. The universal anthology ; a collection of the best literature, ancient, mediaeval and modern, with biographical and explanatory notes. my own part, I know that theynearly made me forget who I was, so plausible were they ; andyet they have scarcely uttered one single word of truth. Butof all their many falsehoods, the one which astonished me most,was when they said that I was a clever speaker, and that youmust be careful not to let me mislead you. I thought that itwas most impudent of them not to be ashamed to talk in thatway ; for as soon as I open my mouth the lie will be exposed,and I shal
. The universal anthology ; a collection of the best literature, ancient, mediaeval and modern, with biographical and explanatory notes. my own part, I know that theynearly made me forget who I was, so plausible were they ; andyet they have scarcely uttered one single word of truth. Butof all their many falsehoods, the one which astonished me most,was when they said that I was a clever speaker, and that youmust be careful not to let me mislead you. I thought that itwas most impudent of them not to be ashamed to talk in thatway ; for as soon as I open my mouth the lie will be exposed,and I shall prove that I am not a clever speaker in any wayat all: unless, indeed, by a clever speaker they mean a manwho speaks the truth. If that is their meaning, I agree withthem that 1 am a much greater orator than they. My accusers,then I repeat, have said little or nothing that is true ; but fromme you shall hear the whole truth. Certainly you will nothear an elaborate speech, Athenians, drest up, like theirs, withv/ords and phrases. I will say to you what I have to say* A Summer Night in Old Pompeii From the painting by Siemiradzki. THE TRIAL OF SOCRATES. 89 without preparation, and in the words which come first, forI believe that my cause is just; so let none of you expectanything else. Indeed, my friends, it would hardly be seemlyfor me, at my age, to come before you like a young man withhis specious falsehoods. But there is one thing, Athenians,which I do most earnestly beg and entreat of you. Do notbe surprised and do not interrupt, if in my defense I speak inthe same way that I am accustomed to speak in the marketplace, at the tables of the money changers, where many of youhave heard me, and elsewhere. The truth is this. I am morethan seventy years old, and this is the first time that I haveever come before a Court of Law ; so your manner of speechhere is quite strange to me. If I had been really a stranger,you would have forgiven me for speaking in the language andthe fashi
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