Thereupon Niceratus: Lend me your ears, and I will tell you in what respects you shall be better for consorting with myself. I presume, without my telling you, you know that Homer, being the wisest of mankind, has touched upon nearly every human topic in his poems. (6) Whosoever among you, therefore, would fain be skilled in economy, or oratory, or strategy; whose ambition it is to be like Achilles, or Ajax, Nestor, or Odysseus--one and all pay court to me, for I have all this knowledge at my fingers' ends. (6) Or, "his creations are all but coextensive with every mortal thing." Pray (interposed Antisthenes), (7) do you also know the way to be a king? (8) since Homer praises Agamemnon, you are well aware, as being A goodly king and eke a spearman bold. (9) (7) Some modern critics (e.g. F. Dummler, "Antisthenica," p. 29 foll.) maintain plausibly that the author is here glancing (as also Plato in the "Ion") at Antisthenes' own treatises against the Rhapsodists and on a more correct interpretation of Homer, {peri exegeton} and {peri 'Omerou}. (8) Or, "Have you the knowledge also how to play the king?" (9) "Il." iii. 179. See "Mem." III. ii. 2. Nic. Full well I know it, and full well I know the duty of a skilful charioteer; how he who holds the ribbons must turn his chariot nigh the pillar's edge (10) Himself inclined upon the polished chariot-board A little to the left of the twin pair: the right hand horse Touch with the prick, and shout a cheery shout, and give him rein. (11) I know another thing besides, and you may put it to the test this instant, if you like. Homer somewhere has said: (12) And at his side an onion, which to drink gives relish. So if some one will but bring an onion, you shall reap the benefit of my sage lore (13) in less than no time, and your wine will taste the sweeter. (10) "Il." xxiii. 335; Plat. "Ion," 537. (11) Lit. "yield him the reins with his hands." (12) "Il." xi.630: "And set out a leek savourer of drink" (Purves). Plat. "Ion," 538 C. (13) "My culinary skill." Here Charmides exclaimed: Good sirs, let me explain. Niceratus is anxious to go home, redolent of onions, so that his fair lady may persuade herself, it never entered into anybody's head to kiss her lord. (14) (14) See Shakesp. "Much Ado," v. 2. 51 foll.; "Mids. N. D." iv. 2. Bless me, that isn't all (continued Socrates); if we do not take care, we shall win ourselves a comic reputation. (15) A relish must it be, in very truth, that can sweeten cup as well as platter, this same onion; and if we are to take to munching onions for desert, see if somebody does not say of us, "They went to dine with Callias, and got more than their deserts, the epicures." (16) (15) Lit. "I warrant you! (quoth Socrates) and there's another funny notion we have every chance of getting fathered on us." (16) Or, "and had a most hilarious and herbaceous time."