and music are representations of characters, and therefore we must avoid novelties in dance and song.  For securing permanence no better method can be imagined than that of the Egyptians.  ‘What is their method?’ They make a calendar for the year, arranging on what days the festivals of the various Gods shall be celebrated, and for each festival they consecrate an appropriate hymn and dance.  In our state a similar arrangement shall in the first instance be framed by certain individuals, and afterwards solemnly ratified by all the citizens.  He who introduces other hymns or dances shall be excluded by the priests and priestesses and the guardians of the law; and if he refuses to submit, he may be prosecuted for impiety.  But we must not be too ready to speak about such great matters.  Even a young man, when he hears something unaccustomed, stands and looks this way and that, like a traveller at a place where three ways meet; and at our age a man ought to be very sure of his ground in so singular an argument.  ‘Very true.’  Then, leaving the subject for further examination at some future time, let us proceed with our laws about education, for in this manner we may probably throw light upon our present difficulty.  ‘Let us do as you say.’  The ancients used the term nomoi to signify harmonious strains, and perhaps they fancied that there was a connexion between the songs and laws of a country.  And we say —­Whosoever shall transgress the strains by law established is a transgressor of the laws, and shall be punished by the guardians of the law and by the priests and priestesses.  ‘Very good.’  How can we legislate about these consecrated strains without incurring ridicule?  Moulds or types must be first framed, and one of the types shall be—­Abstinence from evil words at sacrifices.  When a son or brother blasphemes at a sacrifice there is a sound of ill-omen heard in the family; and many a chorus stands by the altar uttering inauspicious words, and he is crowned victor who excites the hearers most with lamentations.  Such lamentations should be reserved for evil days, and should be uttered only by hired mourners; and let the singers not wear circlets or ornaments of gold.  To avoid every evil word, then, shall be our first type.  ‘Agreed.’  Our second law or type shall be, that prayers ever accompany sacrifices; and our third, that, inasmuch as all prayers are requests, they shall be only for good; this the poets must be made to understand.  ‘Certainly.’  Have we not already decided that no gold or silver Plutus shall be allowed in our city?  And did not this show that we were dissatisfied with the poets?  And may we not fear that, if they are allowed to utter injudicious prayers, they will bring the greatest misfortunes on the state?  And we must therefore make a law that the poet is not to contradict the laws or ideas of the state; nor is he to show his poems to any private persons until they have first received the imprimatur of the director of education.