Socrates Part 5

ANOTHER JUDGE: Yes, yes, we'll hang them at the next session. Let's go to dinner.

(Exit the judges.)

(There should be a scene change here to Socrates cell. But there is no indication in the text.)

SOCRATES: I've been prepared for death for a long while. All that worries me now is that my wife, Xantippe may come trouble my last moments and interrupt the sweet composure of my soul: I mustn't be occupied except with the Supreme Being before whom I must soon appear. But here she is: I've got to be resigned to everything.

XANTIPPE: (entering) Well! Poor man! What have these law folk concluded? Are you condemned to a fine? are you banished? Are you absolved? My G.o.d! How you've upset me! Try, I beg you, not to let this happen again.

SOCRATES: No, my wife. I'll answer for that. It won't happen again. You won't be troubled by anything.

(Enter Disciples)

Be welcome, my dear disciples, my friends.

CRITO: (at the head of Socrates' Disciples) You sees us as alarmed at your fate as your wife, Xantippe. We have obtained from the judges, permission to see you. Just heaven! Must we see Socrates burdened with chains? Allow us to kiss these irons that honor you and are the shame of Athens. Is it possible that Anitus and his accomplices have been able to put you in this condition?

SOCRATES: My dear friends, let's not think of these trivia and let's continue the discussion we were having yesterday about the immortality of the soul. It seems to me we were saying that nothing is more probable than that idea. Indeed, matter changes and never perishes; why should the soul perish? Could it be made so that we, being elevated to consciousness of a G.o.d through the veil of the mortal body, would cease to know Him when the veil falls. No. Since we think, we will think forever; thought is the being of man. That being will appear before a just G.o.d who rewards virtue, who punishes crime and who excuses weakness.

XANTIPPE: That's well said: I didn't understand any of it. To always think because one has thought! Does one always wipe one's nose because one has wiped it before. But who's this villainous man with his bowl?

JAILOR OR SERVANT OF THE ELEVEN: (bringing the cup of Hemlock) Here! Socrates: this is what the Senate sends you.

XANTIPPE: What! Cursed poisoner of the republic, you come here to kill my husband in my presence! I will disfigure you, monster!

SOCRATES: My dear friend, I ask your pardon for my wife. She's always scolded her husband. She's treating you the same way. I beg you to excuse this little excitement. Give it to me. (taking the bowl)

ONE OF THE DISCIPLES: Let it be permitted for us to take this poison, divine Socrates. By what horrible injustice are you ravished from us? Why? The criminals have condemned the just. The fanatics have proscribed the wise man!

You are going to die.

SOCRATES: No, I am going to live. Here's the brew of immortality. It's not the perishable body that you loved, that instructed you, it's my soul alone that lived with you. And it will love you forever. (wants to drink)

SERVANT OF THE ELEVEN: First, I must remove your chains. That's the rule.

SOCRATES: If it's the rule, remove them. (he scratches his leg a bit)

ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES: What! You are smiling?

SOCRATES: I am smiling. Reflecting that pleasure comes from pain. It's in this manner that Eternal Happiness will be born from the miseries of life.

(Socrates drinks)

CRITO: Alas, what have you done?

XANTIPPE: Alas, it's for I don't know how many ridiculous speeches of this sort that they are making this poor man die. Truly, my husband, you break my heart and I will strangle all the judges with my own hands. I scolded you, but I loved you: and these are the polite folk who've poisoned you. Ah! ah! My dear husband, ah!

SOCRATES: Calm yourself, my good Xantippe. Don't cry any more my friends. It doesn't become disciples of Socrates to shed tears.

CRITO: And can one not pour them out after this frightful sentence, after this judicial poisoning ordered by perverse ignorance, who've bought with fifty thousand drachmas the right to murder their fellow citizens with impunity?

SOCRATES: That's the way they often treat the worshippers of a single G.o.d, and the enemies of superst.i.tion.

CRITO: Alas! Must you be one of those victims?

SOCRATES: It's beautiful to be the victim of Divinity. I am dying satisfied.

It's true I would have liked to join to the consolation of seeing you that of Sophronine and Aglaea as well. I am astonished not to see them. They would have rendered my last moments even sweeter than they are.

CRITO: Alas, they are unaware that you have consummated the iniquity of your judges. They are speaking to the people. They are encouraging the magistrates who took your part. Aglaea is revealing the crime of Anitus. His shame is going to be public. Aglaea and Sophronine perhaps would have saved your life. Ah! Dear Socrates, why did you hurry your last moments.

AGLAEA: (entering with Sophronine) Divine Socrates, fear nothing. Xantippe console yourself. Worthy disciples don't weep.

SOPHRONINE: Your enemies are confounded; all the people are coming to your defense.

AGLAEA: We've spoken out. We've revealed the jealousy and intrigue of the impious Anitus. It was up to me to demand justice for his crime since I was the cause of it.

SOPHRONINE: Anitus escaped by flight before the fury of the people. They are pursuing him and his accomplices. They are giving solemn thanks to the judges who opined in your favor. The people are at the gate of the prison, waiting for you to appear, to escort you home in triumph. All the judges have recanted.

XANTIPPE: Alas, such pains wasted.

ONE OF THE DISCIPLES: O heaven! O Socrates! Why did you obey?

AGLAEA: Live, dear Socrates, benefactor of your country, model of men. Live for the happiness of the world.

CRITO: Virtuous couple, worthy friends, there's no longer time.

XANTIPPE: You are too late.

AGLAEA: What? There's no time? Just heaven!

SOPHRONINE: What! Socrates has already drunk the poisoned cup?

SOCRATES: Loveable Aglaea, tender Sophronine, the law ordained that I take the poison. I've obeyed the law, all unjust that it is--because it oppressed only me. If this injustice were directed toward another I would have fought it. I am going to die, but the example of friendship and greatness of soul that you are giving to the world will never perish. Your virtue prevails over the crime of those who accused me. I bless what they call my misfortune. It has given birth to the strength of your beautiful soul. My dear Xantippe, be happy and think that to be so one must subdue one's temper. My beloved disciples harken always to the voice of philosophy which scorns persecutors and which takes pity on human weakness. And you, my daughter, Aglaea, my son, Sophronine, be always that way yourselves.

AGLAEA: How we are to be pitied not to be able to die for you!

SOCRATES: Your life is precious, mine is useless, Receive my tender and last farewells. The doors of eternity are opening for me.

XANTIPPE: Come to think of it, he was a great man. Ah, I am going to rouse the nation and eat Anitus' heart!

SOPHRONINE: We could raise temples to Socrates as a man deserving of it.

CRITO: At least may his wisdom teach men that it is to G.o.d alone that we owe temples.

CURTAIN