Ah, every cock to his own dunghill! You think you will hoodwink the jury and get off. I hear you are a lawyer, an advocate, an old hand at a speech. Have you any judge to suggest who will be proof against such an experienced corrupter as you?

Oh, be reassured. The official I think of proposing is no suspicious, dubious character likely to sell a verdict. What say you to forming the court yourselves, with Philosophy for your President?

Who is to prosecute, if we are the jury?

Oh, you can do both; I am not in the least afraid; so much stronger is my case; the defence wins, hands down.

Pythagoras, Socrates, what do you think? perhaps the man’s appeal to law is not unreasonable.

No; come along, form the court, fetch Philosophy, and I see what he has to say for himself. To condemn unheard is a sadly crude proceeding, not for us; leave that to the hasty people with whom might is right. We shall give occasion to the enemy to blaspheme if we stone 2 man without a hearing, professed lovers of justice as we are. We shall have to keep quiet about Anytus and Meletus, my accusers, and the jury on that occasion, if we cannot spare an hour to hear this fellow before he suffers.

Very true, Socrates. We will go and fetch Philosophy. The decision shall be hers, and we will accept it, whatever it is.