Companion: What is the meaning of this? Has anything happened between you and him? For surely you cannot have discovered a fairer love than he is; certainly not in this city of Athens.
Socrates: Yes, much fairer.
Companion: What do you mean—a citizen or a foreigner?
Socrates: A foreigner.
Companion: Of what country?
Socrates: Of Abdera.
Companion: And is this stranger really in your opinion a fairer love than the son of Cleinias?
Socrates: And is not the wiser always the fairer, sweet friend?
Companion: But have you really met, Socrates, with some wise one?
Socrates: Say rather, with the wisest of all living men, if you are willing to accord that title to Protagoras.
Companion: What! Is Protagoras in Athens?
Socrates: Yes; he has been here two days.
Companion: And do you just come from an interview with him?
Socrates: Yes; and I have heard and said many things.
Companion: Then, if you have no engagement, suppose that you sit down and tell me what passed, and my attendant here shall give up his place to you.
Socrates: To be sure; and I shall be grateful to you for listening.
Companion: Thank you, too, for telling us.
Socrates: That is thank you twice over. Listen then:—
Last night, or rather very early this morning, Hippocrates, the son of Apollodorus and the brother of Phason, gave a tremendous thump with his staff at my door; someone opened to him, and he came rushing in and bawled out: Socrates, are you awake or asleep?
I knew his voice, and said: Hippocrates, is that you? and do you bring any news?
Good news, he said; nothing but good.
Delightful, I said; but what is the news? and why have you come hither at this unearthly hour?
He drew nearer to me and said: Protagoras is come.
Yes, I replied; he came two days ago: have you only just heard of his arrival?
Yes, by the gods, he said; but not until yesterday evening.