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Let us then consider, first of all, what will be their way of

life, now that we have thus established them. Will they not

produce corn, and wine, and clothes, and shoes, and build houses

for themselves? And when they are housed, they will work, in

summer, commonly, stripped and barefoot, but in winter

substantially clothed and shod. They will feed on barley-meal and

flour of wheat, baking and kneading them, making noble cakes and

loaves; these they will serve up on a mat of reeds or on clean

leaves, themselves reclining the while upon beds strewn with yew

or myrtle. And they and their children will feast, drinking of

the wine which they have made, wearing garlands on their heads,

and hymning the praises of the gods, in happy converse with one

another. And they will take care that their families do not

exceed their means; having an eye to poverty or war.

But, said Glaucon, interposing, you have not given them a relish

to their meal.