408
Socrates
Socrates. You know that speech makes all things (πᾶν) known and always makes them circulate and move about, and is twofold, true and false.
5
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
Socrates
Socrates. Well, the true part is smooth and divine and dwells aloft among the gods, but falsehood dwells below among common men, is rough and like the tragic goatThe chorus of the primitive performances from which tragedy developed appeared as satyrs, clad in goat-skins. Hence the name τραγῳδία (goat-song). The adjective τραγικός may mean either goat-like or tragic. In this passage it has both meanings.; for tales and falsehoods are most at home there, in the tragic life.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. Certainly.
Socrates
Socrates. Then Pan, who declares and always moves (ἀεὶ πολῶν) all, is rightly called goat-herd (αἰπόλος), being the double-natured son of Hermes, smooth in his upper parts, rough and goat-like in his lower parts. And Pan, if he is the son of Hermes, is either speech or the brother of speech, and that brother resembles brother is not at all surprising. But, as I said, my friend, let us get away from the gods.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. From such gods as those, if you like, Socrates; but why should you not tell of another kind of gods, such as sun, moon, stars, earth, ether, air, fire, water, the seasons, and the year?
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Socrates
Socrates. You are imposing a good many tasks upon me; however, if it will give you pleasure, I am willing.
Hermogenes
Hermogenes. It will give me pleasure.
