Athenian:  Let us then affirm the paradox that strains of music are our laws (nomoi), and this latter being the name which the ancients gave to lyric songs, they probably would not have very much objected to our proposed application of the word.  Some one, either asleep or awake, must have had a dreamy suspicion of their nature.  And let our decree be as follows:  No one in singing or dancing shall offend against public and consecrated models, and the general fashion among the youth, any more than he would offend against any other law.  And he who observes this law shall be blameless; but he who is disobedient, as I was saying, shall be punished by the guardians of the laws, and by the priests and priestesses.  Suppose that we imagine this to be our law.

Cleinias:  Very good.

Athenian:  Can any one who makes such laws escape ridicule?  Let us see.  I think that our only safety will be in first framing certain models for composers.  One of these models shall be as follows:  If when a sacrifice is going on, and the victims are being burnt according to law—­if, I say, any one who may be a son or brother, standing by another at the altar and over the victims, horribly blasphemes, will not his words inspire despondency and evil omens and forebodings in the mind of his father and of his other kinsmen?

Cleinias:  Of course.

Athenian:  And this is just what takes place in almost all our cities.  A magistrate offers a public sacrifice, and there come in not one but many choruses, who take up a position a little way from the altar, and from time to time pour forth all sorts of horrible blasphemies on the sacred rites, exciting the souls of the audience with words and rhythms and melodies most sorrowful to hear; and he who at the moment when the city is offering sacrifice makes the citizens weep most, carries away the palm of victory.  Now, ought we not to forbid such strains as these?  And if ever our citizens must hear such lamentations, then on some unblest and inauspicious day let there be choruses of foreign and hired minstrels, like those hirelings who accompany the departed at funerals with barbarous Carian chants.  That is the sort of thing which will be appropriate if we have such strains at all; and let the apparel of the singers be, not circlets and ornaments of gold, but the reverse.  Enough of all this.  I will simply ask once more whether we shall lay down as one of our principles of song—­

Cleinias:  What?

Athenian:  That we should avoid every word of evil omen; let that kind of song which is of good omen be heard everywhere and always in our state.  I need hardly ask again, but shall assume that you agree with me.

Cleinias:  By all means; that law is approved by the suffrages of us all.

Athenian:  But what shall be our next musical law or type?  Ought not prayers to be offered up to the Gods when we sacrifice?