Plato'sIon:

TheShelleyTranslation
IntroductionbyJohnLauritsen
PercyByssheShelley,oneofourgreatestpoets,wasabrilliant
translatoraswellonlyequalledamongpoets,ifatall,byPope
andDryden.HetranslatedthreeofthePlatodialogues:The
Banquet*(Symposium)in1818andIonin1821.Histranslation
ofPhaedoislost.
ShelleyespeciallyrelishedthecentralconceitofIon:Poetsand
theirinterpretersareallmador,asitwere,divinelyinspired.
TheGodseemspurposelytohavedeprivedallpoets,prophets,
andsoothsayersofeveryparticleofreasonandunderstanding,
thebettertoadaptthemtotheiremploymentashisministers
andinterpretersandthatwe,theirauditors,mayacknowledge
thatthosewhowritesobeautifullyarepossessedandaddress
usinspiredbytheGod.(FromtheShelleytranslationofIon)
Heexpandeduponandreinterpretedthisideaforhisfamousessay,
ADefenceofPoetry,inwhichhewrote:
Poetsarethehierophantsofanunapprehendedinspirationthe
mirrorsofthegiganticshadowswhichfuturitycastsuponthe
presentthewordswhichexpresswhattheyunderstandnot
thetrumpetswhichsingtobattleandfeelnotwhattheyinspire
theinfluencewhichismovednot,butmoves.Poetsarethe
unacknowledgedlegislatorsoftheworld.(Shelley,ADefenceof
Poetry)
Shelleydidnotstriveforaslavishlyliteral,wordforword
translation.ThoughhewasloyaltothesenseandspiritofPlato's
Greek,hedidnothesitatetocondensealongpassageintoits
essence,orontheotherhand,toaddhisowninterpolations.His
goalwastounderstandPlato'smeaningfully,andthentorecreate
thatmeaninginEnglish.
Shelley'stranslationofIonisnotamasterpieceinitsownright,
asarehistranslationsofPlato'sBanquetoroftheHomerichymn,
ToMercury.Nevertheless,hisIontranslationconveyswitand
ironythedialogueisnaturalaswellaselevatedandtheideas
comeacrossclearly.
ThemostfamouspassageinIonisalongspeechbySocrates,
wheredivineinspirationislikenedtotheeffectofamagnet.Here
Shelleycomesintohisown,and,thoughitmaybenearlytwo
centuriesold,hisrenditionexcelsallothersforbeautyoflanguage.
Hereisanexcerptfromthemagnetspeech:
[Thesoulsofpoets],flyinglikebeesfromflowertoflowerand
wanderingoverthegardensandthemeadowsandthehoney

flowingfountainsoftheMuses,returntousladenwiththe
sweetnessofmelodyandarrayedastheyareintheplumesof
rapidimaginationtheyspeaktruth.Forapoetisindeedathing
ethereallylight,winged,andsacred,norcanhecompose
anythingworthcallingpoetryuntilhebecomesinspiredandasit
weremadorwhilstanyreasonremainsinhim.Forwhilsta
manretainsanyportionofthethingcalledreasonheisutterly
incompetenttoproducepoetryortovaticinate.(Fromthe
ShelleytranslationofIon)
Ionisadialoguewhichhaspolarizedcritics:somearehostileto
it,whileothers,whodolikeit,believeithasbeenmisinterpreted.
WithoutwishingtogetembroiledintheIoncontroversies,I'll
simplylayoutmythoughtsonthedialogue.
Ionmayseemobtuseandboastful,andunderthequestioningof
Socrateshebecomesseriouslyconfused,butheisagoodsport.
ThereisadegreeofironywhenSocratesflattersIon,ashedoesin
thebeginningofthedialoguebutperhapsthereisalsoa
smidgeonofironyinIon'sflatteryofSocrates.
Socrates.Thesamemodeofconsiderationmustbe
admittedwithrespecttoallartswhichareseverallyoneand
entire.DoyoudesiretohearwhatIunderstandbythis,OIon?
Ion.Yes,byJupiter,Socrates,Iamdelightedwith
listeningtoyouwisemen.(Ibid.)
Onthewholetheexchangesaregoodnatured,andSocratestreats
Iongentlyattheend.
AcentralideaofIonisthedistinctionbetweenrealandfake
(pretended,simulated)knowledgeorskill.Oneshouldnotconfuse
themilitaryabilitiesofarealgeneralwiththoseofanactor
portrayingageneral,andsoon.(Onthisnotewemightrecallthat
inthe1990stheactorsfromMashwereonthecollegiatecircuitas
lecturersonforeignpolicy,basedpresumablyontheexpertisethey
acquiredfromplayingtheirrolesinthetelevisionseries.)
SocratesinIonalsocriticizesthemisuseofHomerasholytext,
astheauthorityoneverythingfromcharioteeringtowarfare.The
salientpresentdayanalogyhereisthefundamentalistuseofthe
HolyBibleastheauthorityoneverything,frommoralityto
geology.Again,theconcernisfortruth.IstheGrandCanyonbetter
explainedbythebookofGenesisorbymoderngeology?
SometimesSocratesandIonspeakatcrosspurposes,butIonis
notacompletedunce.AtleastonceheturnsthetablesonSocrates,
askinghimtobasehisopinionsonevidence,notpreconceived
ideas:
Ion.Youspeakwell,OSocrates.YetIshouldbesurprisedif
youhadeloquenceenoughtopersuademethatwhenIpraise
HomerIammadandpossessed.Ithinkyouwouldchangeyour
opinionifyouonceheardmedeclaim.(FromtheShelley
translationofIon)
Ioncomestothedefenceofhisownprofession,thatofactoror

rhapsodist:
Iimaginethattherhapsodisthasaperfectacquaintancewith
whatisbecomingforamantospeak,whatforawomanwhat
foraslave,whatforafreemanwhatfortheruler,whatforthe
governed.(Ibid.)
Thisisafairdescriptionoftheactor'sart.Hedoesn'tneedtoknow
alltheskillsordetailsofthepeopleheportrays,butratherwhat
theyarelike,howtheyspeak,andsoon.It'sapitySocrates
couldn'thaveinterrogatedLaurenceOlivier,AlecGuinnessor,for
thatmatter,BetteDavis.Theymighthavegivenhimarunforthe
money.Ontheotherhand,OlivierandGuinnessmighthavetaken
theopportunitytostudySocrates,thebettertoportrayhimonthe
stage.IliketoimagineIoninhisoldagegivingdramaticreadings
ofthePlatodialogues,enthusiasticallydeclaimingthepartof
Socrates.
Atanyrate,longintroductionsaretiresome,andit'stimetolet
Socrates,Ion,andShelleyspeakforthemselves.

*ForadescriptionofthePaganPresseditionofShelley'stranslation
oftheBanquettheonlyonewhichincludeshisintroductory
essay,ADiscourseontheMannersoftheAntientGreeksclick
here.

ION,OROFTHEILIAD

TranslatedfromPlatobyPercyByssheShelley
SOCRATESandION
Socrates.Hailtothee,OIon!fromwhencereturnestthou
amongstusnow?fromthineownnativeEphesus?
Ion.No,SocratesIcomefromEpidaurusandthefeastsin
honourofAesculapius.
Socrates.HadtheEpidauriansinstitutedacontestofrhapsodyin
honouroftheGod?
Ion.Andnotinrhapsodiesalonetherewerecontestsinevery
speciesofmusic.
Socrates.Andinwhichdidyoucontend?Andwhatwasthe
successofyourefforts?
Ion.Iboreawaythefirstprizeatthegames,OSocrates.
Socrates.Welldone!Youhaveonlytoconsiderhowyoushall
winthePanathenaea.
Ion.Thatmayalsohappen,Godwilling.
Socrates.Yourprofession,OIon,hasoftenappearedtomean
enviableone.For,togetherwiththenicestcareofyourpersonand
themoststudiedeleganceofdress,itimposesuponyouthe
necessityofafamiliaracquaintancewithmanyandexcellentpoets,
andespeciallywithHomer,themostadmirableofthemall.Norisit

merelybecauseyoucanrepeattheversesofthisgreatpoetthatI
envyyou,butbecauseyoufathomhisinmostthoughts.Forheisno
rhapsodistwhodoesnotunderstandthewholescopeandintention
ofthepoetandisnotcapableofinterpretingittohisaudience.This
hecannotdowithoutafullcomprehensionofthemeaningofthe
authorheundertakestoillustrateandworthyindeedofenvyare
thosewhocanfulfiltheseconditions.
Ion.Thouspeakesttruth,OSocrates.AndindeedIhave
expendedmystudyparticularlyonthispartofmyprofession.I
flattermyselfthatnomanlivingexcelsmeintheinterpretationof
HomerneitherMetrodorusofLampsacus,norStesimbrotusthe
Thasian,norGlauco,noranyotherrhapsodistofthepresenttimes
canexpresssomanyvariousandbeautifulthoughtsuponHomeras
Ican.
Socrates.Iampersuadedofyoureminentskill,OIon.Youwill
not,Ihope,refusemeaspecimenofit?
Ion.Andindeeditwouldbeworthyourwhiletohearmedeclaim
uponHomer.Ideserveagoldencrownfromhisadmirers.
Socrates.AndIwillfindleisuresomedayorothertorequest
youtofavourmesofar.AtpresentIwillonlytroubleyouwithone
question.DoyouexcelinexplainingHomeraloneorareyou
consciousofasimilarpowerwithregardtoHesiodandArchilochus?
Ion.IpossessthishighdegreeofskillwithregardtoHomer
aloneandIconsiderthatsufficient.
Socrates.ArethereanysubjectsuponwhichHomerandHesiod
saythesamethings?
Ion.Many,asitseemstome.
Socrates.DoyoudemonstratethesethingsbetterinHomeror
Hesiod?
Ion.Inthesamemanner,doubtlessinasmuchastheysaythe
samewordswithregardtothesamethings.
Socrates.Butwithregardtothosethingsinwhichtheydiffer
HomerandHesiodbothtreatofdivination,dotheynot?
Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.Doyouthinkthatyouoradivinerwouldmakethe
bestexpositionrespectingallthatthesepoetssayofdivination,
bothastheyagreeandastheydiffer?
Ion.Adivinerprobably.
Socrates.Supposeyouwereadiviner,doyounotthinkthatyou
couldexplainthediscrepanciesofthosepoetsonthesubjectofyour
profession,ifyouunderstandtheiragreement?
Ion.Clearlyso.
Socrates.Howdoesithappenthenthatyouarepossessedof
skilltoillustrateHomerandnotHesiodoranyotherpoetsinan
equaldegree?IsthesubjectmatterofthepoetryofHomerdifferent
fromallotherpoets?Doeshenotprincipallytreatofwarandsocial
intercourseandofthedistinctfunctionsandcharactersofthebrave
manandthecoward,theprofessionalandprivatepersonthe
mutualrelationswhichsubsistbetweentheGodsandmen,together
withthemodesoftheirintercourse,thephaenomenaofHeaven,the
secretsofHades,andtheoriginofGodsandheroes?Arenotthese
thematerialsfromwhichHomerwroughthispoem?
Ion.Assuredly,OSocrates.

Socrates.Andtheotherpoets,dotheynottreatofthesame
matter?Ion.Certainly,butnotlikeHomer.
Socrates.How?Worse?
Ion.Oh,farworse.
Socrates.ThenHomertreatsofthembetterthanthey?
Ion.OhJupiter!howmuchbetter!
Socrates.Amongstanumberofpersonsemployedinsolvinga
problemofarithmeticmightnotapersonknow,mydearIon,which
hadgiventherightanswer?
Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.Thesamepersonwhohadbeenawareofthefalseone
orsomeother?
Ion.Thesameclearly.
Socrates.Thatis,someonewhounderstoodarithmetic?
Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.Amonganumberofpersonsgivingtheiropinionson
thewholesomenessofdifferentfoods,wouldonepersonbecapable
topronounceupontherectitudeoftheopinionsofthosewhojudged
rightlyandanotherontheerroneousnessofthosewhichwere
incorrect,orwouldthesamepersonbecompetenttodecide
respectingthemboth?
Ion.Thesameevidently.
Socrates.Whatwouldyoucallthatperson?
Ion.Aphysician.
Socrates.Wemayassertthenuniversallythatthesameperson
whoiscompetenttodeterminethetruthiscompetentalsoto
determinethefalsehoodofwhateverassertionisadvancedanthe
samesubjectanditismanifestthathewhocannotjudge
respectingthefalsehoodorunfitnessofwhatissaiduponagiven
subjectisequallyincompetenttodetermineuponitstruthor
beauty.
Ion.Assuredly.
Socrates.Thesamepersonwouldthenbecompetentor
incompetentforboth?
Ion.Yes.
Socrates.DoyounotsaythatHomerandtheotherpoets,and
amongthemHesiodandArchilochus,speakofthesamethingsbut
unequally,onebetterandtheotherworse?
Ion.AndIspeaktruth.
Socrates.Butifyoucanjudgeofwhatiswellsaidbytheone
youmustalsobeabletojudgeofwhatisillsaidbytheother.[1]
Ion.Itshouldseemso.
Socrates.Then,mydearfriend,weshouldnoterrifweasserted
thatIonpossessedalikepowerofillustrationrespectingHomerand
allotherpoetsespeciallysinceheconfessesthatthesameperson
mustbeesteemedacompetentjudgeofallthosewhospeakonthe
samesubjectsinasmuchasthosesubjectsareunderstoodbyhim
whenspokenofbyone,andthesubjectmatterofalmostallthe
poetsisthesame.
Ion.Whatcanbethereasonthen,OSocrates,thatwhenany
otherpoetisthesubjectofconversationIcannotcompelmy
attention,andIfeelutterlyunabletodeclaimanythingworthtalking
of,andpositivelygotosleepbutwhenanyonemakesmentionof

HomermymindappliesitselfwithoutefforttothesubjectIawaken
asifitwerefromatranceandaprofusionofeloquentexpressions
suggestthemselvesinvoluntarily?
Socrates.Itisnotdifficulttoconjecturethecauseofthis,my
dearfriend.YouareevidentlyunabletodeclaimonHomeraccording
toartandknowledgefordidyourartendowyouwiththisfaculty,
youwouldbeequallycapableofexertingitwithregardtoanyother
ofthepoets.Isnotpoetry,asanartorafaculty,athingentireand
one?
Ion.Assuredly.
Socrates.Thesamemodeofconsiderationmustbeadmitted
withrespecttoallartswhichareseverallyoneandentire.Doyou
desiretohearwhatIunderstandbythis,OIon?
Ion.Yes,byJupiter,Socrates,Iamdelightedwithlisteningto
youwisemen.
Socrates.Itisyouwhoarewise,mydearIonyourhapsodists,
actors,andtheauthorsofthepoemsyourecite.I,likean
unprofessionalandprivateman,canonlyspeakthetruth.Observe
howcommon,vulgar,andleveltothecomprehensionofanyoneis
thequestionwhichInowaskrelativetothesameconsideration
belongingtooneentireart.Isnotpaintinganartwholeandentire?
Ion.Yes.
Socrates.Aretherenotandhavetherenotbeenmanypainters
bothgoodandbad?
Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.Didyoueverknowapersoncompetenttojudgeofthe
paintingsofPolygnotus,thesonofAglaophon,andincompetentto
judgeofanyotherpainterwho,onthecompositionsoftheworks
ofotherpaintersbeingexhibitedtohim,waswhollyataloss,and
verymuchinclinedtogotosleep,andlostallfacultyofreasoning
onthesubjectbutwhenhisopinionwasrequiredofPolygnatusor
anyonesinglepainteryouplease,awoke,paidattentiontothe
subject,anddiscoursedonitwithgreateloquenceandsagacity?
Ion.Never,byJupiter!
Socrates.Didyoueverknowanyoneveryskilfulindetermining
themeritsofDaedalus,thesonofMetion,Epius,thesonof
Panopus,TheodorustheSamian,oranyothergreatsculptor,who
wasimmediatelyatalossandfeltsleepythemomentanyother
sculptorwasmentioned?
Ion.Inevermetwithsuchapersoncertainly.
Socrates.NordoIthinkthatyouevermetwithaman
professinghimselfajudgeofpoetryandrhapsody,andcompetent
tocriticiseeitherOlympus,Thamyris,Orpheus,orPhemiusof
Ithaca,therhapsodist,who,themomenthecametoIonthe
Ephesian,felthimselfquiteataloss,utterlyincompetenttojudge
whetherherhapsodisedwellorill.
Ion.Icannotrefuteyou,Socrates,butofthisIamconsciousto
myself:thatIexcelallmeninthecopiousnessandbeautyofmy
illustrationsofHomer,asallwhohaveheardmewillconfess,and
withrespecttootherpoetsIamdesertedofthispower.Itisforyou
toconsiderwhatmaybethecauseofthisdistinction.
Socrates.Iwilltellyou,OIon,whatappearstometobethe
causeofthisinequalityofpower.Itisthatyouarenotmasterof

anyartfortheillustrationofHomerbutitisadivineinfluencewhich
movesyou,likethatwhichresidesinthestonecalledMagnetby
Euripides,andHeracleabythepeople.Fornotonlydoesthisstone
possessthepowerofattractingironringsbutitcancommunicateto
themthepowerofattractingotherringssothatyoumaysee
sometimesalongchainofringsandotherironsubstancesattached
andsuspendedonetotheotherbythisinfluence.Andasthepower
ofthestonecirculatesthroughallthelinksofthisseriesand
attacheseachtoeach,sotheMusecommunicatingthroughthose
whomshehasfirstinspiredtoallotherscapableofsharinginthe
inspirationtheinfluenceofthatfirstenthusiasm,createsachainand
asuccession.Fortheauthorsofthosegreatpoemswhichweadmire
donotattaintoexcellencethroughtherulesofanyartbutthey
uttertheirbeautifulmelodiesofverseinastateofinspirationand,
asitwere,possessedbyaspiritnottheirown.Thusthecomposers
oflyricalpoetrycreatethoseadmiredsongsoftheirsinastateof
divineinsanity,liketheCorybantes,wholoseallcontrolovertheir
reasonintheenthusiasmofthesacreddanceand,duringthis
supernaturalpossession,areexcitedtotherhythmandharmony
whichtheycommunicatetomenliketheBacchanteswho,when
possessedbytheGod,drawhoneyandmilkfromtheriversin
which,whentheycometotheirsenses,theyfindnothingbutsimple
water.Forthesoulsofthepoets,aspoetstellus,havethispeculiar
ministrationintheworld.Theytellusthatthesesouls,flyinglike
beesfromflowertoflowerandwanderingoverthegardensandthe
meadowsandthehoneyflowingfountainsoftheMuses,returnto
usladenwiththesweetnessofmelodyandarrayedastheyarein
theplumesofrapidimaginationtheyspeaktruth.Forapoetis
indeedathingethereallylight,winged,andsacred,norcanhe
composeanythingworthcallingpoetryuntilhebecomesinspired
andasitweremadorwhilstanyreasonremainsinhim.Forwhilst
amanretainsanyportionofthethingcalledreasonheisutterly
incompetenttoproducepoetryortovaticinate.[2]Thusthosewho
declaimvariousandbeautifulpoetryuponanysubject,asfor
instanceuponHomer,arenotenabledtodosobyartorstudybut
everyrhapsodistorpoet,whetherdithyrambic[3],encomiastic[4],
choral,epic,oriambic[5],isexcellentinproportiontotheextentof
hisparticipationinthedivineinfluenceandthedegreeinwhichthe
Museitselfhasdescendedonhim.Inotherrespectspoetsmaybe
sufficientlyignorantandincapable.Fortheydonotcompose
accordingtoanyartwhichtheyhaveacquiredbutfromtheimpulse
ofthedivinitywithinthemfordidtheyknowanyrulesofcriticism
accordingtowhichtheycouldcomposebeautifulversesuponone
subjecttheywouldbeabletoexertthesamefacultywithrespectto
alloranyother.TheGodseemspurposelytohavedeprivedall
poets,prophets,andsoothsayersofeveryparticleofreasonand
understanding,thebettertoadaptthemtotheiremploymentashis
ministersandinterpretersandthatwe,theirauditors,may
acknowledgethatthosewhowritesobeautifullyarepossessedand
addressusinspiredbytheGod.Apresumptioninfavourofthis
opinionmaybedrawnfromthecircumstanceofTynnichusthe
Chalcidianhavingcomposednootherpoemworthmentioning
exceptthefamouspoemwhichisineverybody'smouth,perhaps

themostbeautifulofalllyricalcompositionsandwhichhehimself
callsagiftoftheMuses.Ithinkyouwillagreewithmethat
examplesofthissortareexhibitedbytheGodhimselftoprovethat
thosebeautifulpoemsarenothumannorfrommanbutdivineand
fromtheGodsandthatpoetsareonlytheinspiredinterpretersof
theGods,eachexcellentinproportiontothedegreeofthis
inspiration.Thisexampleofthemostbeautifuloflyricshavingbeen
producedbyapoetinotherrespectstheworstseemstohavebeen
affordedasadivineevidenceofthetruthofthisopinion.Doyou
notthinkwithme,Ion?
Ion.ByJupiter,Ido.Youtouchasitweremysoulwithyour
words,OSocrates.Theexcellentpoetsappeartometobedivinely
commissionedasinterpretersbetweentheGodsandus.
Socrates.Donotyourhapsodistsinterpretthecreationsofthe
poets?
Ion.Wedo.
Socrates.Youarethentheinterpretersofinterpreters?
Ion.Evidently.
Socrates.Nowconfessthetruthtome,Ion,andconcealnot
whatIaskofyou.Whenyourecitesomepassagefromanepic
poemwhichexcitesyouraudiencetothehighestdegreewhenfor
instanceyousingofUlyssesleapinguponthethresholdofhishome,
burstingupontheassembledsuitors,andpouringforthhisarrows
beforehisfeetorofAchillesrushinguponHectororwhenyou
representsomepatheticscenerelatingtoAndromache,Hecuba,or
Priam,doyouthenfeelthatyouareinyoursensesorareyounot
thenasitwereoutofyourselfandisnotyoursoultransportedinto
themidstoftheactionswhichitrepresents,whetherinIthacaorin
Troy,orintowhateverotherplacemaybethesceneofthepassage
yourecite?
Ion.Howjustlyyouconjecturemysensations,OSocrates,forI
willnotconcealfromyouthatwhenIreciteanypatheticpassage
myeyesoverflowwithtears,andwhenIrelateanythingterribleor
fearfulmyhairliftsitselfuprightuponmyheadandmyheartleaps
withfear.
Socrates.Howthen,OIon,canwecallthatmananythingbut
madwhoarrayedinamanycolouredrobeandcrownedwitha
goldencrownweepsinthemidstoffestivityandsacrificewho
surroundedbytwentythousandadmiringandfriendlypersons,and
thussecurefromallpossibilityofinjuryoroutrage,trembleswith
terror?
Ion.Noindeed,tospeakthetruth,OSocrates.
Socrates.Doyouknowtoothatyoucompelthegreaternumber
ofyourauditorstosufferthesameaffectionswithyourself?
Ion.AndIknowitwell.FarIseeeveryoneofthemupontheir
seatsaloftweepingandlookingmiserableindeeditisofimportance
tometoobservethemanxiously,forwhilstImakethemweepI
knowthatmyprofitswillgivemeoccasiontolaugh,butifImake
themlaughitisthenmyturntoweepforIshallreceivenomoney.
Socrates.Knowthenthatthespectatorrepresentsthelastof
theringswhichderiveamutualandsuccessivepowerfromthat
HeracleoticstoneofwhichIspoke.You,theactororrhapsodist,
representtheintermediateoneandthepoetthatattachedtothe

magnetitself.ThroughallthesetheGoddrawsthesoulsofmen
accordingtohispleasure,havingattachedthemtooneanotherby
thepowertransmittedfromhimself.Andasfromthatstonesoa
longchainofpoets,theatricalperformers,andsubordinateteachers
andprofessorsofthemusicalart,laterallyconnectedwiththemain
series,aresuspendedfromtheMuseitselfasfromtheoriginofthe
influence.Wecallthisinspirationandourexpressionindeedcomes
neartothetruthforthepersonwhoisanagentinthisuniversal
andreciprocalattractionisindeedpossessed,andsomeare
attractedandsuspendedbyoneofthepoetswhoarethefirstrings
inthisgreatchainandsomebyanother.Somearepossessedby
Orpheus,somebyMusaeus,andmany,amongwhomyoumaybe
numbered,mydearfriend,byHomer.Andsocompleteishis
possessionofyouthatyoudazeandareatalosswhenanyone
proposestheversesofanyotherpoetasthesubjectofrecitation
butnosoonerisasinglepassageofthispoetrecitedthanyou
awakenandyoursouldanceswithinyouanddictateswordsatwill.
ForitisnotthroughartorknowledgethatyouillustrateHomerbut
fromadivineinfluenceandelection,liketheCorybanteswhohear
nosoundexceptthatpenetratingmelodywhichproceedsfromthe
Deitybywhomtheyarepossessed,andalthoughmadinother
respects,arecapableofaccommodatingtheirwordsandtheirdress
totherhythmofthatmusic.Hence,OIon,youhaveapowerof
speechrespectingHomeralone,andthisisthecausewhichyou
soughtwhythatpowerisunitedtoHomeritisbyadivineelection
andnotthroughartthatyouhaveattainedsosingularanexcellence
inpanegyrizingandillustratingthisPoet.
Ion.Youspeakwell,OSocrates.YetIshouldbesurprisedifyou
hadeloquenceenoughtopersuademethatwhenIpraiseHomerI
ammadandpossessed.Ithinkyouwouldchangeyouropinionif
youonceheardmedeclaim.
Socrates.AndindeedIdesiretohearyou,butjustanswerme
onequestion.OnwhatsubjectsdoesHomerspeakwellnoton
everyoneIimagine?
Ion.Beassured,OSocrates,thathespeaksillonnone.
Socrates.AnddoesHomerneverspeakanythingrespecting
whichyoumayhappentobeignorant?
Ion.ThereareindeedsubjectsspokenofbyHomerwhichIdo
notunderstand.
Socrates.DoesnotHomerspeakcopiouslyandinmanyplaces
ofvariousartssuchforinstanceascharioteering?Ifyoudonot
rememberthepassagesIwillquotetheversestoyou.
Ion.Allowme.Irememberthemwell.
Socrates.RecitemethosetheninwhichNestorwarnshisson
Antilochustobewareoftheturninthecourseatthehorserace
giventhefuneralofPatroclus.
Ion.
[...andwarilyproceed,
Alittlebendingtothelefthandsteed
Buturgetheright,andgivehimallthereins
Whilethystricthandhisfellow'sheadrestrains,
Andturnshimshorttill,doublingastheyroll,
Thewheel'sroundnaveappearstobrushthegoal.

Yet,nottobreakthecarorlamethehorse,
Clearofthestonyheapdirectthecourse.]
Iliad23:335etseq.,tr.AlexanderPope.
Socrates.Enough.NowIon,whichwouldbethebestjudgeof
whetherHomerhadgivenrightdirectionsonthissubjectornota
physicianoracharioteer?
Ion.Acharioteercertainly.
Socrates.Forwhatreason?Becauseitbelongstohisartto
determine?
Ion.Becauseitbelongstohisart.
Socrates.FortheGodhasattachedtoeveryarttheknowledge
ofthepeculiarthingswhichrelatetoit.Therulesforsteeringaship
wouldneverteachusanythinginmedicine?
Ion.Certainlynot.
Socrates.Norcouldwededucefromtheartofmedicineany
rulesforarchitecture.
Ion.Wecouldnot.
Socrates.Thuswithregardtoallarts:wecaninfernothingfrom
therulesofonetothesubjectofanother.Permitmethisone
questionyouallowadistinctionofarts?
Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.DoyouunderstanditinthesensethatIdo?Isaythat
artsaredistinctonefromtheotherinasmuchastheyarethe
sciencesofdifferentthings.
Ion.SoIunderstandit.
Socrates.Wecannotestablishanydistinctionbetweenscience
theobjectsofwhicharethesame.Forinstance,webothknowthat
thefingersofourhandarefiveinnumberandifIshouldaskyou
whetherweacquirethisknowledgethroughthesamescience,that
isarithmetic,orbytwodifferentsciences,youwouldsaybythe
same.
Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.NowanswerthequestionIwasjustgoingtopropose.
Isitnottrueofallartsthatoneclassofthingsmustbeknownby
onesingleartandthattheknowledgeofotherclassesbelongsto
otherarts,separatelyanddistinctlyconsideredsothatiftheart
ceasestobethesamethesubjectmustalsobecomedifferent?
Ion.Soitshouldappear,OSocrates.
Socrates.Noone,therefore,whoisignorantofanypartcanbe
competenttoknowrightlywhattosayortodowithrespecttoit.
Ion.Certainlynot.
Socrates.Toreturntotheverseswhichyoujustreciteddo
youthinkthatyouoracharioteerwouldbebettercapableof
decidingwhetherHomerhadspokenrightlyornot?
Ion.Doubtlessacharioteer.
Socrates.Foryouarearhapsodistandnotacharioteer.
Ion.Yes.
Socrates.Andtheartofrecitingversesisdifferentfromthatof
drivingchariots?
Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.Andifitisdifferentitsupposesaknowledgeof
differentthings.

Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.AndwhenHomerintroducesHecamede,theconcubine
ofNestor,givingMachaonwhowaswoundedapossettodrink,he
speaksthus:
[Temperedinthis,thenymphofformdivine,
PoursalargeportionofthePramnianwine
Withgoats'milkcheese,aflavoroustastebestows,
Andlastwithflourthesmilingsurfacestrews.]
Iliad11:639etseq.,tr.Pope.
doesitbelongtothemedicalortherhapsodicalarttodetermine
whetherHomerspeaksrightlyonthissubject?
Ion.Tothemedical.
Socrates.Andwhenhesays:
[Sheplunged,andinstantshotthedarkprofound:
As,bearingdeathinthefallaciousbait,
Fromthebentanglesinkstheleadenweight.],
Iliad24:80etseq.,tr.Pope.
doesitbelongtotherhapsodicalorthepiscatorialarttodetermine
whetherhespeaksrightlyornotonthesubject?
Ion.Manifestlytothepiscatorialart.
Socrates.Considerifyouarenotinspiredtomakesomesuch
demandasthistome:Come,Socrates,sinceyouhavefoundin
Homeracompleteandfitdescriptionofthesearts,assistmealsoin
theenquiryastohiscompetenceindeterminingonthesubjectof
soothsayersanddivinationandhowfarhespeakswellorillon
suchsubjectsforheoftentreatsofthemintheOdyssey,and
especiallywhenheintroducesTheoclymenus,thesoothsayerofthe
Melampodides,prophesyingtotheSuitors:
[Oracetodeathdevote!withStygianshade
EachdestinedpeerimpendingFatesinvade
Withtearsyourwandistortedcheeksaredrowned,
Withsanguinedropsthewallsarerubiedround
Thickswarmsthespacioushallwithhowlingghosts,
TopeopleOrcus,andtheburningcoasts.
Norgivesthesunhisgoldenorbtoroll,
Butuniversalnightusurpsthepole.]
Odyssey20:351etseq.,tr.Pope.
OftentoointheIliad,asatthebattleatthewallsforhethere
says:
[Asignalomenstoppedthepassinghost,
Theirmartialfuryintheirwonderlost.
Jove'sbirdonsoundingpinionsbeatstheskies,
Ableedingserpentofenormoussize
Histalonstrussed,aliveandcurlinground,
Hestungthebird,whosethroatreceivedthewound
Madwiththesmart,hedropsthefatalprey,

Inairycircleswingshispainfulway,
Floatsonthewindsandrendstheheavenwithcries:
Amidstthehostthefallenserpentlies.]
Iliad12:200etseq.,tr.Pope.
Iassert,itbelongstoasoothsayerbothtoobserveandtojudge
respectingsuchappearancesasthese.
Ion.Andyouassertthetruth,OSocrates.
Socrates.Andyoualso,mydearIon.Forwehavebothinour
turnrecitedfromtheOdysseyandtheIliadpassagesrelatingto
vaticination,tomedicine,andthepiscatorialartandasyouare
moreskilledinHomerthanIcanbedoyounowmakementionof
whateverrelatestotherhapsodistandhisartforarhapsodistis
competentaboveallothermentoconsiderandpronounceon
whateverhasrelationtohisart.
Ion.OrwithrespecttoeverythingelsementionedbyHomer.
Socrates.Donotbesoforgetfulastosayeverything.Agood
memoryisparticularlynecessaryforarhapsodist.
Ion.AndwhatdoIforget?
Socrates.Doyounotrememberthatyouadmittedtheartof
recitingverseswasdifferentfromthatofdrivingchariots?
Ion.Iremember.
Socrates.Anddidyounotadmitthatbeingdifferentthesubjects
ofitsknowledgemustalsobedistinct?
Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.Youwillnotassertthattheartofrhapsodyisthatof
universalknowledgearhapsodistmaybeignorantofsomethings.
Ion.Except,perhaps,suchsubjectsaswenowdiscuss,O
Socrates.Socrates.Whatdoyoumeanbysuchsubjects,
besidesthosewhichrelatetootherarts?Andwithwhichamong
themdoyouprofessacompetentacquaintance,sincenotwithall?
Ion.Iimaginethattherhapsodisthasaperfectacquaintance
withwhatisbecomingforamantospeak,whatforawomanwhat
foraslave,whatforafreemanwhatfortheruler,whatforthe
governed.
Socrates.How!doyouthinkthatarhapsodistknowsbetterthan
thepilotwhatthecaptainofashipinatempestoughttosay?
Ion.InsuchacircumstanceIallowthatthepilotwouldknow
best.Socrates.Hastherhapsodistorthephysiciantheclearer
knowledgeofwhatoughttobesaidtoasickman?
Ion.Inthatcasethephysician.
Socrates.Butyouassertthatheknowswhataslaveoughtto
say?
Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.Totakeforexampleinthedrivingofcattlea
rhapsodistwouldknowmuchbetterthantheherdsmanwhatought
tobesaidtoaslaveengagedinbringingbackaherdofoxenthat
hadrunwild?
Ion.Noindeed.
Socrates.Perhapsyoumeanthatheknowsmuchbetterthan
anyhousewifewhatoughttobesaidbyaworkmanaboutthe
dressingofwool?'
Ion.No!No!

Socrates.Orbyageneralanimatinghissoldierstobattle?
Ion.Therhapsodistisnotunacquaintedwithsuchmatters.
Socrates.What!isrhapsodythemilitaryart?
Ion.Ishouldknowwhatitbecameageneraltosay.
Socrates.Verylikely,ifyouhavestudiedtactics.Youmaybeat
thesametimeamusicianandhorsebreaker,andknowwhether
horsesarewellorillbrokennowifIaskedyou,OIon,bywhichof
thesetwoartsyoujudgedrespectingthesehorses,whatwouldbe
yourreply?
Ion.Bythatofhorsebreaking.
Socrates.Andinrelationtoanyjudgmentsyoumightpronounce
uponmusicalperformersyouwouldprofessyourselfamusician,not
ahorsebreaker.
Ion.Certainly.
Socrates.Ifthenyoupossessanyknowledgeofmilitaryaffairs
doyoupossessitinyourcharacterofgeneralorrhapsodist?
Ion.Iseenodifferencebetweenageneralandarhapsodist.
Socrates.How!nodifference?Arenottheartsofgeneralship
andrecitationtwodistinctthings?
Ion.No,theyarethesame.
Socrates.Musthewhoisagoodrhapsodistbealsonecessarilya
goodgeneral?
Ion.Infallibly,OSocrates.
Socrates.Andmustagoodgeneralbealsoagoodrhapsodist?
Ion.Thatdoesnotfollow.
Socrates.Butyouarepersuadedatleastthatagoodrhapsodist
isagoodgeneral.
Ion.Assuredly.
Socrates.ButyouarethefirstrhapsodistinGreece?
Ion.Byfar.
Socrates.Andconsequentlybestgeneral?
Ion.Beconvincedofit,OSocrates.
Socrates.Whythen,byalltheGods,OIon,sinceyouareat
oncethebestrhapsodistandthegreatestgeneralamongthe
Greeks,doyoucontentyourselfwithwanderingaboutrhapsodizing
fromcitytocityandneverplaceyourselfattheheadofyour
armies?DoyouthinktheGreekshavesogreataneedofoneto
reciteversestotheminagoldencrownandnonewhateverofa
general?
Ion.Ourowncity,OSocrates,issubjectedtoyoursandcangive
noemploymentinthatbranchoftheartandAthensandSpartaare
sostronglypersuadedofthecompetenceoftheirowncitizensthatI
doubtwhethertheywouldentrustmewithacommand.
Socrates.MydearIon,doyouknowApollodorusofCyzene?
Ion.WhichApollodorus?
Socrates.HimwhomtheAtheniansentrustedwithacommand,
althoughaforeignerPhanosthenestheAndrianandHeraclidesthe
Clazomenian,likewiseforeigners,werealsopromotedtomanycivil
andmilitarytrustsinAthensonaccountoftheirreputation.Why
shouldtheynothonourandelectIontheEphesianastheirgeneral,
ifheshouldbeconsideredequaltothesituation?youEphesians
wereoriginallyAtheniansandEphesusisacityinferiortonone.
Butyouareinthewrong,Ion,ifyouareseriousinyourpretenceof

beingabletoillustrateHomerbyartandknowledge.Forafter
havingpromisedtoexplainamultiplicityofsubjectsmentionedby
Homerandassuringmethatyouknewthemwellyounowdeceive
meandalthoughIgiveyoueveryopportunityyouarestillfound
wantingevenwithrespecttothatverysubjectofwhichyouprofess
yourselffullymaster.LikeProteusyouassumeamultiplicityof
shapesuntilatlastescapingthroughmyfingers,thatyoumayavoid
givingmeanyproofofyourskillinHomer,yousuddenlystand
beforemeintheshapeofageneral.Ifnowyouhavedeceivedme
inyourpromiseofexplainingHomerinyourqualityofaprofessorin
thescienceofrhapsody,youactunjustlybymebutifthevarious
andbeautifulexpressionswhichattimesyoucanemployare,
accordingtomyviewofthesubject,suggestedbytheinfluenceof
thedivineelectionwhilstyouarepossessedasitwerebythespirit
ofHomer,andyouareinyourselfignorantandincompetent,I
absolveyoufromallblame.Takeyourchoice,whetheryoupreferto
beconsideredinspiredorunjust.
Ion.Thereisagreatdifferencebetweenthesetwoimputations,
OSocratestheformerisfarmorehonourable.
Socrates.Itisbetterbothforyouandforus,OIon,tosaythat
youaretheinspiredandnotthelearnedeulogistofHomer.
NOTES
1.AminormistranslationofShelley's,identifiedbyNotopoulos,has
beencorrectedinthetext.Hisoriginalreads:Socrates.Butifyou
canjudgeofwhatiswellsaidbytheoneyoumustalsobeableto
judgeofwhatisillsaidbyanother,inasmuchasitexpressesless
correctly.
2.Vaticinate:Toprophesy,foretell.
3.Dithyramb:Afrenzied,impassionedchorichymnanddanceof
ancientGreeceinhonorofDionysus.adj.dithyrambic.
4.Encomium:1.Warm,glowingpraise.2.aformalexpressionof
praiseatribute.adj.encomiastic.
5.Iamb:Ametricalfootconsistingofanunstressedsyllable
followedbyastressedsyllableorashortsyllablefollowedbyalong
syllable,asindelay.adj.iambic:Consistingofiambsor
characterizedbytheirpredominance:iambicpentameter.
Noteonthetext
ThistextisbasedonthecriticaleditionoftheShelleytranslation
inJamesA.Notopoulos'sThePlatonismofShelley:AStudyof
PlatonismandthePoeticMind(DukeUniversityPress1949).
Notopoulos,followingtheearliereffortsofH.B.Forman,collatedtwo
manuscriptsoftheShelleytranslation,onemadebyClaire
ClairmontandtheotherbyShelley'swidow,Mary.
Asidefromformatting,Ihavemadenochangesinthetextother
thantheveryminorcorrectiondescribedinthefirstendnote,and

theeliminationoftwobracketedoccurrencesofwhether,which
Notopoulosscrupulouslyaddedtoindicateatemporaryindecisionof
Shelley's.Regardingpunctuation,Ihavechangednothing.John
Lauritsen
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