7) Who this Phliasian is, no one knows.

(108) Al. "like two hounds chevying after one another."

With such examples of your wonder-working skill before my eyes, I
must suppose you are a first-rate matchmaker. For consider, a man with
insight to discern two natures made to be of service to each other, and
with power to make these same two people mutually enamoured! That is the
sort of man, I take it, who should weld together states in friendship;
cement alliances with gain to the contracting parties; (109) and, in
general, be found an acquisition to those several states; to friends and
intimates, and partisans in war, a treasure worth possessing. (110) But
you, my friend, you got quite angry. One would suppose I had given you
an evil name in calling you a first-rate matchmaker.

(109) Al. "and cement desirable matrimonial connections." Cf. Aristot.
"Pol." iii. 9, 13. 1280 B; v. 4, 5-8. 1303 B.

(110) See the conversation with Critobulus, so often referred to,
{peri philias}, in "Mem." II. vi.

Yes (he answered meekly), but now I am calm. It is clear enough, if
I possess these powers I shall find myself surcharged with spiritual
riches.

In this fashion the cycle of the speeches was completed. (111)

(111) See Hug, "Einleitung," xxxi. "Quellen des Platonischen
Symposion."

V

Then Callias: Our eyes are on you, Critobulus. Yours to enter the lists
(1) against the champion Socrates, who claims the prize of beauty. Do
you hesitate?

(1) Soph. "Fr." 234; Thuc. i. 93.

Soc. Likely enough he does, for possibly he sees Sir Pandarus stands
high in their esteem who are the judges of the contest.

In spite of which (retorted Critobulus), I am not for drawing back. (2)
I am ready; so come on, and if you have any subtle argument to prove
that you are handsomer than I am, now's your time, instruct us. But just
stop one minute; have the goodness, please, to bring the lamp a little
closer.

(2) Or, "I do; but all the same, I am not for shirking." Cf. Aristoph.
"Frogs," 860, {etiomos eum egoge, kouk anaduomai, daknein}: "I'm
up to it; I am resolved" (Frere); Dem. "de F. Leg." 406 20: "His
resolution never reached that point, but shrank back, for his
conscience checked it" (Kennedy).

Soc. Well then, I call upon you first of all, as party to this suit,
to undergo the preliminary examination. (3) Attend to what I say, and
please be good enough to answer.

(3) The {anakrisis}, or "