Book 3
685
Ath. This, that whereas there were three States settled, two of the threeviz., Argos and Messene,—the third being Laconia. speedily wrecked their constitution and their laws, and one only remained stable—and that was your State, Megillus.
685
Meg. The question is no easy one.
685
Ath. Yet surely in our consideration and enquiry into this subject, indulging in an old man’s sober play with laws, we ought to proceed on our journey painlessly, as we saidCp. Plat. Laws 625b. when we first started out.
685
Meg. Certainly, we must do as you say.
685
Ath. Well, what laws would offer a better subject for investigation than the laws by which those States were regulated? Or what larger or more famous States are there about whose settling we might enquire?
685
Meg. It would be hard to mention better instances than these.
