." III. ii. 2.

Nic. Full well I know it, and full well I know the duty of a skilful
charioteer; how he who holds the ribbons must turn his chariot nigh the
pillar's edge (10)

Himself inclined upon the polished chariot-board A little to the left
of the twin pair: the right hand horse Touch with the prick, and shout a
cheery shout, and give him rein. (11)

I know another thing besides, and you may put it to the test this
instant, if you like. Homer somewhere has said: (12)

And at his side an onion, which to drink gives relish.

So if some one will but bring an onion, you shall reap the benefit of
my sage lore (13) in less than no time, and your wine will taste the
sweeter.

(10) "Il." xxiii. 335; Plat. "Ion," 537.

(11) Lit. "yield him the reins with his hands."

(12) "Il." xi.630: "And set out a leek savourer of drink" (Purves).
Plat. "Ion," 538 C.

(13) "My culinary skill."

Here Charmides exclaimed: Good sirs, let me explain. Niceratus is
anxious to go home, redolent of onions, so that his fair lady may
persuade herself, it never entered into anybody's head to kiss her lord.
(14)

(14) See Shakesp. "Much Ado," v. 2. 51 foll.; "Mids. N. D." iv. 2.

Bless me, that isn't all (continued Socrates); if we do not take care,
we shall win ourselves a comic reputation. (15) A relish must it be, in
very truth, that can sweeten cup as well as platter, this same onion;
and if we are to take to munching onions for desert, see if somebody
does not say of us, "They went to dine with Callias, and got more than
their deserts, the epicures." (16)

(15) Lit. "I warrant you! (quoth Socrates) and there's another funny
notion we have every chance of getting fathered on us."

(16) Or, "and had a most hilarious and herbaceous time."

No fear of that (rejoined Niceratus). Always take a bite of onion before
speeding forth to battle, just as your patrons of the cock-pit give
their birds a feed of garlic (17) before they put them for the fight.
But for ourselves our thoughts are less intent perhaps on dealing blows
than blowing kisses. (18)

(17) Cf. Aristoph. "Knights," 494:

Chorus. And here's the garlic. Swallow it down! Sausage Seller.... What
for? Chorus. It will prime you up and make you fight the better.

H. Frere.

(18) "We are concerned less with the lists of battle than of love";
"we meditate no furious close of battle but of lips." Lit. "how we
shall kiss some one rather than do b