I do, I refuse to define good art as good–for–society art. Art must be free and on its own because that’s how it will tell us the truth and show us the things that are really – high – and real – I mean, it’s like the human spirit talking – good art just can’t help being good for society, but artists mustn’t think about that. Good artists are trying to understand something and show something which they see – their duty is to be good artists. Good art explains to us how the world is changing and it judges change, it’s the highest wisest voice of morality, it’s something spiritual – without good art a society dies. It’s like religion really – it’s our best speech and our best understanding – it’s a proof of the greatness and goodness which is in us and –

DEXIMENES

And everything follows from that, I suppose, including the liberation of slaves and women!

ACASTOS

Yes!

SOCRATES

What a Protean monster our art turns out to be! Copies, maps, thoughts, music, games, rhetoric, social service, and now religion!

CALLISTOS

My head’s spinning. Pass the wine, old cock.

DEXIMENES

Old cock!

ACASTOS

You see – what we call inspiration –

DEXIMENES

He’s off again.

Plato utters a low groan.

SOCRATES

Did I hear a sound? Did young Plato utter an observation? Or did some passing god groan over our follies?

PLATO

Oh what nonsense you all talk! I don’t mean Socrates but he’s just making you hold forth and not correcting you.

DEXIMENES

You correct us then, dear boy!

SOCRATES

We have so far lacked the benefit of your opinion.

PLATO

Oh it’s so –

CALLISTOS

Plato’s so emotional and extreme, he gets so cross!

DEXIMENES

You mean he takes it all seriously.

CALLISTOS

There’s no need to be rude.

SOCRATES

Would you like to join our conversation?

PLATO

Yes.

DEXIMENES

Yes, please.

SOCRATES

Then be a little kind to us. If you roar at us like a wild beast we shall be too frightened to talk to you.

DEXIMENES

I’d box his ears for him.

CALLISTOS

Of course we are philosophers and Plato is a poet so we must make allowances –

ACASTOS

At least you can tell us who you agree with.

PLATO

I agree with Deximenes. Laughter.

CALLISTOS

You can’t!

DEXIMENES

I’m touched by this unexpected tribute.

PLATO

Art is lies, it’s fantasy, it’s play, it’s humbug, it’s make–believe, the theatre is rubbish, it’s –

SOCRATES

Dear boy, don’t shout at us. Either talk seriously and honestly or go away.

PLATO

And I think philosophy is lies too.

ACASTOS

How can you say that in front of Socrates!

PLATO

I’m sorry –

SOCRATES

That can be argued also, by a philosophical argument. If you want to talk to us you must join this discussion, not start another one. You have been listening to us and even thought some of our nonsense worth writing down. But please don’t say what you don’t mean.