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Section 530

SOCRATES. Welcome, Ion. Where have you come from now? Are you coming from your home in Ephesus?

ION. No, Socrates, I have come from Epidaurus, from the festival of Asclepius.

SOCRATES. Do the Epidaurians hold a contest for rhapsodes in honor of the god?

ION. They certainly do, and for every other kind of musical art as well.

SOCRATES. And did you compete? How did it go?

ION. We carried off the first prize, Socrates!

SOCRATES. Excellent! See to it that we win at the Panathenaea too.

ION. That will happen, god willing.

SOCRATES. You know, Ion, I have often envied you rhapsodes for your profession. It requires you to always be dressed in beautiful garments and look your best. But more than that, it requires you to constantly engage with the many fine poets, especially Homer, the best and most divine of them all. And not only to memorize his verses, but to understand his true meaning—that is truly enviable! For no one can be a good rhapsode if he does not understand what the poet is saying. The rhapsode must serve as an interpreter of the poet's thought to his listeners, and to do this well requires understanding.

ION. You speak the truth, Socrates. In fact, that part of my profession has taken the most effort. I believe that I speak about Homer better than anyone else alive. Neither Metrodorus of Lampsacus, nor Stesimbrotus of Thasos, nor Glaucon, nor anyone else who has ever lived, has had so many and such fine thoughts to offer about Homer as I do.

SOCRATES. That is good to hear, Ion. For clearly you will not grudge giving me a display of your skill.

ION. Indeed, Socrates, it is well worth hearing how beautifully I have adorned Homer. I believe the Homeridae ought to award me a golden crown for my work.

SOCRATES. I certainly intend to find time to hear you. But for now, just answer me this: are you skilled only in Homer, or in Hesiod and Archilochus as well?

ION. No, no. Only in Homer. I find that to be quite sufficient.