按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the utmost that we can for them。 And knowing you to have sons of your own；
we thought that you were most likely to have attended to their training and
improvement； and； if perchance you have not attended to them； we may remind
you that you ought to have done so； and would invite you to assist us in
the fulfilment of a common duty。 I will tell you； Nicias and Laches； even
at the risk of being tedious； how we came to think of this。 Melesias and I
live together； and our sons live with us； and now； as I was saying at
first； we are going to confess to you。 Both of us often talk to the lads
about the many noble deeds which our own fathers did in war and peacein
the management of the allies； and in the administration of the city； but
neither of us has any deeds of his own which he can show。 The truth is
that we are ashamed of this contrast being seen by them； and we blame our
fathers for letting us be spoiled in the days of our youth； while they were
occupied with the concerns of others； and we urge all this upon the lads；
pointing out to them that they will not grow up to honour if they are
rebellious and take no pains about themselves； but that if they take pains
they may； perhaps； become worthy of the names which they bear。 They； on
their part； promise to comply with our wishes； and our care is to discover
what studies or pursuits are likely to be most improving to them。 Some one
commended to us the art of fighting in armour； which he thought an
excellent accomplishment for a young man to learn； and he praised the man
whose exhibition you have seen； and told us to go and see him。 And we
determined that we would go； and get you to accompany us； and we were
intending at the same time； if you did not object； to take counsel with you
about the education of our sons。 That is the matter which we wanted to
talk over with you； and we hope that you will give us your opinion about
this art of fighting in armour； and about any other studies or pursuits
which may or may not be desirable for a young man to learn。 Please to say
whether you agree to our proposal。
NICIAS： As far as I am concerned； Lysimachus and Melesias； I applaud your
purpose； and will gladly assist you； and I believe that you； Laches； will
be equally glad。
LACHES： Certainly； Nicias； and I quite approve of the remark which
Lysimachus made about his own father and the father of Melesias； and which
is applicable； not only to them； but to us； and to every one who is
occupied with public affairs。 As he says； such persons are too apt to be
negligent and careless of their own children and their private concerns。
There is much truth in that remark of yours； Lysimachus。 But why； instead
of consulting us； do you not consult our friend Socrates about the
education of the youths？ He is of the same deme with you； and is always
passing his time in places where the youth have any noble study or pursuit；
such as you are enquiring after。
LYSIMACHUS： Why； Laches； has Socrates ever attended to matters of this
sort？
LACHES： Certainly； Lysimachus。
NICIAS： That I have the means of knowing as well as Laches； for quite
lately he supplied me with a teacher of music for my sons；Damon； the
disciple of Agathocles； who is a most accomplished man in every way； as
well as a musician； and a companion of inestimable value for young men at
their age。
LYSIMACHUS： Those who have reached my time of life； Socrates and Nicias
and Laches； fall out of acquaintance with the young； because they are
generally detained at home by old age； but you； O son of Sophroniscus；
should let your fellow demesman have the benefit of any advice which you
are able to give。 Moreover I have a claim upon you as an old friend of
your father； for I and he were always companions and friends； and to the
hour of his death there never was a difference between us； and now it comes
back to me； at the mention of your name； that I have heard these lads
talking to one another at home； and often speaking of Socrates in terms of
the highest praise； but I have never thought to ask them whether the son of
Sophroniscus was the person whom they meant。 Tell me； my boys； whether
this is the Socrates of whom you have often spoken？
SON： Certainly； father； this is he。
LYSIMACHUS： I am delighted to hear； Socrates； that you maintain the name
of your father； who was a most excellent man； and I further rejoice at the
prospect of our family ties being renewed。
LACHES： Indeed； Lysimachus； you ought not to give him up； for I can assure
you that I have seen him maintaining； not only his father's； but also his
country's name。 He was my companion in the retreat from Delium； and I can
tell you that if others had only been like him； the honour of our country
would have been upheld； and the great defeat would never have occurred。
LYSIMACHUS： That is very high praise which is accorded to you； Socrates；
by faithful witnesses and for actions like those which they praise。 Let me
tell you the pleasure which I feel in hearing of your fame； and I hope that
you will regard me as one of your warmest friends。 You ought to have
visited us long ago； and made yourself at home with us； but now； from this
day forward； as we have at last found one another out； do as I saycome
and make acquaintance with me； and with these young men； that I may
continue your friend； as I was your father's。 I shall expect you to do so；
and shall venture at some future time to remind you of your duty。 But what
say you of the matter of which we were beginning to speakthe art of
fighting in armour？ Is that a practice in which the lads may be
advantageously instructed？
SOCRATES： I will endeavour to advise you； Lysimachus； as far as I can in
this matter； and also in every way will comply with your wishes； but as I
am younger and not so experienced； I think that I ought certainly to hear
first what my elders have to say； and to learn of them； and if I have
anything to add； then I may venture to give my opinion to them as well as
to you。 Suppose； Nicias； that one or other of you begin。
NICIAS： I have no objection； Socrates； and my opinion is that the
acquirement of this art is in many ways useful to young men。 It is an
advantage to them that among the favourite amusements of their leisure
hours they should have one which tends to improve and not to injure their
bodily health。 No gymnastics could be better or harder exercise； and this；
and the art of riding； are of all arts most befitting to a freeman； for
they only who are thus t