The Symposium of Plato

Epilogue: Believing that for the gaining of this boon Eros is man's best helper, I myself praise Eros and practice Erotics above all things, and I urge others to do likewise. Such is my "encomium," Phaedrus, if you choose to call it so.

XIV. The fifth Interlude: 212 c—215 a.

Applause followed. Then suddenly, when Aristophanes was on the point of making an observation, a loud knocking was heard at the door. Presently Alcibiades, leaning on a flute-girl, appeared. "I am come to crown Agathon," he cried, "if you will admit a drunken reveller." Being heartily welcomed, he took the seat next to Agathon, where Socrates had made room for him. And as soon as he perceived Socrates, he began playfully to abuse him. Then, taking some of the ribbons with which he had bedecked Agathon, he crowned "the marvelous head of Socrates, the invincible in words."
Next, Alcibiades insisted on all the company drinking along with him. And, when Eryximachus protested against bare drinking without song or speech and explained to him what the previous order of procedure had been, Alcibiades replied, "In the presence of Socrates I dare not eulogize anyone else, so that if I am to deliver an encomium like the rest, Socrates must be my theme."

XV. Alcibiades' eulogy of Socrates: 215 a—222 c.

Prologue: My eulogy will take the form of parables—aiming not at mockery but at truth. Socrates resembles (a) Silenus-statuettes Small, grotesque statues that opened up to reveal beautiful images of gods inside. which serve as caskets for sacred images; (b) the Satyr Marsyas A mythological satyr who played the flute..
I. In form he resembles both (a) the Sileni, and (b) the Satyr.
II. (In character) he resembles (b) the Satyr, being (1) a mocker, (2) a flute-player. As to (2) he excels Marsyas, since his words alone, without an instrument, fascinate all, old and young. Me he charms far more than even Pericles could, filling me with shame and self-contempt, and driving me to my wit's end.
III. He resembles (a) the Sileni in the contrast between his exterior and interior. (a) Externally he adopts an erotic attitude towards beautiful youths; (β) but internally he despises beauty and wealth, as I know from experience. For I tried to bribe him with my beauty, but all my many attempts came to nothing. Private conversations, gymnastics together, a supper-party à deux, even a night on the same couch—all was of no use. Against my battery of charms he was