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Section 535

ION. By Zeus, you certainly do! You somehow touch my soul with your words, Socrates, and it seems to me that it is indeed by divine dispensation that good poets interpret these things from the gods to us.

SOCRATES. And do not you rhapsodes, in turn, interpret the words of the poets?

ION. We do.

SOCRATES. So you are interpreters of interpreters?

ION. Exactly.

SOCRATES. Now tell me this, Ion, and do not hide anything from me. When you speak epic verses well and strike the spectators with the greatest awe—when you sing of Odysseus leaping upon the threshold, revealing himself to the suitors and pouring out the arrows at his feet, or of Achilles rushing at Hector, or of the pitiful things concerning Andromache, Hecuba, or Priam—are you in your right mind at that moment, or are you beside yourself? Does your soul, through inspiration, believe it is present at the very events you are describing, whether in Ithaca or Troy?

ION. What a clear proof you bring me, Socrates! I will tell you without hiding anything. When I recount a tale of pity, my eyes fill with tears. When I tell of something terrifying or dreadful, the hair on my head stands up from fear, and my heart pounds.

SOCRATES. Now tell me, Ion, is a man in his right mind when, dressed in colorful robes and golden crowns, he starts weeping at a sacrifice or festival, though he has lost none of his finery? Or when he shrinks back in fear, standing among twenty thousand friendly people, none of whom is stripping or wronging him?

ION. No, by Zeus, Socrates, he is not entirely in his right mind, if I am to speak the truth.

SOCRATES. And are you aware that you produce these same effects on most of the spectators?

ION. I know it very well. For I look down from the platform and see them weeping, or gazing at me in terror and awe, matching my words. I must pay close attention to them, for if I make them weep, I will laugh when I collect my money; but if I make them laugh, I will weep for losing my pay.