_Sokr._--But Homer talks upon all subjects. Upon which of them can you discourse? _Ion._--Upon all. _Sokr._--Not surely on such as belong to special arts, professions. Each portion of the matter of knowledge is included under some special art, and is known through that art by those who possess it. Thus, you and I, both of us, know the number of our fingers; we know it through the same art, which both of us possess--the arithmetical. But Homer talks of matters belonging to many different arts or occupations, that of the physician, the charioteer, the fisherman, &c. You cannot know these; since you do not belong to any of these professions, but are a rhapsode. Describe to me what are the matters included in the rhapsodic art. The rhapsodic art is one art by itself, distinct from the medical and others: it cannot know every thing; tell me what matters come under its special province.[26] _Ion._--The rhapsodic art does not know what belongs to any one of the other special arts: but that of which it takes cognizance, and that which I know, is, what is becoming and suitable to each variety of character described by Homer: to a man or woman--to a freeman or slave--to the commander who gives orders or to the subordinate who obeys them, &c. This is what belongs to the peculiar province of the rhapsode to appreciate and understand.[27] _Sokr._--Will the rhapsode know what is suitable for the commander of a ship to say to his seamen, during a dangerous storm, better than the pilot? Will the rhapsode know what is suitable for one who gives directions about the treatment of a sick man, better than the physician? Will the rhapsode know what is suitable to be said by the herdsman when the cattle are savage and distracted, or to the female slaves when busy in spinning? _Ion._--No: the rhapsode will not know these things so well as the pilot, the physician, the grazier, the mistress, &c.[28] _Sokr._--Will the rhapsode know what is suitable for the military commander to say, when he is exhorting his soldiers? _Ion._--Yes: the rhapsode will know this well: at least I know it well. [Footnote 26: Plato, Ion, 538-539.] [Footnote 27: Plato, Ion, 540 A. [Greek: a)\ tô=| r(apsô|dô=| prosê/kei kai\ skopei=sthai kai\ diakri/nein para\ tou\s a)/llous a)nthrô/pous], 539 E.] [Footnote 28: Plato, Ion, 540 B-C.] [Side-note: The Rhapsode does not know special matters, such as the craft of the pilot, physician, farmer, &c., but he knows the business of the general, and is competent to command soldiers, having learnt it from Homer.]