ANITUS: Support you! I admire you; I would like to resemble you if it were possible. And it is in order to be a more frequent witness to your virtues, to hear your lessons more often, that I wish to marry your beautiful pupil Aglaea whose destiny depends on you. SOCRATES: It's true that her father, Agathon, who was my friend, that is to say much more than just a relative, confided to me by his will this amiable and virtuous orphan. ANITUS: With considerable riches? For they say it's the best part of Athens. SOCRATES: On that subject, I can give you no enlightenment; her father, that kind friend whose wishes are sacred to me, forbade me by that same will, to divulge the condition of his daughter's fortune. ANITUS: That respect for the last wishes of a friend, and that discretion are worthy of your beautiful soul. But people know well enough that Agathon was a rich man. SOCRATES: He deserved to be, if riches are a favor of the Supreme Being. ANITUS: They say that a little hare-brain named Sophronine, is paying court to her on account of her fortune. But I am persuaded that you will show the door to such a character, and that a man like me won't have a rival. SOCRATES: I know what I must think of a man like you: but it's not for me to obstruct Aglaea's feelings. I serve her as her father; I am not her master. She must dispose of her heart. I regard constraint as a crime. Speak to her: If she listens to your propositions, I will consent to her will. ANITUS: I've already got the consent of Xantippe, your wife; without doubt she is informed of Aglaea's feelings; so I regard the thing as done. SOCRATES: I cannot regard things as done until they are. (Aglaea enters) Come beautiful Aglaea, come decide your fate. Here's a gentleman, priest of high rank, the leading priest in Athens, who offers himself to be your spouse. I leave you complete liberty to explain things with him. That liberty will not be constrained by my presence. Whatever choice you make I will approve. Xantippe will prepare everything for your wedding. (Socrates leaves) AGLAEA: Ah, generous Socrates it's with great regret I see you leave. ANITUS: It seems, amiable Aglaea, that you have great confidence in the good Socrates. AGLAEA: I owe it to him; he's serving as my father and he forms my soul. ANITUS: Well! If he directs your feelings, could you tell me what you think of Ceres, of Cybele, of Venus? AGLAEA: Alas! I will; whatever you wish. ANITUS: That's well said: you will also do what I wish. AGLAEA: No. That's much different from the other. ANITUS: You see that the wise Socrates consents to our union. Xantippe, his wife, presses for this marriage. You know what feelings you have inspired in me. You know my rank and my reputation. You see that my happiness and perhaps yours depends on a word from your mouth.