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'Tis meet to summon to the festal banquet1;
” and after these words he speaks of certain others “ Who call the bard that he may gladden all.2
” And also in other verses Odysseus says that this is the best pastime, when, as men are enjoying good cheer, “ The banqueters, seated in order due
Throughout the hall, may hear a minstrel sing.3
” It is clear therefore that there is a form of education in which boys should be trained not because it is useful or necessary but as being liberal and noble; though whether there is one such subject of education or several, and what these are and how they are to be pursued, must be discussed later,4 but as it is we have made this much progress on the way, that we have some testimony even from the ancients, derived from the courses of education which they founded—for the point is proved by music. And it is also clear that some of the useful subjects as well ought to be studied by the young not only because of their utility, like the study of reading and writing, but also because they may lead on to many other branches of knowledge; and similarly they should study drawing not in order that they may not go wrong in their private purchases and may avoid being cheated in buying and selling furniture,
1 This line is not in our Odyssey, but
apparently followed Hom. Od.17.383.
The passage runs (382 ff.): “
τίς γὰρ δὴ ξεῖνον καλεῖ ἄλλοθεν
αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼν
ἄλλον γ᾽, εἰ μὴ τῶν οἳ
δημιοεργοὶ ἔασι,
μάντιν ἢ ἰητῆρα κακῶν ἢ
τέκτονα δούρων,
ἢ καὶ θέσπιν ἀοιδόν, ὅ κεν
τέρπῃσιν ἀείδων;
”
2 The fourth line quoted corresponds to this, but not exactly.
4 This promise is not fulfilled.
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