and Socrates, at the request of Gorgias, carries it on by himself, and shews at length and with great force and perspicuity the advantages of a virtuous and well regulated life; and in conclusion he describes the future judgment when each man will give account of himself in another world, and be rewarded or punished according as he has lived a good or a bad life. GORGIAS, OR, ON RHETORIC. CALLICLES, SOCRATES, CHÆREPHON, GORGIAS, AND POLUS. ------- _Cal._ They say, Socrates, that we should thus take part in war and battle[57]. ----- Footnote 57: That is, come too late, and so take no part at all. ----- _Socr._ Have we then, as the saying is, come after the feast, and are we too late? _Cal._ And a very elegant feast. For Gorgias has just now exhibited many fine things to us. _Socr._ Chærephon here, Callicles, is the cause of this, by having compelled us to waste our time in the forum. _Chær._ It’s of no consequence, Socrates; for I will also find a remedy; for Gorgias is my friend, so that he will exhibit to us now, if you please, or, if you prefer it, at some future time. 2. _Cal._ What, Chærephon? is Socrates desirous of hearing Gorgias? _Chær._ We are come for this very purpose. _Cal._ Whenever you please, then, come to my house; Gorgias lodges with me, and will exhibit to you. _Socr._ You say well[58], Callicles. But would he be inclined to converse with us? For I wish to learn from him what is the power of his art, and what it is that he professes and teaches: the rest of the exhibition, as you say, he may make at some other time. ----- Footnote 58: Or, “you are very obliging.” ----- _Cal._ There is nothing like asking him, Socrates: for this is one part of his exhibition: he just now bade all that were in the house ask what question they pleased, and promised to answer every thing. 3. _Socr._ You say well in truth. Ask him, Chærephon. _Chær._ What shall I ask him? _Socr._ What he is. _Chær._ How mean you? _Socr._ Just as, if he happened to be a maker of shoes, he would surely answer you, that he is a shoemaker. Do you not understand what I mean? _Chær._ I understand, and will ask him. Tell me, Gorgias, does Callicles here say truly that you promised to answer whatever any one should ask you? _Gorg._ Truly, Chærephon: for I just now made that very promise: and I affirm that for many years no one has asked me any thing new. _Chær._ Without doubt, then, you will answer easily, Gorgias. _Gorg._ You may make trial of that, Chærephon. _Pol._ By Jupiter, Chærephon, if you please, _make trial_ of me: for Gorgias appears to me to be fatigued; as he has just now been speaking a great deal. 4. _Chær._ What, Polus, do you think you can answer better than Gorgias? _Pol._ What matters that, if I answer well enough for you? _Chær._ Not at all: since you wish it then, answer.