What does it matter whether Socrates sleeps in his
room or in an Athenian prison? Everything is in the eternal order of
things and my will must be there.
MELITUS:
Let them take away this dialectician. That's how they all are. They
press you with arguments right under the gallows.
ANITUS:
Gentlemen, what has just been said touches me. This man shows good
disposition. I flatter myself I am able to convert him. Let me speak
to him a moment in private. And order his wife and these young people
to retire.
A JUDGE:
We indeed wish it, venerable Anitus. You can speak to him before he
appears before our tribunal.
(They exit leaving Socrates alone with Anitus.)
ANITUS:
Virtuous Socrates, my heart bleeds to see you in this condition.
SOCRATES:
You actually have a heart?
ANITUS:
Yes, and I am ready to do everything for you.
SOCRATES:
Really? I'm convinced you've done much already.
ANITUS:
Listen. Your situation is more dangerous than you think. It goes to
your life.
SOCRATES:
Then it's a question of a little thing.
ANITUS:
It's little to your intrepid and sublime soul. To the eyes of those
who cherish, as I do, your virtue, it's everything.
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