There is no way, we are here now at the end, we have to do the nearest thing. We are not gods, we are absurd limited beings, we live with affliction and chance. The most important things are close to us, the truth is close, in front of our noses, like the faces of our friends, we need no expert to tell us. Religion is our love of virtue lightening the present moment. It is respect for what we know, and reverence for what we don’t know, what we can only approach, where our not–knowing must be our mode of knowing, where we make symbols and images, and then destroy them, and make other ones, as we see now in our own time. Images are natural, art is natural, sacraments and pictures and holy things are natural, the inner and the outer reflect each other, there is a reverence which finds what is spiritual everywhere in the world, he is right [ pointing to the servant ], God is everywhere. If we love whatever God we know and speak to Him truthfully we shall be answered. Out at the very edge of our imagination the spirit is eternally active. Respect the pure visions which speak to the heart, find there what is absolute. That is why we go to a holy place and kneel down. There is nothing more ultimate than that. [ Pause ]

PLATO

You, who know so much, tell us this!

SOCRATES

Because I do not know so much.

PLATO

But we can change, we can be enlightened, we can be saved?

SOCRATES

If we do good things which are near to us we may improve a little; don’t make a drama of it, my dear. To tell the truth, that is an exercise which is always available. Goodness is simple, it’s just very difficult.

Socrates is now smiling. He turns to Alcibiades.

ALCIBIADES

Oh you and your simplicity and your ignorance, how you drive us, you herd us into thinking!

SOCRATES

So –young Plato –

PLATO

I will kneel at this shrine.

SOCRATES

Well – by Zeus, if we want to see that torchlight procession we should go now! Let us enjoy our gods while we can. Come, Alcibiades. [ To Antagoras ] Thank you. [ To all ] Come, dear friends.

They rise for Socrates’s departure. He goes, affectionately arm in arm with Alcibiades.

TIMONAX to Antagoras

I want that boy!

Antagoras and Timonax depart arm in arm. Plato covers his face.

ACASTOS

You’re jealous!

PLATO

It can’t be so simple. Somehow I couldn’t bear it to be simple! If only I could get it clear ! [ He holds his bursting head. ]

ACASTOS

You never will. Anyway, let’s be happy. Come, dear Plato.

Acastos puts his arm round Plato’s waist, Plato resists, then accepts the gesture. Acastos pulls him away by the hand. The servant is left alone. He smiles, raising his arms as if in prayer.

Author’s Note

AUTHOR’S NOTE