Commentary on the First Alcibiades of Plato (Cambridge, University Library, MS Kk.5.27)

and he was free from the Socratic habit of spending time in the marketplace and in the workshops, and chasing the young to make arguments. He was also free from the solemn arrogance of the Pythagoreans, and from having the doors locked, and from the "he himself said it" an allusion to the Pythagorean practice of blind obedience to their master, making himself more political toward everyone. Having thus made many lovers for himself, and having benefited a great many, when he was about to die, he saw a dream: he became a swan, moving from tree to tree, and in this way caused great trouble for the bird-catchers. Simmias the Socratic judged that he would be ungraspable for those wishing to interpret him after him. For commentators resemble bird-catchers, attempting to hunt for the thoughts of the ancients. But he is ungraspable, since it is possible to hear his words in many ways: physically, and ethically, and theologically, and simply, just as is the case with Homer. For these two are said to have been pan-harmonic souls. Therefore, it is possible to hear both in every way. When he died, the Athenians buried him lavishly, and wrote on his tomb: "Two gods’ sons, Asclepius and Plato, the one to save the soul, the other the body."