9–11
Justice
Before you go, Hermes, tell me who this is coming along; a man with horns and a pipe and shaggy legs.
Hermes
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.
Pan
Hail, Justice and Hermes!
Justice
Hail, Pan; chief of Satyrs in dance and song, and most gallant of Athens’ soldiers!
Pan
But what brings you here, Hermes?
Hermes
Justice will explain; I must be off to the Acropolis on my errand.
Justice
Zeus has sent me down, Pan, to preside in the law-court. —And how do you like Athens?
5
Pan
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.
Justice
And, Pan,—have they become more virtuous under the hands of the philosophers?
