εἰ δὲ μὴ δοκῶ, “"But if I seem not to speak with understanding"” (i.e. if my narrative is thought incredible and foolish), “"I would not crave belief from those to whom I seem not sane."”—“οὐκ ἂν παρείμην. παρίεμαι”=“"to win over to one's own side,"” and so either (1) with gen. of pers., Plat. Rep. 341B “οὐδέν” (adv.) “σου παρίεμαι”, I ask no favour, no mercy, from you: or (2) with acc. of pers., Legg. 742 B “παρέμενος...τοὺς ἄρχοντας ἀποδημείτω”, “"when he has persuaded the rulers,"”—obtained their permission: so again ib. 951 A. Here it seems better to understand “τούτων” than “τούτους”. He scorns to deprecate their unbelief. Eur. Med. 892 “παριέμεσθα” (I crave pardon) “καί φαμεν κακῶς φρονεῖν”.—His closing words mark his own profound belief in the reality of what he has seen. Cp.
.“εἰ δὲ σοὶ δοκῶ φρονεῖν κακῶς
γνώμην δικαίαν σχοῦσα, τοὺς πέλας ψέγε
”
.“ὅτῳ δὲ μὴ τάδ᾽ ἐστὶν ἐν γνώμῃ φίλα,
κεῖνός τ᾽ ἐκεῖνα στεργέτω, κἀγὼ τάδε
”
. To the ancient Greek, who enjoyed discussion, there was something peculiarly impressive in declining it.“σοὶ δ᾽ εἰ δοκῶ νῦν μῶρα δρῶσα τυγχάνειν,
σχεδόν τι μώρῳ μωρίαν ὀφλισκάνω
”
