asking, if they knew any place out of Attica whither
death could not come? Crito, two daies before his death, came
very early in the morning to him, to the same purpose, having
by his frequent visits and gifts gained some interest in the
jaylour, but finding him asleep, sat still by him, admiring in
the soundnesse of his sleep, the happy equality of his mind; as∣soon
as he waked, he told him, that he came to bring sad newes,
if not such to him, yet to all his friends, that the ship would
certainly be at home to morrow at furthest (some that came
from Sunium affirming they had left it there) but that in all
likelyhood it would come that day, and he should dye the
next. In good timebe it, answered Socrates, but I do not be∣leeve
it will come to day; for the day following I must dye, as
they say, who have the power in their hands; but that I shall
not dye to morrow but the day after, I guesse by a dream I
had this night, that a woman very beautifull in a white gar∣ment,
saluted me by my name, saying,
Thou, e▪ e three daies are told,
Rich Pthya shalt behold.
(The same relation, according to
Laertius, he made to
Aeschi∣nes)
This occasion
Crito took to perswade him to save himselfe
••,
which he prest with many arguments;
That his friends,
would be accused of covetousnesse, as more desirous to spare
their wealth, then to redeem him; that it might be effected
with little trouble and expence to them who were provided
for it; that himselfe was rich enough to do it, or if not, Simmi∣as,
Cebes and others, would joyne with him; that he ought not
voluntarily to thrust himselfe into destruction, when he
might avoid it; that he should leave his children in an un∣certain
mean estate; that it would not be construed constan∣cy
but want of courage. Consider well these reasons, saith
he, or rather (for it is now no time to stand considering)
be perswaded, what is to be done, must be done this night••
or it will be too late. Socrates answered, that his cheerfull
readinesse to relieve him was much to be esteemed, if agreea∣ble
to justice, otherwise, the lesse just, the more blamable:
that opinion and censure ought not to be regarded, but
truth and equity; that wrong must not be requi••ed with
wrong; that faith should be kept more strictly with a City
then with private persons; that he had voluntarily subjected
himselfe to the lawes of his Country, by living under their
government, and to violate them at last, were great
in justice: that by breaking Prison, he should not only draw
his friends into many inconveniences, but himselfe also into
many dangers, only to live and dye in exile; that it such a