all my soul, but in matters of devotion I yield to none.
ANITUS.
Go then immediately, and get together as many bawling enthusiasts as you can, and cry out, impiety! impiety.
TERPANDER.
Is there anything to be got by it? if there is, we are all ready.
ACROS.
Ay, ay, that we are; but what sort of impiety?
ANITUS.
O every kind: however, we had best accuse him at once of not believing in the gods; that's the shortest way.
DRIXA.
O let me alone then.
ANITUS.
You shall be well supported; go, and stir up your friends under the portico: I'll inform meantime some of my news-loving friends of it, who come frequently to dine with me, a parcel of contemptible fellows they are, to be sure, but such as, if properly directed, can do a good deal of mischief on occasion: we must make use of every expedient to promote a good cause: away, my friends, recommend yourselves to Ceres, and be ready to cry out when I give you the signal: 'tis the only way for you to live happy here, and gain heaven hereafter.
SCENE VII.
ANITUS, GRAPHIUS, CHOMUS, BERTILLUS.
ANITUS.
Most indefatigable Graphius, profound Chomus, and delicate Bertillus, have you finished those little works as I commanded you against the impious Socrates?
GRAPHIUS.
My lord, I have labored: he'll never hold up his head again.
CHOMUS.
I have proved the fact against him; struck him dumb.
BERTILLUS.
I have only mentioned him in my journal, and it has done for him.
ANITUS.
Graphius, beware, you know I forbade your prolixity: you are naturally tedious, and that may wear out the patience of the court.
GRAPHIUS.
My lord, 'tis all in one leaf: wherein I have proved that the soul is an infused quintessence; that tails were given to animals to drive away flies; that Ceres works miracles; and consequently, that Socrates is an enemy to the state, and ought to be exterminated.
ANITUS.
A most excellent conclusion! remember to carry your accusation to the second judge, who is a complete philosopher. I'll answer for it, you'll soon get rid of your enemy Socrates.
GRAPHIUS.
My lord, I am not his enemy: I am only vexed that he has so great a reputation: all that I do is for the glory of Ceres, and the good of my country.
ANITUS.
Well, well, make haste and be gone: and you, learned Chomus, what have you done?
CHOMUS.
My lord, finding nothing reprehensible in the writings of Socrates. I shall accuse him point-blank of thinking directly opposite to what he says, and shall show the poison he intends to spread in everything he is to say hereafter.
ANITUS.
Wonderful indeed! carry your piece to the fourth judge: he has not common sense, and therefore will understand you perfectly: now for you, Bertillus.
BERTILLUS.
My lord, here is my last journal upon the Chaos. I have proved, by a regular series from the Chaos to the Olympics, that Socrates perverts the youth of Athens.
ANITUS.
Admirable! go you from me to the seventh judge, and tell him I desire he'd take care of Socrates; so; here comes Melitus already, the first of the eleven; there's no necessity of practising any art with him, we know each other too well.
SCENE VIII.
ANITUS, MELITUS.
ANITUS.
Mr. Judge, one word with you: this Socrates must be destroyed.
MELITUS.
Indeed, Mr. High Priest, I have long thought so: let us agree in this point; we may quarrel, you know, notwithstanding, about everything else.
ANITUS.
I know we hate each other most cordially: but at the same time we may lay our heads together to govern the commonwealth.
MELITUS.
With all my heart, nobody can overhear us: therefore, to speak freely, I know you are a rogue, and you don't look upon me as a very honest man: I can't hurt you because you are high priest, nor you me because I am first judge; but Socrates may do us both a mischief, by exposing us to the world; our first business, therefore, is to destroy him, and then we may be at leisure to fall upon each other the first opportunity.
ANITUS.
[Aside.
'Tis well observed: how I could rejoice now to see this rascally judge upon an altar, his arms hanging on one side and his legs on the other, whilst I with my golden knife was ripping up his guts and consulting his liver at leisure!
MELITUS.
[Aside.
Shall I never be able to send this villainous high priest to jail, and make him swallow a pint of hemlock by my command?
ANITUS.
O my friend, here come our noble assistants. I have taken care to prepare the populace.
MELITUS.
Very well, my dear friend, you may depend upon me in this affair, not forgetting old scores.
SCENE IX.
ANITUS, MELITUS, some of the Judges of Athens passing along under the portico.
[Anitus whispers Melitus.
DRIXA, TERPANDER, and ACROS together.
Justice, justice, scandal, impiety, justice, justice, irreligion, impiety, justice!
ANITUS.
What's the matter, my friends, what's your complaint?
DRIXA, TERPANDER, and ACROS.
Justice! in the name of the people.
MELITUS.
Against whom?
DRIXA, TERPANDER, and ACROS.
Against Socrates.
MELITUS.
Ha! ha! against Socrates? that fellow has been often accused: what has he done now?
ACROS.
I don't know what.
TERPANDER.
They say he gives money to young girls in marriage.
ACROS.
Ay, he corrupts our youth.
DRIXA.
O he's a wicked wretch: he has offered up no cakes to Ceres; he says there is a great deal of useless gold and silver in the temple.
ACROS.
Ay, and he says the priests of Ceres get drunk sometimes; that's true; he's a wicked wretch indeed.
DRIXA.
He's a heretic; he denies the plurality of gods; he's a deist: he believes only in one God; he's an atheist.
ALL THREE TOGETHER.
Yes; he's a heretic, a deist, and an atheist.
MELITUS.
Dreadful accusations indeed, and all extremely probable: I have heard as much before.
ANITUS.
The state is in danger if we leave such crimes unpunished: Minerva will withdraw her protection from us.
DRIXA.
Ay, that she will, I have heard him laugh at Minerva's owl.
MELITUS.
At Minerva's owl! O heaven! gentlemen, is not it your opinion he ought to be sent to prison immediately?
THE JUDGES.
[All together.
To prison with him, to prison.
MELITUS.
Guards, carry Socrates to prison this instant.
DRIXA.
And afterwards let him be burned without a hearing.
ONE OF THE JUDGES.
No, no; we must hear him; we must not go against the law.
ANITUS.
No, no; that's what the good woman meant: we must hear him, but not let what he says have too much effect on us; you know these philosophers are devilish subtle: 'tis they who have disturbed all those nations which we have endeavored to render peaceable and quiet.
MELITUS.
To prison with him, to prison.
SCENE X.
XANTIPPE, SOPHRONIMUS, AGLAE, SOCRATES, in chains.
[Entering.
XANTIPPE.
O mercy, mercy, my poor husband is going to prison; aren't you ashamed, Mr. Judges, to treat a man of his years in this manner? What harm could he do? Alas! it is not in his power, he is more fool than knave, God knows; have pity on him, good gentlemen. O my dear, I told you you would draw yourself into some bad affair. This comes of portioning young girls. What an unhappy creature I am!
SOPHRONIMUS.
O my lords, respect his age, respect his virtue; give me his chains! I am ready to yield up my liberty, my life for his.
AGLAE.
Yes; we will go to prison in his stead; we will die for him: do not destroy the noblest, best of men: take us rather for your victims.
MELITUS.
You see how he corrupts our youth.
SOCRATES.
No more, my wife, no more, my children; do not oppose the will of heaven, which speaks by the laws: he who resists the law, is no longer a citizen. God wills that I should be put in bondage; I submit to his divine decree without murmur, or repining. In my own house, in Athens, or in a prison, I am equally free; and whilst I behold in you so much gratitude, and so much friendship, I am happy. What matters it whether Socrates sleeps in his own chamber, or in a prison? Everything is as the supreme will ordains, and my will should submit to it.
MELITUS.
Take away this reasoner.
ANITUS.
Gentlemen, what he says I must own has affected me; the man seems to have a good disposition; I flatter myself I should be able to convert him; let me have a little private conversation with him; please to order his wife and these young folks to retire.
ONE OF THE JUDGES.
Most venerable Anitus, you have our consent to parley with him before he appears at the tribunal.
SCENE XI.
ANITUS, SOCRATES.
ANITUS.
Most virtuous Socrates, my heart bleeds to see you in this condition.
SOCRATES.
And have you a heart?
ANITUS.
I have, and one that feels for you: I am ready to do everything for you.
SOCRATES.
I think you have done enough already.
ANITUS.
Hark ye, Socrates, your situation is worse than you think it is; let me tell you, your life is in danger.
SOCRATES.
That is of very little consequence.
ANITUS.
To your noble soul it may appear so, but it is otherwise in the eyes of all those who, like me, admire your virtue: believe me, however you may be armed by philosophy, it is dreadful to die a death of ignominy: but that is not all; your reputation, which should be dear to you, will be sullied in after ages: the religious of both sexes will laugh at your fall, and insult you: if you are burned, they'll light the pile; if you're strangled, they'll tie the cord; if you're poisoned, they'll pound the hemlock; and not only that, but they'll make your memory execrable to all posterity. Now it is in your own power to prevent all this: I will promise not only to save your life, but even to persuade your judges to say with the oracle, that you are the wisest of men: you have nothing to do but to give me up your young pupil, Aglae, with the portion; you understand me: as to her marriage with Sophronimus, we shall find means to set it aside: thus you will enjoy a peaceful and honorable old age, and the gods and goddesses will bless you.
SOCRATES.
Soldiers, conduct me to prison immediately.
[He is carried off.
ANITUS.
This fellow is incorrigible; but it's not my fault; I have done my duty, and have nothing to reproach myself with: he must be abandoned as a reprobate, and left to die in his sins.
End of the Second Act.