CLEINIAS: Perhaps, however, the theme may turn out not to be unworthy of the length of discourse.
ATHENIAN: Very good; let us proceed with any enquiry which really bears on our present object.
CLEINIAS: Proceed.
ATHENIAN: Suppose that we give this puppet of ours drink,—what will be the effect on him?
CLEINIAS: Having what in view do you ask that question?
ATHENIAN: Nothing as yet; but I ask generally, when the puppet is brought to the drink, what sort of result is likely to follow. I will endeavour to explain my meaning more clearly: what I am now asking is this—Does the drinking of wine heighten and increase pleasures and pains, and passions and loves?
CLEINIAS: Very greatly.
ATHENIAN: And are perception and memory, and opinion and prudence, heightened and increased? Do not these qualities entirely desert a man if he becomes saturated with drink?
CLEINIAS: Yes, they entirely desert him.
ATHENIAN: Does he not return to the state of soul in which he was when a young child?