You said religion contained morality. Do you want to say that religion is the basis of morality?

ACASTOS obviously exhausted by his ordeal

I don’t know. Lots of religious people are bad and lots of non–religious people are good.

SOCRATES

Does that tend to disprove your position?

ACASTOS

I don’t think so.

SOCRATES

You’ve done very well, Acastos, but you haven’t told us how to distinguish between morality and religion. Perhaps religion is just a ‘refined’ sort of morality which some people choose to invent?

TIMONAX

Neurotic people!

ACASTOS

Well, part of it is that you don’t invent it, it’s absolutely there, like a – judgement.

SOCRATES

Now gather yourself together for a final assault.

ACASTOS struggling

I can’t –

SOCRATES

Can there be religion without mythology, without stories and pictures? Should we be trying now to think of it like that?

ACASTOS

I don’t know!

SOCRATES

Is a certain opaqueness, a certain mystery, necessary to it?

ACASTOS almost tearful

I don’t know!

SOCRATES

Would you say that religion is something natural?

TIMONAX

Socrates, do stop, let’s have an interval, let’s drink and not think! Acastos says there is no time off from religion, but do let’s have some time off from philosophy!

Socrates relaxes and smiles, signs assent.

ANTAGORAS

When it gets difficult he wants a drink.

TIMONAX

I love arguing!

ANTAGORAS

Only when you win.

TIMONAX

Socrates, defend me.

SOCRATES petting him

One who is so beautiful needs no other defence.

ANTAGORAS

I think we should go on, otherwise we’ll lose the thread, we’ll lose the intensity, to use Acastos’s favourite word. [ He claps his hands for the servant. ]

TIMONAX pleasantly

Acastos isn’t religious, he’s just a prig, aren’t you, dear?

The servant enters bringing more wine. Typical behaviour of each character to him. Socrates is relaxed and amiable, Acastos would–be friendly but awkward, Timonax perfunctory, Antagoras indifferent. Plato observes and frowns.

TIMONAX indicating the servant

Well, if you want to go on and we want to rest why not question this chap? I know Socrates never needs a rest.

SOCRATES

What does Antagoras think?

ANTAGORAS

Whatever you like. He’s not very bright and he can’t speak the language very well.

As they discuss the servant Acastos is uncomfortable, looks at Plato who remains impassive.

TIMONAX

Has he got a religion?

ANTAGORAS

I don’t know, better ask him.

SOCRATES

I would like Acastos to question him.

ACASTOS

Oh no, please not!

SOCRATES

I won’t always be here to ask questions, others must learn. Besides you are young and gentle and won’t upset him. Go on, my dear.

ACASTOS nervous

We’re talking about religion. [ It takes a moment for him to attract the servant’s attention ] Look – excuse me –

ANTAGORAS

He lives in a dream. He isn’t even listening.

ACASTOS

Do you have a religion?

SERVANT

A what, sir? No, I don’t think so, sir.

The servant is a graceful youth. He is a little timid at first.

TIMONAX

That shows it isn’t natural.