________________________________________________
_ ACT III
(The Judges are seated on a tribunal. Socrates is standing.)
A JUDGE. (to Anitus)
You mustn't sit here. You are a priest of Ceres.
ANITUS.
I am only here for edification.
MELITUS.
Silence. Listen, Socrates, you are accused of being a bad citizen; of
corrupting the youth; of denying the plurality of the gods; of being a
heretic, deist, atheist. Answer.
SOCRATES.
Athenian Judges, I exhort you always to be good citizens as I have
always tried to be. To shed your blood for the country as I have done
in more than one battle. Regarding the youth of which you speak, do
not cease to guide them through your admonitions, and especially by
your examples; teach them to love true virtue, and to flee the
wretched philosophy of the school; the article of the plurality of the
gods is a bit difficult to discuss, but you will easily understand me.
Athenian Judges, there is only one God.
MELITUS AND ANOTHER JUDGE.
Oh, the knave.
SOCRATES.
There is only one God, I tell you. His nature is to be infinite. No
being can share his infinity with him. Raise your eyes toward the
celestial globes, turn them towards earth and the sea. All
corresponds, all is made for each other. Each being is intimately
linked to other beings. Everything is of the same design. There is
only a single architect, a single master, a single guardian. Perhaps
he's deigned to form some genies, some demons, more powerful and more
enlightened than men. And if they exist they are creatures like you;
they are his first subjects and not gods at all. But nothing in nature
advertises to us that they exist, while all nature announces to us one
God and one Father. This God has no need of Mercury and Iris to
signify his orders. He has only to will it and that's enough. If by
Minerva, you understand only the wisdom of God, if by Neptune you
intend only his immutable laws which raise and lower the seas, I would
say to you: He allows you to revere Neptune and Minerva, since under
these emblems you are still adoring only the eternal Being, and so
long as you are not giving occasion to people to misunderstand it.
ANITUS.
What impious balderdash.
SOCRATES.
Always beware of turning religion into metaphysics: Morality is its
essence. Adore and stop disputing. If our ancestors had said that the
Supreme God had descended into the arms of Alcmene, of Danae, of
Semele, and that he had children with them, our ancestors were
imagining dangerous fables. It's insulting to the Divinity to pretend
that he had committed with a woman in whatever manner it might be what
we would call amongst men an adultery. That's discouraging to the rest
of men to say that to be a great man, one must be born from the
mysterious coupling with one of your wives or daughters. Miltiades,
Cimon, Themistocles, Arisitides, that you persecuted were perhaps
worth more than Perseus, Herakles and Bacchus. There being no other
way to be the children of this God than by trying to please him, and
by being just. Deserve that title by never rendering iniquitous
judgments.
MELITUS.
What blasphemies and insolence!
ANOTHER JUDGE.
What absurdities! No one knows what he means.
MELITUS.
Socrates, if you always continue to argue, this is not what we need.
Answer briefly and precisely. Did you make fun of the owl of Minerva?
SOCRATES.
Athenian judges, take care of your owls! When you propose ridiculous
things to believe, too many men will choose to believe nothing at all.
They have enough wit to see that your doctrine is impertinent, But
they don't have enough to raise themselves to the true law. They know
how to laugh at your little gods. They don't know how to adore the God
of all beings, unique, incomprehensible, incommunicable, eternal, and
all just as well as all powerful.
MELITUS.
Ah! The blasphemer! ah, the monster! He's said more than enough. I
conclude for death.
SEVERAL JUDGES.
And we, too.
A JUDGE.
Several of us are not of that opinion. We think that Socrates spoke
very well. We believe that men would be more just and more wise if
they thought like him. And as for me, far from condemning him, I am of
the opinion he ought to be rewarded.
SEVERAL JUDGES.
We think the same.
MELITUS.
The opinions seems to be divided.
ANITUS.
Gentlemen of the Areopagus, let me question Socrates. Do you think
that the Sun turns and that the Areopagus is of Divine Right?
SOCRATES.
You have no right to ask me questions. But I have the right to show
you what you are ignorant of. It matters little to society whether the
earth may turn, but it matters greatly that men who turn with it be
just. Virtue alone is of Divine Right. And you, the Areopagus have no
other rights but those the nation has given you.
ANITUS.
Illustrious and equitable judges make Socrates leave.
(Melitus gives a sign. They lead Socrates out. Anitus continues.)
August Areopagus, instituted by heaven, you have heard him. This
dangerous man denies that the Sun turns, and that you are filled with
Divine Right. If these horrible opinions spread, no more magistrates,
no more Sun; you will no longer be those judges established by the
fundamental laws of Minerva; you are no longer masters of the state,
you must no longer judge except by following the laws. And if you
depend on the laws, you are ruined. Punish the rebellion, avenge
heaven and earth. I am leaving: Fear the anger of the gods if Socrates
remains alive.
(Anitus leaves and the judges opine.)
A JUDGE.
I don't wish a quarrel with Anitus; he's a man much to be feared. If
it were only a question of the gods it would still be overlooked.
A JUDGE. (to whom he just spoke)
Between ourselves, Socrates is right. But he's wrong to be right so
publicly. I don't make more of the case of Ceres or Neptune than he
does. But he ought not to say before the whole Areopagus what should
only be whispered in the ear. Where, after all, is the evil in
poisoning a philosopher, especially when he's old and ugly?
ANOTHER JUDGE.
If there is injustice in condemning Socrates, That's Anitus' affair.
It's not mine. I put it all on his conscience. Anyway, it's late,
we're wasting his time! To death, to death and no more discussion
about it.
ANOTHER:
They say he's a heretic and an atheist. To death. To death.
MELITUS.
Let them call Socrates.
(Socrates is brought in)
The gods be blessed; the plurality is for death. Socrates, the gods
condemn you through our mouth to drink Hemlock so that death will
follow.
SOCRATES.
We are all mortal. Nature condemns you all to die in a short time. And
probably you will all have an end sadder than mine. Diseases which
lead to death are worse than a goblet of Hemlock. As to the rest, I
owe praise to the judges who opined in favor of innocence. To the
others, I owe only my pity.
ONE JUDGE: (leaving)
Certainly this man deserves a state pension rather than a bowl of
Hemlock.
ANOTHER JUDGE.
That's true; but at the same time what's the point of getting
embroiled with a priest of Ceres?
ANOTHER JUDGE.
I'm really quite comfortable in putting a philosopher to death. Those
folk have a certain pride in wit which it's good to humble a little.
ONE JUDGE:
Gentlemen, one thing. While our shoulder is at the wheel, wouldn't we
do better to put to death all the geometers who pretend that the three
angles of a triangle add up to two right angles? They strangely
scandalize the populace that reads their books.
ANOTHER JUDGE.
Yes, yes, we'll hang them at the next session. Let's go to dinner.
(Exit the judges.)
(There should be a scene change here to Socrates cell. But there is no
indication in the text.)
SOCRATES.
I've been prepared for death for a long while. All that worries me now
is that my wife, Xantippe may come trouble my last moments and
interrupt the sweet composure of my soul: I mustn't be occupied except
with the Supreme Being before whom I must soon appear. But here she
is: I've got to be resigned to everything.
XANTIPPE. (entering)
Well! Poor man! What have these law folk concluded? Are you condemned
to a fine? are you banished? Are you absolved? My God! How you've
upset me! Try, I beg you, not to let this happen again.
SOCRATES.
No, my wife. I'll answer for that. It won't happen again. You won't be
troubled by anything.
(Enter Disciples)
Be welcome, my dear disciples, my friends.
CRITO. (at the head of Socrates' Disciples)
You sees us as alarmed at your fate as your wife, Xantippe. We have
obtained from the judges, permission to see you. Just heaven! Must we
see Socrates burdened with chains? Allow us to kiss these irons that
honor you and are the shame of Athens. Is it possible that Anitus and
his accomplices have been able to put you in this condition?
SOCRATES.
My dear friends, let's not think of these trivia and let's continue
the discussion we were having yesterday about the immortality of the
soul. It seems to me we were saying that nothing is more probable than
that idea. Indeed, matter changes and never perishes; why should the
soul perish? Could it be made so that we, being elevated to
consciousness of a God through the veil of the mortal body, would
cease to know Him when the veil falls. No. Since we think, we will
think forever; thought is the being of man. That being will appear
before a just God who rewards virtue, who punishes crime and who
excuses weakness.
XANTIPPE.
That's well said: I didn't understand any of it. To always think
because one has thought! Does one always wipe one's nose because one
has wiped it before. But who's this villainous man with his bowl?
JAILOR OR SERVANT OF THE ELEVEN. (bringing the cup of Hemlock)
Here! Socrates: this is what the Senate sends you.
XANTIPPE.
What! Cursed poisoner of the republic, you come here to kill my
husband in my presence! I will disfigure you, monster!
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.
CRITO.
And can one not pour them out after this frightful sentence, after
this judicial poisoning ordered by perverse ignorance, who've bought
with fifty thousand drachmas the right to murder their fellow citizens
with impunity?
SOCRATES.
That's the way they often treat the worshippers of a single God, and
the enemies of superstition.
CRITO.
Alas! Must you be one of those victims?
SOCRATES.
It's beautiful to be the victim of Divinity. I am dying satisfied.
It's true I would have liked to join to the consolation of seeing you
that of Sophronine and Aglaea as well. I am astonished not to see
them. They would have rendered my last moments even sweeter than they
are.
CRITO.
Alas, they are unaware that you have consummated the iniquity of your
judges. They are speaking to the people. They are encouraging the
magistrates who took your part. Aglaea is revealing the crime of
Anitus. His shame is going to be public. Aglaea and Sophronine perhaps
would have saved your life. Ah! Dear Socrates, why did you hurry your
last moments.
AGLAEA. (entering with Sophronine)
Divine Socrates, fear nothing. Xantippe console yourself. Worthy
disciples don't weep.
SOPHRONINE.
Your enemies are confounded; all the people are coming to your
defense.
AGLAEA.
We've spoken out. We've revealed the jealousy and intrigue of the
impious Anitus. It was up to me to demand justice for his crime since
I was the cause of it.
SOPHRONINE.
Anitus escaped by flight before the fury of the people. They are
pursuing him and his accomplices. They are giving solemn thanks to the
judges who opined in your favor. The people are at the gate of the
prison, waiting for you to appear, to escort you home in triumph. All
the judges have recanted.
XANTIPPE.
Alas, such pains wasted.
ONE OF THE DISCIPLES.
O heaven! O Socrates! Why did you obey?
AGLAEA.
Live, dear Socrates, benefactor of your country, model of men. Live
for the happiness of the world.
CRITO.
Virtuous couple, worthy friends, there's no longer time.
XANTIPPE.
You are too late.
AGLAEA.
What? There's no time? Just heaven!
SOPHRONINE.
What! Socrates has already drunk the poisoned cup?
SOCRATES.
Loveable Aglaea, tender Sophronine, the law ordained that I take the
poison. I've obeyed the law, all unjust that it is--because it
oppressed only me. If this injustice were directed toward another I
would have fought it. I am going to die, but the example of friendship
and greatness of soul that you are giving to the world will never
perish. Your virtue prevails over the crime of those who accused me. I
bless what they call my misfortune. It has given birth to the strength
of your beautiful soul. My dear Xantippe, be happy and think that to
be so one must subdue one's temper. My beloved disciples harken always
to the voice of philosophy which scorns persecutors and which takes
pity on human weakness. And you, my daughter, Aglaea, my son,
Sophronine, be always that way yourselves.
AGLAEA.
How we are to be pitied not to be able to die for you!
SOCRATES.
Your life is precious, mine is useless, Receive my tender and last
farewells. The doors of eternity are opening for me.
XANTIPPE.
Come to think of it, he was a great man. Ah, I am going to rouse the
nation and eat Anitus' heart!
SOPHRONINE.
We could raise temples to Socrates as a man deserving of it.
CRITO.
At least may his wisdom teach men that it is to God alone that we owe
temples.
[CURTAIN]
[THE END]
Voltaire's Play: Socrates _
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