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on knowledge of the truth； and they can defend or prove them； when
they are put to the test； by spoken arguments； which leave their
writings poor in comparison of them； then they are to be called； not
only poets； orators； legislators； but are worthy of a higher name；
befitting the serious pursuit of their life。
Phaedr。 What name would you assign to them？
Soc。 Wise； I may not call them； for that is a great name which
belongs to God alone；…lovers of wisdom or philosophers is their modest
and befitting title。
Phaedr。 Very suitable。
Soc。 And he who cannot rise above his own compilations and
compositions； which he has been long patching； and piecing； adding
some and taking away some； may be justly called poet or speech…maker
or law…maker。
Phaedr。 Certainly。
Soc。 Now go and tell this to your companion。
Phaedr。 But there is also a friend of yours who ought not to be
forgotten。
Soc。 Who is he？
Phaedr。 Isocrates the fair：…What message will you send to him； and
how shall we describe him？
Soc。 Isocrates is still young； Phaedrus； but I am willing to
hazard a prophecy concerning him。
Phaedr。 What would you prophesy？
Soc。 I think that he has a genius which soars above the orations
of Lysias； and that his character is cast in a finer mould。 My
impression of him is that he will marvelously improve as he grows
older； and that all former rhetoricians will be as children in
comparison of him。 And I believe that he will not be satisfied with
rhetoric； but that there is in him a divine inspiration which will
lead him to things higher still。 For he has an element of philosophy
in his nature。 This is the message of the gods dwelling in this place；
and which I will myself deliver to Isocrates； who is my delight； and
do you give the other to Lysias； who is yours。
Phaedr。 I will； and now as the heat is abated let us depart。
Soc。 Should we not offer up a prayer first of all to the local
deities？
Phaedr。 By all means。
Soc。 Beloved Pan； and all ye other gods who haunt this place； give
me beauty in the inward soul； and may the outward and inward man be at
one。 May I reckon the wise to be the wealthy； and may I have such a
quantity of gold as a temperate man and he only can bear and
carry。…Anything more？ The prayer； I think； is enough for me。
Phaedr。 Ask the same for me； for friends should have all things in
common。
Soc。 Let us go。
…THE END…
。