At last, the hour of departure had arrived. Socrates met his friends and disciples for the last time. He argued with them about the immortality of the soul. He told them that the soul of man cannot die. He asked them to let him die in peace. A few moments passed. Socrates lay dowh and covered his face. A moment later, he uncovered his face and looking at Crito, said, “Dont forget the debt, Crito.” His friends and disciples could not hear the sight. They burst into tears and cried loudly like children. With eyes full of tears. the bade Socrates a last farewell. At sunset, the Governor of the prison came. Then there came a man with a cup in hand. The cup contained hemlock, a deadly poison. Socrates took the cup in his hand, said his prayer and drank the hemlock without any hesitation.
Last words of Socrates: “The hour of departure has arrived, and we go our ways–I to die and you to live. Which is the better, only God knows.”
