And we shall say, I imagine, that such things as these are well
spoken, which Diomed says in Homer :

Sit thou in silence, and obey my speech.
And what follows ; thus,

The Greeks march'd on in silence, breathing force;
Revering their commanders; . ..
and such like. Well spoken. But what as to these? "Thou
drunkard with dog's eyes, and heart of deer;" and all of this
kind, are these, or such other insolences, which any private
person in prose or poetry has been made to say against their
governors, spoken handsomely ? Not handsomely. For I do not
imagine that when they are heard they are fit to promote
temperance in youth ; and though they may afford a pleasure of
a different kind, it is no wonder. But what do you think ? Just
the same way, said he. But what of this ? To make the wisest
man say, that it appears to him to be the most beautiful of all
things,

... To see the tables full

Of flesh and dainties, and the butler bear

The wine in flagons, and fill up the cup:



THE BEPUBLIC 53

is this proper for a youth to hear, in order to obtain a command
over himself? Or yet this ?

. • • Most miserable it is,

To die of famine, and have adverse fate.
