398 PLATO
the servant of the Eleven,^ entered and stood by him, saying : " To you, Socrates, whom I know to be the noblest and gentlest and best of all who ever came to this place, I will not impute the angry feelings of other men, who rage and swear at me, when, in obedi- ence to the authorities, I bid them drink the poison — indeed, I am sure that you will not be angry with me ; for others, as you are aware, and not I, are to blame. And so fare you well, and try to bear lightly what must needs be — you know my errand." Then bursting into tears, he turned away and went out.
Socrates looked at him and said : " I return your good wishes, and will do as you bid." Then turning to us, he said, " How charming the man is I since I have been in prison he has always been coming to see me, and at times he would talk to me, and was as good to me as could be, and now see how generously he sorrows on my account. We must do as he says, Crito ; and therefore let the cup be brought, if the poi- son is prepared; if not, let the attendant prepare some."
" Yet," said Crito, " the sun is still upon the hill- tops,^ and I know that many a one has taken the draught late, and after the announcement has been made to him, he has eaten and drunk, and enjoyed the society of his beloved ; do not hurry — there is time enough."
Socrates said : " Yes, Crito, and they of whom you speak are right in so acting, for they think that they will be gainers by the delay ; but I am right in not following their example, for I do not think that I should gain anything by drinking the poison a little
1 " The Eleven " at Athens were in charge of the prisons and of all executione.
2 The sentence was that the prisoner should die on that day, and the day ended with sunset.
