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Next in order will follow melody and song.

That is obvious.

Every one can see already what we ought to say about them, if we

are to be consistent with ourselves.

I fear, said Glaucon, laughing, that the word 'every one' hardly

includes me, for I cannot at the moment say what they should be;

though I may guess.

At any rate you can tell that a song or ode has three parts-the

words, the melody, and the rhythm; that degree of knowledge I may

presuppose?

Yes, he said; so much as that you may.

And as for the words, there will surely be no difference between

words which are and which are not set to music; both will conform

to the same laws, and these have been already determined by us?

Yes.

And the melody and rhythm will depend upon the words?

Certainly.

We were saying, when we spoke of the subject-matter, that we had

no need of lamentation and strains of sorrow?

True.

And which are the harmonies expressive of sorrow? You are

musical, and can tell me.