38–39
TRUTH
For my part, Philosophy, while he was speaking I prayed that I might sink into the earth, so true was everything that he said. In fact, as I listened, I recognized each of the men who act that way and applied his remarks to them: “That refers to this man; so-and-so does that.” In short, he portrayed the gentlemen to the life, as in a painting, accurate likenesses in every respect, depicting not only their persons, but their very souls‘as faithfully as could be.
VIRTUE
I, Virtue, also had to blush for shame.
PHILOSOPHY
And what say you?
PLATO
What else but to acquit him of the charge and set him down as our friend and benefactor? Indeed, just what happened to the IliansThe latter-day Trojans. has happened to us— we have brought down upon ourselves an actor of tragedies to hold forth about the woes of the Trojans! Let him hold forth, then, and make tragedies out of these miscreants.
5
DIOGENES
I, too, Philosophy, commend the man highly, take back my complaint and count him a friend, for he is a gallant fellow.
PHILOSOPHY
Good! Come, Frankness. We acquit you of the charge; you have an unanimous verdict in your favour, and from now on you may count yourself one of my household.
FRANKNESS
I pay my homage at once. (He kisses his hand.) But no! I think I shall do it more as they do in a play, for that will be more reverential: O Victory, goddess so greatly revered, Take my life in thy care And cease not to crown me with garlands. Euripides, close of Phoenissac, Orestes, Iphigenia om Tauris.
