(83) See "Mem." II. vi. 13; III. vi. 2; IV. ii. 2.
(84) For the diction, {skepteon, skepteon, aphreteon, ereuneteon,
epistamenos, eidos, philosopheras}, Xenophon's rhetorical style
imitates the {orthoepeia} of Prodicus.
(85) See "Econ." xiv. 4.
(86) Or, "won for themselves at all hands the reputation of noblest
generalship." Cf. "Ages." i. 3; "Pol. Lac." xiv. 3.
(87) Reading as vulg. {proxenoi d' ei...} or if with Schenkl,
{proxenos d' ei...} transl. "You are their consul-general; at
your house their noblest citizens are lodged from time to time."
As to the office, cf. Dem. 475. 10; 1237. 17; Thuc. ii. 29;
Boeckh, "P. E. A." 50. Callias appears as the Lac. {proxenos}
("Hell." V. iv. 22) 378 B.C., and at Sparta, 371 B.C., as the
peace commissioner ("Hell." VI. iii. 3).
Be sure that our state of Athens would speedily entrust herself to your direction were you willing. (88) Everything is in your favour. You are of noble family, "eupatrid" by descent, a priest of the divinities, (89) and of Erechtheus' famous line, (90) which with Iacchus marched to encounter the barbarian. (91) And still, at the sacred festival to-day, it is agreed that no one among your ancestors has ever been more fitted to discharge the priestly office than yourself; yours a person the goodliest to behold in all our city, and a frame adapted to undergo great toils.
(88) Cf. "Mem." III. vii.
(89) i.e. Demeter and Core. Callias (see "Hell." VI. l.c.) was
dadouchos (or torch-holder) in the mysteries.
(90) Or, "whose rites date back to Erechtheus." Cf. Plat. "Theag."
122.
(91) At Salamis. The tale is told by Herod. viii. 65, and Plut.
"Themist." 15; cf. Polyaen. "Strat." iii. 11. 2. Just as
Themistocles had won the battle of Salamis by help of Iacchus on
the 16th Boedromion, the first day of the mysteries, so Chabrias
won the sea-fight of Naxos by help of the day itself, {to 'Alade
mustai}, 376 B.C.
But if I seem to any of you to indulge a vein more serious than befits the wine-cup, marvel not. It has long been my wont to share our city's passion for noble-natured souls, alert and emulous in pursuit of virtue.
He ended, and, while the others continued to discuss the theme of his discourse, Autolycus sat regarding Callias. That other, glancing the while at the beloved one, turned to Socrates.
Call. Then, Socrates, be pleased, as go-between, (92) to introduce me to the state, that I may employ myself in state affairs and never lapse from her good graces. (93)
(92) Lit. "as pander."
(93) So Critobulus in the conversation so often referred to. "Mem."
II. vi.
Never fear (he answered), if only people see your loyalty to virtue is genuine, (94) not of mere repute. A false renown indeed is quickly seen for what it is worth, being tested; but true courage (95) (save only what some god hinder) perpetually amidst the storm and stress of circumstance (96) pours forth a brighter glory.
(94) See "Mem." I. vii. 1, passim; II. vi. 39; "Econ." x. 9.
(95) Cf. Thuc. ii. 42, {andragathia}, "true courage in the public
service covers a multitude of private shortcomings."
(96) {en tais praxesi}. Cf. Plat. "Phaedr." 271 D, "in actual life."
IX