SOCRATES: My dear friend, I ask your pardon for my wife. She's always scolded her husband. She's treating you the same way. I beg you to excuse this little excitement. Give it to me. (taking the bowl)
ONE OF THE DISCIPLES: Let it be permitted for us to take this poison, divine Socrates. By what horrible injustice are you ravished from us? Why? The criminals have condemned the just. The fanatics have proscribed the wise man! You are going to die.
SOCRATES: No, I am going to live. Here's the brew of immortality. It's not the perishable body that you loved, that instructed you, it's my soul alone that lived with you. And it will love you forever. (wants to drink)
SERVANT OF THE ELEVEN:
First, I must remove your chains. That's the rule.
SOCRATES:
If it's the rule, remove them. (he scratches his leg a bit)
ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES:
What! You are smiling?
SOCRATES:
I am smiling. Reflecting that pleasure comes from pain. It's in this
manner that Eternal Happiness will be born from the miseries of life.
(Socrates drinks)
CRITO:
Alas, what have you done?
XANTIPPE: Alas, it's for I don't know how many ridiculous speeches of this sort that they are making this poor man die. Truly, my husband, you break my heart and I will strangle all the judges with my own hands. I scolded you, but I loved you: and these are the polite folk who've poisoned you. Ah! ah! My dear husband, ah!
SOCRATES: Calm yourself, my good Xantippe. Don't cry any more my friends. It doesn't become disciples of Socrates to shed tears.