88 SOCRATES. 



could not be blinded by the smoke of sacrifices, but who loved virtuous 

 actions better than sumptuous forms," and for this reason they poisoned 

 the minds of the populace with the belief that Socrates taught impiety 

 against the gods ; and because the most ingenuous and virtuous sat at 

 his feet and learned his precepts, they charge him with being a corrupt- 

 er of youth. The caustic wit of Arislophares, in the comedy of the 

 Clouds was directed against this teacher of virtue, introducing him as a 

 ridiculous and flagitious pretender to the occult sciences, and ludicrous- 

 ly representing him as hanging in a basket and inculcating the most 

 disorganizing doctrines ; and although the success, which the poet prom- 

 ised to himself, was not at first realized, owing to the high estimation in 

 which the philosopher was held, yet the calumnious effort, embittered 

 by the craft of designing priests and demagogues, no doubt, had consid- 

 erable influence in originating the public indictment, which twenty-three 

 years afterwards, was drawn up against him. Lysias, the greatest ora- 

 tor, whom Greece at that time afforded, had prepared an elaborate dis- 

 course and proposed to defend him, but Socrates declined the offer, ex- 

 claiming, I will not sujipose my judges interested in my condemnation^ 

 and if I am guilty^ I must not, iy j)ersuasio7i, endeavor to avert the aumrd 



of justice. 



Jusium ac tei}acem propositi virum, 

 Non civium ardor prava jubentium, 

 Non vultus instantis tyranni, 

 Menie quatit solida. 



To the accusation he himself made a dignified and eloquent reply, 

 characterized by a manly fortitude of conscious innocence, recanting 

 none of his opinions, denying the charges and asserting that his country- 

 men owed him reward and not punishment. It, however, availed noth- 

 ing ; the passions of a capricious and tumultuous people were excited — 

 he had offended the nation — he had advanced sentiments which they 

 disapproved, and nothing could appease them but his life — and thus the 

 "best, the wisest, and most just of Athens" expires — dies a martyr to the 

 li-uth — a victim to popular prejudice ; exemplifying the sentiment so 

 beautifully expressed by Milton : 



Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, 

 Surprised by unjust force, but not enthrall'd : 

 Yea, even that which mischief meant most harm, 

 Shall, in the happy tiial, prove most glory. 



How often has it happened that the multitude, in an hour of false ex- 

 citement, have been driven to shed the blood of their greatest benefac- 

 tors ! The next moment their eyes have been opened and the objects 



