813
Athenian
Ath. So let our educator regulate these matters in the manner stated. As regards the character of the actual tunes and words which the choir-masters ought to teach, all this we have alreadyPlat. Laws 799a., Plat. Laws 802a. explained at length. We stated that in each case they should be adapted to a suitable festival and dedicated, and thus prove a benefit to the States, by furnishing them with felicitous enjoyment.
Clinias
Clin. This, too, you have explained truly.
Athenian
Ath. Yes, most truly. These matters also let the man who is appointed our Director of Music take over and supervise, with the help of kindly fortune; and let us supplement our former statements concerning dancing and bodily gymnastics in general. Just as, in the case of music, we have supplied the regulations about tuition that were missing, so also let us now do in the case of gymnastics. Shall we not say that both girls and boys must learn both dancing and gymnastics?
Athenian
Ath. Then for their practices it would be most proper that boys should have dancing-masters, and girls mistresses.
5
Clinias
Clin. I grant it.
Athenian
Ath. Let us once more summon the man who will have most of these duties to perform, the Director of the Children,—who, in supervising both music and gymnastic, will have but little time to spare.
Clinias
Clin. How will he be able, at his age, to supervise so many affairs?