h man in general; hence my choice of wife. (19) I know full
well, if I can tolerate her spirit, I can with ease attach myself to
every human being else.

(18) Lit. "Because I see the man who aims at skill in horsemanship
does not care to own a soft-mouthed, docile animal, but some
restive, fiery creature."

(19) Lit. "being anxious to have intercourse with all mankind, to deal
with every sort of human being, I possess my wife."

A well-aimed argument, not wide of the mark by any means! (20) the
company were thinking.

(20) Cf. Plat. "Theaet." 179 C.

Hereupon a large hoop studded with a bristling row of upright swords
(21) was introduced; and into the centre of this ring of knives and
out of it again the girl threw somersaults backwards, forwards, several
times, till the spectators were in terror of some accident; but with the
utmost coolness and without mishap the girl completed her performance.

(21) See Becker, "Char." p. 101. Cf. Plat. "Symp." 190; "Euthyd." 294.

Here Socrates, appealing to Antisthenes: None of the present company,
I take it, who have watched this spectacle will ever again deny that
courage can be taught, (22) when the girl there, woman should she be,
rushes so boldly into the midst of swords.

(22) Cf. "Mem." III. ix. 1.

He, thus challenged, answered: No; and what our friend, the Syracusan
here, should do is to exhibit his dancing-girl to the state. (23) Let
him tell the authorities he is prepared, for a consideration, to give
the whole Athenian people courage to face the hostile lances at close
quarters.

(23) Or, "to the city," i.e. of Athens.

Whereat the jester: An excellent idea, upon my word; and when it
happens, may I be there to see that mighty orator (24) Peisander
learning to throw somersaults (25) into swords; since incapacity to
look a row of lances in the face at present makes him shy of military
service. (26)

(24) Or, "tribune of the people." Cf. Plat. "Gorg." 520 B; "Laws," 908
D.

(25) Or, "learning to go head over heels into swords."

(26) For Peisander see Cobet, "Pros. Xen." p. 46 foll. A thoroughgoing
oligarch (Thuc. viii. 90), he was the occasion of much mirth to
the comic writers (so Grote, "H. G." viii. 12). See re his "want
of spirit" Aristoph. "Birds," 1556:

{entha kai Peisandros elthe deomenos psukhen idein, e zont ekeinon
proulipe, k.t.l.}

where the poet has a fling at Socrates also:

Socrates beside the