“Neither, then, are you very wise, if you are still unwise?”
“By Jupiter,” said he, “Socrates, I do not think that I can be.”
Then I, upon hearing this, looked at Hippothales, and almost committed a
blunder, for it occurred to me to say, “Thus, Hippothales, we ought to
converse with favourites, humbling and checking them, and not, as you
do, puffing them up and filling them with vanity.” However, perceiving
him anxious and disturbed at what was said, I recollected that, although
he was standing near, he wished to escape the observation of Lysis; I
therefore recovered myself, and restrained my speech.
At this moment Menexenus came again, and sat down by Lysis, whence he
had risen before. Lysis, then, in a very boyish and affectionate manner,
unobserved by Menexenus, talking to me a little while, said, “Socrates,
say over again to Menexenus what you have been saying to me.”
And I replied, “Do you tell it him, Lysis, for you paid very great
attention.”
“I certainly did,” he replied.
“Endeavour, then,” said I, “to remember it as well as you can, that you
may tell him all clearly; but if you forget any thing, ask me again the
first time you meet me.”
19. “I will most certainly do so, Socrates,” said he, “be well assured.
But say something else to him, that I too may hear, until it is time for
me to go home.”
“I must do so,” said I, “since you bid me; but take care that you assist
me, if Menexenus should attempt to confute me. Do you not know that he
is fond of disputing?”
“By Jupiter,” said he, “very much so; and for this reason I wish you to
converse with him.”
“That I may make myself ridiculous?” said I.
“No, by Jupiter,” said he, “but that you may punish him.”
“How so,” said I, “that’s not an easy matter, for the man is clever, a
disciple of Ctesippus. And besides, he is here in person, do not you see
Ctesippus?”
“Don’t concern yourself about that, Socrates,” said he, “but come,
converse with him.”
“We must converse, then,” I replied.
While we were speaking thus to each other, Ctesippus said, “What are you
two feasting on by yourselves, without letting us share in the
conversation?”
“But indeed,” said I, “you shall have a share, for Lysis here does not
understand something that I have said, but says he thinks Menexenus
knows it, and bids me ask him.”