9
But you, of course, will only live with the best. Meanwhile, here we are, close to Attica; we must now leave Sunium on our right, and diverge towards the Acropolis, Good: terra firma. You had better sit down somewhere here on the Areopagus, in the direction of the Pnyx, and wait whilst I make Zeus’s proclamation. I shall go up into the Acropolis; that will be the easiest way of making every one hear the summons,
9
Before you go, Hermes, tell me who this is coming along; a man with horns and a pipe and shaggy legs.
9
Why, you must know Pan, most festive of all Dionysus’s followers? He used to live on Mount Parthenius: but at the time of the Persian expedition under Datis, when the barbarians landed at Marathon, he volunteered in the Athenian service; and ever since then he has had the cave yonder at the foot of the Acropolis, a little past the Pelasgicum, and pays his taxes like any other naturalized foreigner. Seeing us so near at hand, I suppose he is coming up to make his compliments.
10
Hail, Justice and Hermes!
10
Hail, Pan; chief of Satyrs in dance and song, and most gallant of Athens’ soldiers!
10
But what brings you here, Hermes?
10
Justice will explain; I must be off to the Acropolis on my errand.
10
Zeus has sent me down, Pan, to preside in the law-court. —And how do you like Athens?
10
Well, the fact is, I am a good deal disappointed: they do not treat me with the consideration to which I am erititled, after repelling that tremendous barbarian invasion. All they do is to come up to my cave two or three times a year with a particularly high-scented goat, and sacrifice him: I am permitted to look on whilst they enjoy the feast, and am complimented with a perfunctory dance. However, there is some joking and merrymaking on the occasion, and that I find rather fun.
11
And, Pan,—have they become more virtuous under the hands of the philosophers?
11
Philosophers? Oh! people with beards just like mine; sepulchral beings, who are always getting together and jabbering?
11
Those are they.
