< Page:The Dialogues of Plato v. 1.djvu
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PROTAGORAS.

PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE.

Socrates, who is the narrator of
⁠the Dialogue to his Companion.Hippocrates.
Protagoras, Sophists.
Prodicus,
Hippias,
Alcibiades.Callias, a wealthy Athenian.
Critias.

Scene:—The House of Callias.

Steph. 309

Protagoras.
Companion, Socrates.The fair Alcibiades.

COMPANION. Where do you come from, Socrates? And yet I need hardly ask the question, for I know that you have been compan in chase of the fair Alcibiades. I saw him the day before yesterday ; and he had got a beard like a man,—and he is a man, as I may tell you in your ear. But I thought that he was still very charming.

Socrates. What of his beard ? Are you not of Homer's opinion, who says[1]

'Youth is most charming when the beard first appears'?

And that is now the charm of Alcibiades.

Com. Well, and how do matters proceed ? Have you been visiting him, and was he gracious to you ?

Soc. Yes, I thought that he was very gracious ; and espe- cially to-day, for I have just come from him, and he has been helping me in an argument. But shall I tell you a strange thing ? I paid no attention to him, and several times I quite forgot that he was present.

Com. What is the meaning of this? Has anything hap- pened between you and him ? For surely you cannot have discovered a fairer love than he is ; certainly not in this city of Athens.

But there is a fairer still. Soc. Yes, much fairer.

Com. What do you mean—a citizen or a foreigner?

  1. ↑ Il. xxiv. 348.

VOL. I.

K

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