The Prose Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Vol. 2 [of 2]Shelley, Percy Bysshe
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The Prose Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Vol. 2 [of 2]
Shelley, Percy Bysshe
English prose literature
it was summer, bringing their blankets, they lay down to sleep in the
cool; they observed that Socrates continued to stand there the whole
night until morning, and that, when the sun rose, he saluted it with a
prayer and departed.
“I ought not to omit what Socrates is in battle. For in that battle
after which the generals decreed to me the prize of courage, Socrates
alone of all men was the saviour of my life, standing by me when I had
fallen and was wounded, and preserving both myself and my arms from the
hands of the enemy. On that occasion I entreated the generals to decree
the prize, as it was most due, to him. And this, O Socrates, you cannot
deny, that the generals wishing to conciliate a person of my rank,
desired to give me the prize, you were far more earnestly desirous than
the generals that this glory should be attributed not to yourself, but
me.
“But to see Socrates when our army was defeated and scattered in flight
at Delius, was a spectacle worthy to behold. On that occasion I was
among the cavalry, and he on foot, heavily armed. After the total rout
of our troops, he and Laches retreated together; I came up by chance,
and seeing them, bade them be of good cheer, for that I would not leave
them. As I was on horseback, and therefore less occupied by a regard of
my own situation, I could better observe than at Potidæa the beautiful
spectacle exhibited by Socrates on this emergency. How superior was
he to Laches in presence of mind and courage! Your representation of
him on the stage, O Aristophanes, was not wholly unlike his real self
on this occasion, for he walked and darted his regards around with a
majestic composure, looking tranquilly both on his friends and enemies;
so that it was evident to every one, even from afar, that whoever
should venture to attack him would encounter a desperate resistance. He
and his companion thus departed in safety; for those who are scattered
in flight are pursued and killed, whilst men hesitate to touch those
who exhibit such a countenance as that of Socrates even in defeat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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