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Stranger
Str. Perhaps. We will examine that matter; but this we know, that no one will ever raise such a contention against any neatherd, but the herdsman himself tends the herd, he is their physician, he is their matchmaker, and he alone knows the midwife’s science of aiding at the birth of their offspring. Moreover, so far as the nature of the creatures allows them to enjoy sport or music, no one can enliven or soothe them better than he; whether with instruments or merely with his voice he performs the music best suited to his own herd; and the same applies to the other herdsmen. Is not that the case?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. You are quite right.
Stranger
Str. Then how can our discourse about the king be right and free from error, when we pick him out alone as herdsman and tender of the human herd, while countless others dispute his claim?
5
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. It cannot possibly be right.
Stranger
Str. We suspected a little while ago that although we might be outlining a sort of kingly shape we had not yet perfected an accurate portrait of the statesman, and could not do so until, by removing those who crowd about him and contend with him for a share in his herdsmanship, we separated him from them and made him stand forth alone and uncontaminated. Was our fear justified?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. It certainly was.
Stranger
Str. Then we must attend to that, Socrates, if we are not to end our argument in disgrace.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. But we certainly must not do that.
10
Stranger
Str. Then we must begin again from a new sarting-point and travel by a different road.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. By what road?
