CRITO 391
is clear proof," they will say, " Socrates, that we and the city wero not displeasing to you. Of all Athe- nians, you have been the most constant resident in the city, which, as you never leave, you may be sup- posed to love. For you never went out of the city either to see the games, except once when you went to the Isthmus, or to any other place unless when you were on military service ; nor did you travel as other men do. Nor had you any curiosity to know other States or their laws : your affections did not go be- yond us and our State ; we were your special favorites, and you acquiesced in our government of you ; and here in this city you begat your children, which is a proof of your satisfaction. Moreover, you might in the course of the trial, if you had liked, have fixed the penalty at banishment ; the State which refuses to let you go now would have let you go then. But you pretended that you preferred death to exile, and that you were not imwilling to die. And now you have forgotten these fine sentiments, and pay no re- spect to us the laws, of whom you are the destroyer ; and are doing what only a miserable slave would do, running away and turning your back upon the com- pacts and agreements which you made as a citizen. And first of all answer this very question : Are we right in saying that you agreed to be governed accord- ing to us in deed, and not in word only ? Is that true or not ? " How shall we answer, Crito ? Must we not assent ?
Crito. We cannot help it, Socrates.
Socrates. Then will they not say : " You, Socrates, are breaking the covenants and agreements which you made with us at your leisure, not in any haste or un- der any compulsion or deception, but after you have
