Socrates | Page 9

Anyway,
he's headstrong like a mule. I've spent my life torturing him; I've even
beaten him sometimes. Not only have I been unable to correct him, I
haven't even been able to anger him. What do you expect me to do?
DRIXA: I will avenge myself, I tell you. I notice under the porticoes
his good friend Anitus and some of ours. Let me alone.
XANTIPPE: My God! I fear that all these folks may play my husband
some trick. Let's go quickly to warn him. for after all, one cannot help
loving him.
(Exit Xantippe)
DRIXA: Our insults are alike, respected Anitus. You are betrayed like
me. This dishonest man, Socrates, is giving almost all his wealth to

Aglaea only to drive you to despair. You must exact an exemplary
vengeance.
ANITUS: That's indeed my intention; heaven is concerned in it. Since
he disdains me, this man doubtless scorns the gods. Accusations have
already been brought against him; you must help me to renew them.
We'll put him in danger of his life. Then I will offer him my protection
on the condition that he gives me Aglaea and surrenders your
handsome Sophronine to you. That way we will fulfill all our duties.
He will be punished by the fright we have given him. I will obtain my
mistress and you shall have your lover.
DRIXA: You speak like wisdom itself. Some divinity must inspire you.
Instruct us: what must be done?
ANITUS: The judges will soon pass here to go to the Tribunal; Melitus
is at their head.
DRIXA: But that Melitus is a little pedant; an evil man who is your
enemy.
ANITUS: Yes, but he's even more an enemy of Socrates. He's a
hypocritical rogue who maintains the rights of the Areopagus against
me. But we will join together when it's a question of ruining those false
wise men who are capable of enlightening the people about our conduct.
Listen, my dear Drixa, you are devout.
DRIXA: Yes, assuredly, my lord. I love money and pleasure with all
my heart, but as regards devotion, I will give place to no one.
ANITUS: Go take some devout people with you and when the judges
pass by, scream out against impiety.
TERPANDRE: Will there be something to gain by it? We are ready.
ACROS: Yes. But what kind of impiety?
ANITUS: All types. You have only to accuse him boldly of not

believing in the gods. That's the quickest way.
DRIXA: Oh! Let me do it.
ANITUS: You will be perfectly seconded. Go under these porticoes;
stir up your friends. Meanwhile, I am going to instruct some
newsmongers of the controversy, some hack scribblers who often come
to dine with me. They are very despicable people, I admit. But, when
they are carefully directed, on occasion, they can do harm. All means
must be used to make the good cause triumph. Go, my dear friends.
Commend yourselves to Ceres. You will shout on my given signal. It's
the sure way of gaining hearers, and especially to live happily on earth.
(They leave; Nonoti, Chomos and Bertios enter)
ANITUS: Tireless, Nonoti, deep Chomos, fastidious Bertios; have you
prepared against this evil Socrates the little works I ordered?
NONOTI: I have labored, Milord; he won't recover from it.
CHOMOS: I have demonstrated the truth against him. He is
confounded.
BERTIOS: I said only one word in my paper: he is ruined.
ANITUS: Take care, Nonoti. I forbade you to be prolix. You are
naturally boring; you could try the patience of the court.
NONOTI: Milord, I've written only a page. There I prove that the soul
is an infused quintessence; that tails are given to animals to shoo flies;
that love works miracles, and that consequently Socrates is an enemy of
the state who must be exterminated.
ANITUS: You couldn't draw a better conclusion. Go bring your
accusation to the second judge, who is an excellent philosopher. I will
answer for it. You will soon defeat your enemy Socrates.
NONOTI: Milord, I am not his enemy. I am only annoyed that he's got
too great a reputation, and all that I am doing is for the glory of Ceres,

and the good of the country.
ANITUS: Go, I tell you. Hurry up. Well, wise Chomos, what have you
done?
CHOMOS: Milord, not having found anything to reprove in Socrates'
writings, I've adroitly accused him of thinking contrary to what he says.
I point out the venom in what he says.
ANITUS: Marvelous. Take that piece to the fourth judge. He's a man
who lacks common sense and will understand you perfectly. And you,
Bertios?
BERTIOS: Milord, here's my last paper on chaos. I show, cleverly
passing from chaos to the Olympic games, that Socrates is perverting
the youth.
ANITUS: Admirable! Go on my