James Adam Commentary on Plato, Protagoras XXIII.336E

but I am afraid it is as though you asked me to keep pace with Criso the runner of Himera in his prime, or to keep up in a match with one of the long-distance ¹ or day-course ² racers, and I could only tell you that 336a I wish that of myself, without your asking, I could keep pace with such runners, but of course I cannot. If you want to have the spectacle of Criso and me running together, you must ask him to adapt his pace; for whereas I cannot run fast, he can run slowly. So if you desire to hear Protagoras and me, ask him to resume the method of answering which he used at first—in short sentences and keeping to the point raised. Otherwise 336b what is to be our mode of discussion? For I thought that to hold a joint discussion and to make a harangue were two distinct things.
  Ah, but you see, Socrates, he said, Protagoras thinks it only fair to claim that he be allowed to discuss in his chosen style, in return for your claim that it should be in yours.
  At this Alcibiades intervened, saying: You do not state it quite philosophically, Callias, ³ for Socrates here confesses he is no hand at long discourses, and yields therein to Protagoras; 336c but I should be surprised if he yields to any man in ability to argue, or in understanding the interchange of reason. Now if Protagoras confesses himself inferior to Socrates in argumentation, Socrates has no more to ask: but if he challenges him, let him discuss by question and answer; not spinning out a lecture on each question—beating off the arguments, refusing to give a reason, and so dilating 336d until most of his hearers have forgotten the point at issue. For Socrates, I warrant you, will not forget, despite his jesting way of calling himself forgetful. Now I think Socrates’ proposal is the more equitable—for each of us should declare his personal opinion.
  After Alcibiades, the next, I believe, to speak was Critias: Prodicus and Hippias, he said, it seems to me that Callias is all for supporting Protagoras, while Alcibiades is always for a contest 336e in anything he takes up. It is not for us to contend on either side for Socrates or for Protagoras, but jointly to request them both not to break off 337a our conference unconcluded.