Alcibiades in his cups. 583 and sec who were the intruders. ' If they arc friends of Sym- ours,' he said, 'invite them in, but if not, say that the /"■"«'«■ drinking is over.' A little while afterwards they heard the agathon, . , . . , , . Alcibiadks. voice of Alcibiades resounding in the court ; he was in a great state of intoxication, and kept roaring and shouting j^ j^d'fn "^'^ ' Where is Agathon ? Lead me to Agathon,' and at length, dnmk and supported by the flute-girl and some of his attendants, he ^^'^""S^ found his way to them. 'Hail, friends,' he said, appearing which he at the door crowned with a massive garland of ivy and P'":'^^ "" , " -'the head of violets, his head flowing with ribands. 'Will you have Agathon. a very drunken man as a companion of your revels? Or shall I crown Agathon, which was my intention in coming, and go away? For I was unable to come yesterday, and therefore I am here to-day, carrying on my head these ribands, that taking them from my own head, I may crown the head of this fairest and wisest of men, as I may be allowed to call him. Will you laugh at me because I am ²¹³ drunk? Yet I know very well that I am speaking the truth, although you may laugh. But first tell me ; if I come in shall we have the understanding of which I spoke ' ? Will you drink with me or not ? ' The company were vociferous in begging that he would take his place among them, and Agathon specially invited him. Thereupon he was led in by the people who were with him ; and as he was being led, intending to crown Agathon, he took the ribands from his own head and held them in front of his eyes ; he was thus prevented from seeing Socrates, who made way for him, and Alcibiades took the Alcibiades vacant place between Agathon and Socrates, and in taking '^*'^ " the place he embraced Agathon and crowned him. Take off place bc- his sandals, said Agathon, and let him make a third on tween Aga- thon and the same couch. Socrates. By all means ; but who makes the third partner in our revels? said Alcibiades, turning round and starting up as he caught sight of Socrates. By Heracles, he said, what Heinsinu- is this ? here is Socrates always lying in wait for me, and ^^'^^ '^"^' .... , , „ , Agathon is always, as his way is, coming out at all sorts 01 unsuspected the beloved places: and now, what have you to say for yourself, and of Socrates. why are you lying here, where I perceive that you have ' Supra 2 1 2 D. Will you have a very drunken man ? etc.