1pFFjZK

38 THEORIES OF STYLE IN LITERATURE
Ph&dr.
Quite true.
Soc. And if Adrastus the mellifluous or Pericles heard of
these wonderful arts, brachylogies and eikonologies and all
the hard names which we have been endeavoring to draw
into the light of day, what would they say? Instead of losing
temper and applying uncomplimentary epithets, as you and
I have been doing, to the authors of such an imaginary art,
their superior wisdom would rather censure us, as well as
'
them. Have a little patience, Phaedrus and Socrates/
they would say; ' you should not be in such a passion with
those who from some want of dialectical skill are unable to
define the nature of rhetoric,
and consequently suppose that
they have found the art in the preliminary conditions of it,
and when these have been taught by them to others, fancy
that the whole art of rhetoric has been taught by them;
but as to using the several instruments of the art effectively,
or making the composition a whole, an application of it
such as this is
they consider to be an easy thing which their
disciples may make for themselves.'
Ph&dr. I quite admit, Socrates, that the art of rhetoric
which these men teach and that of which they write is such as
you describe there I agree with you. But I still want to
know where and how the true art of rhetoric and persuasion
is to be acquired.
Soc.
The perfection which is required of the finished orator
is, or rather must be, like the perfection of anything else,
partly given by nature, but may also be assisted by art.
and add to it
knowledge and
If you have the natural power
practice, you will be a distinguished speaker;
if you
fall short
in either of these, you will be to that extent defective. But
the art, as far as there is an art, of rhetoric does not lie in the
direction of Lysias or Thrasymachus.
Phadr. In what direction then?