Ion (541)

Soc.

What, no difference, do you say? Do you mean that the art of the rhapsode and the general is one, not two?

Ion.

It is one, to my mind.

Soc.

So that anyone who is a good rhapsode is also, in fact, a good general?

Ion.

Certainly, Socrates.

Soc.

And again, anyone who happens to be a good general is also a good rhapsode.

Ion.

No there I do not agree.

Soc.

But still you agree that anyone who is a good rhapsode

is also a good general?

Ion.

To be sure.

Soc.

And you are the best rhapsode in Greece?

Ion.

Far the best, Socrates.

Soc.

Are you also, Ion, the best general in Greece?

Ion.

Be sure of it, Socrates and that I owe to my study of Homer.

Soc.

Then how, in Heaven’s name, can it be, Ion, that you, who are both the best general and the best rhapsode in Greece, go about performing as a rhapsode to the Greeks, but not as a general?

Or do you suppose that the Greeks feel a great need of a rhapsode in the glory of his golden crown, but of a general none at all?

Ion.

It is because my city, [*] Socrates, is under the rule and generalship of your people, and is not in want of a general; whilst you and Sparta would not choose me as a general, since you think you manage well enough for yourselves.

Soc.

My excellent Ion, you are acquainted with Apollodorus [*] of Cyzicus, are you not?

Ion.

What might he be?

Soc.

A man whom the Athenians have often chosen as their general, though a foreigner;

and Phanosthenes [*] of Andros, and Heracleides [*] of Clazomenae, whom my city invests with the high command and other offices although they are foreigners, because they have proved themselves to be competent. And will she not choose Ion of Ephesus as her general, and honor him, if he shows himself competent? Why, you Ephesians are by origin Athenians, [*] are you not, and Ephesus is inferior to no city? But in fact, Ion, if you are right in saying it is by art and knowledge that you are able to praise Homer, you are playing me false: you have professed to me that you know any amount of fine things about Homer, and you promise to display them; but you are only deceiving me, and so far from displaying the subjects of your skill, you decline even to tell me what they are, for all my entreaties.