The following scene of the arrival of Aristides and the entrance of the chorus will give, some idea of the play, though, of course, what with local allusions and the flexibility of the Greek language, the comedy is more amusing in the original. _Aristides._ O Pan, to what land of honey have I come! Truly, I see naught but wild thyme and yellow comb. Poseidon, has thou then girdled Hymettus with the azure scarf of ocean? _Queen._ No hill of Attic fame do you here behold, but the sky-piercing Melnos, beloved of the gods. _Aristides._ Jupiter! I behold a graceful creature. Have I then been thrown on the alluring coast of fatal Circe? _Queen._ Sun-god’s daughter I am not, but one who rules over honey-seeking bees in this hollow island. Cleverly do they extract the sweet juices of flowers to fill the emptiness of many-celled combs. _Aristides_ (_running away_). Ah me, I fear the sharpness of their stings. _Queen._ In no wise will they hurt thee save at my behest. Be still, O handsome stranger, and I will invoke for thee the industrious tribe, whose ambrosia is sweeter than the food of undying gods. _Aristides._ Already I shake in my cowardly knees. _Queen._ O Pan, inspirer of vague fears, do I call on thee to send hither the swift-flying bees. Whether ye lurk in honey-throated flowers industrious, or speed lightly through the measureless sky, do I summon ye hither, O sting-bearers. ENTER CHORUS OF BEES. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Indeed I heard thy cry, O queen, When seeking on a mount serene Sweet-tasting honey for our store, Drawn from the core Of rose and daisy, violet, In sparkling dews of meadows set, With patient labor do I strive To fill the hive, Alas! too often plundered, when Espied by all-devouring men. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! But lo! whom see I lurking here? The form of man, whom much I fear. Buz—z—z—z—z! Let me prepare my angry sting To slay this greedy-passioned thing, Who would devour Our honey in a single hour. Buz—z—z—z—z. The audience, lovers of laughter as they were, much preferred this amusing play to the solemn teachings of the morning, and yet from both they learned something necessary to their well-being. From the one, how Justinian wished to make them the centre of a new intellectual force; and from the other, how his aim could be achieved by industry and perseverance: so, grave or gay, the performance instilled the policy of the Demarch into their minds.