_Ion._ Thou speakest truth, O Socrates. And, indeed, I have expended my study particularly on this part of my profession. I flatter myself that no man living excels me in the interpretation of Homer; neither Metrodorus of Lampsacus, nor Stesimbrotus the Thasian, nor Glauco, nor any other rhapsodist of the present times can express so many various and beautiful thoughts upon Homer as I can. _Socrates._ I am persuaded of your eminent skill, O Ion. You will not, I hope, refuse me a specimen of it? _Ion._ And, indeed, it would be worth your while to hear me declaim upon Homer. I deserve a golden crown from his admirers. _Socrates._ And I will find leisure some day or other to request you to favour me so far. At present, I will only trouble you with one question. Do you excel in explaining Homer alone, or are you conscious of a similar power with regard to Hesiod and Archilochus? _Ion._ I possess this high degree of skill with regard to Homer alone, and I consider that sufficient. _Socrates._ Are there any subjects upon which Homer and Hesiod say the same things? _Ion._ Many, as it seems to me. _Socrates._ Whether do you demonstrate these things better in Homer or Hesiod? _Ion._ In the same manner, doubtless; inasmuch as they say the same words with regard to the same things. _Socrates._ But with regard to those things in which they differ;--Homer and Hesiod both treat of divination, do they not? _Ion._ Certainly. _Socrates._ Do you think that you or a diviner would make the best exposition, respecting all that these poets say of divination, both as they agree and as they differ? _Ion._ A diviner probably. _Socrates._ Suppose you were a diviner, do you not think that you could explain the discrepancies of those poets on the subject of your profession, if you understand their agreement? _Ion._ Clearly so. _Socrates._ How does it happen then that you are possessed of skill to illustrate Homer, and not Hesiod, or any other poet in an equal degree? Is the subject-matter of the poetry of Homer different from all other poets’? Does he not principally treat of war and social intercourse, and of the distinct functions and characters of the brave man and the coward, the professional and private person, the mutual relations which subsist between the Gods and men; together with the modes of their intercourse, the phænomena of Heaven, the secrets of Hades, and the origin of Gods and heroes? Are not these the materials from which Homer wrought his poem? _Ion._ Assuredly, O Socrates. _Socrates._ And the other poets, do they not treat of the same matter? _Ion._ Certainly: but not like Homer. _Socrates._ How! Worse? _Ion._ Oh! far worse. _Socrates._ Then Homer treats of them better than they? _Ion._ Oh! Jupiter!--how much better! _Socrates._ Amongst a number of persons employed in solving a problem of arithmetic, might not a person know, my dear Ion, which had given the right answer? _Ion._ Certainly.