135
Soc. Then do you know how you may escape from the condition in which you now find yourself? Let us not give it a name, where a handsome person is concerned!
135
Alc. I do.
135
Soc. How?
135
Alc. If it be your wish, Socrates.
135
Soc. That is not well said, Alcibiades.
135
Alc. Well, what should I say?
135
Soc. If it be God’s will.
135
Alc. Then I say it. And yet I say this besides, that we are like to make a change in our parts, Socrates, so that I shall have yours and you mine. For from this day onward it must be the case that I am your attendant, and you have me always in attendance on you. παιδαγωγεῖν is used here simply in the sense of following about as personal attendant.
135
Soc. Ah, generous friend! So my love will be just like a stork; for after hatching a winged love in you it is to be cherished in return by its nestling. It was commonly believed that aged storks were fed by younger storks which they had previously hatched and reared.
135
Alc. Well, that is the position, and I shall begin here and now to take pains over justice.
135
Soc. I should like to think you will continue to do so; yet I am apprehensive, not from any distrust of your nature, but in view of the might of the state, lest it overcome both me and you.
