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The Prose Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Vol. 2 [of 2] cover

The Prose Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, Vol. 2 [of 2]

Chapter 31: [Prefatory note by Mrs. Shelley.]
By Percy Bysshe Shelley
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About This Book

A collected volume of essays, letters, translations, and fragments that combines literary criticism, philosophical inquiry, and political reflection. Major essays defend the creative imagination, explore classical literature and Athenian arts, and probe metaphysical questions about mind, dreams, and a possible future state, while moral pieces address virtue, justice, and the punishment of death. An extended sequence of letters from Italy blends travel description, personal friendship, and engagement with contemporary debates. Miscellaneous fragments and translation work display experimental thought and unfinished plans, presenting a wide-ranging portrait of the author’s prose concerns and intellectual methods.

ON A PASSAGE IN CRITO.

[Prefatory note by Mrs. Shelley.]

It is well known that when Socrates was condemned to death, his friends made arrangements for his escape from prison and his after security; of which he refused to avail himself, from the reason, that a good citizen ought to obey the laws of his country. On this Shelley makes the following remarks—

The reply is simple, Indeed, your city cannot subsist, because the laws are no longer of avail. For how can the laws be said to exist, when those who deserve to be nourished in the Prytanea at the public expense, are condemned to suffer the penalties only due to the most atrocious criminals; whilst those against, and to protect from whose injustice, the laws were framed, live in honour and security? I neither overthrow your state, nor infringe your laws. Although you have inflicted an injustice on me, which is sufficient, according to the opinions of the multitude, to authorise me to consider you and me as in a state of warfare; yet, had I the power, so far from inflicting any revenge, I would endeavour to overcome you by benefits. All that I do at present is, that which the peaceful traveller would do, who, caught by robbers in a forest, escapes from them whilst they are engaged in the division of the spoil. And this I do, when it would not only be indifferent, but delightful to me to die, surrounded by my friends, secure of the inheritance of glory, and escaping, after such a life as mine, from the decay of mind and body which must soon begin to be my portion should I live. But I prefer the good, which I have it in my power yet to perform.

Such are the arguments which overturn the sophism placed in the mouth of Socrates by Plato. But there are others which prove that he did well to die.