The Prose Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley (Volume 3)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880. Excerpt: ... THE BANQUET. Translated From Plato. Apollodorus. 1 Think that the subject of your inquiries is still fresh in my memory; for yesterday, as I chanced to be returning home from Phaleros, one of my acquaintance, seeing me before him, called out to me from a distance, jokingly, Apollodorus, you Phalerian, will you not wait a minute?--I waited for him, and as soon as he overtook me, I have just been looking for you, Apollodorus, he said, for I wished to hear what those discussions were on Love, which took place at the party, when Agathon, Socrates, Alcibiades, and some others, met at supper. Some one who heard it from Phoenix, the son of Philip, told me that you could give a full account, but he could relate nothing distinctly himself. Eelate to me, then, I intreat you, all the circumstances. I know you are a faithful reporter of the discussions of your friends; but, first tell me, were you present at the party or not? Your informant, I replied, seems to have given you no very clear idea of what you wish to hear, if he thinks that these discussions took place so lately as that I could have been of the party. Indeed, I thought so, replied he. For how, said I, O Glauco! could I have been present? Do you not know that Agath'on has been absent from the city many years? Rut, since I began to converse with Socrates, and to observe each day all his words and actions, three years are scarcely past. Before this time I wandered about wherever it might chance, thinking that I did something, but being, in truth, a most miserable wretch, not less than you are now, who believe that you ought to do anything rather than practise the love of wisdom. Do not cavil, interrupted Glauco, but tell me, when did this party take place? Whilst we were yet children...