114. _Socr._ But how shall we describe Polus’s new-fangled method of speaking, as his reduplication of words, his sentences, his similitudes, and the words which Licymnius made him a present of, in order to produce a graceful diction. _Phæ._ But was not the system of Protagoras, Socrates, something of this kind? _Socr._ His was a correctness of diction, my boy, and many other fine things besides, but in the art of dragging in speeches to excite commiseration for old age and poverty, the Chalcedonian hero appears to me to have carried off the palm. He was moreover a powerful man to rouse the anger of the multitude, and again, when enraged, to soothe them by enchantment, as he used to say; he was most skilful in raising and removing calumnies, on any ground whatever. But all seem to agree in the same opinion with respect to the conclusion of speeches, to which some have given the name of recapitulation, others a different name. _Phæ._ You mean the summarily reminding the hearers, at the conclusion, of the several things that have been said. 115. _Socr._ I mean that, and now consider if you have any thing else to say about the art of speaking. _Phæ._ Only some trifling things, and not worth mentioning. _Socr._ Let us pass over trifles; and rather examine these things in the clear light, and see what influence they have in art, and on what occasion. _Phæ._ A very powerful influence, Socrates, at least in assemblies of the people. _Socr._ They have indeed. But, my admirable friend, do you also observe whether their web does not appear to you to be very wide as it does to me. _Phæ._ Explain what you mean. _Socr._ Tell me then: If any one should go to your friend Eryximachus, or his father Acumenus, and should say, “I know how to apply such things to the body, as will make it warm or cold, as I please, and if I think proper, I can produce vomitings, and again purgings, and many other things of the kind, and as I know these things I consider myself a physician, and that I can make any one else so, to whom I impart the knowledge of these particulars:” what do you think they would say on hearing this? _Phæ._ What else, but ask him if he knew besides to what persons, and when, and how far, he ought to do each of these things? 116. _Socr._ If then, he should say, “Not in the least; but I expect that he who should learn these things from me, would be able to do what you ask?” _Phæ._ He would say, I think, that the man is mad; and that, having heard from some book or other, or having met with certain drugs, he fancies that he has become a physician, though he knows nothing at all about the art.