“By Heracles! But the commencement is not very promising.”
“That is our belief, and it has supported us during our wanderings in the wilderness, and during the Captivity.”
“Will you give evidence against these blasphemers of the gods?”
“No, Cleon, for you are idolaters. Socrates and his friends do not believe in your gods, and that will be counted to them for righteousness. Yes, Socrates appeared to me rather to worship the Eternal and Invisible, whom we dare not name. Therefore I do not give evidence against him.”
“Is that the side you are on? Then go in peace, but beware! Go!”
“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will protect me, so long as I and my house keep His laws.”
Cleon had espied his friend and fellow-artisan in the colonnade, and therefore let the inflexible Hebrew go. The latter hastened towards the sycamore avenue of the oil-market, and disappeared there.
Anytos the tanner and politician approached, rehearsing a written speech which he was intending to deliver: “Athens or Sparta,—that is the whole question at issue....”
Cleon, full of curiosity, interrupted him: “What are you rehearsing, Anytos?”
“A speech.”