And names the ship: no meaner than the first
Would serve; he styles a trireme "Sokrates"—
Fears "Sokrates" may prove unseaworthy,
(That's merely—"Sophists are the bane of boys")
Rat-riddled ("they are capable of theft")
Rotten or whatsoe'er shows ship-disease,
("They war with gods and worship whirligig.")
You never took the joke for earnest? scarce
Supposed mere figure-head meant entire ship,
And Sokrates—the whole fraternity?'