_Soc._ It is not my fault, Callicles; our friend Chaerephon is to blame; for he would keep us loitering in the Agora. _Chaerephon._ Never mind, Socrates; the misfortune of which I have been the cause I will also repair; for Gorgias is a friend of mine, and I will make him give the exhibition again either now, or, if you prefer, at some other time. _Cal._ What is the matter, Chaerephon—does Socrates want to hear Gorgias? _Chaer._ Yes, that was our intention in coming. _Cal._ Come into my house, then; for Gorgias is staying with me, and he shall exhibit to you. _Soc._ Very good, Callicles; but will he answer our questions? for I want to hear from him what is the nature of his art, and what it is which he professes and teaches; he may, as you [Chaerephon] suggest, defer the exhibition to some other time. _Cal._ There is nothing like asking him, Socrates; and indeed to answer questions is a part of his exhibition, for he was saying only just now, that any one in my house might put any question to him, and that he would answer. [Sidenote: _Gorgias is ready to answer all comers._] _Soc._ How fortunate! will you ask him, Chaerephon—? _Chaer._ What shall I ask him? _Soc._ Ask him who he is. _Chaer._ What do you mean? _Soc._ I mean such a question as would elicit from him, if he had been a maker of shoes, the answer that he is a cobbler. Do you understand? _Chaer._ I understand, and will ask him: Tell me, Gorgias, is our friend Callicles right in saying that you undertake to answer any questions which you are asked? _Gorgias._ Quite right, Chaerephon: I was saying as much only just now; and I may add, that many years have elapsed 448 since any one has asked me a new one. _Chaer._ Then you must be very ready, Gorgias. _Gor._ Of that, Chaerephon, you can make trial. [Sidenote: Polus offers to take the place of Gorgias in the argument.] _Polus._ Yes, indeed, and if you like, Chaerephon, you may make trial of me too, for I think that Gorgias, who has been talking a long time, is tired. _Chaer._ And do you, Polus, think that you can answer better than Gorgias? _Pol._ What does that matter if I answer well enough for you? _Chaer._ Not at all:—and you shall answer if you like. _Pol._ Ask:— _Chaer._ My question is this: If Gorgias had the skill of his brother Herodicus, what ought we to call him? Ought he not to have the name which is given to his brother? _Pol._ Certainly. _Chaer._ Then we should be right in calling him a physician? _Pol._ Yes. [Sidenote: The question is asked, ‘What is Gorgias?’] _Chaer._ And if he had the skill of Aristophon the son of Aglaophon, or of his brother Polygnotus, what ought we to call him? _Pol._ Clearly, a painter.