Axiochus.
Socrates (quod he) now is the time when thou maiſt ſhew forth thy long foſtered and famous wiſedome, for my father is euen nowe taken with a grieuous diſeaſe, and drawing neere (as it ſeemeth) to his end, is therwithall grieuouſly troubled, and greatly diſquieted. Howbeit, heeretofore hee was ſo farre from the feare of death, as that he was wont pleaſantly to ſcoffe and ſcorne at thoſe which vſed to portraict the Image of death, painting him with a dreadfull countenance and griefly face. VVherefore I beſeech thee O Socrates, to go and comfort my father as you were wont to doo; for ſo the rather being ſtrengthened with your good counſaile, he ſhall bee able without any grudging or fainting to paſſe through the way of all fleſh, and I with the reſt of his friends and kinſmen will maintaine the yearely memory of that his good end.
Socrates.
O Clinias I will not denie thy ſo reaſonable a requeſt, ſpecially concerning ſuch a matter, as to deny it were great unkindnes and diſcourteſie: to grant in pertyneth both to godlineſſe and charitie. Let vs therefore ſpeede vs to him: for if thy father be in ſo ſore taking, there needeth ſpeedines and great haſt.
