15–17
PHILOSOPHY
Careful! Perhaps fis abuse was not directed against Philosophy, but against impostors who do much that is vile in oyr name.
FRANKNESS
You shall see at once, if you will only hear my defence.
PHILOSOPHY
Let us go to the Areopagus, or-rather, to the Acropolis itself, so that at the same time we may get a bird’s eye view of everything in the city.
You, my dears, may walk about in the Painted Porch meanwhile: I shall join you after concluding the trial.
FRANKNESS
Who are they, Philosophy? They too seem very mannerly.
PHILOSOPHY
This one with the masculine air is Virtue; yonder is Temperance, and there beside her Justice; the one in advance is Culture, and she that is faint and indistinct in colour is Truth.
FRANKNESS
I do not see which one you really mean.
PHILOSOPHY
Do you not see the unadorned one over there, naked, always shrinking into the background and slipping away?:
5
FRANKNESS
I can just see her now. But why not bring them also, in order that the meeting may be full and perfect? As to Truth, indeed, I wish to introduce her into the trial as an advocate.
PHILOSOPHY
To be sure. (To the others) Come with us also. It is not a hard matter to try a single case, particularly one that will involve our own interests.
TRUTH
You others go: I do not-need to hear what I have long known all about.
PHILOSOPHY
But it would help us, Truth, if you should join in the trial and give us information on each point.
TRUTH
Then shall I bring along these two waitingwomen, who are in very close sympathy with me?
PHILOSOPHY
Yes, indeed, as many as you wish.
