Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1871-12-22
I.nst IIourn o, soerate..

Now, the hour OF sunset was near, for a
good deal of time had passed while he was
within. When he came out h 81 down
with us again, after his bath, but not much
was SAID. Soon the jailor, who was the
servant oil the eleven, entered and stood by
him, saying, "ro you, Socrates. whom
know 10 be the noblest, genllest, and best of
all who ever came to this place, will mol
impute the angry feelings of other men, who
rage and swear at me when, in obedience to
the authorities, bid them drink tue poison;
indeed, am sure that you will not be angry
with me- for others, as you are aware, and
not ], are the guilty cause. Aud 80 fare you
well, and try to bear lightly what must
needs be. You know my errand." Then,
bursting into tears, he turned away and
went out. Socrates looked at him, and said,
''I return your good wishes, and will do as
you bid" Then turning TO u.s. he said,
"How charming the man is Since l have
been in prison he has always been coming
to see me, and at times he would talk 10 me,
and was as good as could be, 10 me; and now
see how generously he sorrows for me. But
we must do what he says. Critic, let the
cup be brought, If the poison Is prepared; ii
not let tho attendant prepare some." Yes"
said CIito. "The sun is still upon the hill
tops, and many one has taken the draught
late, and, alter the announcement has been
made TO him, he has eaten and drank, and
INDUCED IN sensual delights. Do not hasten
then; there is still time" Socrates said,
"Yes, Critic; and they OF whom you speak
are light In doing thus, Tor they think that
they will gain by the delay; but am right
in doing thus, tor do not think / should
gain anything by drinking the poison
little later. l should be sparing and saving
"a life which has already gone. l could
only laugh at myself for this. Please, then,
to do as | say, and do not refuse me-" Critic
wien he heard this, made a sign 10 tue SER
want, and the servant went in and remained
some time, and then returned with the
jailOr carrying the cup of poison. Soc aies
said, "Y0u, my good friend, who are ex.
perienced in these matters, shall give me
directions how am to proceed. The man
answered, "You have only to walk about
till your legs are heavy, aud then - lie
down, aud the poison will act" Al the
same ltme lie handed tho cup 10 Socrates,
who, in the easiest and gentlest manner,
without the least fetr or change Of color OF
feature, looked at the man with all his eyes,
Echccra,es, as lis manner was, t7ok the
cup aud said, "What do you say about
making libaiiOn out OF this cup to any god
May or not 2" The man answered. "WG
: only prepare, socrates, Iusi as much as We
deem enough" 81 understand" he said,
"yet may and must pray 10 the gods IL
2 prosper my journey fOm this to the Other
5 this 10 that other world. May this, then
waich is my prayer, be glanted to me.
{ Then holding the cup 10 his lips, quit,
readily and cheerlully he drank of tht
! poison. And, hitherto, most OF us had beei
!, able to control our sorrow; but now, whel
4 we saw him drinking, and saw, too, that Ia
had finished the draugh', we could no longe
5 fOrbear, aud, in spite of myself, | own tear
were flowing fast, so that covered my fac
+ and wepl over myself, ior cert0inly | wa
G not weeping for hin, but at the thought q
my own calamity in having lost such com
y paniOn. Nor was l the first; for Critic
i when lie found Himself unable to rest AIN
d his tears, had got up and moved away, an
followed; and at that moment AppOdolui
who had been weeping all the tlme, brok
Y into loud cry that made towards OF US al
u Socrates alone retained his usual calmnes
i "What is this strange Outcry2 he said, "
, sent away the women mainly that the
II might not offend in this way, for l hav
Leard that man should die in peace.
s. quiet, then, and have patience" When W
: heard that We were ashamed, and refraine
81 our tears; and he walked about until, as i
ID said, his legs began to fail, and then he Ia
D. on his back, according 10 the direction
and the man who gave him tho poison mo-
n- and then looked at his feet and legs, ant
~ dllol Wnllct ho plSesth ulb luot hhlu, hi
asked HIM if he could feel, and he said "NO,
lie and then his leg, Snd 50 upward aud a.
ward, and showed US that he was cold an
~ stiff. And he felt them himself, aud sal
"When the poison caches the heart th
ed will be the end.' He was beginning
grow cold about the groin when he u
covered his face (or he had covered himsC
to up), andisaid (hese were his last words
"a "Criio, owe a cock 10 Gsclepius; will "
on remember to pay the debt?" The de
shall be paid" said: Critic. as there an
thing elseH" There was no answer to ii
ar question, but in a minute or two moy
ment was heard, and the attendants u
lat covered him. His eyes were sci, and Cii
lat closed his eyes and mouth. Such was Il
so end, Echecrrtes, OF our friend, whom | mi
Ior truly call the wisesi, the justest, the best
OF all the men whom l have ever known.
lar Jspetfs Plato.
oct