,,ion  ,by ,plato   ,translat$ by       
,b5jam9 ,j[ett     ,,introduction4  ,!  
,ion is ! %orte/1 or ne>ly ! %orte/1 (  
all ! writ+s :i* be> ! "n ( ,plato1 & is
 n au!nticat$ by any e>ly ext]nal       
te/imony4 ,! grace & beauty ( ?is little
 "w supply ! only1 & p]haps a suffici5t1
 pro( ( its g5u95ess4 ,! plan is simple2
 ! dramatic int]e/ consi/s entirely 9 ! 
contra/ betwe5 ! irony ( ,socrates & !  
transp>5t vanity & *ildlike en?usiasm ( 
! rhapsode ,ion4 ,! !me ( ! ,dialogue   
may possibly h be5 sugge/$ by ! passage 
( ,x5ophon's ,memorabilia 9 :i* !       
rhapsodi/s are describ$ by ,eu?ydemus z 
'v precise ab\t ! exact words ( ,hom]1 b
 v idiotic !mselves4' 7,comp>e          
,ari/otle1 ,met47  ,ion ! rhapsode has j
 come to ,a!ns2 he has be5 exhibit+ 9   
,epidaurus at ! fe/ival ( ,asclepius1 & 
is int5d+ to exhibit at ! fe/ival ( !   
,pana!naea4 ,socrates admires & envies !
 rhapsode's art2 = he is always well    
dress$ & 9 good company--9 ! company (  
good poets & ( ,hom]1 :o is ! pr9ce (   

!m4 ,9 ! c\rse ( conv]sation ! admission
 is elicit$ f ,ion t 8 skill is re/rict$
 to ,hom]1 & t he kn[s no?+ ( inf]ior   
poets1 su* z ,hesiod & ,ar*ilo*us2--he  
bright5s up & is wide awake :5 ,hom] is 
be+ recit$1 b is apt to g to sleep at ! 
recitations ( any o!r poet4 ',& yet1    
surely1 he :o kn[s ! sup]ior ought to "k
 ! inf]ior also2--he :o c judge ( ! good
 speak] is able to judge ( ! bad4 ,&    
poetry is a :ole2 & he :o judges (      
poetry by rules ( art ought to be able  
to judge ( all poetry4' ,?is is confirm$
 by ! analogy ( sculpture1 pa9t+1       
flute-play+1 & ! o!r arts4 ,! argum5t is
 at la/ br\ght home to ! m9d ( ,ion1 :o 
asks h[ ?is contradiction is to be      
solv$4 ,! solution giv5 by ,socrates is 
z foll[s3--  ,! rhapsode is n guid$ by  
rules ( art1 b is an inspir$ p]son :o   
d]ives a my/]i\s p[] f ! poet2 & ! poet1
 9 l mann]1 is inspir$ by ! ,god4 ,!    
poets & _! int]pret]s may be comp>$ to a
 *a9 ( magnetic r+s susp5d$ f "o ano!r1 
& f a magnet4 ,! magnet is ! ,muse1 & ! 

r+ :i* imm$iately foll[s is ! poet      
himself2 f him are susp5d$ o!r poets2   
!re is also a *a9 ( rhapsodes & actors1 
:o also hang f ! ,muses1 b are let d[n  
at ! side2 & ! la/ r+ ( all is !        
spectator4 ,! poet is ! inspir$         
int]pret] ( ! ,god1 & ?is is ! reason :y
 "s poets1 l ,hom]1 are re/rict$ to a   
s+le !me1 or1 l ,tynni*us1 are fam\s = a
 s+le poem2 & ! rhapsode is ! inspir$   
int]pret] ( ! poet1 & = a simil> reason 
"s rhapsodes1 l ,ion1 are ! int]pret]s (
 s+le poets4  ,ion is delight$ at !     
notion ( be+ inspir$1 & ackn[l$ges t he 
is beside himself :5 he is p]=m+2--8    
eyes ra9 te>s & 8 hair /&s on end4      
,socrates is ( op9ion t a man mu/ be mad
 :o behaves 9 ?is way at a fe/ival :5 he
 is surr\nd$ by 8 fri5ds & !re is no?+  
to tr\ble him4 ,ion is confid5t t       
,socrates w\ld nev] ?9k him mad if he   
c\ld only he> 8 embelli%m5ts ( ,hom]4   
,socrates asks :e!r he c speak well ab\t
 ev]y?+ 9 ,hom]4 ',yes1 inde$ he c4'    
',:at ab\t ?+s ( :i* he has no k8' ,ion 

answ]s t he c int]pret any?+ 9 ,hom]4   
,b1 rejo9s ,socrates1 :5 ,hom] speaks ( 
! arts1 z = example1 ( *>iot-driv+1 or (
 m$ic9e1 or ( prophecy1 or (            
navigation--w he1 or w ! *>iote] or     
physician or prophet or pilot be ! bett]
 judge8 ,ion is compell$ to admit t e   
man w judge ( 8 own p>ticul> art bett]  
?an ! rhapsode4 ,he /ill ma9ta9s1 h[ev]1
 t he und]/&s ! art ( ! g5]al z well z  
any "o4 ',!n :y 9 ?is city ( ,a!ns1 9   
:i* m5 ( m]it are always be+ s\ght aft]1
 is he n at once appo9t$ a g5]al8' ,ion 
replies t he is a =eign]1 & ! ,a!nians &
 ,sp>tans w n appo9t a =eign] to be _!  
g5]al4 ',no1 t is n ! real reason2 !re  
are _m examples to ! contr>y4 ,b ,ion   
has long be5 play+ tricks ) ! argum5t2 l
 ,proteus1 he trans=ms himself into a   
v>iety ( %apes1 & is at la/ ab\t to run 
away 9 ! disguise ( a g5]al4 ,w\ld he r 
be reg>d$ z inspir$ or di%one/8' ,ion1  
:o has no suspicion ( ! irony (         
,socrates1 eag]ly embraces ! alt]native 
( inspiration4  ,! ,ion1 l ! o!r e>li]  

,platonic ,dialogues1 is a mixture ( je/
 & e>ne/1 9 :i* no def9ite result is    
obta9$1 b "s ,socratic or ,platonic     
tru?s are all[$ dimly to appe>4  ,!     
elem5ts ( a true !ory ( poetry are      
conta9$ 9 ! notion t ! poet is inspir$4 
,g5ius is (t5 said to be unconsci\s1 or 
spontane\s1 or a gift ( nature3 t 'g5ius
 is ak9 to madness' is a popul> aphorism
 ( mod]n times4 ,! greate/ /r5g? is     
obs]v$ to h an elem5t ( limitation4     
,s5se or passion are too mu* = ! 'dry   
light' ( intellig5ce :i* m+les ) !m &   
becomes discol\r$ by !m4 ,imag9ation is 
(t5 at w> ) reason & fact4 ,!           
conc5tration ( ! m9d on a s+le object1  
or on a s+le aspect ( human nature1     
ov]p[]s ! ord]ly p]ception ( ! :ole4    
,yet ! feel+s too br+ tru?s home to !   
m9ds ( _m :o 9 ! way ( reason w\ld be   
incapable ( und]/&+ !m4 ,reflections (  
?is k9d may h be5 pass+ be=e ,plato's   
m9d :5 he describes ! poet z inspir$1 or
 :51 z 9 ! ,apology1 he speaks ( poets z
 ! wor/ critics ( _! own writ+s--anybody

 tak5 at r&om f ! cr[d is a bett]       
int]pret] ( !m ?an !y are ( !mselves4   
,!y are sacr$ p]sons1 'w+$ & holy ?+s'  
:o h a t\* ( madness 9 _! composition   
7,pha$r471 & %\ld be treat$ ) e sort (  
respect 7,republic71 b n all[$ to live 9
 a well-ord]$ /ate4 ,l ! ,/atesm5 9 !   
,m5o1 !y h a div9e in/9ct1 b !y are n>r[
 & confus$2 !y d n atta9 to ! cle>ness (
 ideas1 or to ! k ( poetry or ( any o!r 
art z a :ole4  ,9 ! ,protagoras ! anci5t
 poets are recogniz$ by ,protagoras     
himself z ! orig9al sophi/s2 & ?is      
family resemblance may be trac$ 9 !     
,ion4 ,! rhapsode belongs to ! realm (  
imitation & ( op9ion3 he pr(esses to h  
all k1 :i* is d]iv$ by him f ,hom]1 j z 
! sophi/ pr(esses to h all wisdom1 :i*  
is conta9$ 9 8 art ( rhetoric4 ,ev5 m   
?an ! sophi/ he is incapable (          
appreciat+ ! commone/ logical           
di/9ctions2 he _c expla9 ! nature ( 8   
own art2 8 great memory contra/s ) 8    
inability to foll[ ! /eps ( ! argum5t4  
,& 9 8 highe/ mom5ts ( inspiration he   

has an eye to 8 own ga9s4  ,! old qu>rel
 betwe5 philosophy & poetry1 :i* 9 !    
,republic leads to _! f9al sep>ation1 is
 already work+ 9 ! m9d ( ,plato1 & is   
embodi$ by him 9 ! contra/ betwe5       
,socrates & ,ion4 ,yet "h1 z 9 !        
,republic1 ,socrates %[s a sympa?y ) !  
poetic nature4 ,also1 ! mann] 9 :i* ,ion
 is affect$ by 8 own recitations af=ds a
 lively illu/ration ( ! p[] :i*1 9 !    
,republic1 ,socrates attributes to      
dramatic p]=mances ov] ! m9d ( ! p]=m]4 
,8 allusion to 8 embelli%m5ts ( ,hom]1 9
 :i* he decl>es himself to h surpass$   
,metrodorus ( ,lampsacus & ,/esimbrotus 
( ,?asos1 seems to %[ t1 l !m1 he       
belong$ to ! allegorical s*ool (        
int]pret]s4 ,! circum/ance t no?+ m is  
kn[n ( him may be adduc$ 9 confirmation 
( ! argum5t t ?is truly ,platonic little
 "w is n a =g]y ( lat] times4     ,,ion 
,,p]sons ,,( ,,! ,,dialogue3 ,socrates1 
,ion4   ,,socrates3 ,welcome1 ,ion4 ,are
 y f y\r native city ( ,ephesus8  ,,ion3
 ,no1 ,socrates2 b f ,epidaurus1 :]e ,i 

att5d$ ! fe/ival ( ,asclepius4          
,,socrates3 ,& d ! ,epidaurians h       
conte/s ( rhapsodes at ! fe/ival8       
,,ion3 ,o yes2 & ( all sorts ( musical  
p]=m]s4  ,,socrates3 ,& 7 y "o ( !      
competitors--& did y succe$8  ,,ion3 ,i 
obta9$ ! fir/ prize ( all1 ,socrates4   
,,socrates3 ,well done2 & ,i hope t y w 
d ! same = u at ! ,pana!naea4  ,,ion3 ,&
 ,i w1 please heav54  ,,socrates3 ,i (t5
 envy ! pr(ession ( a rhapsode1 ,ion2 = 
y h always to we> f9e clo!s1 & to look z
 beautiful z y c is a "p ( y\r art4 ,!n1
 aga91 y are oblig$ to be cont9ually 9 !
 company ( _m good poets2 & especially (
 ,hom]1 :o is ! be/ & mo/ div9e ( !m2 & 
to und]/& him1 & n m]ely le>n 8 words by
 rote1 is a ?+ greatly to be envi$4 ,&  
no man c be a rhapsode :o does n und]/& 
! mean+ ( ! poet4 ,= ! rhapsode ought to
 int]pret ! m9d ( ! poet to 8 he>]s1 b  
h[ c he int]pret him well unless he kn[s
 :at he means8 ,all ?is is greatly to be
 envi$4  ,,ion3 ,v true1 ,socrates2     
int]pretation has c]ta9ly be5 ! mo/     

labori\s "p ( my art2 & ,i believe      
myself able to speak ab\t ,hom] bett]   
?an any man2 & t nei!r ,metrodorus (    
,lampsacus1 nor ,/esimbrotus ( ,?asos1  
nor ,glaucon1 nor any "o else :o ev] 01 
_h z good ideas ab\t ,hom] z ,i h1 or z 
_m4  ,,socrates3 ,i am glad to he> y say
 s1 ,ion2 ,i see t y w n refuse to      
acqua9t me ) !m4  ,,ion3 ,c]ta9ly1      
,socrates2 & y really ought to he> h[   
exquisitely ,i r5d] ,hom]4 ,i ?9k t !   
,hom]idae %\ld give me a gold5 cr[n4    
,,socrates3 ,i %all take an opportunity 
( he>+ y\r embelli%m5ts ( him at "s o!r 
"t4 ,b j n[ ,i %\ld l to ask y a "q3    
,does y\r art ext5d to ,hesiod &        
,ar*ilo*us1 or to ,hom] only8  ,,ion3   
,to ,hom] only2 he is 9 himself q en\gh4
  ,,socrates3 ,are !re any ?+s ab\t :i* 
,hom] & ,hesiod agree8  ,,ion3 ,yes2 9  
my op9ion !re are a good _m4            
,,socrates3 ,& c y int]pret bett] :at   
,hom] says1 or :at ,hesiod says1 ab\t ^!
 matt]s 9 :i* !y agree8  ,,ion3 ,i c    
int]pret !m equally well1 ,socrates1 :]e

 !y agree4  ,,socrates3 ,b :at ab\t     
matt]s 9 :i* !y d n agree8--= example1  
ab\t div9ation1 ( :i* bo? ,hom] &       
,hesiod h some?+ to say1--  ,,ion3 ,v   
true3  ,,socrates3 ,w\ld y or a good    
prophet be a bett] int]pret] ( :at ^!   
two poets say ab\t div9ation1 n only :5 
!y agree1 b :5 !y disagree8  ,,ion3 ,a  
prophet4  ,,socrates3 ,& if y 7 a       
prophet1 w\ld y n be able to int]pret !m
 :5 !y disagree z well z :5 !y agree8   
,,ion3 ,cle>ly4  ,,socrates3 ,b h[ did y
 come to h ?is skill ab\t ,hom] only1 & 
n ab\t ,hesiod or ! o!r poets8 ,does n  
,hom] speak ( ! same !mes :i* all o!r   
poets h&le8 ,is n w> 8 great argum5t8 & 
does he n speak ( human society & (     
int]c\rse ( m51 good & bad1 skill$ &    
unskill$1 & ( ! gods conv]s+ ) "o ano!r 
& ) mank9d1 & ab\t :at happ5s 9 heav5 & 
9 ! _w bel[1 & ! g5]ations ( gods &     
h]oes8 ,are n ^! ! !mes ( :i* ,hom] s+s8
  ,,ion3 ,v true1 ,socrates4            
,,socrates3 ,& d n ! o!r poets s+ ( !   
same8  ,,ion3 ,yes1 ,socrates2 b n 9 !  

same way z ,hom]4  ,,socrates3 ,:at1 9 a
 worse way8  ,,ion3 ,yes1 9 a f> worse4 
,,socrates3 ,& ,hom] 9 a bett] way8     
,,ion3 ,he is incomp>ably bett]4        
,,socrates3 ,& yet surely1 my de> fri5d 
,ion1 9 a discussion ab\t ari?metic1 :]e
 _m p are speak+1 & "o speaks bett] ?an 
! re/1 !re is somebody :o c judge :i* ( 
!m is ! good speak]8  ,,ion3 ,yes4      
,,socrates3 ,& he :o judges ( ! good w  
be ! same z he :o judges ( ! bad        
speak]s8  ,,ion3 ,! same4  ,,socrates3  
,& he w be ! ari?metician8  ,,ion3 ,yes4
  ,,socrates3 ,well1 & 9 discussions    
ab\t ! :olesom5ess ( food1 :5 _m p]sons 
are speak+1 & "o speaks bett] ?an ! re/1
 w he :o recognizes ! bett] speak] be a 
diff]5t p]son f him :o recognizes !     
worse1 or ! same8  ,,ion3 ,cle>ly !     
same4  ,,socrates3 ,& :o is he1 & :at is
 8 "n8  ,,ion3 ,! physician4            
,,socrates3 ,& speak+ g5]ally1 9 all    
discussions 9 :i* ! subject is ! same & 
_m m5 are speak+1 w n he :o kn[s ! good 
"k ! bad speak] also8 ,= if he does n "k

 ! bad1 nei!r w he "k ! good :5 ! same  
topic is be+ discuss$4  ,,ion3 ,true4   
,,socrates3 ,is n ! same p]son skilful 9
 bo?8  ,,ion3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,& y   
say t ,hom] & ! o!r poets1 su* z ,hesiod
 & ,ar*ilo*us1 speak ( ! same ?+s1      
al?\gh n 9 ! same way2 b ! "o speaks    
well & ! o!r n s well8  ,,ion3 ,yes2 &  
,i am "r 9 say+ s4  ,,socrates3 ,& if y 
knew ! good speak]1 y w\ld also "k !    
inf]ior speak]s to be inf]ior8  ,,ion3  
,t is true4  ,,socrates3 ,!n1 my de>    
fri5d1 c ,i be mi/ak5 9 say+ t ,ion is  
equally skill$ 9 ,hom] & 9 o!r poets1   
s9ce he himself ackn[l$ges t ! same     
p]son w be a good judge ( all ^? :o     
speak ( ! same ?+s2 & t almo/ all poets 
d speak ( ! same ?+s8  ,,ion3 ,:y !n1   
,socrates1 d ,i lose att5tion & g to    
sleep & h absolutely no ideas ( ! lea/  
value1 :5 any "o speaks ( any o!r poet2 
b :5 ,hom] is m5tion$1 ,i wake up at    
once & am all att5tion & h pl5ty to say8
  ,,socrates3 ,! reason1 my fri5d1 is   
obvi\s4 ,no "o c fail to see t y speak (

 ,hom] )\t any art or k4 ,if y 7 able to
 speak ( him by rules ( art1 y w\ld h   
be5 able to speak ( all o!r poets2 =    
poetry is a :ole4  ,,ion3 ,yes4         
,,socrates3 ,& :5 any "o acquires any   
o!r art z a :ole1 ! same may be said (  
!m4 ,w\ld y l me to expla9 my mean+1    
,ion8  ,,ion3 ,yes1 inde$1 ,socrates2 ,i
 v mu* wi% t y w\ld3 = ,i love to he> y 
wise m5 talk4  ,,socrates3 ,o t we 7    
wise1 ,ion1 & t y c\ld truly call u s2 b
 y rhapsodes & actors1 & ! poets ^:     
v]ses y s+1 are wise2 :]eas ,i am a     
common man1 :o only speak ! tru?4 ,=    
consid] :at a v commonplace & trivial ?+
 is ?is :i* ,i h said--a ?+ :i* any man 
might say3 t :5 a man has acquir$ a k ( 
a :ole art1 ! enquiry into good & bad is
 "o & ! same4 ,let u consid] ?is matt]2 
is n ! art ( pa9t+ a :ole8  ,,ion3 ,yes4
  ,,socrates3 ,& !re are & h be5 _m     
pa9t]s good & bad8  ,,ion3 ,yes4        
,,socrates3 ,& did y ev] "k any "o :o 0 
skilful 9 po9t+ out ! excell5ces &      
defects ( ,polygnotus ! son (           

,aglaophon1 b incapable ( criticiz+ o!r 
pa9t]s2 & :5 ! "w ( any o!r pa9t] 0     
produc$1 w5t to sleep & 0 at a loss1 &  
_h no ideas2 b :5 he _h to give 8 op9ion
 ab\t ,polygnotus1 or :oev] ! pa9t]     
might be1 & ab\t him only1 woke up & 0  
att5tive & _h pl5ty to say8  ,,ion3 ,no 
inde$1 ,i h nev] kn[n su* a p]son4      
,,socrates3 ,or did y ev] "k ( any "o 9 
sculpture1 :o 0 skilful 9 exp\nd+ !     
m]its ( ,da$alus ! son ( ,metion1 or (  
,epeius ! son ( ,panopeus1 or ( ,!odorus
 ! ,samian1 or ( any individual         
sculptor2 b :5 ! works ( sculptors 9    
g5]al 7 produc$1 0 at a loss & w5t to   
sleep & _h no?+ to say8  ,,ion3 ,no     
inde$2 no m ?an ! o!r4  ,,socrates3 ,&  
if ,i am n mi/ak51 y nev] met ) any "o  
among flute-play]s or h>p-play]s or s+]s
 to ! h>p or rhapsodes :o 0 able to     
disc\rse ( ,olympus or ,?amyras or      
,orpheus1 or ,phemius ! rhapsode (      
,i?aca1 b 0 at a loss :5 he came to     
speak ( ,ion ( ,ephesus1 & _h no notion 
( 8 m]its or defects8  ,,ion3 ,i _c d5y 

:at y say1 ,socrates4 ,nev]!less ,i am  
consci\s 9 my own self1 & ! _w agrees ) 
me 9 ?9k+ t ,i d speak bett] & h m to   
say ab\t ,hom] ?an any o!r man4 ,b ,i d 
n speak equally well ab\t o!rs--tell me 
! reason ( ?is4  ,,socrates3 ,i p]ceive1
 ,ion2 & ,i w proce$ to expla9 to y :at 
,i imag9e to be ! reason ( ?is4 ,! gift 
:i* y possess ( speak+ excell5tly ab\t  
,hom] is n an art1 b1 z ,i 0 j say+1 an 
inspiration2 !re is a div9ity mov+ y1 l 
t conta9$ 9 ! /one :i* ,euripides calls 
a magnet1 b :i* is commonly kn[n z !    
/one ( ,h]aclea4 ,?is /one n only       
attracts iron r+s1 b also imp>ts to !m a
 simil> p[] ( attract+ o!r r+s2 &       
sometimes y may see a numb] ( pieces (  
iron & r+s susp5d$ f "o ano!r s z to =m 
q a long *a93 & all ( !m d]ive _! p[] ( 
susp5sion f ! orig9al /one4 ,9 l mann] !
 ,muse fir/ ( all inspires m5 h]self2 & 
f ^! inspir$ p]sons a *a9 ( o!r p]sons  
is susp5d$1 :o take ! inspiration4 ,=   
all good poets1 epic z well z lyric1    
compose _! beautiful poems n by art1 b  

because !y are inspir$ & possess$4 ,& z 
! ,corybantian revell]s :5 !y dance are 
n 9 _! "r m9d1 s ! lyric poets are n 9  
_! "r m9d :5 !y are compos+ _! beautiful
 /ra9s3 b :5 fall+ "u ! p[] ( music &   
metre !y are inspir$ & possess$2 l      
,bac*ic maid5s :o draw milk & honey f ! 
riv]s :5 !y are "u ! influ5ce (         
,dionysus b n :5 !y are 9 _! "r m9d4 ,& 
! s\l ( ! lyric poet does ! same1 z !y  
!mselves say2 = !y tell u t !y br+ songs
 f honey$ f\nta9s1 cull+ !m out ( !     
g>d5s & dells ( ! ,muses2 !y1 l ! bees1 
w++ _! way f fl[] to fl[]4 ,& ?is is    
true4 ,= ! poet is a light & w+$ & holy 
?+1 & !re is no inv5tion 9 him until he 
has be5 inspir$ & is out ( 8 s5ses1 & ! 
m9d is no long] 9 him3 :5 he has n      
atta9$ to ?is /ate1 he is p[]less & is  
unable to utt] 8 oracles4 ,_m are !     
noble words 9 :i* poets speak conc]n+ ! 
actions ( m52 b l y\rself :5 speak+ ab\t
 ,hom]1 !y d n speak ( !m by any rules (
 art3 !y are simply inspir$ to utt] t to
 :i* ! ,muse impels !m1 & t only2 & :5  

inspir$1 "o ( !m w make di?yrambs1 ano!r
 hymns ( praise1 ano!r *oral /ra9s1     
ano!r epic or iambic v]ses--& he :o is  
good at "o is n good at any o!r k9d (   
v]se3 = n by art does ! poet s+1 b by   
p[] div9e4 ,_h he le>n$ by rules ( art1 
he w\ld h kn[n h[ to speak n ( "o !me   
only1 b ( all2 & !re=e ,god takes away !
 m9ds ( poets1 & uses !m z 8 m9i/]s1 z  
he also uses div9]s & holy prophets1 9  
ord] t we :o he> !m may "k !m to be     
speak+ n ( !mselves :o utt] ^! priceless
 words 9 a /ate ( unconsci\sness1 b t   
,god himself is ! speak]1 & t ?r\gh !m  
he is conv]s+ ) u4 ,& ,tynni*us !       
,*alcidian af=ds a /rik+ in/ance ( :at  
,i am say+3 he wrote no?+ t any "o w\ld 
c>e to rememb] b ! fam\s paean :i* is 9 
e "o's m\?1 "o ( ! f9e/ poems ev]       
writt51 simply an inv5tion ( ! ,muses1 z
 he himself says4 ,= 9 ?is way ! ,god   
w\ld seem to indicate to u & n all[ u to
 d\bt t ^! beautiful poems are n human1 
or ! "w ( man1 b div9e & ! "w ( ,god2 & 
t ! poets are only ! int]pret]s ( !     

,gods by :om !y are sev]ally possess$4  
,0 n ?is ! lesson :i* ! ,god int5d$ to  
tea* :5 by ! m\? ( ! wor/ ( poets he    
sang ! be/ ( songs8 ,am ,i n "r1 ,ion8  
,,ion3 ,yes1 inde$1 ,socrates1 ,i feel t
 y are2 = y\r words t\* my s\l1 & ,i am 
p]suad$ t good poets by a div9e         
inspiration int]pret ! ?+s ( ! ,gods to 
u4  ,,socrates3 ,& y rhapsodi/s are !   
int]pret]s ( ! poets8  ,,ion3 ,!re aga9 
y are "r4  ,,socrates3 ,!n y are !      
int]pret]s ( int]pret]s8  ,,ion3        
,precisely4  ,,socrates3 ,i wi% y w\ld  
frankly tell me1 ,ion1 :at ,i am go+ to 
ask ( y3 ,:5 y produce ! greate/ effect 
^u ! audi5ce 9 ! recitation ( "s /rik+  
passage1 su* z ! app>ition ( ,odysseus  
leap+ =? on ! floor1 recogniz$ by !     
suitors & ca/+ 8 arr[s at 8 feet1 or !  
description ( ,a*illes ru%+ at ,hector1 
or ! sorr[s ( ,&roma*e1 ,hecuba1 or     
,priam1--are y 9 y\r "r m9d8 ,are y n   
c>ri$ out ( y\rself1 & does n y\r s\l 9 
an ec/asy seem to be among ! p]sons or  
places ( :i* y are speak+1 :e!r !y are 9

 ,i?aca or 9 ,troy or :atev] may be !   
sc5e ( ! poem8  ,,ion3 ,t pro( /rikes   
home to me1 ,socrates4 ,= ,i mu/ frankly
 confess t at ! tale ( pity my eyes are 
fill$ ) te>s1 & :5 ,i speak ( horrors1  
my hair /&s on end & my he>t ?robs4     
,,socrates3 ,well1 ,ion1 & :at are we to
 say ( a man :o at a sacrifice or       
fe/ival1 :5 he is dress$ 9 holiday      
attire1 & has gold5 cr[ns ^u 8 head1 (  
:i* nobody has robb$ him1 appe>s weep+  
or panic-/rick5 9 ! pres5ce ( m ?an     
tw5ty ?\s& fri5dly faces1 :5 !re is no  
"o despoil+ or wrong+ him2--is he 9 8 "r
 m9d or is he n8  ,,ion3 ,no inde$1     
,socrates1 ,i mu/ say t1 /rictly speak+1
 he is n 9 8 "r m9d4  ,,socrates3 ,& are
 y aw>e t y produce simil> effects on   
mo/ ( ! spectators8  ,,ion3 ,only too   
well2 = ,i look d[n ^u !m f ! /age1 &   
behold ! v>i\s emotions ( pity1 wond]1  
/]nness1 /amp$ ^u _! c\nt5ances :5 ,i am
 speak+3 & ,i am oblig$ to give my v be/
 att5tion to !m2 = if ,i make !m cry ,i 
myself %all laugh1 & if ,i make !m laugh

 ,i myself %all cry :5 ! "t ( paym5t    
arrives4  ,,socrates3 ,d y "k t !       
spectator is ! la/ ( ! r+s :i*1 z ,i am 
say+1 receive ! p[] ( ! orig9al magnet f
 "o ano!r8 ,! rhapsode l y\rself & !    
actor are int]m$iate l9ks1 & ! poet     
himself is ! fir/ ( !m4 ,?r\gh all ^! ! 
,god sways ! s\ls ( m5 9 any direction  
:i* he pleases1 & makes "o man hang d[n 
f ano!r4 ,?us !re is a va/ *a9 ( danc]s 
& ma/]s & "u-ma/]s ( *oruses1 :o are    
susp5d$1 z if f ! /one1 at ! side ( !   
r+s :i* hang d[n f ! ,muse4 ,& e poet   
has "s ,muse f :om he is susp5d$1 & by  
:om he is said to be possess$1 :i* is   
ne>ly ! same ?+2 = he is tak5 hold (4 ,&
 f ^! fir/ r+s1 :i* are ! poets1 dep5d  
o!rs1 "s d]iv+ _! inspiration f         
,orpheus1 o!rs f ,musaeus2 b ! great]   
numb] are possess$ & held by ,hom]4 ,(  
:om1 ,ion1 y are "o1 & are possess$ by  
,hom]2 & :5 any "o repeats ! words (    
ano!r poet y g to sleep1 & "k n :at to  
say2 b :5 any "o recites a /ra9 ( ,hom] 
y wake up 9 a mom5t1 & y\r s\l leaps )9 

y1 & y h pl5ty to say2 = n by art or k  
ab\t ,hom] d y say :at y say1 b by div9e
 inspiration & by possession2 j z !     
,corybantian revell]s too h a quick     
p]ception ( t /ra9 only :i* is          
appropriat$ to ! ,god by :om !y are     
possess$1 & h pl5ty ( dances & words =  
t1 b take no he$ ( any o!r4 ,& y1 ,ion1 
:5 ! "n ( ,hom] is m5tion$ h pl5ty to   
say1 & h no?+ to say ( o!rs4 ,y ask1    
',:y is ?is8' ,! answ] is t y praise    
,hom] n by art b by div9e inspiration4  
,,ion3 ,t is good1 ,socrates2 & yet ,i  
d\bt :e!r y w ev] h eloqu5ce en\gh to   
p]suade me t ,i praise ,hom] only :5 ,i 
am mad & possess$2 & if y c\ld he> me   
speak ( him ,i am sure y w\ld nev] ?9k  
?is to be ! case4  ,,socrates3 ,i %\ld l
 v mu* to he> y1 b n until y h answ]$ a 
"q :i* ,i h to ask4 ,on :at "p ( ,hom] d
 y speak well8--n surely ab\t e "p4     
,,ion3 ,!re is no "p1 ,socrates1 ab\t   
:i* ,i d n speak well3 ( t ,i c assure  
y4  ,,socrates3 ,surely n ab\t ?+s 9    
,hom] ( :i* y h no k8  ,,ion3 ,& :at is 

!re 9 ,hom] ( :i* ,i h no k8            
,,socrates3 ,:y1 does n ,hom] speak 9 _m
 passages ab\t arts8 ,= example1 ab\t   
driv+2 if ,i c only rememb] ! l9es ,i w 
repeat !m4  ,,ion3 ,i rememb]1 & w      
repeat !m4  ,,socrates3 ,tell me !n1 :at
 ,ne/or says to ,antilo*us1 8 son1 :]e  
he bids him be c>eful ( ! turn at !     
hors]ace 9 hon\r ( ,patroclus4  ,,ion3  
',b5d g5tly1' he says1 '9 ! poli%$ *>iot
 to ! left ( !m1 & urge ! horse on ! "r 
h& ) :ip & voice2 & slack5 ! re94 ,& :5 
y are at ! goal1 let ! left horse draw  
ne>1 yet s t ! nave ( ! well-wr\ght :eel
 may n ev5 seem to t\* ! extremity2 &   
avoid cat*+ ! /one 7,il474'  ,,socrates3
 ,en\gh4 ,n[1 ,ion1 w ! *>iote] or !    
physician be ! bett] judge ( ! propriety
 ( ^! l9es8  ,,ion3 ,! *>iote]1 cle>ly4 
,,socrates3 ,& w ! reason be t ?is is 8 
art1 or w !re be any o!r reason8  ,,ion3
 ,no1 t w be ! reason4  ,,socrates3 ,& e
 art is appo9t$ by ,god to h k ( a c]ta9
 "w2 = t :i* we "k by ! art ( ! pilot we
 d n "k by ! art ( m$ic9e8  ,,ion3      

,c]ta9ly n4  ,,socrates3 ,nor d we "k by
 ! art ( ! c>p5t] t :i* we "k by ! art (
 m$ic9e8  ,,ion3 ,c]ta9ly n4            
,,socrates3 ,& ?is is true ( all !      
arts2--t :i* we "k ) "o art we d n "k ) 
! o!r8 ,b let me ask a prior "q3 ,y     
admit t !re are diff]5ces ( arts8       
,,ion3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,y w\ld argue1
 z ,i %\ld1 t :5 "o art is ( "o k9d ( k 
& ano!r ( ano!r1 !y are diff]5t8  ,,ion3
 ,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,yes1 surely2 = if !
 subject ( k 7 ! same1 !re w\ld be no   
mean+ 9 say+ t ! arts 7 diff]5t1--if !y 
bo? gave ! same k4 ,= example1 ,i "k t  
"h are five f+]s1 & y "k ! same4 ,& if  
,i 7 to ask :e!r ,i & y became acqua9t$ 
) ?is fact by ! help ( ! same art (     
ari?metic1 y w\ld ackn[l$ge t we did8   
,,ion3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,tell me1 !n1 
:at ,i 0 int5d+ to ask y1--:e!r ?is     
holds univ]sally8 ,mu/ ! same art h !   
same subject ( k1 & diff]5t arts o!r    
subjects ( k8  ,,ion3 ,t is my op9ion1  
,socrates4  ,,socrates3 ,!n he :o has no
 k ( a p>ticul> art w h no "r judgm5t ( 

! say+s & do+s ( t art8  ,,ion3 ,v true4
  ,,socrates3 ,!n :i* w be a bett] judge
 ( ! l9es :i* y 7 recit+ f ,hom]1 y or !
 *>iote]8  ,,ion3 ,! *>iote]4           
,,socrates3 ,:y1 yes1 because y are a   
rhapsode & n a *>iote]4  ,,ion3 ,yes4   
,,socrates3 ,& ! art ( ! rhapsode is    
diff]5t f t ( ! *>iote]8  ,,ion3 ,yes4  
,,socrates3 ,& if a diff]5t k1 !n a k ( 
diff]5t matt]s8  ,,ion3 ,true4          
,,socrates3 ,y "k ! passage 9 :i*       
,hecam$e1 ! concub9e ( ,ne/or1 is       
describ$ z giv+ to ! w\nd$ ,ma*aon a    
posset1 z he says1  ',made ) ,pramnian  
w9e2 & %e grat$ *eese ( goat's milk ) a 
grat] ( bronze1 & at 8 side plac$ an    
onion :i* gives a reli% to dr9k 7,il474'
  ,n[ w\ld y say t ! art ( ! rhapsode or
 ! art ( m$ic9e 0 bett] able to judge ( 
! propriety ( ^! l9es8  ,,ion3 ,! art ( 
m$ic9e4  ,,socrates3 ,& :5 ,hom] says1  
',& %e desc5d$ into ! deep l a lead5    
plummet1 :i*1 set 9 ! horn ( ox t ranges
 9 ! fields1 ru%es along c>ry+ dea?     
among ! rav5\s fi%es 7,il471'--  w ! art

 ( ! fi%]man or ( ! rhapsode be bett]   
able to judge :e!r ^! l9es are rightly  
express$ or n8  ,,ion3 ,cle>ly1         
,socrates1 ! art ( ! fi%]man4           
,,socrates3 ,come n[1 suppose t y 7 to  
say to me3 ',s9ce y1 ,socrates1 are able
 to assign diff]5t passages 9 ,hom] to  
_! correspond+ arts1 ,i wi% t y w\ld    
tell me :at are ! passages ( :i* !      
excell5ce ought to be judg$ by ! prophet
 & prophetic art'2 & y w see h[ readily 
& truly ,i %all answ] y4 ,= !re are _m  
su* passages1 p>ticul>ly 9 ! ,odyssee2  
z1 = example1 ! passage 9 :i* ,!oclym5us
 ! prophet ( ! h\se ( ,melampus says to 
! suitors3--  ',wret*$ m56 :at is happ5+
 to y8 ,y\r heads & y\r faces & y\r     
limbs und]nea? are %r\d$ 9 night2 & !   
voice ( lam5tation bur/s =?1 & y\r *eeks
 are wet ) te>s4 ,& ! ve/ibule is full1 
& ! c\rt is full1 ( gho/s desc5d+ into !
 d>kness ( ,erebus1 & ! sun has p]i%$   
out ( heav51 & an evil mi/ is spread    
abroad 7,od474'  ,& !re are _m su*      
passages 9 ! ,iliad also2 z = example 9 

! description ( ! battle ne> ! ramp>t1  
:]e he says3--  ',z !y 7 eag] to pass ! 
dit*1 !re came to !m an om53 a so>+     
eagle1 hold+ back ! p on ! left1 bore a 
huge bloody dragon 9 8 talons1 /ill liv+
 & pant+2 nor _h he yet resign$ ! /rife1
 = he b5t back & smote ! bird :i* c>ri$ 
him on ! brea/ by ! neck1 & he 9 pa9 let
 him fall f him to ! gr\nd into ! mid/ (
 ! multitude4 ,& ! eagle1 ) a cry1 0    
borne af> on ! w+s ( ! w9d 7,il474'  ,^!
 are ! sort ( ?+s :i* ,i %\ld say t !   
prophet ought to consid] & det]m9e4     
,,ion3 ,& y are q "r1 ,socrates1 9 say+ 
s4  ,,socrates3 ,yes1 ,ion1 & y are "r  
also4 ,& z ,i h select$ f ! ,iliad &    
,odyssee = y passages :i* describe !    
(fice ( ! prophet & ! physician & !     
fi%]man1 d y1 :o "k ,hom] s mu* bett]   
?an ,i d1 ,ion1 select = me passages :i*
 relate to ! rhapsode & ! rhapsode's    
art1 & :i* ! rhapsode ought to exam9e & 
judge ( bett] ?an o!r m54  ,,ion3 ,all  
passages1 ,i %\ld say1 ,socrates4       
,,socrates3 ,n all1 ,ion1 surely4 ,h y  

already =gott5 :at y 7 say+8 ,a rhapsode
 ought to h a bett] memory4  ,,ion3 ,:y1
 :at am ,i =gett+8  ,,socrates3 ,d y n  
rememb] t y decl>$ ! art ( ! rhapsode to
 be diff]5t f ! art ( ! *>iote]8  ,,ion3
 ,yes1 ,i rememb]4  ,,socrates3 ,& y    
admitt$ t be+ diff]5t !y w\ld h diff]5t 
subjects ( k8  ,,ion3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3
 ,!n ^u y\r own %[+ ! rhapsode1 & ! art 
( ! rhapsode1 w n "k ev]y?+8  ,,ion3 ,i 
%\ld exclude c]ta9 ?+s1 ,socrates4      
,,socrates3 ,y mean to say t y w\ld     
exclude pretty mu* ! subjects ( ! o!r   
arts4 ,z he does n "k all ( !m1 :i* ( !m
 w he "k8  ,,ion3 ,he w "k :at a man &  
:at a woman ought to say1 & :at a       
freeman & :at a slave ought to say1 &   
:at a rul] & :at a subject4  ,,socrates3
 ,d y mean t a rhapsode w "k bett] ?an !
 pilot :at ! rul] ( a sea-toss$ vessel  
ought to say8  ,,ion3 ,no2 ! pilot w "k 
be/4  ,,socrates3 ,or w ! rhapsode "k   
bett] ?an ! physician :at ! rul] ( a    
sick man ought to say8  ,,ion3 ,he w n4 
,,socrates3 ,b he w "k :at a slave ought

 to say8  ,,ion3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3     
,suppose ! slave to be a c[h]d2 !       
rhapsode w "k bett] ?an ! c[h]d :at he  
ought to say 9 ord] to soo! ! infuriat$ 
c[s8  ,,ion3 ,no1 he w n4  ,,socrates3  
,b he w "k :at a sp9n+-woman ought to   
say ab\t ! work+ ( wool8  ,,ion3 ,no4   
,,socrates3 ,at any rate he w "k :at a  
g5]al ought to say :5 exhort+ 8 soldi]s8
  ,,ion3 ,yes1 t is ! sort ( ?+ :i* !   
rhapsode w be sure to "k4  ,,socrates3  
,well1 b is ! art ( ! rhapsode ! art ( !
 g5]al8  ,,ion3 ,i am sure t ,i %\ld "k 
:at a g5]al ought to say4  ,,socrates3  
,:y1 yes1 ,ion1 because y may possibly h
 a k ( ! art ( ! g5]al z well z ( !     
rhapsode2 & y may also h a k (          
horseman%ip z well z ( ! lyre3 & !n y   
w\ld "k :5 horses 7 well or ill manag$4 
,b suppose ,i 7 to ask y3 ,by ! help (  
:i* art1 ,ion1 d y "k :e!r horses are   
well manag$1 by y\r skill z a horseman  
or z a p]=m] on ! lyre--:at w\ld y      
answ]8  ,,ion3 ,i %\ld reply1 by my     
skill z a horseman4  ,,socrates3 ,& if y

 judg$ ( p]=m]s on ! lyre1 y w\ld admit 
t y judg$ ( !m z a p]=m] on ! lyre1 & n 
z a horseman8  ,,ion3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3
 ,& 9 judg+ ( ! g5]al's art1 d y judge (
 x z a g5]al or a rhapsode8  ,,ion3 ,to 
me !re appe>s to be no diff]5ce betwe5  
!m4  ,,socrates3 ,:at d y mean8 ,d y    
mean to say t ! art ( ! rhapsode & ( !  
g5]al is ! same8  ,,ion3 ,yes1 "o & !   
same4  ,,socrates3 ,!n he :o is a good  
rhapsode is also a good g5]al8  ,,ion3  
,c]ta9ly1 ,socrates4  ,,socrates3 ,& he 
:o is a good g5]al is also a good       
rhapsode8  ,,ion3 ,no2 ,i d n say t4    
,,socrates3 ,b y d say t he :o is a good
 rhapsode is also a good g5]al4  ,,ion3 
,c]ta9ly4  ,,socrates3 ,& y are ! be/ ( 
,hell5ic rhapsodes8  ,,ion3 ,f> ! be/1  
,socrates4  ,,socrates3 ,& are y ! be/  
g5]al1 ,ion8  ,,ion3 ,to be sure1       
,socrates2 & ,hom] 0 my ma/]4           
,,socrates3 ,b !n1 ,ion1 :at 9 ! "n (   
goodness c be ! reason :y y1 :o are !   
be/ ( g5]als z well z ! be/ ( rhapsodes 
9 all ,hellas1 g ab\t z a rhapsode :5 y 

might be a g5]al8 ,d y ?9k t ! ,hell5es 
want a rhapsode ) 8 gold5 cr[n1 & d n   
want a g5]al8  ,,ion3 ,:y1 ,socrates1 ! 
reason is1 t my c\ntrym51 ! ,ephesians1 
are ! s]vants & soldi]s ( ,a!ns1 & d n  
ne$ a g5]al2 & y & ,sp>ta are n likely  
to h me1 = y ?9k t y h en\gh g5]als (   
y\r own4  ,,socrates3 ,my good ,ion1 did
 y nev] he> ( ,apollodorus ( ,cyzicus8  
,,ion3 ,:o may he be8  ,,socrates3 ,"o  
:o1 ?\gh a =eign]1 has (t5 be5 *os5 _!  
g5]al by ! ,a!nians3 & !re is           
,phano/h5es ( ,&ros1 & ,h]aclides (     
,clazom5ae1 :om !y h also appo9t$ to !  
comm& ( _! armies & to o!r (fices1      
al?\gh ali5s1 aft] !y _h %[n _! m]it4 ,&
 w !y n *oose ,ion ! ,ephesian to be _! 
g5]al1 & hon\r him1 if he prove himself 
wor?y8 ,7 n ! ,ephesians orig9ally      
,a!nians1 & ,ephesus is no mean city8   
,b1 inde$1 ,ion1 if y are correct 9 say+
 t by art & k y are able to praise      
,hom]1 y d n deal fairly ) me1 & aft]   
all y\r pr(essions ( kn[+ _m glori\s ?+s
 ab\t ,hom]1 & promises t y w\ld exhibit

 !m1 y are only a deceiv]1 & s f> f     
exhibit+ ! art ( :i* y are a ma/]1 w n1 
ev5 aft] my repeat$ entreaties1 expla9  
to me ! nature ( x4 ,y h lit]ally z _m  
=ms z ,proteus2 & n[ y g all mann] (    
ways1 twi/+ & turn+1 &1 l ,proteus1     
become all mann] ( p at once1 & at la/  
slip away f me 9 ! disguise ( a g5]al1 9
 ord] t y may escape exhibit+ y\r       
,hom]ic lore4 ,& if y h art1 !n1 z ,i 0 
say+1 9 falsify+ y\r promise t y w\ld   
exhibit ,hom]1 y are n deal+ fairly )   
me4 ,b if1 z ,i believe1 y h no art1 b  
speak all ^! beautiful words ab\t ,hom] 
unconsci\sly "u 8 inspir+ influ5ce1 !n  
,i acquit y ( di%one/y1 & %all only say 
t y are inspir$4 ,:i* d y pref] to be   
?\ght1 di%one/ or inspir$8  ,,ion3 ,!re 
is a great diff]5ce1 ,socrates1 betwe5 !
 two alt]natives2 & inspiration is by f>
 ! nobl]4  ,,socrates3 ,!n1 ,ion1 ,i    
%all assume ! nobl] alt]native2 &       
attribute to y 9 y\r praises ( ,hom]    
inspiration1 & n art4