2–3
PLATO
Indeed, the best suggestion would have been for him, like another Pentheus or Orpheus, “To find among the crags a riven doom,”Both Pentheus and Orpheus were torn to ieces by Maenads. The verse is from a lost tragedy (Nauck, Fr Fragm. p. 895). so that each of us might have gone off with a scrap of him.
FRANKNESS
No, no! In the name of Him who hears the suppliant,Zeus. spare me!
PLATO
Your doom is sealed: you cannot be let go now. You know, of course, what Homer says: Since between lions and men there exist no bonds of alliance. Iliad22, 262.
FRANKNESS
Indeed, I myself will quote Homer in begging you for mercy. Perhaps you will revere his verses and will not ignore me when I have recited them: Save me, for I am no churl, and I receive what is fitting in ransom, Copper and gold, that in truth are desirable even to sages. A cento; Iliad6, 46, 48; 20, 65.
PLATO
But we ourselves shall not be at a loss for a Homeric reply to you; listen to this, for instance: Think not now in your heart of escape, you speaker of slander, Even by talking of gold, oncé into our hands you have fallen. Iliad10, 447-8, with alterations.
FRANKNESS
Oh, what wretched luck! Homer, in whom I had my greatest hope, is useless to me. I suppose I must take refuge with Euripides; perhaps he might save me: Slay not! The suppliant thou shalt not skay. Nauck, p. 663. Cf. Ion1553.
5
PLATO
Ah, but is not this by Euripides, too? No harm for them that wrought to suffer harm. Orestes413.
FRANKNESS
hen will ye slay me now, because of words? Euripides? Nauck, p. 663.
