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Section 116

After saying this, he stood up and went into a room to bathe, and Crito followed him, telling us to wait. We waited, discussing the argument among ourselves and reflecting on it, and then talking about the greatness of the misfortune that had befallen us, truly feeling that we were losing a father and would live the rest of our lives as orphans. When he had bathed, his children were brought to him—he had two little sons and one older—and the women of his household came. He spoke with them in Crito's presence, gave his final instructions, and then told the women and children to leave, and returned to us. It was already near sunset, for he had spent a long time inside. He came and sat down, fresh from the bath, and did not say much after that. The officer of the Eleven came and stood before him. "Socrates," he said, "I will not blame you as I blame others, who get angry and curse me when I order them to drink the poison under the magistrates' compulsion. During this time I have found you the noblest, gentlest, and best man who has ever come here. I know well that you are not angry with me now, but with them, for you know who is responsible. You know what I have come to say. Farewell, and try to bear what is necessary as easily as possible." He burst into tears, turned around, and went out. Socrates looked up at him and said, "Farewell to you too. We will do as you say." To us he added, "How courteous the man is! All the time I have been here he would come to see me and talk with me occasionally, the best of men. And now how genuinely he weeps for me! Come, Crito, let us obey him. Let someone bring the poison, if it is ground. If not, let the man grind it." Crito said, "But Socrates, I think the sun is still on the mountains and has not yet set. Besides, I know others have taken it very late, long after the order was given, dining and drinking well, and even enjoying the company of those they desired. Do not hurry; there is still time." Socrates replied, "It is reasonable for those men to do as you say, Crito, for they think they gain something by doing it. And it is equally reasonable for me not to do it. I think I gain nothing by drinking it a little later, except becoming ridiculous in my own eyes by clinging to life and sparing it when nothing is left. Go on," he said, "obey me and do not refuse."