264–265
Socrates
Socrates. But I do think you will agree to this, that every discourse must be organized, like a living being, with a body of its own, as it were, so as not to be headless or footless, but to have a middle and members, composed in fitting relation to each other and to the whole.
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. Certainly.
Socrates
Socrates. See then whether this is the case with your friend’s discourse, or not. You will find that it is very like the inscription that some say is inscribed on the tomb of Midas the Phrygian.
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. What sort of inscription is that, and what is the matter with it?
Socrates
Socrates. This is it: A bronze maiden am I; and I am placed upon the tomb of Midas. So long as water runs and tall trees put forth leaves, Remaining in this very spot upon a much lamented tomb, I shall declare to passers by that Midas is buried here; and you perceive, I fancy, that it makes no difference whether any line of it is put first or last.
10
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. You are making fun of our discourse, Socrates.
Socrates
Socrates. Then, to spare your feelings, let us say no more of this discourse—and yet I think there were many things in it which would be useful examples to consider, though not exactly to imitate—and let us turn to the other discourses; for there was in them, I think, something which those who wish to investigate rhetoric might well examine.
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. What do you mean?
Socrates
Socrates. The two discourses were opposites; for one maintained that the lover, and the other that the non-lover, should be favored.
