University of Virginia Library

Scene 3d

Plato, Phedon, Crito, Apame, Gaoler
Plato
Welcome, my mournful friends; tis then resolv'd
And you're unanimous t'attempt his rescue?

Phedon
Unanimous? Who wou'd not dare their fate,
To save the man who e'en the gods behold,
With rapturous wonder, from so base a death?

Crito
Yes, Plato, we're resolv'd; and Heaven in pity
To Athens, to relieve her from her shame,
Inspires this generous man to aid our purpose.
He blushes for his country, and determines
To share with us, the brave attempt, or die.

Gaoler
Who, that beholds his great, his god like patience,
His nobleness of suffering, but wou'd join
With earnest resolution, to preserve him?
I am a stranger to philosophy,
Nor know her influence on the sons of men;
But this man's more than humane; his demeanour
Hath in it something of divinity.
Calm and serene he smiles at my compassion,
And bids me not to be concern'd for him;
That life and death he hath weigh'd in equal ballance,
And finds himself indifferent to either.
Oft, when I speak th'inveteracy of those
That work'd his cruel sufferings, strait he pities them,
And begs of Heaven that they may be forgiven.
I heard him with amaze; he won my soul;
And O, were I the humble mean to save him,
Methinks I cou'd forgive the gods, shou'd they
Ordain my death the moment he escap'd.

Plato
Thy honest heart! But doubt not but the gods
Will shower their blessings on thee. Thy regard
For virtue in affliction, claims their goodness,
And they will pay thee worthy recompence.
Why, my good friends, this looks as if the Powers
Above took care of him—let's seize th'occasion,
Spite of himself preserve him, and become
Th'asserters of exalted worth in Athens.

Apame
Yes, ye Athenians, dare the utmost perils,
Bid brave defiance to severest tortures,
Rather than he shou'd fall; the world hath not
In it's extended regions one that mates
With him in virtue. Hapless that I am,
To have my nearest relative his foe,
I'd dare for him above my feeble sex.

Plato
O sweet Apame, worthiest, matchless maid!
How shall I praise thee, as thy worth deserves?
Thy dear esteem for Socrates demands
Our highest gratitude, and makes us almost
Forget, thy cruel brother sought his death.
O thou transcendant excellence! had he
But half thy virtue—O forgive the thought!
I see how it transports thy gentle soul.

Phedon
Gods! how she's mov'd! O Plato, thou hast rais'd
Tumultuous war within her—heavenly fair One,
Summon thy own great virtues to thy aid,
Calm thy afflicted soul—thy Phedon asks thee
Speak solace to thyself—support the conflict—
What can I say to ease thy strugling heart?

Apame
O the severe distress that hangs upon me!
You're all the friends of Socrates—be mine.
Ye know, how I revere him, how I love him;
And oh! if ye succeed (and grant, ye Gods,
They may succeed) have pity on Apame,
And give her back, if possible, her brother.