108
Socrates
Soc. And at such time as is better?
Socrates
Soc. And so far as is better?
Alcibiades
Alc. I agree.
10
Socrates
Soc. Well now, since you applied the term better to the two cases of harping for accompaniment of a song and close wrestling, what do you call the better in the case of harping, to correspond with what in the case of wrestling I call gymnastic? What do you call the other?
Alcibiades
Alc. I do not understand.
Socrates
Soc. Well, try to copy me: for my answer gave you, I think, what is correct in every instance; and that is correct, I presume, which proceeds by rule of the art, is it not?
Socrates
Soc. And was not the art here gymnastic?
15
Alcibiades
Alc. To be sure.
Socrates
Soc. And I said that the better Socrates means by better or the better way the general method of attaining excellence in any art. in the case of wrestling was gymnastic.
Socrates
Soc. And I was quite fair?
Alcibiades
Alc. I think so.
20
Socrates
Soc. Come then, in your turn—for it would befit you also, I fancy, to argue fairly Socrates here repeats καλῶς (which means handsomely as well as correctly) in allusion to Alcibiades’ good looks. Cf. Plat. Alc.1 113b—tell me, first, what is the art which includes harping and singing and treading the measure correctly? What is it called as a whole? You cannot yet tell me?
Alcibiades
Alc. No, indeed.
Socrates
Soc. Well, try another way: who are the goddesses that foster the art?
Alcibiades
Alc. The Muses, you mean, Socrates?
Socrates
Soc. I do. Now, just think, and say by what name the art is called after them.
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