Contents — 38 sections
Part 1
1EUELPIDES: Do you think I should walk straight for yon tree?
2PISTHETAERUS: Cursed beast, what are you croaking to me? . . . to retrace my steps?
3EUELPIDES: Why, you wretch, we are wandering at random, we are exerting ourselves only to return to the same spot; we're wasting our time.
5PISTHETAERUS: To think that I should trust to this crow, which has made me cover more than a thousand furlongs!
7EUELPIDES: And that I, in obedience to this jay, should have worn my toes down to the nails!
9PISTHETAERUS: If only I knew where we were . . .
10EUELPIDES: Could you find your country again from here?
11PISTHETAERUS: No, I feel quite sure I could not, any more than could Execestides find his.
12EUELPIDES: Alas!
12bPISTHETAERUS: Aye, aye, my friend, it's surely the road of alases we are following.
13EUELPIDES: That Philocrates, the bird-seller, played us a scurvy trick,
15when he pretended these two guides could help us to find Tereus, the Epops, who is a bird, without being born of one. He has indeed sold us this jay, a true son of Tharrhelides, for an obolus, and this crow for three, but what can they do? Why, nothing whatever but bite and scratch!
20What's the matter with you then, that you keep opening your beak? Do you want us to fling ourselves headlong down these rocks? There is no road that way.
22bPISTHETAERUS: Not even the vestige of a trail in any direction
23EUELPIDES: And what does the crow say about the road to follow?
24PISTHETAERUS: By Zeus, it no longer croaks the same thing it did.
25EUELPIDES: And which way does it tell us to go now?
25bPISTHETAERUS: It says that, by dint of gnawing, it will devour my fingers.
27EUELPIDES: What misfortune is ours! we strain every nerve to get to the crows, do everything we can to that end, and we cannot find our way!
30Yes, spectators, our madness is quite different from that of Sacas. He is not a citizen, and would fain be one at any cost; we, on the contrary, born of an honorable tribe and family and living in the midst of our fellow-citizens,
35we have fled from our country as hard as ever we could go. It's not that we hate it; we recognize it to be great and rich, likewise that everyone has the right to ruin himself paying taxes; but the crickets only chirrup among the fig-trees for a month or two,
40whereas the Athenians spend their whole lives in chanting forth judgments from their law-courts. That is why we started off with a basket, a stew-pot and some myrtle boughs and have come to seek a quiet country
45in which to settle. We are going to Tereus, the Epops, to learn from him, whether, in his aerial flights, he has noticed some town of this kind.
49PISTHETAERUS: Here! look!
49bEUELPIDES: What's the matter?
49cPISTHETAERUS: Why, the crow has been directing me
50to something up there for some time now.
Part 2
50bEUELPIDES: And the jay is also opening it beak and craning its neck to show me I know not what. Clearly, there are some birds about here. We shall soon know, if we kick up a noise to start them.
54PISTHETAERUS: Do you know what to do? Knock your leg against this rock.
55EUELPIDES: And you your head to double the noise.
56PISTHETAERUS: Well then use a stone instead; take one and hammer with it.
56bEUELPIDES: Good idea! He does so. Ho there, within! Slave! slave!
57bPISTHETAERUS: What's that, friend! You say, slave, to summon Epops? It would be much better to shout, Epops, Epops!
59EUELPIDES: Well then, Epops! Must I knock again? Epops!
60bTROCHILUS: Rushing out of a thicket. Who's there? Who calls my master?
61PISTHETAERUS: Apollo the Deliverer! what an enormous beak!
62TROCHILUS: Good god! they are bird-catchers.
63EUELPIDES: But is it so terrible? Wouldn't it be better to explain things?
64TROCHILUS: You're done for.
64bEUELPIDES: But we are not men.
64cTROCHILUS: What are you, then?
65EUELPIDES: I am the Fearling, an African bird.
66TROCHILUS: You talk nonsense.
66bEUELPIDES: Well, then, just ask it of my feet.
67TROCHILUS: And this other one, what bird is it? To Pisthetaerus. Speak up!
68PISTHETAERUS: I? I am a Crapple, from the land of the pheasants.
69EUELPIDES: But you yourself, in the name of the gods! what animal are you?
Part 3
70TROCHILUS: Why, I am a slave-bird.
70bEUELPIDES: Why, have you been conquered by a cock?
71bTROCHILUS: No, but when my master was turned into a hoopoe, he begged me to become a bird also, to follow and to serve him.
74EUELPIDES: Does a bird need a servant, then?
75TROCHILUS: That's no doubt because he was once a man. At times he wants to eat a dish of sardines from Phalerum; I seize my dish and fly to fetch him some. Again he wants some pea-soup; I seize a ladle and a pot and run to get it.
79bEUELPIDES: This is, then,
80truly a running-bird. Come, Trochilus, do us the kindness to call your master.
81bTROCHILUS: Why, he has just fallen asleep after a feed of myrtle-berries and a few grubs.
83EUELPIDES: Never mind; wake him up.
83bTROCHILUS: I am certain he will be angry. However, I will wake him to please you.
85PISTHETAERUS: You cursed brute! why, I am almost dead with terror!
86EUELPIDES: Oh! my god! it was sheer fear that made me lose my jay.
87bPISTHETAERUS: Ah! you big coward! were you so frightened that you let go your jay?
88bEUELPIDES: And did you not lose your crow, when you fell sprawling on the ground? Tell me that.
90PISTHETAERUS: Not at all.
90bEUELPIDES: Where is it, then?
90cPISTHETAERUS: It flew away.
91EUELPIDES: And you did not let it go? Oh! you brave fellow!
92EPOPS: Open the thicket, that I may go out!
93EUELPIDES: By Heracles! what a creature! what plumage! What means this triple crest?
95EPOPS: Who wants me?
Part 4
95bEUELPIDES: The twelve great gods have used you ill, it seems.
96bEPOPS: Are you twitting me about my feathers? I have been a man, strangers.
98bEUELPIDES: It's not you we are jeering at.
98cEPOPS: At what, then?
99EUELPIDES: Why, it's your beak that looks so ridiculous to us.
100EPOPS: This is how Sophocles outrages me in his tragedies. Know, I once was Tereus.
102EUELPIDES: You were Tereus, and what are you now? a bird or a peacock?
103EPOPS: I am a bird.
103bEUELPIDES: Then where are your feathers? I don't see any.
104EPOPS: They have fallen off.
104bEUELPIDES: Through illness?
105EPOPS: No. All birds moult their feathers, you know, every winter, and others grow in their place. But tell me, who are you?
107bEUELPIDES: We? We are mortals.
108EPOPS: From what country?
108bEUELPIDES: From the land of the beautiful galleys.
109EPOPS: Are you dicasts?
109bEUELPIDES: No, if anything,
110we are anti-dicasts.
110bEPOPS: Is that kind of seed sown among you?
111bEUELPIDES: You have to look hard to find even a little in our fields.
112EPOPS: What brings you here?
Part 5
113EUELPIDES: We wish to pay you a visit.
114EPOPS: What for?
114bEUELPIDES: Because you formerly were a man, like we are,
115formerly you had debts, as we have, formerly you did not want to pay them, like ourselves; furthermore, being turned into a bird, you have when flying seen all lands and seas. Thus you have all human knowledge as well as that of birds.
120And hence we have come to you to beg you to direct us to some cosy town, in which one can repose as if on thick coverlets.
123EPOPS: And are you looking for a greater city than Athens?
124EUELPIDES: No, not a greater, but one more pleasant to live in.
125EPOPS: Then you are looking for an aristocratic country.
125bEUELPIDES: I? Not at all! I hold the son of Scellias in horror.
127EPOPS: But, after all, what sort of city would please you best?
128EUELPIDES: A place where the following would be the most important business transacted. —Some friend would come knocking at the door quite early in the morning
130saying, By Olympian Zeus, be at my house early, as soon as you have bathed, and bring your children too. I am giving a nuptial feast, so don't fail, or else don't cross my threshold when I am in distress.
135EPOPS: Ah! that's what may be called being fond of hardships! To Pisthetaerus. And what say you?
136bPISTHETAERUS: My tastes are similar.
136cEPOPS: And they are?
137PISTHETAERUS: I want a town where the father of a handsome lad will stop in the street and say to me reproachfully as if I had failed him, Ah! Is this well done, Stilbonides?
140You met my son coming from the bath after the gymnasium and you neither spoke to him, nor kissed him, nor took him with you, nor ever once felt his balls. Would anyone call you an old friend of mine?
143EPOPS: Ah! wag, I see you are fond of suffering. But there is a city of delights such as you want.
145It's on the Red Sea.
145bEUELPIDES: Oh, no. Not a sea-port, where some fine morning the Salaminian galley can appear, bringing a process-server along. Have you no Greek town you can propose to us?
149EPOPS: Why not choose Lepreum in Elis for your settlement?
150bEUELPIDES: By Zeus! I could not look at Lepreum without disgust, because of Melanthius.
152EPOPS: Then, again, there is the Opuntian Locris, where you could live.
153bEUELPIDES: I would not be Opuntian for a talent.
155But come, what is it like to live with the birds? You should know pretty well.
156bEPOPS: Why, it's not a disagreeable life. In the first place, one has no purse.
Part 6
158EUELPIDES: That does away with a lot of roguery.
159EPOPS: For food the gardens yield us white sesame,
160myrtle-berries, poppies and mint.
161EUELPIDES: Why, 'tis the life of the newly-wed indeed.
161bPISTHETAERUS: Ha! I am beginning to see a great plan, which will transfer the supreme power to the birds, if you will but take my advice.
164EPOPS: Take your advice? In what way?
164bPISTHETAERUS: In what way? Well, firstly,
165do not fly in all directions with open beak; it is not dignified. Among us, when we see a thoughtless man, we ask, What sort of bird is this? and Teleas answers, It's a man who has no brain, a bird that has lost his head, a creature
170you cannot catch, for it never remains in any one place.
171EPOPS: By Zeus himself! your jest hits the mark. What then is to be done?
172bPISTHETAERUS: Found a city.
173EPOPS: We birds? But what sort of city should we build?
174PISTHETAERUS: Oh, really, really! you talk like such a fool!
175Look down.
175bEPOPS: I am looking.
175cPISTHETAERUS: Now look up.
176EPOPS: I am looking.
176bPISTHETAERUS: Turn your head round.
176cEPOPS: Ah! it will be pleasant for me if I end in twisting my neck off!
178PISTHETAERUS: What have you seen?
178bEPOPS: The clouds and the sky.
179PISTHETAERUS: Very well! is not this the pole of the birds then?
180EPOPS: How their pole?
180bPISTHETAERUS: Or, if you like it, their place. And since it turns and passes through the whole universe, it is called ‘pole.’ If you build and fortify it, you will turn your pole into a city.
185In this way you will reign over mankind as you do over the grasshoppers and you will cause the gods to die of rabid hunger.
Part 7
187EPOPS: How so?
187bPISTHETAERUS: The air is between earth and heaven. When we want to go to Delphi, we ask the Boeotians for leave of passage;
190in the same way, when men sacrifice to the gods, unless the latter pay you tribute, you exercise the right of every nation towards strangers and don't allow the smoke of the sacrifices to pass through your city and territory.
194EPOPS: By earth! by snares! by network! by cages!
195I never heard of anything more cleverly conceived; and, if the other birds approve, I am going to build the city along with you.
198PISTHETAERUS: Who will explain the matter to them?
198bEPOPS: You must yourself. Before I came they were quite ignorant,
200but since I have lived with them I have taught them to speak.
201PISTHETAERUS: But how can they be gathered together?
201bEPOPS: Easily. I will hasten down to the thicket to waken my dear Procne
205and as soon as they hear our voices, they will come to us hot wing.
206PISTHETAERUS: My dear bird, lose no time, please! Fly at once into the thicket and awaken Procne.
209EPOPS: Chase off drowsy sleep, dear companion.
210Let the sacred hymn gush from thy divine throat in melodious strains; roll forth in soft cadence your refreshing melodies to bewail the fate of Itys, which has been the cause of so many tears to us both.
215Your pure notes rise through the thick leaves of the yew-tree right up to the throne of Zeus, where Phoebus listens to you, Phoebus with his golden hair. And his ivory lyre responds to your plaintive accents;
220he gathers the choir of the gods and from their immortal lips pours forth a sacred chant of blessed voices.
223PISTHETAERUS: Oh! by Zeus! what a throat that little bird possesses. He has filled the whole thicket with honey-sweet melody!
225EUELPIDES: Hush!
225bPISTHETAERUS: What's the matter?
225cEUELPIDES: Be still!
225dPISTHETAERUS: What for?
226EUELPIDES: Epops is going to sing again.
227EPOPS: Epopopoi popoi popopopoi popoi, here, here, quick, quick, quick, my comrades in the air;
230all you who pillage the fertile lands of the husbandmen, the numberless tribes who gather and devour the barley seeds, the swift flying race that sings so sweetly. And you whose gentle twitter
235resounds through the fields with the little cry of tiotiotiotiotiotiotiotio; and you who hop about the branches of the ivy in the gardens;
240the mountain birds, who feed on the wild olive-berries or the arbutus, hurry to come at my call, trioto, trioto, totobrix; you also, who snap up the sharp-stinging
245gnats in the marshy vales, and you who dwell in the fine plain of Marathon, all damp with dew, and you, the francolin with speckled wings;
250you too, the halcyons, who flit over the swelling waves of the sea, come hither to hear the tidings; let all the tribes of long-necked birds assemble here;
255know that a clever old man has come to us, bringing an entirely new idea and proposing great reforms. Let all come to the debate here, here, here, here.
260Torotorotorotorotix, kikkabau, kikkabau, torotorotorolililix.
263PISTHETAERUS: Can you see any bird?
263bEUELPIDES: By Phoebus, no! and yet I am straining my eyesight to scan the sky.
265PISTHETAERUS: It was hardly worth Epops' while to go and bury himself in the thicket like a hatching plover.
267A BIRD: Torotix, torotix.
Part 8
268PISTHETAERUS: Wait, friend, there's a bird.
269EUELPIDES: By Zeus, it is a bird, but what kind? Isn't it a peacock?
270PISTHETAERUS: Epops will tell us. What is this bird?
271EPOPS: It's not one of those you are used to seeing; it's a bird from the marshes.
272bEUELPIDES: Oh! oh! but he is very handsome with his wings as crimson as flame.
273EPOPS: Undoubtedly; indeed he is called flamingo.
274EUELPIDES: Hi! I say! You!
274bPISTHETAERUS: What are you shouting for?
274cEUELPIDES: Why, here's another bird.
275PISTHETAERUS: Aye, indeed; this one's a foreign bird too. To Epops. What is this bird from beyond the mountains with a look as solemn as it is stupid?
277EPOPS: He is called the Mede.
277bEUELPIDES: The Mede! But, by Heracles, how, if a Mede, has he flown here without a camel?
279PISTHETAERUS: Here's another bird with a crest.
280EUELPIDES: Ah! that's curious. I say, Epops, you are not the only one of your kind then?
281bEPOPS: This bird is the son of Philocles, who is the son of Epops; so that, you see, I am his grandfather; just as one might say, Hipponicus, the son of Callias, who is the son of Hipponicus.
284EUELPIDES: Then this bird is Callias! Why, what a lot of his feathers he has lost!
285EPOPS: That's because he is honest; so the informers set upon him and the women too pluck out his feathers.
287EUELPIDES: By Poseidon, do you see that many-coloured bird? What is his name?
288bEPOPS: This one? That's the glutton.
289EUELPIDES: Is there another glutton besides Cleonymus?
290But why, if he is Cleonymus, has he not thrown away his crest?
291But what is the meaning of all these crests? Have these birds come to contend for the double stadium prize?
Part 9
292bEPOPS: They are like the Carians, who cling to the crests of their mountains for greater safety.
294PISTHETAERUS: Oh, Poseidon! look what awful swarms of birds are gathering here!
295bEUELPIDES: By Phoebus! what a cloud! The entrance to the stage is no longer visible so closely do they fly together.
297PISTHETAERUS: Here is the partridge.
297aEUELPIDES: Why, there is the francolin.
298PISTHETAERUS: There is the poachard.
298aEUELPIDES: Here is the kingfisher.
299To Epops. What's that bird behind the kingfisher?
299bEPOPS: That's the barber.
300EUELPIDES: What? a bird a barber?
300bPISTHETAERUS: Why, Sporgilus is one.
301EPOPS: Here comes the owl.
301bEUELPIDES: And who is it brings an owl to Athens?
302EPOPS: Here is the magpie, the turtle-dove, the swallow, the horned-owl, the buzzard, the pigeon, the falcon, the ring-dove, the cuckoo, the red-foot, the red-cap, the purple-cap, the kestrel, the diver, the ousel, the osprey, the woodpecker . . .
305PISTHETAERUS: Oh! what a lot of birds! Oh! what a lot of blackbirds! How they scold, how they come rushing up! What a noise! what a noise! Can they be bearing us ill-will? Oh! there! there! they are opening their beaks and staring at us.
308bEUELPIDES: Why, so they are.
310LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Popopopopopo. Where is he who called me? Where am I to find him?
312EPOPS: I have been waiting for you a long while! I never fail in my word to my friends.
313LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Tititititititi. What good news
315have you for me?
316EPOPS: Something that concerns our common safety, and that is just as pleasant as it is to the point. Two men, who are subtle reasoners, have come here to seek me.
318LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Where? How? What are you saying?
Part 10
320EPOPS: I say, two old men have come from the abode of humans to propose a vast and splendid scheme to us.
322LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Oh! it's a horrible, unheard-of crime! What are you saying?
323bEPOPS: Never let my words scare you.
323cLEADER OF THE CHORUS: What have you done to me?
324EPOPS: I have welcomed two men, who wish to live with us.
325LEADER OF THE CHORUS: And you have dared to do that!
325bEPOPS: Yes, and I am delighted at having done so.
326LEADER OF THE CHORUS: And are they already with us?
326bEPOPS: Just as much as I am.
327CHORUS: Ah! ah! we are betrayed; 'tis sacrilege! Our friend,
330he who picked up corn-seeds in the same plains as ourselves, has violated our ancient laws; he has broken the oaths that bind all birds; he has laid a snare for me, he has handed us over to the attacks of that impious race which, throughout all time,
335has never ceased to war against us.
336LEADER OF THE CHORUS: As for this traitorous bird, we will decide his case later, but the two old men shall be punished forthwith; we are going to tear them to pieces.
338bPISTHETAERUS: It's all over with us.
339EUELPIDES: You are the sole cause of all our trouble.
340Why did you bring me from down yonder?
340bPISTHETAERUS: To have you with me.
341EUELPIDES: Say rather to have me melt into tears.
341bPISTHETAERUS: Go on! you are talking nonsense. How will you weep with your eyes pecked out?
343CHORUS: Io! io! forward to the attack, throw yourselves upon the foe,
345spill his blood; take to your wings and surround them on all sides. Woe to them! let us get to work with our beaks, let us devour them.
350Nothing can save them from our wrath, neither the mountain forests, nor the clouds that float in the sky, nor the foaming deep.
352LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Come, peck, tear to ribbons. Where is the chief of the cohort? Let him engage the right wing.
354EUELPIDES: This is the fatal moment. Where shall I fly to, unfortunate wretch that I am?
354bPISTHETAERUS: Wait! Stay here!
Part 11
355EUELPIDES: That they may tear me to pieces?
355bPISTHETAERUS: And how do you think to escape them?
356bEUELPIDES: I don't know at all.
356cPISTHETAERUS: Come, I will tell you. We must stop and fight them. Let us arm ourselves with these stew-pots.
358EUELPIDES: Why with the stew-pots?
358bPISTHETAERUS: The owl will not attack us then.
359EUELPIDES: But do you see all those hooked claws?
359bPISTHETAERUS: Take the spit
360and pierce the foe on your side.
360bEUELPIDES: And how about my eyes?
361PISTHETAERUS: Protect them with this dish or this vinegar-pot.
362EUELPIDES: Oh! what cleverness! what inventive genius! You are a great general, even greater than Nicias, where stratagem is concerned.
364LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Forward, forward, charge with your beaks! Come, no delay.
365Tear, pluck, strike, flay them, and first of all smash the stew-pot.
366EPOPS: Oh, most cruel of all animals, why tear these two men to pieces, why kill them? What have they done to you? They belong to the same tribe, to the same family as my wife.
369LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Are wolves to be spared? Are they not our most mortal foes?
370So let us punish them.
371EPOPS: If they are your foes by nature, they are your friends in heart, and they come here to give you useful advice.
373LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Advice or a useful word from their lips, from them, the enemies of my forebears?
375EPOPS: The wise can often profit by the lessons of a foe, for caution is the mother of safety. It is just such a thing as one will not learn from a friend and which an enemy compels you to know. To begin with, it's the foe and not the friend that taught cities to build high walls, to equip long vessels of war;
380and it's this knowledge that protects our children, our slaves and our wealth.
381LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Well then, I agree, let us first hear them, for that is best; one can even learn something in an enemy's school.
383PISTHETAERUS: Their wrath seems to cool. Draw back a little.
384EPOPS: It's only justice, and you will thank me later.
Part 12
385LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Never have we opposed your advice up to now.
386PISTHETAERUS: They are in a more peaceful mood; put down your stew-pot and your two dishes; spit in hand, doing duty for a spear, let us mount guard inside the camp
390close to the pot and watch in our arsenal closely; for we must not fly.
393EUELPIDES: You are right. But where shall we be buried, if we die?
395PISTHETAERUS: In the Ceramicus; for, to get a public funeral, we shall tell the Strategi that we fell at Orneae, fighting the country's foes.
400LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Return to your ranks and lay down your courage beside your wrath as the hoplites do. Then let us ask these men who they are, whence they come,
405and with what intent. Here, Epops, answer me.
407EPOPS: Are you calling me? What do you want of me?
408LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Who are they? From what country?
409EPOPS: Strangers, who have come from Greece, the land of the wise.
410LEADER OF THE CHORUS: And what fate has led them hither to the land of the birds?
412bEPOPS: Their love for you and their wish to share your kind of life; to dwell and
415remain with you always.
416LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Indeed, and what are their plans?
417EPOPS: They are wonderful, incredible, unheard of.
418LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Why, do they think to see some advantage that determines them to settle here? Are they hoping with our help
420to triumph over their foes or to be useful to their friends?
422EPOPS: They speak of benefits so great it is impossible either to describe or conceive them; all shall be yours,
425all that we see here, there, above and below us; this they vouch for.
427LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Are they mad?
428EPOPS: They are the sanest people in the world.
429LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Clever men?
430EPOPS: The slyest of foxes, cleverness its very self, men of the world, cunning, the cream of knowing folk.
432LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Tell them to speak and speak quickly; why, as I listen to you, I am beside myself with delight.
435EPOPS: Here, you there, take all these weapons and hang them up inside close to the fire, near the figure of the god who presides there and under his protection; To Pisthetaerus. as for you, address the birds, tell them why I have gathered them together.
Part 13
439bPISTHETAERUS: Not I, by Apollo,
440unless they agree with me as the little ape of an armorer agreed with his wife, not to bite me, nor pull me by the balls, nor shove things into my . . .
442bEUELPIDES: Do you mean this?
443bPISTHETAERUS: No, I mean my eyes.
444LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Agreed.
444bPISTHETAERUS: Swear it.
445LEADER OF THE CHORUS: I swear it and, if I keep my promise, let judges and spectators give me the victory unanimously.
446bPISTHETAERUS: It is a bargain.
447LEADER OF THE CHORUS: And if I break my word, may I succeed by one vote only.
448EPOPS: Hearken, ye people! Hoplites, pick up your weapons and return to your firesides;
450do not fail to read the decrees of dismissal we have posted.
451CHORUS: Man is a truly cunning creature, but nevertheless explain. Perhaps you are going to show me some good way
455to extend my power, some way that I have not had the wit to find out and which you have discovered. Speak! 'tis to your own interest as well as to mine, for if you secure me some advantage, I will surely share it with you.
460LEADER OF THE CHORUS: But what object can have induced you to come among us? Speak boldly, for I shall not break the truce, —until you have told us all.
462PISTHETAERUS: I am bursting with desire to speak; I have already mixed the dough of my address and nothing prevents me from kneading it.... Slave! bring the chaplet and water, which you must pour over my hands. Be quick!
464bEUELPIDES: Is it a question of feasting? What does it all mean?
465PISTHETAERUS: By Zeus, no! but I am hunting for fine, tasty words to break down the hardness of their hearts. To the Chorus. I grieve so much for you, who at one time were kings...
467bLEADER OF THE CHORUS: We kings? Over whom?
467cPISTHETAERUS: ... of all that exists, firstly of me and of this man, even of Zeus himself. Your race is older than Saturn, the Titans and the Earth.
470bLEADER OF THE CHORUS: What, older than the Earth!
470cPISTHETAERUS: By Phoebus, yes.
470dLEADER OF THE CHORUS: By Zeus, but I never knew that before!
471PISTHETAERUS: That's because you are ignorant and heedless, and have never read your Aesop. He is the one who tells us that the lark was born before all other creatures, indeed before the Earth; his father died of sickness, but the Earth did not exist then; he remained unburied for five days, when the bird in its dilemma decided,
475for want of a better place, to entomb its father in its own head.
Part 14
476EUELPIDES: So that the lark's father is buried at Cephalae.
477PISTHETAERUS: Hence, if they existed before the Earth, before the gods, the kingship belongs to them by right of priority.
479EUELPIDES: Undoubtedly, but sharpen your beak well;
480Zeus won't be in a hurry to hand over his scepter to the woodpecker.
481PISTHETAERUS: It was not the gods, but the birds, who were formerly the masters and kings over men; of this I have a thousand proofs. First of all, I will point you to the cock, who governed the Persians before all other monarchs, before Darius and Megabazus.
485It's in memory of his reign that he is called the Persian bird.
486EUELPIDES: For this reason also, even to-day, he alone of all the birds wears his tiara straight on his head, like the Great King.
488PISTHETAERUS: He was so strong, so great, so feared, that even now, on account of his ancient power,
490everyone jumps out of bed as soon as ever he crows at daybreak. Blacksmiths, potters, tanners, shoemakers, bathmen, corn-dealers, lyre-makers and armorers, all put on their shoes and go to work before it is daylight.
492bEUELPIDES: I can tell you something about that. It was the cock's fault that I lost a splendid tunic of Phrygian wool. I was at a feast in town, given to celebrate the birth of a child; I had drunk pretty freely
495and had just fallen asleep, when a cock, I suppose in a greater hurry than the rest, began to crow. I thought it was dawn and set out for Halimus. I had hardly got beyond the walls, when a footpad struck me in the back with his bludgeon; down I went and wanted to shout, but he had already made off with my mantle.
499PISTHETAERUS: Formerly also the kite was ruler and king over the Greeks.
500LEADER OF THE CHORUS: The Greeks?
500bPISTHETAERUS: And when he was king, he was the one who first taught them to fall on their knees before the kites.
501bEUELPIDES: By Zeus! that's what I did myself one day on seeing a kite; but at the moment I was on my knees, and leaning backwards with mouth agape, I bolted an obolus and was forced to carry my meal-sack home empty.
504PISTHETAERUS: The cuckoo was king of Egypt and of the whole of Phoenicia.
505When he called out cuckoo, all the Phoenicians hurried to the fields to reap their wheat and their barley.
507EUELPIDES: Hence no doubt the proverb, Cuckoo! cuckoo! go to the fields, ye circumcised.
508PISTHETAERUS: So powerful were the birds that the kings of Grecian cities, Agamemnon, Menelaus, for instance,
510carried a bird on the tip of their scepters, who had his share of all presents.
511EUELPIDES: That I didn't know and was much astonished when I saw Priam come upon the stage in the tragedies with a bird, which kept watching Lysicrates to see if he got any present.
514PISTHETAERUS: But the strongest proof of all is that Zeus, who now reigns,
515is represented as standing with an eagle on his head as a symbol of his royalty; his daughter has an owl, and Phoebus, as his servant, has a hawk.
517EUELPIDES: By Demeter, the point is well taken. But what are all these birds doing in heaven?
518PISTHETAERUS: When anyone sacrifices and, according to the rite, offers the entrails to the gods, these birds take their share before Zeus.
520Formerly men always swore by the birds and never by the gods. And even now Lampon swears by the goose whenever he wishes to deceive someone. Thus it is clear that you were once great and sacred,
523PISTHETAERUS: but now you are looked upon as slaves, as fools, as Maneses; stones
525are thrown at you as at raving madmen, even in holy places. A crowd of bird-catchers sets snares, traps, limed twigs and nets of all sorts for you; you are caught, you are sold in heaps
530and the buyers finger you over to be certain you are fat. Again, if they would but serve you up simply roasted; but they rasp cheese into a mixture of oil, vinegar and laserwort,
535to which another sweet and greasy sauce is added, and the whole is poured scalding hot over your back, for all the world as if you were diseased meat.
539CHORUS: Man, your words have
540made my heart bleed; I have groaned over the treachery of our fathers, who knew not how to transmit to us the high rank they held from their forefathers. But 'tis a benevolent Genius, a happy Fate, that sends you to us;
545you shall be our deliverer and I place the destiny of my little ones and my own in your hands with every confidence.
Part 15
548LEADER OF THE CHORUS: But hasten to tell me what must be done; we should not be worthy to live, if we did not seek to regain our royalty by every possible means.
550PISTHETAERUS: First I advise that the birds gather together in one city and that they build a wall of great bricks, like that at Babylon, round the plains of the air and the whole region of space that divides earth from heaven.
553EPOPS: Oh, Cebriones! oh, Porphyrion! what a terribly strong place!
554PISTHETAERUS: Then, when this has been well done and completed, you demand back the empire from Zeus;
555if he will not agree, if he refuses and does not at once confess himself beaten, you declare a sacred war against him and forbid the gods henceforward to pass through your country with their tools up, as hitherto, for the purpose of laying their Alcmenas, their Alopes, or their Semeles! if they try to pass through,
560you put rings on their tools so that they can't make love any longer. You send another messenger to mankind, who will proclaim to them that the birds are kings, that for the future they must first of all sacrifice to them, and only afterwards to the gods; that it is fitting to appoint to each deity the bird that has most in common with it.
565For instance, are they sacrificing to Aphrodite, let them at the same time offer barley to the coot; are they immolating a sheep to Poseidon, let them consecrate wheat in honor of the duck; if a steer is being offered to Heracles, let honey-cakes be dedicated to the gull; if a goat is being slain for King Zeus, there is a King-Bird, the wren, to whom the sacrifice of a male gnat is due before Zeus himself even.
570EUELPIDES: This notion of an immolated gnat delights me! And now let the great Zeus thunder!
571LEADER OF THE CHORUS: But how will mankind recognize us as gods and not as jays? Us, who have wings and fly?
572bPISTHETAERUS: You talk rubbish! Hermes is a god and has wings and flies, and so do many other gods. First of all, Victory flies with golden wings, Eros is undoubtedly winged too,
575and Iris is compared by Homer to a timorous dove.
576EUELPIDES: But will not Zeus thunder and send his winged bolts against us?
577PISTHETAERUS: If men in their blindness do not recognize us as gods and so continue to worship the dwellers in Olympus? Then a cloud of sparrows greedy for corn must descend upon their fields and eat up all their seeds;
580we shall see then if Demeter will mete them out any wheat.
581EUELPIDES: By Zeus, she'll take good care she does not, and you will see her inventing a thousand excuses.
582PISTHETAERUS: The crows too will prove your divinity to them by pecking out the eyes of their flocks and of their draught-oxen; and then let Apollo cure them, since he is a physician and is paid for the purpose.
585EUELPIDES: Oh! don't do that! Wait first until I have sold my two young bullocks.
586PISTHETAERUS: If on the other hand they recognize that you are God, the principle of life, that you are Earth, Kronos, Poseidon, they shall be loaded with benefits.
587bEPOPS: Name me one of these then.
588PISTHETAERUS: Firstly, the locusts shall not eat up their vine-blossoms; a legion of owls and kestrels will devour them.
590Moreover, the gnats and the gallbugs shall no longer ravage the figs; a flock of thrushes shall swallow the whole host down to the very last.
592EPOPS: And how shall we give wealth to mankind? This is their strongest passion.
593PISTHETAERUS: When they consult the omens, you will point them to the richest mines, you will reveal the paying ventures to the diviner,
595and not another shipwreck will happen or sailor perish.
595bEPOPS: No more shall perish? How is that?
596PISTHETAERUS: When the auguries are examined before starting on a voyage, some bird will not fail to say, Don't start! there will be a storm, or else, Go! you will make a most profitable venture.
598EUELPIDES: I shall buy a trading-vessel and go to sea. I will not stay with you.
Part 16
599PISTHETAERUS: You will discover treasures to them, which were buried in former times,
600for you know them. Do not all men say, None knows where my treasure lies, unless perchance it be some bird.
602EUELPIDES: I shall sell my boat and buy a spade to unearth the vessels.
603LEADER OF THE CHORUS: And how are we to give them health, which belongs to the gods?
604PISTHETAERUS: If they are happy, is not that the chief thing towards health?
605The miserable man is never well.
606LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Old Age also dwells in Olympus. How will they get at it? Must they die in early youth?
607bPISTHETAERUS: Why, the birds, by Zeus,
608will add three hundred years to their life.
608bLEADER OF THE CHORUS: From whom will they take them?
608cPISTHETAERUS: From whom? Why, from themselves. Don't you know the cawing crow lives five times as long as a man?
610EUELPIDES: Ah! ah! these are far better kings for us than Zeus!
611PISTHETAERUS: Far better, are they not? And firstly, we shall not have to build them temples of hewn stone, closed with gates of gold;
615they will dwell amongst the bushes and in the thickets of green oak; the most venerated of birds will have no other temple than the foliage of the olive tree; we shall not go to Delphi or to Ammon
620to sacrifice; but standing erect in the midst of arbutus and wild olives and holding forth our hands filled with wheat and barley, we shall pray them to admit us to a share of the blessings they enjoy
625and shall at once obtain them for a few grains of wheat.
627LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Old man, whom I detested, you are now to me the dearest of all; never shall I, if I can help it, fail to follow your advice.
629CHORUS: Inspirited by your words,
630I threaten my rivals the gods, and I swear that if you march in alliance with me against the gods and are faithful to our just, loyal and sacred bond, we shall soon have shattered their scepter.
637LEADER OF THE CHORUS: We shall charge ourselves with the performance of everything that requires force; that which demands thought and deliberation shall be yours to supply.
639EPOPS: By Zeus! it's no longer
640the time to delay and loiter like Nicias; let us act as promptly as possible.... In the first place, come, enter my nest built of brushwood and blades of straw, and tell me your names.
643bPISTHETAERUS: That is soon done; my name is Pisthetaerus, and his,
645Euelpides, of the deme Crioa.
645bEPOPS: Good! and good luck to you.
646bPISTHETAERUS: We accept the omen.
646cEPOPS: Come in here.
647PISTHETAERUS: Very well, you are the one who must lead us and introduce us.
647bEPOPS: Come then.
Part 17
648PISTHETAERUS: Oh! my god! do come back here. Hi! tell us how
650we are to follow you. You can fly, but we cannot.
651EPOPS: Well, well.
651bPISTHETAERUS: Remember Aesop's fables. It is told there that the fox fared very badly, because he had made an alliance with the eagle.
654EPOPS: Be at ease. You shall eat a certain root
655and wings will grow on your shoulders.
656PISTHETAERUS: Then let us enter. Xanthias and Manodorus, pick up our baggage.
658LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Hi! Epops! do you hear me?
658bEPOPS: What's the matter?
658cLEADER OF THE CHORUS: Take them off to dine well and call your mate, the melodious Procne, whose songs are worthy of the Muses;
660she will delight our leisure moments.
661PISTHETAERUS: Oh! I conjure you, accede to their wish; for this delightful bird will leave her rushes at the sound of your voice;
663for the sake of the gods, let her come here, so that we may contemplate the nightingale.
665EPOPS: Let it be as you desire. Come forth, Procne, show yourself to these strangers.
667PISTHETAERUS: Oh! great Zeus! what a beautiful little bird! what a dainty form! what brilliant plumage!
668bDo you know how dearly I should like to get between her thighs?
670EUELPIDES: She is dazzling all over with gold, like a young girl.
671Oh! how I should like to kiss her!
672PISTHETAERUS: Why, wretched man, she has two little sharp points on her beak!
673EUELPIDES: I would treat her like an egg, the shell of which we remove before eating it; I would take off her mask and then kiss her pretty face.
675EPOPS: Let us go in.
675bPISTHETAERUS: Lead the way, and may success attend us. Epops goes into the thicket, followed by Pisthetaerus and Euelpides.
676CHORUS: Lovable golden bird, whom I cherish above all others, you, whom I associate with all my songs, nightingale,
680you have come, you have come, to show yourself to me and to charm me with your notes. Come, you, who play spring melodies upon the harmonious flute, lead off our anapests.
685LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Weak mortals, chained to the earth, creatures of clay as frail as the foliage of the woods, you unfortunate race, whose life is but darkness, as unreal as a shadow, the illusion of a dream, hearken to us, who are immortal beings, ethereal, ever young and occupied with eternal thoughts, for we shall teach you about all celestial matters;
690you shall know thoroughly what is the nature of the birds, what the origin of the gods, of the rivers, of Erebus, and Chaos; thanks to us, even Prodicus will envy you your knowledge.
693At the beginning there was only Chaos, Night, dark Erebus, and deep Tartarus. Earth, the air and heaven had no existence.
695Firstly, blackwinged Night laid a germless egg in the bosom of the infinite deeps of Erebus, and from this, after the revolution of long ages, sprang the graceful Eros with his glittering golden wings, swift as the whirlwinds of the tempest. He mated in deep Tartarus with dark Chaos, winged like himself, and thus hatched forth our race, which was the first to see the light.
700That of the Immortals did not exist until Eros had brought together all the ingredients of the world, and from their marriage Heaven, Ocean, Earth and the imperishable race of blessed gods sprang into being. Thus our origin is very much older than that of the dwellers in Olympus. We are the offspring of Eros; there are a thousand proofs to show it. We have wings and we lend assistance to lovers.
705How many handsome youths, who had sworn to remain insensible, have opened their thighs because of our power and have yielded themselves to their lovers when almost at the end of their youth, being led away by the gift of a quail, a waterfowl, a goose, or a cock.
708CHORUS: And what important services do not the birds render to mortals! First of all, they mark the seasons for them, springtime, winter, and autumn.
710Does the screaming crane migrate to Libya, —it warns the husbandman to sow, the pilot to take his ease beside his tiller hung up in his dwelling, and Orestes to weave a tunic, so that the rigorous cold may not drive him any more to strip other folk. When the kite reappears, he tells of the return of spring and of the period when the fleece of the sheep must be clipped. Is the swallow in sight?
715All hasten to sell their warm tunic and to buy some light clothing. We are your Ammon, Delphi, Dodona, your Phoebus Apollo. Before undertaking anything, whether a business transaction, a marriage, or the purchase of food, you consult the birds by reading the omens, and you give this name of omen to all signs that tell of the future.
720With you a word is an omen, you call a sneeze an omen, a meeting an omen, an unknown sound an omen, a slave or an ass an omen. Is it not clear that we are a prophetic Apollo to you?
723CHORUS: If you recognize us as gods, we shall be your divining Muses, through us you will know the winds and the seasons, summer,
725winter, and the temperate months. We shall not withdraw ourselves to the highest clouds like Zeus, but shall be among you and shall give to you
730and to your children and the children of your children, health and wealth, long life, peace, youth, laughter, songs and feasts; in short, you will all be so well off,
735that you will be weary and cloyed with enjoyment.
Part 18
737FIRST SEMI-CHORUS: Oh, rustic Muse of such varied note, tiotiotiotiotiotinx, I sing with you
740in the groves and on the mountain tops, tiotiotiotinx. I poured forth sacred strains from my golden throat
745in honor of the god Pan, tiotiotiotinx, from the top of the thickly leaved ash, and my voice mingles with the mighty choirs who extol Cybele on the mountain tops, totototototototototinx. 'Tis to our concerts that Phrynichus comes to pillage like a bee the ambrosia of his songs,
750the sweetness of which so charms the ear, tiotiotiotinx.
752LEADER OF FIRST SEMI-CHORUS: If there is one of you spectators who wishes to spend the rest of his life quietly among the birds, let him come to us.
755All that is disgraceful and forbidden by law on earth is on the contrary honorable among us, the birds. For instance, among you it's a crime to beat your father, but with us it's an estimable deed; it's considered fine to run straight at your father and hit him, saying, Come, lift your spur if you want to fight.
760The runaway slave, whom you brand, is only a spotted francolin with us. Are you Phrygian like Spintharus? Among us you would be the Phrygian bird, the goldfinch, of the race of Philemon. Are you a slave and a Carian like Execestides?
765Among us you can create yourself forefathers; you can always find relations. Does the son of Pisias want to betray the gates of the city to the foe? Let him become a partridge, the fitting offspring of his father; among us there is no shame in escaping as cleverly as a partridge.
769SECOND SEMI-CHORUS: So the swans on the banks of the Hebrus,
770tiotiotiotiotiotinx, mingle their voices to serenade Apollo, tiotiotiotinx, flapping their wings the while,
775tiotiotiotinx; their notes reach beyond the clouds of heaven; they startle the various tribes of the beasts; a windless sky calms the waves, totototototototototinx;
780all Olympus resounds, and astonishment seizes its rulers; the Olympian graces and Muses cry aloud the strain, tiotiotiotinx.
785LEADER OF SECOND SEMI-CHORUS: There is nothing more useful nor more pleasant than to have wings. To begin with, just let us suppose a spectator to be dying with hunger and to be weary of the choruses of the tragic poets; if he were winged, he would fly off, go home to dine and come back with his stomach filled.
790Some Patroclides, needing to take a crap, would not have to spill it out on his cloak, but could fly off, satisfy his requirements, let a few farts and, having recovered his breath, return. If one of you, it matters not who, had adulterous relations and saw the husband of his mistress in the seats of the senators,
795he might stretch his wings, fly to her, and, having laid her, resume his place. Is it not the most priceless gift of all, to be winged? Look at Diitrephes! His wings were only wicker-work ones, and yet he got himself chosen Phylarch and then Hipparch; from being nobody,
800he has risen to be famous; he's now the finest gilded cock of his tribe.
801PISTHETAERUS: Halloa! What's this? By Zeus! I never saw anything so funny in all my life.
803EUELPIDES: What makes you laugh?
803bPISTHETAERUS: Your little wings. D'you know what you look like?
805Like a goose painted by some dauber.
806EUELPIDES: And you look like a close-shaven blackbird.
807PISTHETAERUS: We ourselves asked for this transformation, and, as Aeschylus has it, These are no borrowed feathers, but truly our own.
809EPOPS: Come now, what must be done?
809bPISTHETAERUS: First give our city
810a great and famous name, then sacrifice to the gods.
811bEUELPIDES: I think so too.
812LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Let's see. What shall our city be called?
813PISTHETAERUS: Will you have a high-sounding Laconian name? Shall we call it Sparta?
814bEUELPIDES: What!
815call my town Sparta? Why, I would not use esparto for my bed, even though I had nothing but bands of rushes.
817PISTHETAERUS: Well then, what name can you suggest?
817bEUELPIDES: Some name borrowed from the clouds, from these lofty regions in which we dwell —in short, some well-known name.
819bPISTHETAERUS: Do you like Nephelococcygia?
820LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Oh! capital!
820atruly that's a brilliant thought!
821EUELPIDES: Is it in Nephelococcygia that all the wealth of Theogenes and most of Aeschines' is?
Part 19
823PISTHETAERUS: No, it's rather the plain of Phlegra, where the gods
825withered the pride of the sons of the Earth with their shafts.
826LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Oh! what a splendid city! But what god shall be its patron? for whom shall we weave the peplus?
828EUELPIDES: Why not choose Athena Polias?
829PISTHETAERUS: Oh! what a well-ordered town it would be
830to have a female deity armed from head to foot, while Clisthenes was spinning!
832LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Who then shall guard the Pelargicon?
832aPISTHETAERUS: A bird
832aaLEADER OF THE CHORUS: One of us? What kind of bird?
833PISTHETAERUS: A bird of Persian strain, who is everywhere proclaimed to be the bravest of all,
835a true chick of Ares.
835bEUELPIDES: Oh! noble chick!
837PISTHETAERUS: Because he is a god well suited to live on the rocks. Come! into the air with you to help the workers who are building the wall; carry up rubble, strip yourself to mix the mortar,
840take up the hod, tumble down the ladder, if you like, post sentinels, keep the fire smouldering beneath the ashes, go round the walls, bell in hand, and go to sleep up there yourself; then despatch two heralds, one to the gods above, the other to mankind on earth
845and come back here.
845bEUELPIDES: As for yourself, remain here, and may the plague take you for a troublesome fellow! He departs.
846bPISTHETAERUS: Go, friend, go where I send you, for without you my orders cannot be obeyed. For myself, I want to sacrifice to the new god, and I am going to summon the priest who must preside at the ceremony.
850Slaves! slaves! bring forward the basket and the lustral water.
851CHORUS: I do as you do, and I wish as you wish, and I implore you to address powerful and solemn prayers to the gods, and in addition
855to immolate a sheep as a token of our gratitude. Let us sing the Pythian chant in honor of the god, and let Chaeris accompany our voices.
859PISTHETAERUS: Enough! but, by Heracles! what is this?
860Great gods! I have seen many prodigious things, but I never saw a muzzled raven. The Priest arrives. Priest! it's high time! Sacrifice to the new gods.
864PRIEST: I begin, but where is the man with the basket? Pray to the Hestia of the birds, to the kite, who presides over the hearth, and to all the god and goddess-birds who dwell in Olympus . . .
866PISTHETAERUS: Oh! Hawk, the sacred guardian of Sunium, oh, god of the storks!
867PRIEST: . . . to the swan of Delos, to Leto the mother of the quails, and to Artemis, the goldfinch . . .
868PISTHETAERUS: It's no longer Artemis Colaenis, but Artemis the goldfinch.
876PRIEST: . . . to Bacchus, the finch and Cybele, the ostrich and mother of the gods and mankind. . .
877PISTHETAERUS: Oh! sovereign ostrich Cybele, mother of Cleocritus!
Part 20
878PRIEST: . . . to grant health and safety to the Nephelococcygians as well as to the dwellers in Chios . . .
880PISTHETAERUS: The dwellers in Chios! Ah! I am delighted they should be thus mentioned on all occasions.
881PRIEST: . . . to the heroes, the birds, to the sons of heroes, to the porphyrion, the pelican, the spoon-bill, the redbreast, the grouse, the peacock, the horned-owl, the teal, the bittern, the heron, the stormy petrel, the fig-pecker, the titmouse . . .
889PISTHETAERUS: Stop! stop! you drive me crazy with your endless list. Why, wretch,
890to what sacred feast are you inviting the vultures and the sea-eagles? Don't you see that a single kite could easily carry off the lot at once? Begone, you and your fillets and all; I shall know how to complete the sacrifice by myself.
895CHORUS: It is imperative that I sing another sacred chant for the rite of the lustral water, and that I invoke
900the immortals, or at least one of them, provided always that you have some suitable food to offer him; from what I see here, in the shape of gifts, there is naught whatever but horn and hair.
903PISTHETAERUS: Let us address our sacrifices and our prayers to the winged gods.
904POET: Oh, Muse! celebrate happy Nephelococcygia in your hymns.
906PISTHETAERUS: What have we here? Where did you come from, tell me? Who are you?
907POET: I am he whose language is sweeter than honey, the zealous slave of the Muses,
910as Homer has it.
911PISTHETAERUS: You a slave! and yet you wear your hair long?
912POET: No, but the fact is all we poets are the assiduous slaves of the Muses, according to Homer.
915PISTHETAERUS: In truth your little cloak is quite holy too through zeal! But, poet, what ill wind drove you here?
917POET: I have composed verses in honor of your Nephelococcygia, a host of splendid dithyrambs and parthenia worthy of Simonides himself.
920PISTHETAERUS: And when did you compose them? How long since?
921POET: Oh! 'tis long, aye, very long, that I have sung in honor of this city.
922PISTHETAERUS: But I am only celebrating its foundation with this sacrifice; I have only just named it, as is done with little babies.
924POET: Just as the chargers fly with the speed of the wind, so does the voice of the Muses take its flight. Oh! thou noble founder of the town of Aetna thou, whose name recalls the holy sacrifices,
930make us such gift as thy generous heart shall suggest. He puts out his hand.
931PISTHETAERUS: He will drive us silly if we do not get rid of him by some present. To the Priest's acolyte. Here! you, who have a fur as well as your tunic, take it off and give it to this clever poet. Come,
935take this fur; you look to me to be shivering with cold.
936POET: My Muse will gladly accept this gift; but engrave these verses of Pindar's on your mind.
940PISTHETAERUS: Oh! what a pest! It's impossible then to get rid of him!
Part 21
941POET: Straton wanders among the Scythian nomads, but has no linen garment. He is sad at only wearing an animal's pelt and no tunic.
945Do you get what I mean?
946PISTHETAERUS: I understand that you want me to offer you a tunic. Hi! you To the acolyte. take off yours; we must help the poet. . . . Come, you, take it and get out.
948bPOET: I am going, and these are the verses that I address to this city:
950Phoebus of the golden throne, celebrate this shivery, freezing city; I have travelled through fruitful and snow-covered plains. Tralala! Tralala! He departs.
952PISTHETAERUS: What are you chanting us
955about frosts? Thanks to the tunic, you no longer fear them. Ah! by Zeus! I could not have believed this cursed fellow could so soon have learnt the way to our city. To a slave. Come, take the lustral water and circle the altar. Let all keep silence!
959bORACLE-MONGER: Let not the goat be sacrificed.
960PISTHETAERUS: Who are you?
960bORACLE-MONGER: Who am I? An oracle-monger.
960cPISTHETAERUS: Get out!
961ORACLE-MONGER: Wretched man, insult not sacred things. For there is an oracle of Bacis, which exactly applies to Nephelococcygia.
963bPISTHETAERUS: Why did you not reveal it to me before
965I founded my city?
965bORACLE-MONGER: The divine spirit was against it.
966PISTHETAERUS: Well, I suppose there's nothing to do but hear the terms of the oracle.
967ORACLE-MONGER: But when the wolves and the white crows shall dwell together between Corinth and Sicyon ...
969PISTHETAERUS: But how do the Corinthians concern me?
970ORACLE-MONGER: It is the regions of the air that Bacis indicates in this manner. They must first sacrifice a white-fleeced goat to Pandora, and give the prophet who first reveals my words a good cloak and new sandals.
974PISTHETAERUS: Does it say sandals there?
974bORACLE-MONGER: Look at the book.
975And besides this a goblet of wine and a good share of the entrails of the victim.
976PISTHETAERUS: Of the entrails —does it say that?
976bORACLE-MONGER: Look at the book. If you do as I command, divine youth, you shall be an eagle among the clouds; if not, you shall be neither turtle-dove, nor eagle, nor woodpecker.
980PISTHETAERUS: Does it say all that?
Part 22
980bORACLE-MONGER: Look at the book.
981PISTHETAERUS: This oracle in no sort of way resembles the one Apollo dictated to me: If an impostor comes without invitation to annoy you during the sacrifice and to demand a share of the victim,
985apply a stout stick to his ribs.
986ORACLE-MONGER: You are drivelling.
986bPISTHETAERUS: Look at the book. And don't spare him, were he an eagle from out of the clouds, were it Lampon himself or the great Diopithes.
989ORACLE-MONGER: Does it say that?
989bPISTHETAERUS: Look at the book
990and go and hang yourself.
990bORACLE-MONGER: Oh! unfortunate wretch that I am. He departs.
991PISTHETAERUS: Away with you, and take your prophecies elsewhere.
992METON: I have come to you . . .
992bPISTHETAERUS: Yet another pest! What have you come to do? What's your plan? What's the purpose of your journey? Why these splendid buskins?
995METON: I want to survey the plains of the air for you and to parcel them into lots.
996bPISTHETAERUS: In the name of the gods, who are you?
997bMETON: Who am I? Meton, known throughout Greece and at Colonus.
998bPISTHETAERUS: What are these things?
999bMETON: Tools for measuring the air.
1000In truth, the spaces in the air have precisely the form of a furnace. With this bent ruler I draw a line from top to bottom; from one of its points I describe a circle with the compass. Do you understand?
1004PISTHETAERUS: Not in the least.
1004bMETON: With the straight ruler I set to work to inscribe
1005a square within this circle; in its center will be the market-place, into which all the straight streets will lead, converging to this center like a star, which, although only orbicular, sends forth its rays in a straight line from all sides.
1009bPISTHETAERUS: A regular Thales!
1010Meton . . .
1010bMETON: What d'you want with me?
1010cPISTHETAERUS: I want to give you a proof of my friendship. Use your legs.
Part 23
1012METON: Why, what have I to fear?
1012bPISTHETAERUS: It's the same here as in Sparta. Strangers are driven away, and blows rain down as thick as hail.
1014bMETON: Is there sedition in your city?
1015PISTHETAERUS: No, certainly not.
1015bMETON: What's wrong then?
1015cPISTHETAERUS: We are agreed to sweep all quacks and impostors far from our borders.
1017METON: Then I'll be going.
1017bPISTHETAERUS: I'm afraid it's too late. The thunder growls already.
1019METON: Oh, woe! oh, woe!
1019bPISTHETAERUS: I warned you.
1020Now, be off, and do your surveying somewhere else.
1021INSPECTOR: Where are the Proxeni?
1021bPISTHETAERUS: Who is this Sardanapalus?
1022INSPECTOR: I have been appointed by lot to come to Nephelococcygia as inspector.
1023bPISTHETAERUS: An inspector! and who sends you here, you rascal?
1024bINSPECTOR: A decree of Teleas.
1025bPISTHETAERUS: Will you just pocket your salary, do nothing, and get out?
1026bINSPECTOR: Indeed I will; I am urgently needed to be at Athens to attend the Assembly; for I am charged with the interests of Pharnaces.
1029PISTHETAERUS: Take it then, and get on your way. This is your salary. He beats him.
1030INSPECTOR: What does this mean?
1030bPISTHETAERUS: This is the assembly where you have to defend Pharnaces.
Part 24
1031INSPECTOR: You shall testify that they dare to strike me, the inspector.
1032PISTHETAERUS: Are you not going to get out with your urns? It's not to be believed; they send us inspectors before we have so much as paid sacrifice to the gods.
1035DEALER IN DECREES: If the Nephelococcygian does wrong to the Athenian ...
1036PISTHETAERUS: What trouble now? What book is that?
1037DEALER IN DECREES: I am a dealer in decrees, and I have come here to sell you the new laws.
1038bPISTHETAERUS: Which?
1040DEALER IN DECREES: The Nephelococcygians shall adopt the same weights, measures and decrees as the Olophyxians.
1042PISTHETAERUS: And you shall soon be imitating the Ototyxians.
1043DEALER IN DECREES: Ow! what are you doing?
1044PISTHETAERUS: Now will you get out of here with your decrees? For I am going to let you see some severe ones.
1046INSPECTOR: I summon Pisthetaerus for outrage for the month of Munychion.
1047PISTHETAERUS: Ha! my friend! are you still here?
1050DEALER IN DECREES: Should anyone drive away the magistrates and not receive them, according to the decree duly posted ...
1052PISTHETAERUS: What! rascal! you are back too?
1052aINSPECTOR: Woe to you! I'll have you condemned to a fine of ten thousand drachmae.
1053PISTHETAERUS: And I'll smash your urns.
1054INSPECTOR: Do you recall that evening when you crapped on the column where the decrees are posted?
1055PISTHETAERUS: Here! here! let him be seized. The Inspector runs off. Why, don't you want to stay any longer? But let us get indoors as quick as possible; we will sacrifice the goat inside.
1058FIRST SEMI-CHORUS: Henceforth it is to me that mortals must address
1060their sacrifices and their prayers. Nothing escapes my sight nor my might. My glance embraces the universe, I preserve the fruit in the flower by destroying the thousand kinds of voracious insects the soil produces, which attack the trees
1065and feed on the germ when it has scarcely formed in the calyx; I destroy those who ravage the balmy terrace gardens like a deadly plague;
1070all these gnawing crawling creatures perish beneath the lash of my wing.
1072LEADER OF FIRST SEMI-CHORUS: I hear it proclaimed: A talent for him who shall kill Diagoras of Melos,
1075and a talent for him who destroys one of the dead tyrants. We likewise wish to make our proclamation: A talent to him among you who shall kill Philocrates, the Struthian; four, if he brings him to us alive. For this Philocrates skewers the finches together and sells them at the rate of an obolus for seven.
1080He tortures the thrushes by blowing them out, so that they may look bigger, sticks their own feathers into the nostrils of blackbirds, and collects pigeons, which he shuts up and forces them, fastened in a net, to decoy others. That is what we wish to proclaim. And if anyone is keeping birds
1085shut up in his yard, let him hasten to let them loose; those who disobey shall be seized by the birds and we shall put them in chains, so that in their turn they may decoy other men.
Part 25
1088SECOND SEMI-CHORUS: Happy indeed is the race of winged birds who
1090need no cloak in winter! Neither do I fear the relentless rays of the fiery dog-days;
1095when the divine grasshopper, intoxicated with the sunlight, as noon is burning the ground, is breaking out into shrill melody; my home is beneath the foliage in the flowery meadows. I winter in deep caverns, where I frolic with the mountain nymphs, while in spring I despoil
1100the gardens of the Graces and gather the white, virgin berry on the myrtle bushes.
1102LEADER OF SECOND SEMI-CHORUS: I want now to speak to the judges about the prize they are going to award; if they are favourable to us, we will load them with benefits far greater than those Paris received.
1105Firstly, the owls of Laurium, which every judge desires above all things, shall never be wanting to you; you shall see them homing with you, building their nests in your money-bags and laying coins. Besides, you shall be housed like the gods,
1110for we shall erect gables over your dwellings; if you hold some public post and want to do a little pilfering, we will give you the sharp claws of a hawk. Are you dining in town, we will provide you with stomachs as capacious as a bird's crop. But, if your award is against us, don't fail to have metal covers fashioned for yourselves,
1115like those they place over statues; else, look out! for the day you wear a white tunic all the birds will soil it with their droppings.
1118PISTHETAERUS: Birds! the sacrifice is propitious. But I see
1120no messenger coming from the wall to tell us what is happening. Ah! here comes one running himself out of breath as though he were in the Olympic stadium.
1122MESSENGER: Where, where, where is he? Where, where, where is he? Where, where, where is he? Where is Pisthetaerus, our leader?
1123bPISTHETAERUS: Here am I.
1124MESSENGER: The wall is finished.
1124bPISTHETAERUS: That's good news.
1125MESSENGER: It's a most beautiful, a most magnificent work of art. The wall is so broad that Proxenides, the Braggartian, and Theogenes could pass each other in their chariots, even if they were drawn by steeds as big as the Trojan horse.
1129bPISTHETAERUS: That's fine!
1130MESSENGER: Its length is one hundred stadia; I measured it myself.
1131bPISTHETAERUS: A decent length, by Poseidon! And who built such a wall?
1133MESSENGER: Birds —birds only; they had neither Egyptian brickmaker, nor stonemason, nor carpenter;
1135the birds did it all themselves; I could hardly believe my eyes. Thirty thousand cranes came from Libya with a supply of stones, intended for the foundations. The water-rails chiselled them with their beaks. Ten thousand storks were busy making bricks;
1140plovers and other water fowl carried water into the air.
1142PISTHETAERUS: And who carried the mortar?
1142bMESSENGER: Herons, in hods.
1143bPISTHETAERUS: But how could they put the mortar into the hods?
1144MESSENGER: Oh! it was a truly clever invention;
1145the geese used their feet like spades; they buried them in the pile of mortar and then emptied them into the hods.
1147PISTHETAERUS: Ah! to what use cannot feet be put?
1148MESSENGER: You should have seen how eagerly the ducks carried bricks. To complete the tale,
1150the swallows came flying to the work, their beaks full of mortar and their trowels on their backs, just the way little children are carried.
1152PISTHETAERUS: Who would want paid servants after this? But tell me, who did the woodwork?
1154bMESSENGER: Birds again,
1155and clever carpenters too, the pelicans, for they squared up the gates with their beaks in such a fashion that one would have thought they were using axes; the noise was just like a dockyard. Now the whole wall is tight everywhere, securely bolted and well guarded;
1160it is patrolled, bell in hand; the sentinels stand everywhere and beacons burn on the towers. But I must run off to clean myself; the rest is your business.
Part 26
1164LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Well! what do you say to it? Are you not astonished
1165at the wall being completed so quickly?
1166PISTHETAERUS: By the gods, yes, and with good reason. It's really not to be believed. But here comes another messenger from the wall to bring us some further news! What a fighting look he has!
1170SECOND MESSENGER: Alas! alas! alas! alas! alas! alas!
1171PISTHETAERUS: What's the matter?
1171bSECOND MESSENGER: A horrible outrage has occurred; a god sent by Zeus has passed through our gates and has penetrated the realms of the air without the knowledge of the jays, who are on guard in the daytime.
1175PISTHETAERUS: It's a terrible and criminal deed. What god was it?
1176bSECOND MESSENGER: We don't know that. All we know is, that he has got wings.
1177bPISTHETAERUS: Why were not patrolmen sent against him at once?
1178bSECOND MESSENGER: We have despatched thirty thousand hawks of the legion of Mounted Archers.
1180All the hook-clawed birds are moving against him, the kestrel, the buzzard, the vulture, the great-horned owl; they cleave the air so that it resounds with the flapping of their wings; they are looking everywhere for the god, who cannot be far away; indeed, if I mistake not,
1185he is coming from yonder side.
1185bPISTHETAERUS: To arms, all, with slings and bows! This way, all our soldiers; shoot and strike! Some one give me a sling!
1189CHORUS: War, a terrible war is breaking out
1190between us and the gods! Come, let each one guard Air, the son of Erebus, in which the clouds float.
1195Take care no immortal enters it without your knowledge.
1196LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Scan all sides with your glance. Hark! methinks I can hear the rustle of the swift wings of a god from heaven.
1199PISTHETAERUS: Hi! you woman! where, where, where are you flying to? Halt, don't stir!
1200keep motionless! not a beat of your wing! She pauses in her flight. Who are you and from what country? You must say whence you come.
1202IRIS: I come from the abode of the Olympian gods.
1203PISTHETAERUS: What's your name, ship or head-dress?
1204IRIS: I am swift Iris.
1204bPISTHETAERUS: Paralus or Salaminia?
1205IRIS: What do you mean?
1205bPISTHETAERUS: Let a buzzard rush at her and seize her.
1206bIRIS: Seize me? But what do all these insults mean?
Part 27
1207bPISTHETAERUS: Woe to you!
1208IRIS: I do not understand it.
1208bPISTHETAERUS: By which gate did you pass through the wall, wretched woman?
1210IRIS: By which gate? Why, great gods, I don't know.
1211PISTHETAERUS: You hear how she holds us in derision. Did you present yourself to the officers in command of the jays? You don't answer. Have you a permit, bearing the seal of the storks?
1213bIRIS: Am I dreaming?
1214PISTHETAERUS: Did you get one?
1214bIRIS: Are you mad?
1214cPISTHETAERUS: No
1215head-bird gave you a safe-conduct?
1216IRIS: A safe-conduct to me. You poor fool!
1217PISTHETAERUS: Ah! and so you slipped into this city on the sly and into these realms of air-land that don't belong to you.
1219IRIS: And what other roads can the gods travel?
1220PISTHETAERUS: By Zeus! I know nothing about that, not I. But they won't pass this way. And you still dare to complain? Why, if you were treated according to your deserts, no Iris would ever have more justly suffered death.
1224IRIS: I am immortal.
1224bPISTHETAERUS: You would have died nevertheless. —
1225Oh! that would be truly intolerable! What! should the universe obey us and the gods alone continue their insolence and not understand that they must submit to the law of the strongest in their due turn? But tell me, where are you flying to?
1230IRIS: I? The messenger of Zeus to mankind, I am going to tell them to sacrifice sheep and oxen on the altars and to fill their streets with the rich smoke of burning fat.
1233bPISTHETAERUS: Of which gods are you speaking?
1234IRIS: Of which? Why, of ourselves, the gods of heaven.
1235PISTHETAERUS: You, gods?
1235bIRIS: Are there others then?
Part 28
1236PISTHETAERUS: Men now adore the birds as gods, and it's to them, by Zeus, that they must offer sacrifices, and not to Zeus at all!
1238IRIS: Oh! fool! fool! Rouse not
1240the wrath of the gods, for it is terrible indeed. Armed with the brand of Zeus, Justice would annihilate your race; the lightning would strike you as it did Licymnius and consume both your body and the porticos of your palace.
1243PISTHETAERUS: Here! that's enough tall talk. Just you listen and keep quiet! Do you take me for a Lydian or a Phrygian
1245and think to frighten me with your big words? Know, that if Zeus worries me again, I shall go at the head of my eagles, who are armed with lightning, and reduce his dwelling and that of Amphion to cinders. I shall send more than six hundred porphyrions
1250clothed in leopards' skins up to heaven against him; and formerly a single Porphyrion gave him enough to do. As for you, his messenger, if you annoy me, I shall begin by getting between your thighs,
1255and even though you are Iris, you will be surprised at the erection the old man can produce; it's three times as good as the ram on a ship's prow!
1257IRIS: May you perish, you wretch, you and your infamous words!
1258PISTHETAERUS: Won't you get out of here quickly? Come, stretch your wings or look out for squalls!
1259IRIS: If my father does not punish you for your insults ...
1260PISTHETAERUS: Ha! ... but just you be off elsewhere to roast younger folk than us with your lightning.
1263CHORUS: We forbid the gods, the sons of Zeus, to pass through our city
1265and the mortals to send them the smoke of their sacrifices by this road.
1269PISTHETAERUS: It's odd that the messenger
1270we sent to the mortals has never returned.
1271HERALD: Oh! blessed Pisthetaerus, very wise, very illustrious, very gracious, thrice happy, very ... Come, prompt me, somebody, do
1273bPISTHETAERUS: Get to your story!
1274HERALD: All peoples are filled with admiration for your wisdom, and they award you this golden crown.
1276PISTHETAERUS: I accept it. But tell me, why do the people admire me?
1277HERALD: Oh you, who have founded so illustrious a city in the air, you know not in what esteem men hold you and how many there are who burn with desire to dwell in it.
1280Before your city was built, all men had a mania for Sparta; long hair and fasting were held in honor, men went dirty like Socrates and carried staves. Now all is changed.
1285Firstly, as soon as it's dawn, they all spring out of bed together to go and seek their food, the same as you do; then they fly off towards the notices and finally devour the decrees.
1290The bird-madness is so clear that many actually bear the names of birds. There is a halting victualler, who styles himself the partridge; Menippus calls himself the swallow; Opuntius the one-eyed crow;
1295Philocles the lark; Theogenes the fox-goose; Lycurgus the ibis; Chaerephon the bat; Syracosius the magpie; Midias the quail; indeed he looks like a quail that has been hit hard on the head.
1300Out of love for the birds they repeat all the songs which concern the swallow, the teal, the goose or the pigeon; in each verse you see wings, or at all events a few feathers. This is what is happening down there.
1305Finally, there are more than ten thousand folk who are coming here from earth to ask you for feathers and hooked claws; so, mind you supply yourself with wings for the immigrants.
1308PISTHETAERUS: Ah! by Zeus, there's no time for idling. To some slaves. Go as quick as possible and fill every hamper,
1310every basket you can find with wings. Manes will bring them to me outside the walls, where I will welcome those who present themselves.
1313CHORUS: This town will soon be inhabited by a crowd of men.
1315Fortune favours us alone
1316and thus they have fallen in love with our city.
1317PISTHETAERUS: Come, hurry up and bring them along.
1318CHORUS: Will not man find here everything that can please him —
1320wisdom, love, the divine Graces, the sweet face of gentle peace?
1323PISTHETAERUS: Oh! you lazy servant! won't you hurry yourself?
1325CHORUS: Let a basket of wings be brought speedily.
1327Come, beat him as I do, and put some life into him;
1328he is as lazy as an ass.
Part 29
1329PISTHETAERUS: Aye, Manes is a great craven.
1330CHORUS: Begin by putting this heap of wings in order; divide them in three parts according to the birds from whom they came; the singing, the prophetic and the aquatic birds; then you must take care to distribute them to the men according to their character.
1335PISTHETAERUS: Oh! by the kestrels! I can keep my hands off you no longer; you are too slow and lazy altogether.
1337PARRICIDE: Oh! might I but become an eagle, who soars in the skies! Oh! might I fly above the azure waves of the barren sea!
1340PISTHETAERUS: Ha! it would seem the news was true; I hear someone coming who talks of wings.
1342PARRICIDE: Nothing is more charming than to fly; I am bird-mad and fly towards you, for I want
1345to live with you and to obey your laws.
1346PISTHETAERUS: Which laws? The birds have many laws.
1347PARRICIDE: All of them; but the one that pleases me most is that among the birds it is considered a fine thing to peck and strangle one's father.
1349PISTHETAERUS: Yes, by Zeus! according to us,
1350he who dares to strike his father, while still a chick, is a brave fellow.
1351PARRICIDE: And therefore I want to dwell here, for I want to strangle my father and inherit his wealth.
1353PISTHETAERUS: But we have also an ancient law written in the code of the storks, which runs thus,
1355When the stork father has reared his young and has taught them to fly, the young must in their turn support the father.
1358PARRICIDE: It's hardly worth while coming all this distance to be compelled to keep my father!
1360PISTHETAERUS: No, no, young friend, since you have come to us with such willingness, I am going to give you these black wings, as though you were an orphan bird; furthermore, some good advice, that I received myself in infancy. Don't strike your father, but take
1365these wings in one hand and these spurs in the other; imagine you have a cock's crest on your head and go and mount guard and fight; live on your pay and respect your father's life. You're a gallant fellow! Very well, then! Fly to Thrace and fight.
1370PARRICIDE: By Bacchus! You're right; I will follow your counsel.
1371bPISTHETAERUS: It's acting wisely, by Zeus..
1373CINESIAS: On my light pinions I soar off to Olympus; in its capricious flight my Muse flutters along the thousand paths of poetry in turn ...
1375PISTHETAERUS: This is a fellow will need a whole shipload of wings.
1376CINESIAS: ... and being fearless and vigorous, it is seeking fresh outlet.
1377PISTHETAERUS: Welcome, Cinesias, you lime-wood man! Why have you come here twisting your game leg in circles?
1380CINESIAS: I want to become a bird, a tuneful nightingale.
Part 30
1381PISTHETAERUS: Enough of that sort of ditty. Tell me what you want.
1382CINESIAS: Give me wings and I will fly into the topmost airs to gather fresh songs in the clouds,
1385in the midst of the vapors and the fleecy snow.
1386PISTHETAERUS: Gather songs in the clouds?
1387CINESIAS: 'Tis on them the whole of our latter-day art depends. The most brilliant dithyrambs are those that flap their wings in empty space and are clothed in mist and dense obscurity.
1390To appreciate this, just listen.
1391PISTHETAERUS: Oh! no, no, no!
1391bCINESIAS: By Hermes! but indeed you shall.
1392CINESIAS: I shall travel through thine ethereal empire
1393like a winged bird, who cleaveth space with his long neck ...
1395aPISTHETAERUS: Stop! Way enough!
1396CINESIAS: ... as I soar over the seas, carried by the breath of the winds ...
1398PISTHETAERUS: By Zeus! I'll cut your breath short. He picks up a pair of wings and begins trying to stop Cinesias' mouth with them.
1399CINESIAS: ... now rushing along the tracks of Notus, now nearing Boreas
1400across the infinite wastes of the ether.
1401Ah! old man, that's a pretty and clever idea truly!
1402PISTHETAERUS: What! are you not delighted to be cleaving the air?
1403CINESIAS: To treat a dithyrambic poet, for whom the tribes dispute with each other, in this style!
1405PISTHETAERUS: Will you stay with us and form a chorus of winged birds as slender as Leotrophides for the Cecropid tribe?
1407bCINESIAS: You are making game of me, that's clear; but know that I shall never leave you in peace if I do not have wings wherewith to traverse the air.
1410INFORMER: What are these birds with downy feathers, who look so pitiable to me? Tell me, oh swallow with the long dappled wings.
1412PISTHETAERUS: Oh! it's a regular invasion that threatens us. Here comes another one, humming along.
1415INFORMER: Swallow with the long dappled wings, once more I summon you.
1416PISTHETAERUS: It's his cloak I believe he's addressing; it stands in great need of the swallows' return.
1418INFORMER: Where is he who gives out wings to all comers?
Part 31
1419PISTHETAERUS: Here I am, but you must tell me for what purpose you want them.
1420INFORMER: Ask no questions. I want wings, and wings I must have.
1421PISTHETAERUS: Do you want to fly straight to Pellene?
1422INFORMER: I? Why, I am an accuser of the islands, an informer ...
1423bPISTHETAERUS: A fine trade, truly!
1424INFORMER: ... a hatcher of lawsuits. Hence I have great need of wings
1425to prowl round the cities and drag them before justice.
1426PISTHETAERUS: Would you do this better if you had wings?
1427INFORMER: No, but I should no longer fear the pirates; I should return with the cranes, loaded with a supply of lawsuits by way of ballast.
1430PISTHETAERUS: So it seems, despite all your youthful vigor, you make it your trade to denounce strangers?
1432INFORMER: Well, and why not? I don't know how to dig.
1433PISTHETAERUS: But, by Zeus! there are
1435honest ways of gaining a living at your age without all this infamous trickery.
1436INFORMER: My friend, I am asking you for wings, not for words.
1437PISTHETAERUS: It's just my words that gives you wings.
1437bINFORMER: And how can you give a man wings with your words?
1438bPISTHETAERUS: They all start this way.
1439bINFORMER: How?
1439cPISTHETAERUS: Have you not often heard
1440the father say to young men in the barbers' shops, It's astonishing how Diitrephes' advice has made my son fly to horse-riding. —Mine, says another, has
1445flown towards tragic poetry on the wings of his imagination.
1446INFORMER: So that words give wings?
1446bPISTHETAERUS: Undoubtedly; words give wings to the mind and make a man soar to heaven. Thus I hope that my wise words will give you wings
1450to fly to some less degrading trade.
1450bINFORMER: But I do not want to.
Part 32
1451PISTHETAERUS: What do you reckon on doing then?
1451bINFORMER: I won't belie my breeding; from generation to generation we have lived by informing. Quick, therefore, give me quickly some light, swift hawk or kestrel wings,
1455so that I may summon the islanders, sustain the accusation here, and haste back there again on flying pinions.
1456bPISTHETAERUS: I see. In this way the stranger will be condemned even before he appears.
1458bINFORMER: That's just it.
1459PISTHETAERUS: And while he is on his way here by sea, you will be flying to the islands
1460to despoil him of his property.
1460bINFORMER: You've hit it, precisely; I must whirl hither and thither like a perfect humming-top.
1461bPISTHETAERUS: I catch the idea. Wait, I've got some fine Corcyraean wings. How do you like them?
1464INFORMER: Oh! woe is me! Why, it's a whip!
1464bPISTHETAERUS: No, no; these are the wings,
1465I tell you, that make the top spin.
1466INFORMER: Oh! oh! oh!
1468bPISTHETAERUS: Take your flight, clear off, you miserable cur, or you will soon see what comes of quibbling and lying. The Informer flees. To his slaves. Come, let us gather up our wings and withdraw.
1470CHORUS: In my ethereal flights I have seen many things new and strange and wondrous beyond belief.
1475There is a tree called Cleonymus belonging to an unknown species; it has no heart, is good for nothing and is as tall as it is cowardly. In springtime it shoots forth calumnies instead of buds and
1480in autumn it strews the ground with bucklers in place of leaves.
1482CHORUS: Far away in the regions of darkness, where no ray of light ever enters, there is a country,
1485where men sit at the table of the heroes and dwell with them always —except in the evening.
1490Should any mortal meet the hero Orestes at night, he would soon be stripped and covered with blows from head to foot.
1494PROMETHEUS: Ah! by the gods! if only Zeus does not see me!
1495Where is Pisthetaerus?
1495bPISTHETAERUS: Ha! what is this? A masked man!
1496bPROMETHEUS: Can you see any god behind me?
1497bPISTHETAERUS: No, none. But who are you, pray?
1498bPROMETHEUS: What's the time, please?
1499PISTHETAERUS: The time? Why, it's past noon.
1500Who are you?
1500bPROMETHEUS: Is it the fall of day? Is it no later than that?
Part 33
1501PISTHETAERUS: This is getting dull!
1501bPROMETHEUS: What is Zeus doing? Is he dispersing the clouds or gathering them?
1503PISTHETAERUS: Watch out for yourself!
1503bPROMETHEUS: Come, I will raise my mask.
1504PISTHETAERUS: Ah! my dear Prometheus!
1504bPROMETHEUS: Sh! Sh! speak lower!
1505PISTHETAERUS: Why, what's the matter, Prometheus?
1505bPROMETHEUS: Sh! sh! Don't call me by my name; you will be my ruin, if Zeus should see me here. But, if you want me to tell you how things are going in heaven, take this umbrella and shield me, so that the gods don't see me.
1510PISTHETAERUS: I can recognize Prometheus in this cunning trick. Come, quick then, and fear nothing; speak on.
1513PROMETHEUS: Then listen.
1513bPISTHETAERUS: I am listening, proceed!
1514PROMETHEUS: Zeus is done for.
1514bPISTHETAERUS: Ah! and since when, pray?
1515PROMETHEUS: Since you founded this city in the air. There is not a man who now sacrifices to the gods; the smoke of the victims no longer reaches us. Not the smallest offering comes! We fast as though it were the festival of Demeter.
1520The barbarian gods, who are dying of hunger, are bawling like Illyrians and threaten to make an armed descent upon Zeus, if he does not open markets where joints of the victims are sold.
1525PISTHETAERUS: What! there are other gods besides you, barbarian gods who dwell above Olympus?
1526bPROMETHEUS: If there were no barbarian gods, who would be the patron of Execestides?
1528PISTHETAERUS: And what is the name of these gods?
1529bPROMETHEUS: Their name? Why, the Triballi.
1529cPISTHETAERUS: Ah, indeed!
1530'tis from that no doubt that we derive the word ‘tribulation.'
1531PROMETHEUS: Most likely. But one thing I can tell you for certain, namely, that Zeus and the celestial Triballi are going to send deputies here to sue for peace. Now don't you treat with them, unless
1535Zeus restores the scepter to the birds and gives you Basileia in marriage.
Part 34
1537PISTHETAERUS: Who is this Basileia?
1537bPROMETHEUS: A very fine young damsel, who makes the lightning for Zeus; all things come from her,
1540wisdom, good laws, virtue, the fleet, calumnies, the public paymaster and the triobolus.
1542PISTHETAERUS: Ah! then she is a sort of general manageress to the god.
1542bPROMETHEUS: Yes, precisely. If he gives you her for your wife, yours will be the almighty power. That is what I have come to tell you;
1545for you know my constant and habitual goodwill towards men.
1546PISTHETAERUS: Oh, yes! it's thanks to you that we roast our meat.
1547PROMETHEUS: I hate the gods, as you know.
1548PISTHETAERUS: Aye, by Zeus, you have always detested them.
1549PROMETHEUS: Towards them I am a veritable Timon; but I must return in all haste,
1550so give me the umbrella; if Zeus should see me from up there, he would think I was escorting one of the Canephori.
1552PISTHETAERUS: Wait, take this stool as well. Prometheus leaves. Pisthetaerus goes into the thicket.
1553CHORUS: Near by the land of the Sciapodes there is a marsh, from the borders whereof the unwashed
1555Socrates evokes the souls of men. Pisander came one day to see his soul, which he had left there when still alive. He offered
1560a little victim, a camel, slit his throat and, following the example of Odysseus, stepped one pace backwards. Then that bat of a Chaerephon came up from hell to drink the camel's blood.
1565POSEIDON: This is the city of Nephelococcygia, to which we come as ambassadors. To Triballus. Hi! what are you up to? you are throwing your cloak over the left shoulder. Come, fling it quick over the right! And why, pray, does it draggle in this fashion? Have you ulcers to hide like Lespodias?
1570Oh! democracy! whither, oh! whither are you leading us? Is it possible that the gods have chosen such an envoy?
1572You are undisturbed?
1572bUgh! you cursed savage! you are by far the most barbarous of all the gods. —
1574Tell me, Heracles, what are we going to do?
1574bHERACLES: I have already told you
1575that I want to strangle the fellow who dared to wall us out.
1577POSEIDON: But, my friend, we are envoys of peace.
1578bHERACLES: All the more reason why I wish to strangle him.
1579PISTHETAERUS: Hand me the cheese-grater; bring me the silphium for sauce;
1580pass me the cheese and watch the coals.
1581HERACLES: Mortal! we who greet you are three gods.
1582bPISTHETAERUS: Wait a bit till I have prepared my silphium pickle.
1583HERACLES: What are these meats?
1583bPISTHETAERUS: These are birds that have been punished with death
1585for attacking the people's friends.
1585bHERACLES: And you are going to season them before answering us?
Part 35
1586bPISTHETAERUS: Ah! Heracles! welcome, welcome! What's the matter?
1587bPOSEIDON: The gods have sent us here as ambassadors to treat for peace.
1589PISTHETAERUS: There's no more oil in the flask.
1590HERACLES: And yet the birds must be thoroughly basted with it.
1591POSEIDON: We have no interest to serve in fighting you; as for you, be friends and we promise that you shall always have rain-water in your pools and the warmest of warm weather.
1595So far as these points go we are plenipotentiaries.
1596PISTHETAERUS: We have never been the aggressors, and even now we are as well disposed for peace as yourselves, provided you agree to one equitable condition, namely,
1600that Zeus yield his scepter to the birds. If only this is agreed to, I invite the ambassadors to dinner.
1603HERACLES: That's good enough for me. I vote for peace.
1604POSEIDON: You wretch! you are nothing but a fool and a glutton.
1605Do you want to dethrone your own father?
1606PISTHETAERUS: What an error. Why, the gods will be much more powerful if the birds govern the earth. At present the mortals are hidden beneath the clouds, escape your observation, and commit perjury in your name;
1610but if you had the birds for your allies, and a man, after having sworn by the crow and Zeus, should fail to keep his oath, the crow would dive down upon him unawares and pluck out his eye.
1614POSEIDON: Well thought of, by Poseidon!
1615HERACLES: My notion too.
1615bPISTHETAERUS: And you, what's your opinion?
1615cTRIBALLUS: Nabasatreu.
1616PISTHETAERUS: D'you see? he also approves. But listen, here is another thing in which we can serve you. If a man vows to offer a sacrifice to some god, and then procrastinates,
1620pretending that the gods can wait, and thus does not keep his word, we shall punish his stinginess.
1621bPOSEIDON: Ah! and how?
1622PISTHETAERUS: While he is counting his money or is in the bath, a kite will relieve him, before he knows it, either in coin or in clothes,
1625of the value of a couple of sheep, and carry it to the god.
1626HERACLES: I vote for restoring them the scepter.
1627bPOSEIDON: Ask Triballus.
1628HERACLES: Hi! Triballus, do you want a thrashing?
1628bTRIBALLUS: Sure, bashum head withum stick.
Part 36
1629bHERACLES: He says, Right willingly.
1630POSEIDON: If that be the opinion of both of you, why, I consent too.
1631HERACLES: Very well! we accord you the scepter.
1632PISTHETAERUS: Ah! I was nearly forgetting another condition. I will leave Here to Zeus, but only if the young Basileia
1635is given me in marriage.
1635bPOSEIDON: Then you don't want peace. Let us withdraw.
1636bPISTHETAERUS: It matters mighty little to me. Cook, look to the gravy.
1638HERACLES: What an odd fellow this Poseidon is! Where are you off to? Are we going to war about a woman?
1640POSEIDON: What else is there to do?
1640bHERACLES: What else? Why, conclude peace.
1641POSEIDON: Oh! you blockhead! do you always want to be fooled? Why, you are seeking your own downfall. If Zeus were to die, after having yielded them the sovereignty, you would be ruined, for you are the heir of
1645all the wealth he will leave behind.
1646PISTHETAERUS: Oh! by the gods! how he is cajoling you. Step aside, that I may have a word with you. Your uncle is getting the better of you, my poor friend.
1650The law will not allow you an obolus of the paternal property, for you are a bastard and not a legitimate child.
1651HERACLES: I a bastard! What's that you tell me?
1651bPISTHETAERUS: Why, certainly; are you not born of a stranger woman? Besides, is not Athena recognized as Zeus' sole heiress? And no daughter would be that, if she had a legitimate brother.
1655HERACLES: But what if my father wished to give me his property on his death-bed, even though I be a bastard?
1656bPISTHETAERUS: The law forbids it, and this same Poseidon would be the first to lay claim to his wealth, in virtue of being his legitimate brother. Listen;
1660thus runs Solon's law: A bastard shall not inherit, if there are
1665legitimate children; and if there are no legitimate children, the property shall pass to the nearest kin.
1667HERACLES: And I get nothing whatever of the paternal property?
1668bPISTHETAERUS: Absolutely nothing. But tell me, has your father had you entered on the registers of his phratry?
1670HERACLES: No, and I have long been surprised at the omission.
1671PISTHETAERUS: Why do you shake your fist at heaven? Do you want to fight? Why, be on my side, I will make you a king and will feed you on bird's milk and honey.
1674HERACLES: Your further condition seems fair to me.
1675I cede you the young damsel.
Part 37
1676bPOSEIDON: But I, I vote against this opinion.
1677PISTHETAERUS: Then it all depends on the Triballus. To the Triballus. What do you say?
1678TRIBALLUS: Givum bird pretty gel bigum queen.
1679bHERACLES: He says give her.
1680POSEIDON: Why no, he does not say anything of the sort, or else, like the swallows he does not know how to walk.
1682PISTHETAERUS: Exactly so. Does he not say she must be given to the swallows?
1683POSEIDON: All right, you two arrange the matter; make peace, since you wish it so; I'll hold my tongue.
1685HERACLES: We are of a mind to grant you all that you ask. But come up there with us to receive Basileia and the celestial bounty.
1688PISTHETAERUS: Here are birds already dressed, and very suitable for a nuptial feast.
1689bHERACLES: You go and, if you like, I will stay here to roast them.
1691PISTHETAERUS: You to roast them? you are too much the glutton; come along with us.
1692bHERACLES: Ah! how well I would have treated myself!
1693PISTHETAERUS: Let some one bring me a beautiful and magnificent tunic for the wedding.
1694CHORUS: At Phanae, near the
1695Clepsydra, there dwells a people who have neither faith nor law, the Englottogastors, who reap, sow, pluck the vines and the figs with their tongues;
1700they belong to a barbaric race, and among them the Philippi and the Gorgiases are to be found; 'tis these Englottogastorian Philippi who introduced the custom all over Attica
1705of cutting out the tongue separately at sacrifices.
1706MESSENGER: Oh, you, whose unbounded happiness I cannot express in words, thrice happy race of airy birds, receive your king in your fortunate dwellings. More brilliant than the brightest
1710star that illumes the earth, he is approaching his glittering golden palace; the sun itself does not shine with more dazzling glory. He is entering with his bride at his side, whose beauty no human tongue can express; in his hand he brandishes the lightning, the winged shaft of Zeus;
1715perfumes of unspeakable sweetness pervade the ethereal realms. 'Tis a glorious spectacle to see the clouds of incense wafting in light whirlwinds before the breath of the zephyr! But here he is himself. Divine Muse! let thy sacred lips begin with songs of happy omen.
1720CHORUS: Fall back! to the right! to the left! advance! Fly around this happy mortal, whom Fortune loads with her blessings. Oh! oh! what grace! what beauty!
1725Oh, marriage so auspicious for our city!
1726CHORUS: All honor to this man! 'tis through him that the birds are called to such glorious destinies. Let your nuptial hymns, your nuptial songs, greet
1730him and his Basileia!
1731CHORUS: 'Twas that the Fates formerly united Olympian Hera to the King who governs the gods from the summit of his inaccessible throne
1735in the midst of such festivities. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaeus!
1737CHORUS: Rosy Eros with the golden wings held the reins and guided the chariot; 'twas he, who presided over
1740the union of Zeus and the fortunate Hera. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaeus!
1743PISTHETAERUS: I am delighted with your songs, I applaud your verses. Now celebrate
1745the thunder that shakes the earth, the flaming lightning of Zeus and the terrible flashing thunderbolt.
Part 38
1748CHORUS: Oh, thou golden flash of the lightning! oh, ye divine shafts of flame, that Zeus has hitherto shot forth!
1750Oh, ye rolling thunders, that bring down the rain! 'Tis by the order of our king that ye shall now stagger the earth! Oh, Hymen! 'tis through thee that he commands the universe and that he makes Basileia, whom he has robbed from Zeus, take her seat at his side. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaeus!
1755PISTHETAERUS: Let all the winged tribes of our fellow-citizens follow the bridal couple to the palace of Zeus and to the nuptial couch! Stretch forth your
1760hands, my dear wife! Take hold of me by my wings and let us dance; I am going to lift you up and carry you through the air.
1763CHORUS: Alalalai ie Paian! Tenella kallinikos!
1765Loftiest art thou of gods!
Contents — 38 sections
Part 1
1ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὀρθὴν κελεύεις, ᾗ τὸ δένδρον φαίνεται;
2ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: διαρραγείης· ἥδε δʼ αὖ κρώζει πάλιν.
3ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί ὦ πόνηρʼ ἄνω κάτω πλανύττομεν;
4ἀπολούμεθʼ ἄλλως τὴν ὁδὸν προφορουμένω.
5ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὸ δʼ ἐμὲ κορώνῃ πειθόμενον τὸν ἄθλιον
6ὁδοῦ περιελθεῖν στάδια πλεῖν ἢ χίλια.
7ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τὸ δʼ ἐμὲ κολοιῷ πειθόμενον τὸν δύσμορον
8ἀποσποδῆσαι τοὺς ὄνυχας τῶν δακτύλων.
9ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὅπου γῆς ἐσμὲν οἶδʼ ἔγωγʼ ἔτι.
10ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐντευθενὶ τὴν πατρίδʼ ἂν ἐξεύροις σύ που;
11ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐδʼ ἂν μὰ Δία γʼ ἐντεῦθεν Ἐξηκεστίδης.
12ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οἴμοι.
12bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: σὺ μὲν ὦ τᾶν τὴν ὁδὸν ταύτην ἴθι.
13ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἦ δεινὰ νὼ δέδρακεν οὑκ τῶν ὀρνέων, ὁ πινακοπώλης φιλοκράτης μελαγχολῶν, ὃς τώδʼ ἔφασκε νῷν φράσειν τὸν Τηρέα τὸν ἔποφʼ ὃς ὄρνις ἐγένετʼ ἐκ τῶν ὀρνέων· κἀπέδοτο τὸν μὲν Θαρρελείδου τουτονὶ
18κολοιὸν ὀβολοῦ, τηνδεδὶ τριωβόλου. τὼ δʼ οὐκ ἄρʼ ᾔστην οὐδὲν ἄλλο πλὴν δάκνειν. καὶ νῦν τί κέχηνας; ἔσθʼ ὅποι κατὰ τῶν πετρῶν ἡμᾶς ἔτʼ ἔξεις. οὐ γάρ ἐστʼ ἐνταῦθά τις ὁδός.
22bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐδὲ μὰ Δίʼ ἐνταῦθά γʼ ἀτραπὸς οὐδαμοῦ.
23ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐδʼ ἡ κορώνη τῆς ὁδοῦ τι λέγει πέρι;
24ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ ταὐτὰ κρώζει μὰ Δία νῦν τε καὶ τότε.
25ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί δὴ λέγει περὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ;
25bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δʼ ἄλλο γʼ ἢ
26βρύκουσʼ ἀπέδεσθαί φησί μου τοὺς δακτύλους;
27ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐ δεινὸν οὖν δῆτʼ ἐστὶν ἡμᾶς δεομένους ἐς κόρακας ἐλθεῖν καὶ παρεσκευασμένους ἔπειτα μὴ ʼξευρεῖν δύνασθαι τὴν ὁδόν; ἡμεῖς γάρ, ὦνδρες οἱ παρόντες ἐν λόγῳ, νόσον νοσοῦμεν τὴν ἐναντίαν Σάκᾳ·
32ὁ μὲν γὰρ ὢν οὐκ ἀστὸς ἐσβιάζεται, ἡμεῖς δὲ φυλῇ καὶ γένει τιμώμενοι, ἀστοὶ μετʼ ἀστῶν, οὐ σοβοῦντος οὐδενὸς ἀνεπτόμεσθʼ ἐκ τῆς πατρίδος ἀμφοῖν ποδοῖν, αὐτὴν μὲν οὐ μισοῦντʼ ἐκείνην τὴν πόλιν
37τὸ μὴ οὐ μεγάλην εἶναι φύσει κεὐδαίμονα καὶ πᾶσι κοινὴν ἐναποτεῖσαι χρήματα. οἱ μὲν γὰρ οὖν τέττιγες ἕνα μῆνʼ ἢ δύο ἐπὶ τῶν κραδῶν ᾄδουσʼ, Ἀθηναῖοι δʼ ἀεὶ ἐπὶ τῶν δικῶν ᾄδουσι πάντα τὸν βίον.
42διὰ ταῦτα τόνδε τὸν βάδον βαδίζομεν, κανοῦν δʼ ἔχοντε καὶ χύτραν καὶ μυρρίνας πλανώμεθα ζητοῦντε τόπον ἀπράγμονα, ὅποι καθιδρυθέντε διαγενοίμεθʼ ἄν. ὁ δὲ στόλος νῷν ἐστι παρὰ τὸν Τηρέα
47τὸν ἔποπα, παρʼ ἐκείνου πυθέσθαι δεομἐνω, εἴ που τοιαύτην εἶδε πόλιν ᾗ ʼπέπτετο.
49ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὗτος.
49bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί ἔστιν;
49cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἡ κορώνη μοι πάλαι
50ἄνω τι φράζει.
Part 2
50bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: χὠ κολοιὸς οὑτοσὶ
51ἄνω κέχηνεν ὡσπερεὶ δεικνύς τί μοι,
52κοὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅπως οὐκ ἔστιν ἐνταῦθʼ ὄρνεα.
53εἰσόμεθα δʼ αὐτίκʼ, ἢν ποιήσωμεν ψόφον.
54ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ οἶσθʼ ὃ δρᾶσον; τῷ σκέλει θένε τὴν πέτραν.
55ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: σὺ δὲ τῇ κεφαλῇ γʼ, ἵνʼ ᾖ διπλάσιος ὁ ψόφος.
56ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: σὺ δʼ οὖν λίθῳ κόψον λαβών.
56bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: πάνυ γʼ, εἰ δοκεῖ.
57παῖ παῖ.
57bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί λέγεις οὗτος; τὸν ἔποπα παῖ καλεῖς;
58οὐκ ἀντὶ τοῦ παιδός σʼ ἐχρῆν ἐποποῖ καλεῖν;
59ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐποποῖ. ποιήσεις ἔτι με κόπτειν αὖθις αὖ.
60ἐποποῖ.
60bΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: τίνες οὗτοι; τίς ὁ βοῶν τὸν δεσπότην;
61ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: Ἄπολλον ἀποτρόπαιε τοῦ χασμήματος.
62ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: οἴμοι τάλας ὀρνιθοθήρα τουτωί.
63ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὕτως τι δεινὸν οὐδὲ κάλλιον λέγειν.
64ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: ἀπολεῖσθον.
64bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐσμὲν ἀνθρώπω.
64cΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: τί δαί;
65ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: Ὑποδεδιὼς ἔγωγε Λιβυκὸν ὄρνεον.
66ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: οὐδὲν λέγεις.
66bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: καὶ μὴν ἐροῦ τὰ πρὸς ποδῶν.
67ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: ὁδὶ δὲ δὴ τίς ἐστιν ὄρνις; οὐκ ἐρεῖς;
68ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Ἐπικεχοδὼς ἔγωγε Φασιανικός.
69ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἀτὰρ σὺ τί θηρίον ποτʼ εἶ πρὸς τῶν θεῶν;
Part 3
70ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: ὄρνις ἔγωγε δοῦλος.
70bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἡττήθης τινὸς
71ἀλεκτρυόνος;
71bΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: οὐκ ἀλλʼ ὅτε περ ὁ δεσπότης
72ἔποψ ἐγένετο, τότε γενέσθαι μʼ ηὔξατο
73ὄρνιν, ἵνʼ ἀκόλουθον διάκονόν τʼ ἔχῃ.
74ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: δεῖται γὰρ ὄρνις καὶ διακόνου τινός;
75ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: οὗτός γʼ, ἅτʼ οἶμαι πρότερον ἄνθρωπός ποτʼ ὤν,
76τοτὲ μὲν ἐρᾷ φαγεῖν ἀφύας Φαληρικάς·
77τρέχω ʼπʼ ἀφύας λαβὼν ἐγὼ τὸ τρύβλιον.
78ἔτνους δʼ ἐπιθυμεῖ, δεῖ τορύνης καὶ χύτρας·
79τρέχω ʼπὶ τορύνην.
79bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τροχίλος ὄρνις οὑτοσί.
80οἶσθʼ οὖν ὃ δρᾶσον ὦ τροχίλε; τὸν δεσπότην
81ἡμῖν κάλεσον.
81bΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ἀρτίως νὴ τὸν Δία
82εὕδει καταφαγὼν μύρτα καὶ σέρφους τινάς.
83ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὅμως ἐπέγειρον αὐτόν.
83bΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: οἶδα μὲν σαφῶς
84ὅτι ἀχθέσεται, σφῷν δʼ αὐτὸν οὕνεκʼ ἐπεγερῶ.
85ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κακῶς σύ γʼ ἀπόλοιʼ, ὥς μʼ ἀπέκτεινας δέει.
86ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οἴμοι κακοδαίμων χὠ κολοιός μοἴχεται
87ὑπὸ τοῦ δέους.
87bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ δειλότατον σὺ θηρίον,
88δείσας ἀφῆκας τὸν κολοιόν;
88bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: εἰπέ μοι,
89σὺ δὲ τὴν κορώνην οὐκ ἀφῆκας καταπεσών;
90ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ Δίʼ οὐκ ἔγωγε.
90bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ποῦ γάρ ἐστʼ;
90cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀπέπτετο.
91ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐκ ἆρʼ ἀφῆκας; ὦγάθʼ ὡς ἀνδρεῖος εἶ.
92ἜΠΟΨ: ἄνοιγε τὴν ὕλην, ἵνʼ ἐξέλθω ποτέ.
93ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὦ Ἡράκλεις τουτὶ τί ποτʼ ἐστὶ τὸ θηρίον;
94τίς ἡ πτέρωσις; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς τριλοφίας;
95ἜΠΟΨ: τίνες εἰσί μʼ οἱ ζητοῦντες;
Part 4
95bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οἱ δώδεκα θεοὶ
96εἴξασιν ἐπιτρῖψαί σε.
96bἜΠΟΨ: μῶν με σκώπτετον
97ὁρῶντε τὴν πτέρωσιν; ἦν γὰρ ὦ ξένοι
98ἄνθρωπος.
98bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐ σοῦ καταγελῶμεν.
98cἜΠΟΨ: ἀλλὰ τοῦ;
99ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τὸ ῥάμφος ἡμῖν σου γέλοιον φαίνεται.
100ἜΠΟΨ: τοιαῦτα μέντοι Σοφοκλέης λυμαίνεται
101ἐν ταῖς τραγῳδίαισιν ἐμὲ τὸν Τηρέα.
102ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: Τηρεὺς γὰρ εἶ σύ; πότερον ὄρνις ἢ ταὧς;
103ἜΠΟΨ: ὄρνις ἔγωγε.
103bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: κᾆτά σοι ποῦ τὰ πτερά;
104ἜΠΟΨ: ἐξερρύηκε.
104bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: πότερον ὑπὸ νόσου τινός;
105ἜΠΟΨ: οὔκ, ἀλλὰ τὸν χειμῶνα πάντα τὤρνεα
106πτερορρυεῖ τε καὖθις ἕτερα φύομεν.
107ἀλλʼ εἴπατόν μοι σφὼ τίνʼ ἐστόν;
107bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: νώ; βροτώ.
108ἜΠΟΨ: ποδαπὼ τὸ γένος;
108bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὅθεν αἱ τριήρεις αἱ καλαί.
109ἜΠΟΨ: μῶν ἡλιαστά;
109bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: μἀλλὰ θατέρου τρόπου,
110ἀπηλιαστά.
110bἜΠΟΨ: σπείρεται γὰρ τοῦτʼ ἐκεῖ
111τὸ σπέρμʼ;
111bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὀλίγον ζητῶν ἂν ἐξ ἀγροῦ λάβοις.
112ἜΠΟΨ: πράγους δὲ δὴ τοῦ δεομένω δεῦρʼ ἤλθετον;
Part 5
113ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: σοὶ ξυγγενέσθαι βουλομένω.
114ἜΠΟΨ: τίνος πέρι;
114bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὅτι πρῶτα μὲν ἦσθʼ ἄνθρωπος ὥσπερ νὼ ποτέ,
115κἀργύριον ὠφείλησας ὥσπερ νὼ ποτέ,
116κοὐκ ἀποδιδοὺς ἔχαιρες ὥσπερ νὼ ποτέ·
117εἶτʼ αὖθις ὀρνίθων μεταλλάξας φύσιν
118καὶ γῆν ἐπέπτου καὶ θάλατταν ἐν κύκλῳ,
119καὶ πάνθʼ ὅσαπερ ἄνθρωπος ὅσα τʼ ὄρνις φρονεῖς·
120ταῦτ οὖν ἱκέται νὼ πρὸς σὲ δεῦρʼ ἀφίγμεθα,
121εἴ τινα πόλιν φράσειας ἡμῖν εὔερον
122ὥσπερ σισύραν ἐγκατακλινῆναι μαλθακήν.
123ἜΠΟΨ: ἔμειτα μείζω τῶν Κραναῶν ζητεῖς πόλιν;
124ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: μείζω μὲν οὐδέν, προσφορωτέραν δὲ νῷν.
125ἜΠΟΨ: ἀριστοκρατεῖσθαι δῆλος εἶ ζητῶν.
125bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐγώ;
126ἥκιστα· καὶ γὰρ τὸν Σκελίου βδελύττομαι.
127ἜΠΟΨ: ποίαν τινʼ οὖν ἥδιστʼ ἂν οἰκοῖτʼ ἂν πόλιν;
128ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὅπου τὰ μέγιστα πράγματʼ εἴη τοιάδε·
129ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν μου πρῴ τις ἐλθὼν τῶν φίλων
130λέγοι ταδί· πρὸς τοῦ Διὸς τοὐλυμπίου
131ὅπως παρέσει μοι καὶ σὺ καὶ τὰ παιδία
132λουσάμενα πρῴ· μέλλω γὰρ ἑστιᾶν γάμους·
133καὶ μηδαμῶς ἄλλως ποιήσῃς· εἰ δὲ μή,
134μή μοι τότε γʼ ἔλθῃς, ὅταν ἐγὼ πράττω κακῶς.
135ἜΠΟΨ: νὴ Δία ταλαιπώρων γε πραγμάτων ἐρᾷς.
136τί δαὶ σύ;
136bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τοιούτων ἐρῶ κἀγώ.
136cἜΠΟΨ: τίνων;
137ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὅπου ξυναντῶν μοι ταδί τις μέμψεται
138ὥσπερ ἀδικηθεὶς παιδὸς ὡραίου πατήρ·
139καλῶς γέ μου τὸν υἱὸν ὦ Στιλβωνίδη
140εὑρὼν ἀπιόντʼ ἀπὸ γυμνασίου λελουμένον
141οὐκ ἔκυσας, οὐ προσεῖπας, οὐ προσηγάγου,
142οὐκ ὠρχιπέδισας, ὢν ἐμοὶ πατρικὸς φίλος.
143ἜΠΟΨ: ὦ δειλακρίων σὺ τῶν κακῶν οἵων ἐρᾷς.
144ἀτὰρ ἔστι γʼ ὁποίαν λέγετον εὐδαίμων πόλις
145παρὰ τὴν ἐρυθρὰν θάλατταν.
145bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οἴμοι μηδαμῶς
146ἡμῖν παρὰ τὴν θάλατταν, ἵνʼ ἀνακύψεται
147κλητῆρʼ ἄγουσʼ ἕωθεν ἡ Σαλαμινία.
148Ἑλληνικὴν δὲ πόλιν ἔχεις ἡμῖν φράσαι;
149ἜΠΟΨ: τί οὐ τὸν Ἠλεῖον Λέπρεον οἰκίζετον
150ἐλθόνθʼ;
150bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὁτιὴ νὴ τοὺς θεοὺς ὅσʼ οὐκ ἰδὼν
151βδελύττομαι τὸν Λέπρεον ἀπὸ Μελανθίου.
152ἜΠΟΨ: ἀλλʼ εἰσὶν ἕτεροι τῆς Λοκρίδος Ὀπούντιοι,
153ἵνα χρὴ κατοικεῖν.
153bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἀλλʼ ἔγωγʼ Ὀπούντιος
154οὐκ ἂν γενοίμην ἐπὶ ταλάντῳ χρυσίου.
155οὗτος δὲ δὴ τίς ἔσθʼ ὁ μετʼ ὀρνίθων βίος;
156σὺ γὰρ οἶσθʼ ἀκριβῶς.
156bἜΠΟΨ: οὐκ ἄχαρις ἐς τὴν τριβήν·
157οὗ πρῶτα μὲν δεῖ ζῆν ἄνευ βαλλαντίου.
Part 6
158ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: πολλήν γʼ ἀφεῖλες τοῦ βίου κιβδηλίαν.
159ἜΠΟΨ: νεμόμεσθα δʼ ἐν κήποις τὰ λευκὰ σήσαμα
160καὶ μύρτα καὶ μήκωνα καὶ σισύμβρια.
161ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὑμεῖς μὲν ἆρα ζῆτε νυμφίων βίον.
161bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: φεῦ φεῦ·
162aἦ μέγʼ ἐνορῶ βούλευμʼ ἐν ὀρνίθων γένει,
163καὶ δύναμιν ἣ γένοιτʼ ἄν, εἰ πίθοισθέ μοι.
164ἜΠΟΨ: τί σοι πιθώμεσθʼ;
164bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὅ τι πίθησθε; πρῶτα μὲν
165μὴ περιπέτεσθε πανταχῇ κεχηνότες·
166ὡς τοῦτʼ ἄτιμον τοὔργον ἐστίν. αὐτίκα
167ἐκεῖ παρʼ ἡμῖν τοὺς πετομένους ἢν ἔρῃ,
168τίς ὄρνις οὗτος; ὁ Τελέας ἐρεῖ ταδί·
169ἅνθρωπος ὄρνις ἀστάθμητος πετόμενος,
170ἀτέκμαρτος, οὐδὲν οὐδέποτʼ ἐν ταὐτῷ μένων.
171ἜΠΟΨ: νὴ τὸν Διόνυσον εὖ γε μωμᾷ ταυταγί.
172τί ἂν οὖν ποιοῖμεν;
172bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἰκίσατε μίαν πόλιν.
173ἜΠΟΨ: ποίαν δʼ ἂν οἰκίσαιμεν ὄρνιθες πόλιν;
174ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄληθες; ὦ σκαιότατον εἰρηκὼς ἔπος,
175βλέψον κάτω.
175bἜΠΟΨ: καὶ δὴ βλέπω.
175cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: βλέπε νῦν ἄνω.
176ἜΠΟΨ: βλέπω.
176bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: περίαγε τὸν τράχηλον.
176cἜΠΟΨ: νὴ Δία
177ἀπολαύσομαί τί γʼ, εἰ διαστραφήσομαι.
178ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: εἶδές τι;
178bἜΠΟΨ: τὰς νεφέλας γε καὶ τὸν οὐρανόν.
179ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐχ οὗτος οὖν δήπου ʼστὶν ὀρνίθων πόλος;
180ἜΠΟΨ: πόλος; τίνα τρόπον;
180bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὥσπερ ἂν εἴποι τις τόπος.
181ὅτι δὲ πολεῖται τοῦτο καὶ διέρχεται
182ἅπαντα διὰ τούτου, καλεῖται νῦν πόλος.
183ἢν δʼ οἰκίσητε τοῦτο καὶ φάρξηθʼ ἅπαξ,
184ἐκ τοῦ πόλου τούτου κεκλήσεται πόλις.
185ὥστʼ ἄρξετʼ ἀνθρώπων μὲν ὥσπερ παρνόπων,
186τοὺς δʼ αὖ θεοὺς ἀπολεῖτε λιμῷ Μηλίῳ.
Part 7
187ἜΠΟΨ: πῶς;
187bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐν μέσῳ δήπουθεν ἀήρ ἐστι γῆς.
188εἶθʼ ὥσπερ ἡμεῖς, ἢν ἰέναι βουλώμεθα
189Πυθώδε, Βοιωτοὺς δίοδον αἰτούμεθα,
190οὕτως, ὅταν θύσωσιν ἄνθρωποι θεοῖς,
191ἢν μὴ φόρον φέρωσιν οἱ ὑμῖν οἱ θεοί,
193τῶν μηρίων τὴν κνῖσαν οὐ διαφρήσετε.
194ἜΠΟΨ: ἰοὺ ἰού·
194aμὰ γῆν μὰ παγίδας μὰ νεφέλας μὰ δίκτυα,
195μὴ ʼγὼ νόημα κομψότερον ἤκουσά πω·
196ὥστʼ ἂν κατοικίζοιμι μετὰ σοῦ τὴν πόλιν,
197εἰ ξυνδοκοίη τοῖσιν ἄλλοις ὀρνέοις.
198ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τίς ἂν οὖν τὸ πρᾶγμʼ αὐτοῖς διηγήσαιτο;
198bἜΠΟΨ: σύ.
199ἐγὼ γὰρ αὐτοὺς βαρβάρους ὄντας πρὸ τοῦ
200ἐδίδαξα τὴν φωνήν, ξυνὼν πολὺν χρόνον.
201ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πῶς δῆτʼ ἂν αὐτοὺς ξυγκαλέσειας;
201bἜΠΟΨ: ῥᾳδίως.
202δευρὶ γὰρ ἐσβὰς αὐτίκα μάλʼ ἐς τὴν λόχμην,
203ἔπειτʼ ἀνεγείρας τὴν ἐμὴν ἀηδόνα,
204καλοῦμεν αὐτούς· οἱ δὲ νῷν τοῦ φθέγματος
205ἐάνπερ ἐπακούσωσι θεύσονται δρόμῳ.
206ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ φίλτατʼ ὀρνίθων σὺ μή νυν ἕσταθι·
207ἀλλʼ ἀντιβολῶ σʼ ἄγʼ ὡς τάχιστʼ ἐς τὴν λόχμην
208ἔσβαινε κἀνέγειρε τὴν ἀηδόνα.
209ἜΠΟΨ: ἄγε σύννομέ μοι παῦσαι μὲν ὕπνου, λῦσον δὲ νόμους ἱερῶν ὕμνων, οὓς διὰ θείου στόματος θρηνεῖς τὸν ἐμὸν καὶ σὸν πολύδακρυν Ἴτυν· ἐλελιζομένης δʼ ἱεροῖς μέλεσιν
214γένυος ξουθῆς καθαρὰ χωρεῖ διὰ φυλλοκόμου μίλακος ἠχὼ πρὸς Διὸς ἕδρας, ἵνʼ ὁ χρυσοκόμας Φοῖβος ἀκούων τοῖς σοῖς ἐλέγοις ἀντιψάλλων
219ἐλεφαντόδετον φόρμιγγα θεῶν ἵστησι χορούς· διὰ δʼ ἀθανάτων στομάτων χωρεῖ ξύμφωνος ὁμοῦ θεία μακάρων ὀλολυγή.
223ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ τοῦ φθέγματος τοὐρνιθίου·
224οἶον κατεμελίτωσε τὴν λόχμην ὃλην.
225ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὗτος.
225bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί ἔστιν;
225cοὐ σιωπήσει;
225dἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί δαί;
226ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὕποψ μελῳδεῖν αὖ παρασκευάζεται.
227ἜΠΟΨ: ἐποποῖ ποποποποποποποῖ, ἰὼ ἰὼ ἰτὼ ἰτὼ ἰτὼ ἰτὼ, ἴτω τις ὧδε τῶν ἐμῶν ὁμοπτέρων· ὅσοι τʼ εὐσπόρους ἀγροίκων γύας νέμεσθε, φῦλα μυρία κριθοτράγων
232σπερμολόγων τε γένη ταχὺ πετόμενα, μαλθακὴν ἱέντα γῆρυν· ὅσα τʼ ἐν ἄλοκι θαμὰ βῶλον ἀμφιτιττυβίζεθʼ ὧδε λεπτὸν ἡδομένᾳ φωνᾷ·
237τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιό. ὅσα θʼ ὑμῶν κατὰ κήπους ἐπὶ κισσοῦ κλάδεσι νομὸν ἔχει, τά τε κατʼ ὄρεα τά τε κοτινοτράγα τά τε κομαροφάγα, ἀνύσατε πετόμενα πρὸς ἐμὰν αὐδάν·
243τριοτὸ τριοτὸ τοτοβρίξ· οἵ θʼ ἑλείας παρʼ αὐλῶνας ὀξυστόμους ἐμπίδας κάπτεθʼ, ὅσα τʼ εὐδρόσους γῆς τόπους ἔχετε λειμῶνά τʼ ἐρόεντα Μαραθῶνος, ὄρνις πτερυγοποίκιλός τʼ ἀτταγᾶς ἀτταγᾶς.
250ὧν τʼ ἐπὶ πόντιον οἶδμα θαλάσσης φῦλα μετʼ ἀλκυόνεσσι ποτῆται, δεῦρʼ ἴτε πευσόμενοι τὰ νεώτερα, πάντα γὰρ ἐνθάδε φῦλʼ ἀθροΐζομεν οἰωνῶν ταναοδείρων.
255ἥκει γὰρ τις δριμὺς πρέσβυς καινὸς γνώμην καινῶν τʼ ἔργων ἐγχειρητής. ἀλλʼ ἴτʼ ἐς λόγους ἅπαντα, δεῦρο δεῦρο δεῦρο δεῦρο.
260ΧΟΡΌΣ: τοροτοροτοροτοροτίξ.
261κικκαβαῦ κικκαβαῦ.
262τοροτοροτοροτορολιλιλίξ.
263ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁρᾷς τινʼ ὄρνιν;
263bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: μὰ τὸν Ἀπόλλω ʼγὼ μὲν οὔ·
264καίτοι κέχηνά γʼ ἐς τὸν οὐρανὸν βλέπων.
265ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄλλως ἄρʼ οὕποψ, ὡς ἔοικʼ, ἐς τὴν λόχμην
266ἐσβὰς ἐπῷζε χαραδριὸν μιμούμενος.
267ὌΡΝΙΣ ΤΙΣ: τοροτὶξ τοροτίξ.
Part 8
268ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦγάθʼ ἀλλʼ εἶς οὑτοσὶ καὶ δή τις ὄρνις ἔρχεται.
269ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: νὴ Δίʼ ὄρνις δῆτα. τίς ποτʼ ἐστίν; οὐ δήπου ταὧς;
270ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὗτος αὐτὸς νῷν φράσει· τίς ἐστιν ὄρνις οὑτοσί;
271ἜΠΟΨ: οὗτος οὐ τῶν ἠθάδων τῶνδʼ ὧν ὁρᾶθʼ ὑμεῖς ἀεί,
272ἀλλὰ λιμναῖος.
272bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: βαβαὶ καλός γε καὶ φοινικιοῦς.
273ἜΠΟΨ: εἰκότως γε· καὶ γὰρ ὄνομʼ αὐτῷ ʼστὶ φοινικόπτερος.
274ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὗτος ὦ σέ τοι.
274bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί βωστρεῖς;
274cἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἕτερος ὄρνις οὑτοσί.
275ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ Δίʼ ἕτερος δῆτα χοὖτος ἔξεδρον χρόαν ἔχων.
276τίς ποτʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ μουσόμαντις ἄτοπος ὄρνις ὀρειβάτης;
277ἜΠΟΨ: ὄνομα τούτῳ Μῆδός ἐστο.
277bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Μῆδος; ὦναξ Ἡράκλεις·
278εἶτα πῶς ἄνευ καμήλου Μῆδος ὤν εἰσέπτετο;
279ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἕτερος αὖ λόφον κατειληφώς τις ὄρνις οὑτοσί.
280ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί τὸ τέρας τουτί ποτʼ ἐστίν; οὐ σὺ μόνος ἄρʼ ἦσθʼ ἔποψ,
281ἀλλὰ χοὖτος ἕτερος;
281bἜΠΟΨ: οὑτοσὶ μέν ἐστι Φιλοκλέους
282ἐξ ἔποπος, ἐγὼ δὲ τούτου πάππος, ὥσπερ εἰ λέγοις
283Ἱππόνικος Καλλίου κἀξ Ἱππονίκου Καλλίας.
284ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Καλλίας ἄρʼ οὗτος οὕρνις ἐστίν· ὡς πτερορρυεῖ.
285ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἅτε γὰρ ὢν γενναῖος ὑπό τε συκοφαντῶν τίλλεται,
286αἵ τε θήλειαι προσεκτίλλουσιν αὐτοῦ τὰ πτερά.
287ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Πόσειδον ἕτερος αὖ τις βαπτὸς ὄρνις οὑτοσί.
288τίς ὀνομάξεταί ποθʼ οὗτος;
288bἜΠΟΨ: οὑτοσὶ κατωφαγᾶς.
289ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔστι γὰρ κατωφαγᾶς τις ἄλλος ἢ Κλεώνυμος;
Part 9
290ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: πῶς ἂν οὖν Κλεώνυμός γʼ ὢν οὐκ ἀπέβαλε τὸν λόφον;
291ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλὰ μέντοι τίς ποθʼ ἡ λόφωσις ἡ τῶν ὀρνέων;
292ἦ ʼπὶ τὸν δίαυλον ἦλθον;
292bἜΠΟΨ: ὥσπερ οἱ Κᾶρες μὲν οὖν
293ἐπὶ λόφων οἰκοῦσιν ὦγάθʼ ἀσφαλείας οὔνεκα.
294ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Πόσειδον οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὅσον συνείλεκται κακὸν
295ὀρνέων;
295bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὦναξ Ἄπολλον τοῦ νέφους. ἰοὺ ἰού,
296οὐδʼ ἰδεῖν ἔτʼ ἔσθʼ ὑπʼ αὐτῶν πετομένων τὴν εἴσοδον.
297ἜΠΟΨ: οὑτοσὶ πέρδιξ, ἐκεινοσί γε νὴ Δίʼ ἀτταγᾶς,
298οὑτοσὶ δὲ πηνέλοψ, ἐκεινηὶ δέ γʼ ἀλκυών.
299ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τίς γάρ ἐσθʼ οὕπισθεν αὐτῆς;
299bἜΠΟΨ: ὅστις ἐστί; κειρύλος.
300ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κειρύλος γάρ ἐστιν ὄρνις;
300bἜΠΟΨ: οὐ γάρ ἐστι Σποργίλος;
301χαὐτηί γε γλαῦξ.
301bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί φῄς; τίς γλαῦκʼ Ἀθήναζʼ ἤγαγεν;
302ἜΠΟΨ: κίττα τρυγὼν κορυδὸς ἐλεᾶς ὑποθυμὶς περιστερὰ
303νέρτος ἱέραξ φάττα κόκκυξ ἐρυθρόπους κεβλήπυρις
304πορφυρὶς κερχνῂς κολυμβὶς ἀμπελὶς φήνη δρύοψ.
305ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἰοὺ ἰοὺ τῶν ὀρνέων, ἰοὺ ἰοὺ τῶν κοψίχων·
306οἶα πιππίζουσι καὶ τρέχουσι διακεκραγότες.
307ἆρʼ ἀπειλοῦσίν γε νῷν; οἴμοι, κεχήνασίν γέ τοι
308καὶ βλέπουσιν ἐς σὲ κἀμέ.
308bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τοῦτο μὲν κἀμοὶ δοκεῖ.
310ΧΟΡΌΣ: ποποποποποποποποποποῖ ποῦ μʼ ἄρʼ ὃς
311ἐκάλεσε; τίνα τόπον ἄρα ποτὲ νέμεται;
312ἜΠΟΨ: οὑτοσὶ πάλαι πάρειμι κοὐκ ἀποστατῶ φίλων.
313ΧΟΡΌΣ: τί τί τί τί τί τί τί τί· τίνα λόγον ἄρα ποτὲ
315πρὸς ἐμὲ φίλον ἔχων;
316ἜΠΟΨ: κοινὸν ἀσφαλῆ δίκαιον ἡδὺν ὠφελήσιμον.
317ἄνδρε γὰρ λεπτὼ λογιστὰ δεῦρʼ ἀφῖχθον ὡς ἐμέ.
318ΧΟΡΌΣ: ποῦ; πᾷ; πῶς φῄς;
320ἜΠΟΨ: φήμʼ ἀπʼ ἀνθρώπων ἀφῖχθαι δεῦρο πρεσβύτα δύο·
321ἥκετον δʼ ἔχοντε πρέμνον πράγματος πελωρίου.
Part 10
322ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὦ μέγιστον ἐξαμαρτὼν ἐξ ὅτου ʼτράφην ἐγώ,
323πῶς λέγεις;
323bἜΠΟΨ: μήπω φοβηθῇς τὸν λόγον.
323cΧΟΡΌΣ: τί μʼ ἠργάσω;
324ἜΠΟΨ: ἄνδρʼ ἐδεξάμην ἐραστὰ τῆσδε τῆς ξυνουσίας.
325ΧΟΡΌΣ: καὶ δέδρακας τοῦτο τοὔργον;
325bἜΠΟΨ: καὶ δεδρακώς γʼ ἥδομαι.
326ΧΟΡΌΣ: κἀστὸν ἤδη που παρʼ ἡμῖν;
326bἜΠΟΨ: εἰ παρʼ ὑμῖν εἴμʼ ἐγώ.
327ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἔα ἔα,
328προδεδόμεθʼ ἀνόσιά τʼ ἐπάθομεν·
329ὃς γὰρ φίλος ἦν ὁμότροφά θʼ ἡμῖν
330ἐνέμετο πεδία παρʼ ἡμῖν,
331παρέβη μὲν θεσμοὺς ἀρχαίους,
332παρέβη δʼ ὅρκους ὀρνίθων·
333ἐς δὲ δόλον ἐκάλεσε, παρέβαλέ τʼ ἐμὲ παρὰ
334γένος ἀνόσιον, ὅπερ ἐξότʼ ἐγένετʼ ἐπʼ ἐμοὶ
335πολέμιον ἐτράφη.
336ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλὰ πρὸς τοῦτον μὲν ἡμῖν ἐστιν ὕστερος λόγος·
337τὼ δὲ πρεσβύτα δοκεῖ μοι τώδε δοῦναι τὴν δίκην
338διαφορηθῆναί θʼ ὑφʼ ἡμῶν.
338bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὡς ἀπωλόμεσθʼ ἄρα.
339ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: αἴτιος μέντοι σὺ νῷν εἶ τῶν κακῶν τούτων μόνος.
340ἐπὶ τί γάρ μʼ ἐκεῖθεν ἦγες;
340bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἵνʼ ἀκολουθοίης ἐμοί.
341ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἵνα μὲν οὖν κλάοιμι μεγάλα.
341bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τοῦτο μὲν ληρεῖς ἔχων
342κάρτα· πῶς κλαύσει γάρ, ἢν ἅπαξ γε τὠφθαλμὼ ʼκκοπῇς;
343ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἰὼ ἰώ,
344ἔπαγʼ ἔπιθʼ ἐπίφερε πολέμιον
345ὁρμὰν φονίαν, πτέρυγά τε παντᾷ
346ἐπίβαλε περί τε κύκλωσαι·
347ὡς δεῖ τώδʼ οἰμώζειν ἄμφω
348καὶ δοῦναι ῥύγχει φορβάν.
349οὔτε γὰρ ὄρος σκιερὸν οὔτε νέφος αἰθέριον
350οὔτε πολιὸν πέλαγος ἔστιν ὅ τι δέξεται
351τώδʼ ἀποφυγόντε με.
352ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλὰ μὴ μέλλωμεν ἤδη τώδε τίλλειν καὶ δάκνειν.
353ποῦ ʼσθʼ ὁ ταξίαρχος; ἐπαγέτω τὸ δεξιὸν κέρας.
354ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τοῦτʼ ἐκεῖνο· ποῖφύγω δύστηνος;
354bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὗτος οὐ μενεῖς;
355ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἵνʼ ὑπὸ τούτων διαφορηθῶ;
Part 11
355bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πῶς γὰρ ἂν τούτους δοκεῖς
356ἐκφυγεῖν;
356bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐκ οἶδʼ ὅπως ἄν.
356cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ἐγώ τοί σοι λέγω,
357ὅτι μένοντε δεῖ μάχεσθαι λαμβάνειν τε τῶν χυτρῶν.
358ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί δὲ χύτρα νώ γʼ ὠφελήσει;
358bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: γλαῦξ μὲν οὐ πρόσεισι νῷν.
359ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τοῖς δὲ γαμψώνυξι τοισδί;
359bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὸν ὀβελίσκον ἁρπάσας
360εἶτα κατάπηξον πρὸ σαυτοῦ.
360bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τοῖσι δʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσι τί;
361ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὀξύβαφον ἐντευθενὶ προσδοῦ λαβὼν ἢ τρύβλιον.
362ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὦ σοφώτατʼ, εὖ γʼ ἀνηῦρες αὐτὸ καὶ στρατηγικῶς·
363ὑπερακοντίζεις σύ γʼ ἤδη Νικίαν ταῖς μηχαναῖς.
364ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἐλελελεῦ χώρει κάθες τὸ ῥύγχος· οὐ μέλλειν ἐχρῆν.
365ἕλκε τίλλε παῖε δεῖρε, κόπτε πρώτην τὴν χύτραν.
366ἜΠΟΨ: εἰπέ μοι τί μέλλετʼ ὦ πάντων κάκιστα θηρίων
367ἀπολέσαι παθόντες οὐδὲν ἄνδρε καὶ διασπάσαι
368τῆς ἐμῆς γυναικὸς ὄντε ξυγγενεῖ καὶ φυλέτα;
369ΧΟΡΌΣ: φεισόμεσθα γάρ τι τῶνδε μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς ἢ λύκων;
370ἢ τίνας τεισαίμεθʼ ἄλλους τῶνδʼ ἂν ἐχθίους ἔτι;
371ἜΠΟΨ: εἰ δὲ τὴν φύσιν μὲν ἐχθροὶ τὸν δὲ νοῦν εἰσιν φίλοι,
372καὶ διδάξοντές τι δεῦρʼ ἥκουσιν ὑμᾶς χρήσιμον;
373ΧΟΡΌΣ: πῶς δʼ ἂν οἵδʼ ἡμᾶς τι χρήσιμον διδάξειάν ποτε
374ἢ φράσειαν, ὄντες ἐχθροὶ τοῖσι πάπποις τοῖς ἐμοῖς;
375ἜΠΟΨ: ἀλλʼ ἀπʼ ἐχθρῶν δῆτα πολλὰ μανθάνουσιν οἱ σοφοί.
376ἡ γὰρ εὐλάβεια σῴζει πάντα. παρὰ μὲν οὖν φίλου
377οὐ μάθοις ἂν τοῦθʼ, ὁ δʼ ἐχθρὸς εὐθὺς ἐξηνάγκασεν.
378αὐτίχʼ αἱ πόλεις παρʼ ἀνδρῶν γʼ ἔμαθον ἐχθρῶν κοὐ φίλων
379ἐκπονεῖν θʼ ὑψηλὰ τείχη ναῦς τε κεκτῆσθαι μακράς·
380τὸ δὲ μάθημα τοῦτο σῴζει παῖδας οἶκον χρήματα.
381ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἔστι μὲν λόγων ἀκοῦσαι πρῶτον, ὡς ἡμῖν δοκεῖ,
382χρήσιμον· μάθοι γὰρ ἄν τις κἀπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν σοφόν.
383ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἵδε τῆς ὀργῆς χαλᾶν εἴξασιν. ἄναγʼ ἐπὶ σκέλος.
384ἜΠΟΨ: καὶ δίκαιόν γʼ ἐστὶ κἀμοὶ δεῖ νέμειν ὑμᾶς χάριν.
385ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλὰ μὴν οὐδʼ ἄλλο σοί πω πρᾶγμʼ ἐνηντιώμεθα.
Part 12
386ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μᾶλλον εἰρήνην ἄγουσι νὴ Δίʼ, ὥστε τὴν χύτραν
387τώ τε τρυβλίω καθίει·
388καὶ τὸ δόρυ χρή, τὸν ὀβελίσκον,
389περιπατεῖν ἔχοντας ἡμᾶς
390τῶν ὅπλων ἐντός, παρʼ αὐτὴν
391τὴν χύτραν ἄκραν ὁρῶντας
392ἐγγύς· ὡς οὐ φευκτέον νῷν.
393ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐτεὸν ἢν δʼ ἄρʼ ἀποθάνωμεν,
394κατορυχθησόμεσθα ποῦ γῆς;
395ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁ Κεραμεικὸς δέξεται νώ.
396δημοσίᾳ γὰρ ἵνα ταφῶμεν,
397φήσομεν πρὸς τοὺς στρατηγοὺς
398μαχομένω τοῖς πολεμίοισιν
399ἀποθανεῖν ἐν Ὀρνεαῖς.
400ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἄναγʼ ἐς τάξιν πάλιν ἐς ταὐτόν,
401καὶ τὸν θυμὸν κατάθου κύψας
402παρὰ τὴν ὀργὴν ὥσπερ ὁπλίτης·
403κἀναπυθώμεθα τούσδε τίνες ποτὲ
404καὶ πόθεν ἔμολον
405† ἐπὶ τίνα τʼ ἐπίνοιαν. †
406ἰὼ ἔποψ σέ τοι καλῶ.
407ἜΠΟΨ: καλεῖς δὲ τοῦ κλύειν θέλων;
408ΧΟΡΌΣ: τίνες ποθʼ οἵδε καὶ πόθεν;
409ἜΠΟΨ: ξείνω σοφῆς ἀφʼ Ἑλλάδος.
410ΧΟΡΌΣ: τύχη δὲ ποία κομίζει
411ποτʼ αὐτὼ πρὸς ὄρνιθας
412ἐλθεῖν;
412bἜΠΟΨ: ἔρως
413βίου διαίτης τε καὶ
414σοῦ ξυνοικεῖν τέ σοι
415καὶ ξυνεῖναι τὸ πᾶν.
416ΧΟΡΌΣ: τί φῄς;
416aλέγουσι δὴ τίνας λόγους;
417ἜΠΟΨ: ἄπιστα καὶ πέρα κλύειν.
418ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὁρᾷ τι κέρδος ἐνθάδʼ ἄξιον
419μονῆς, ὅτῳ πέποιθʼ
419aἐμοὶ ξυνὼν [...]
420κρατεῖν ἂν ἢ τὸν ἐχθρὸν ἢ
421φίλοισιν ὠφελεῖν ἔχειν;
422ἜΠΟΨ: λέγει μέγαν τινʼ ὄλβον οὔτε
423λεκτὸν οὔτε πιστόν· ὡς
424σὰ γὰρ τὰ πάντα ταῦτα καὶ
425τὸ τῇδε καὶ τὸ κεῖσε καὶ
426τὸ δεῦρο προσβιβᾷ λέγων.
427ΧΟΡΌΣ: πότερα μαινόμενος;
428ἜΠΟΨ: ἄφατον ὡς φρόνιμος.
429ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἔνι σοφόν τι φρενί;
430ἜΠΟΨ: πυκνότατον κίναδος,
431σόφισμα κύρμα τρῖμμα παιπάλημʼ ὅλον.
432ΧΟΡΌΣ: λέγειν λέγειν κέλευέ μοι.
433κλύων γὰρ ὧν σύ μοι λέγεις
434λόγων ἀνεπτέρωμαι.
435ἜΠΟΨ: ἄγε δὴ σὺ καὶ σὺ τὴν πανοπλίαν μὲν πάλιν
436ταύτην λαβόντε κρεμάσατον τύχἀγαθῇ
437ἐς τὸν ἰπνὸν εἴσω πλησίον τοὐπιστάτου·
438σὺ δὲ τούσδʼ ἐφʼ οἷσπερ τοῖς λόγοις συνέλεξʼ ἐγὼ
439φράσον, δίδαξον.
439bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ τὸν Ἀπόλλω ʼγὼ μὲν οὔ,
440ἢν μὴ διάθωνταί γʼ οἵδε διαθήκην ἐμοὶ
441ἥνπερ ὁ πίθηκος τῇ γυναικὶ διέθετο,
441aὁ μαχαιροποιός, μήτε δάκνειν τούτους ἐμὲ
442μήτʼ ὀρχίπεδʼ ἕλκειν μήτʼ ὀρύττειν —
Part 13
442bΧΟΡΌΣ: οὔτι που
443τόν —; οὐδαμῶς.
443bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔκ, ἀλλὰ τὠφθαλμὼ λέγω.
444ΧΟΡΌΣ: διατίθεμαι ʼγώ.
444bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κατόμοσόν νυν ταῦτά μοι.
445ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὄμνυμʼ ἐπὶ τούτοις, πᾶσι νικᾶν τοῖς κριταῖς
446καὶ τοῖς θεαταῖς πᾶσιν.
446bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔσται ταυταγί.
447ΧΟΡΌΣ: εἰ δὲ παραβαίην, ἑνὶ κριτῇ νικᾶν μόνον.
448ΚΗ͂ΡΥΞ: ἀκούετε λεῴ· τοὺς ὁπλίτας νυνμενὶ
449ἀνελομένους θὤπλʼ ἀπιέναι πάλιν οἴκαδε,
450σκοπεῖν δʼ ὅ τι ἂν προγράφωμεν ἐν τοῖς πινακίοις.
451ΧΟΡΌΣ: δολερὸν μὲν ἀεὶ κατὰ πάντα δὴ τρόπον
452πέφυκεν ἄνθρωπος· σὺ δʼ ὅμως λέγε μοι.
453τάχα γὰρ τύχοις ἂν
454χρηστὸν ἐξειπὼν ὅ τι μοι παρορᾷς, ἢ
455δύναμίν τινα μείζω
456παραλειπομένην ὑπʼ ἐμῆς φρενὸς ἀξυνέτου·
457σὺ δὲ τοῦθʼ οὑρᾷς λέγʼ ἐς κοινόν.
458ὃ γὰρ ἂν σὺ τύχῃς μοι
459ἀγαθὸν πορίσας, τοῦτο κοινὸν ἔσται.
460ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλʼ ἐφʼ ὅτῳπερ πράγματι τὴν σὴν ἥκεις γνώμην ἀναπείσας,
461λέγε θαρρήσας· ὡς τὰς σπονδὰς οὐ μὴ πρότεροι παραβῶμεν.
462ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ μὴν ὀργῶ νὴ τὸν Δία καὶ προπεφύραται λόγος εἷς μοι,
463ὃν διαμάττειν οὐ κωλύει· φέρε παῖ στέφανον· καταχεῖσθαι
464κατὰ χειρὸς ὕδωρ φερέτω ταχύ τις.
464bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: δειπνήσειν μέλλομεν; ἢ τί;
465ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλὰ λέγειν ζητῶ τι πάλαι μέγα καὶ λαρινὸν ἔπος τι,
466ὅ το τὴν τούτων θραύσει ψυχήν· οὕτως ὑμῶν ὑπεραλγῶ,
467οἵτινες ὄντες πρότερον βασιλῆς —
467bΧΟΡΌΣ: ἡμεῖς βασιλῆς; τίνος;
467cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὑμεῖς
468πάντων ὁπόσʼ ἔστιν, ἐμοῦ πρῶτον, τουδί, καὶ τοῦ Διὸς αὐτοῦ,
469ἀρχαιότεροι πρότεροί τε Κρόνου καὶ Τιτάνων ἐγένεσθε,
470καὶ γῆς.
470bΧΟΡΌΣ: καὶ γῆς;
470cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ τὸν Ἀπόλλω.
470dΧΟΡΌΣ: τουτὶ μὰ Δίʼ οὐκ ἐπεπύσμην.
471ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀμαθὴς γὰρ ἔφυς κοὐ πολυπράγμων, οὐδʼ Αἴσωπον πεπάτηκας,
472ὃς ἔφασκε λέγων κορυδὸν πάντων πρώτην ὄρνιθα γενέσθαι,
473προτέραν τῆς γῆς, κἄπειτα νόσῳ τὸν πατέρʼ αὐτῆς ἀποθνῄσκειν·
474γῆν δʼ οὐκ εἶναι, τὸν δὲ προκεῖσθαι πεμπταῖον· τὴν δʼ ἀποροῦσαν
475ὑπʼ ἀμηχανίας τὸν πατέρʼ αὑτῆς ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ κατορύξαι.
476ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὁ πατὴρ ἄρα τῆς κορυδοῦ νυνὶ κεῖται τεθνεὼς Κεφαλῆσιν.
Part 14
477ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔκουν δῆτʼ εἰ πρότεροι μὲν γῆς πρότεροι δὲ θεῶν ἐγένοντο,
478ὡς πρεσβυτάτων αὐτῶν ὄντῶν ὀρθῶς ἐσθʼ ἡ βασιλεία;
479ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: νὴ τὸν Ἀπόλλω· πάνυ τοίνυν χρὴ ῥύγχος βόσκειν σε τὸ λοιπόν·
480οὐκ ἀποδώσει ταχέως ὁ Ζεὺς τὸ σκῆπτρον τῷ δρυκολάπτῃ.
481ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὡς δʼ οὐχὶ θεοὶ τοίνυν ἦρχον τῶν ἀνθρώπων τὸ παλαιόν,
482ἀλλʼ ὄρνιθες, κἀβασίλευον, πόλλʼ ἐστὶ τεκμήρια τούτων.
483αὐτίκα δʼ ὑμῖν πρῶτʼ ἐπιδείξω τὸν ἀλεκτρυόνʼ, ὡς ἐτυράννει
484ἦρχέ τε Περσῶν πρῶτον πάντων Δαρείου καὶ Μεγαβάζου,
485ὥστε καλεῖται Περσικὸς ὄρνις ἀπὸ τῆς ἀρχῆς ἔτʼ ἐκείνης.
486ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: διὰ ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἔχων καὶ νῦν ὥσπερ βασιλεὺς ὁ μέγας διαβάσκει
487ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς τὴν κυρβασίαν τῶν ὀρνίθων μόνος ὀρθήν.
488ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὕτω δʼ ἴσχυσέ τε καὶ μέγας ἦν τότε καὶ πολύς, ὥστʼ ἔτι καὶ νῦν
489ὑπὸ τῆς ῥώμης τῆς τότʼ ἐκείνης, ὁπόταν μόνον ὄρθριον ᾄσῃ,
490ἀναπηδῶσιν πάντες ἐπʼ ἔργον χαλκῆς κεραμῆς σκυλοδέψαι
491σκυτῆς βαλανῆς ἀλφιταμοιβοὶ τορνευτολυρασπιδοπηγοί·
492οἱ δὲ βαδίζουσʼ ὑποδησάμενοι νύκτωρ.
492bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐμὲ τοῦτό γʼ ἐρώτα.
493χλαῖναν γὰρ ἀπώλεσʼ ὁ μοχθηρὸς Φρυγίων ἐρίων διὰ τοῦτον.
494ἐς δεκάτην γάρ ποτε παιδαρίου κληθεὶς ὑπέπινον ἐν ἄστει,
495κἄρτι καθηῦδον, καὶ πρὶν δειπνεῖν τοὺς ἄλλους οὗτος ἄρʼ ᾖσεν·
496κἀγὼ νομίσας ὄρθρον ἐχώρουν Ἀλιμουντάδε, κἄρτι προκύπτω
497ἔξω τείχους καὶ λωποδύτης παίει ῥοπάλῳ με τὸ νῶτον·
498κἀγὼ πίπτω μέλλω τε βοᾶν, ὁ δʼ ἀπέβλισε θοἰμάτιόν μου.
499ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἰκτῖνος δʼ οὖν τῶν Ἑλλήνων ἦρχεν τότε κἀβασίλευεν.
500ΧΟΡΌΣ: τῶν Ἑλλήνων;
500bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ κατέδειξέν γʼ οὗτος πρῶτος βασιλεύων
501προκυλινδεῖσθαι τοῖς ἰκτίνοις.
501bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: νὴ τὸν Διόνυσον, ἐγὼ γοῦν
502ἐκυλινδούμην ἰκτῖνον ἰδών· κᾆθʼ ὕπτιος ὢν ἀναχάσκων
503ὀβολὸν κατεβρόχθισα· κᾆτα κενὸν τὸν θύλακον οἴκαδʼ ἀφεῖλκον.
504ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Αἰγύπτου δʼ αὖ καὶ Φοινίκης πάσης κόκκυξ βασιλεὺς ἦν·
505χὠπόθʼ ὁ κόκκυξ εἴποι κόκκυ, τότʼ ἂν οἱ Φοίνικες ἅπαντες
506τοὺς πυροὺς ἂν καὶ τὰς κριθὰς ἐν τοῖς πεδίοις ἐθέριζον.
507ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τοῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἐκεῖνʼ ἦν τοὔπος ἀληθῶς· κόκκυψωλοὶ πεδίονδε.
508ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἦρχον δʼ οὕτω σφόδρα τὴν ἀρχήν, ὥστʼ εἴ τις καὶ βασιλεύοι
509ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν τῶν Ἑλλήνων Ἀγαμέμνων ἢ Μενέλαος,
510ἐπὶ τῶν σκήπτρων ἐκάθητʼ ὄρνις μετέχων ὅ τι δωροδοκοίη.
511ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τουτὶ τοίνυν οὐκ ᾔδη ʼγώ· καὶ δῆτά μʼ ἐλάμβανε θαῦμα,
512ὁπότʼ ἐξέλθοι Πρίαμός τις ἔχων ὄρνιν ἐν τοῖσι τραγῳδοῖς,
513ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ εἱστήκει τὸν Λυσικράτη τηρῶν ὅ τι δωροδοκοίη.
514ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὃ δὲ δεινότατόν γʼ ἐστὶν ἁπάντων, ὁ Ζεὺς γὰρ ὁ νῦν βασιλεύων
515αἰετὸν ὄρνιν ἕστηκεν ἔχων ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς βασιλεὺς ὤν,
516ἡ δʼ αὖ θυγάτηρ γλαῦχʼ, ὁ δʼ Ἀπόλλων ὥσπερ θεράπων ἱέρακα.
517ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: νὴ τὴν Δήμητρʼ εὖ ταῦτα λέγεις. τίνος οὕνεκα ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἔχουσιν;
518ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἵνʼ ὅταν θύων τις ἔπειτʼ αὐτοῖς ἐς τὴν χεῖρʼ, ὡς νόμος ἐστίν,
519τὰ σπλάγχνα διδῷ, τοῦ Διὸς αὐτοὶ πρότεροι τὰ σπλάγχνα λάβωσιν.
520ὤμνυ τʼ οὐδεὶς τότʼ ἂν ἀνθρώπων θεόν, ἀλλʼ ὄρνιθας ἅπαντες·
521Λάμπων δʼ ὄμνυσʼ ἔτι καὶ νυνὶ τὸν χῆνʼ, ὅταν ἐξαπατᾷ τι.
522οὕτως ὑμᾶς πάντες πρότερον μεγάλους ἁγίους τʼ ἐνόμιζον,
523ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νῦν δʼ ἀνδράποδʼ ἠλιθίους Μανᾶς· ὥσπερ δʼ ἤδη τοὺς μαινομένους βάλλουσʼ ὑμᾶς, κἀν τοῖς ἱεροῖς πᾶς τις ἐφʼ ὑμῖν ὀρνιθευτὴς ἵστησι βρόχους παγίδας ῥάβδους
528ἕρκη νεφέλας δίκτυα πηκτάς· εἶτα λαβόντες πωλοῦσʼ ἁθρόους· οἱ δʼ ὠνοῦνται βλιμάζοντες· κοὐδʼ οὖν, εἴπερ ταῦτα δοκεῖ δρᾶν, ὀπτησάμενοι παρέθενθʼ ὑμᾶς,
533ἀλλʼ ἐπικνῶσιν τυρὸν ἔλαιον σίλφιον ὄξος καὶ τρίψαντες κατάχυσμʼ ἕτερον γλυκὺ καὶ λιπαρόν, κἄπειτα κατεσκέδασαν θερμὸν τοῦτο καθʼ ὑμῶν
538αὐτῶν ὥσπερ κενεβρείων.
539ΧΟΡΌΣ: πολὺ δὴ πολὺ δὴ χαλεπωτάτους λόγους
540ἤνεγκας ἄνθρωφʼ. ὡς ἐδάκρυσά γʼ ἐμῶν
541πατέρων κάκην, οἳ
542τάσδε τὰς τιμὰς προγόνων παραδόντων
543ἐπʼ ἐμοῦ κατέλυσαν.
544σὺ δέ μοι κατὰ δαίμονα καί τινα συντυχίαν
545ἀγαθὴν ἥκεις ἐμοὶ σωτήρ.
546ἀναθεὶς γὰρ ἐγώ σοι
547τὰ νεοττία κἀμαυτὸν οἰκήσω.
548ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλʼ ὅ τι χρὴ δρᾶν, σὺ δίδασκε παρών· ὡς ζῆν οὐκ ἄξιον ἡμῖν,
549εἰ μὴ κομιούμεθα παντὶ τρόπῳ τὴν ἡμετέραν βασιλείαν.
Part 15
550ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ δὴ τοίνυν πρῶτα διδάσκω μίαν ὀρνίθων πόλιν εἶναι,
551κἄπειτα τὸν ἀέρα πάντα κύκλῳ καὶ πᾶν τουτὶ τὸ μεταξὺ
552περιτειχίζειν μεγάλαις πλίνθοις ὀπταῖς ὥσπερ Βαβυλῶνα.
553ἜΠΟΨ: ὦ Κεβριόνη καὶ Πορφυρίων ὡς σμερδαλέον τὸ πόλισμα.
554ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κἄπειτʼ ἢν τοῦτʼ ἐπανεστήκῃ, τὴν ἀρχὴν τὸν Δίʼ ἀπαιτεῖν· κἂν μὲν μὴ φῇ μηδʼ ἐθελήσῃ μηδʼ εὐθὺς γνωσιμαχήσῃ, ἱερὸν πόλεμον πρωὐδᾶν αὐτῷ, καὶ τοῖσι θεοῖσιν ἀπειπεῖν διὰ τῆς χώρας τῆς ὑμετέρας ἐστυκόσι μὴ διαφοιτᾶν, ὥσπερ πρότερον μοιχεύσοντες τὰς Ἀλκμήνας κατέβαινον
559καὶ τὰς Ἀλόπας καὶ τὰς Σεμέλας· ἤνπερ δʼ ἐπίωσʼ, ἐπιβάλλειν σφραγῖδʼ αὐτοῖς ἐπὶ τὴν ψωλήν, ἵνα μὴ βινῶσʼ ἔτʼ ἐκείνας. τοῖς δʼ ἀνθρώποις ὄρνιν ἕτερον πέμψαι κήρυκα κελεύω, ὡς ὀρνίθων βασιλευόντων θύειν ὄρνισι τὸ λοιπόν, κἄπειτα θεοῖς ὕστερον αὖθις· προσνείμασθαι δὲ πρεπόντως
564τοῖσι θεοῖσιν τῶν ὀρνίθων ὃς ἂν ἁρμόττῃ καθʼ ἕκαστον· ἢν Ἀφροδίτῃ θύῃ, πυροὺς ὄρνιθι φαληρίδι θύειν· ἢν δὲ Ποσειδῶνί τις οἶν θύῃ, νήττῃ πυροὺς καθαγίζειν· ἢν δʼ Ἡρακλέει θύῃ τι, λάρῳ ναστοὺς θύειν μελιτοῦντας· κἂν Διὶ θύῃ βασιλεῖ κριόν, βασιλεύς ἐστʼ ὀρχίλος ὄρνις,
569ᾧ προτέρῳ δεῖ τοῦ Διὸς αὐτοῦ σέρφον ἐνόρχην σφαγιάζειν.
570ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἥσθην σέρφῳ σφαγιαζομένῳ. βροντάτω νῦν ὁ μέγας Ζάν.
571ΧΟΡΌΣ: καὶ πῶς ἡμᾶς νομιοῦσι θεοὺς ἄνθρωποι κοὐχὶ κολοιούς,
572οἳ πετόμεσθα πτέρυγάς τʼ ἔχομεν;
572bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ληρεῖς· καὶ νὴ Δίʼ ὅ γʼ Ἑρμῆς
573πέτεται θεὸς ὢν πτέρυγάς τε φορεῖ, κἄλλοι γε θεοὶ πάνυ πολλοί.
574αὐτίκα Νίκη πέτεται πτερύγοιν χρυσαῖν καὶ νὴ Δίʼ Ἔρως γε·
575Ἥρην δέ γʼ Ὅμηρος ἔφασκʼ ἰκέλην εἶναι τρήρωνι πελείῃ.
576ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὁ Ζεὺς δʼ ἡμῖν οὐ βροντήσας πέμψει πτερόεντα κεραυνόν;
577ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἢν δʼ οὖν ὑμᾶς μὲν ὑπʼ ἀγνοίας εἶναι νομίσωσι τὸ μηδέν,
578τούτους δὲ θεοὺς τοὺς ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ τότε χρὴ στρούθων νέφος ἀρθὲν
579καὶ σπερμολόγων ἐκ τῶν ἀγρῶν τὸ σπέρμʼ αὐτῶν ἀνακάψαι·
580κἄπειτʼ αὐτοῖς ἡ Δημήτηρ πυροὺς πεινῶσι μετρείτω.
581ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐκ ἐθελήσει μὰ Δίʼ, ἀλλʼ ὄψει προφάσεις αὐτὴν παρέχουσαν.
582ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἱ δʼ αὖ κόρακες τῶν ζευγαρίων, οἷσιν τὴν γῆν καταροῦσιν,
583καὶ τῶν προβάτων τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἐκκοψάντων ἐπὶ πείρᾳ·
584εἶθʼ ὅ γʼ Ἀπόλλων ἰατρός γʼ ὢν ἰάσθω· μισθοφορεῖ δέ.
585ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: μὴ πρίν γʼ ἂν ἐγὼ τὼ βοιδαρίω τὠμὼ πρώτιστʼ ἀποδῶμαι.
586ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἢν δʼ ἡγῶνται σὲ θεὸν σὲ βίον σὲ δὲ γῆν σὲ Κρόνον σὲ Ποσειδῶ,
587ἀγάθʼ αὐτοῖσιν πάντα παρέσται.
587bἜΠΟΨ: λέγε δή μοι τῶν ἀγαθῶν ἕν.
588ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πρῶτα μὲν αὐτῶν τὰς οἰνάνθας οἱ πάρνοπες οὐ κατέδονται,
589ἀλλὰ γλαυκῶν λόχος εἷς αὐτοὺς καὶ κερχνῄδων ἐπιτρίψει.
590εἶθʼ οἱ κνῖπες καὶ ψῆνες ἀεὶ τὰς συκᾶς οὐ κατέδονται,
591ἀλλʼ ἀναλέξει πάντας καθαρῶς αὐτοὺς ἀγέλη μία κιχλῶν.
592ἜΠΟΨ: πλουτεῖν δὲ πόθεν δώσομεν αὐτοῖς; καὶ γὰρ τούτου σφόδρʼ ἐρῶσιν.
593ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὰ μέταλλʼ αὐτοῖς μαντευομένοις οὗτοι δώσουσι τὰ χρηστά,
594τάς τʼ ἐμπορίας τὰς κερδαλέας πρὸς τὸν μάντιν κατεροῦσιν,
595ὥστʼ ἀπολεῖται τῶν ναυκλήρων οὐδείς.
595bἜΠΟΨ: πῶς οὐκ ἀπολεῖται;
596ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: προερεῖ τις ἀεὶ τῶν ὀρνίθων μαντευομένῳ περὶ τοῦ πλοῦ·
597νυνὶ μὴ πλεῖ, χειμὼν ἔσται· νυνὶ πλεῖ, κέρδος ἐπέσται.
598ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: γαῦλον κτῶμαι καὶ ναυκληρῶ, κοὐκ ἂν μείναιμι παρʼ ὑμῖν.
599ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τοὺς θησαυρούς τʼ αὐτοῖς δείξουσʼ οὓς οἱ πρότεροι κατέθεντο
600τῶν ἀργυρίων· οὗτοι γὰρ ἴσασι· λέγουσι δέ τοι τάδε πάντες,
601οὐδεὶς οἶδεν τὸν θησαυρὸν τὸν ἐμὸν πλὴν εἴ τις ἄρʼ ὄρνις.
Part 16
602ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: πωλῶ γαῦλον, κτῶμαι σμινύην, καὶ τὰς ὑδρίας ἀνορύττω.
603ἜΠΟΨ: πῶς δʼ ὑγιείαν δώσουσʼ αὐτοῖς, οὖσαν παρὰ τοῖσι θεοῖσιν;
604ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἢν εὖ πράττωσʼ, οὐχ ὑγιεία μεγάλη τοῦτʼ ἐστί; σάφʼ ἴσθι,
605ὡς ἄνθρωπός γε κακῶς πράττων ἀτεχνῶς οὐδεὶς ὑγιαίνει.
606ἜΠΟΨ: πῶς δʼ ἐς γῆράς ποτʼ ἀφίξονται; καὶ γὰρ τοῦτʼ ἔστʼ ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ·
607ἢ παιδάριʼ ὄντʼ ἀποθνῄσκειν δεῖ;
607bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλὰ τριακόσιʼ αὐτοῖς
608ἔτι προσθήσουσʼ ὄρνιθες ἔτη.
608bἜΠΟΨ: παρὰ τοῦ;
608cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: παρʼ ὅτου; παρʼ ἑαυτῶν.
609οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅτι πέντʼ ἀνδρῶν γενεὰς ζώει λακέρυζα κορώνη;
610ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: αἰβοῖ πολλῷ κρείττους οὗτοι τοῦ Διὸς ἡμῖν βασιλεύειν.
611ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ γὰρ πολλῷ; πρῶτον μέν γʼ οὐχὶ νεὼς ἡμᾶς οἰκοδομεῖν δεῖ λιθίνους αὐτοῖς, οὐδὲ θυρῶσαι χρυσαῖσι θύραις, ἀλλʼ ὑπὸ θάμνοις καὶ πρινιδίοις
616οἰκήσουσιν. τοῖς δʼ αὖ σεμνοῖς τῶν ὀρνίθων δένδρον ἐλάας ὁ νεὼς ἔσται· κοὐκ ἐς Δελφοὺς οὐδʼ εἰς Ἄμμωνʼ ἐλθόντες ἐκεῖ θύσομεν, ἀλλʼ ἐν ταῖσιν κομάροις
621καὶ τοῖς κοτίνοις στάντες ἔχοντες κριθὰς πυροὺς εὐξόμεθʼ αὐτοῖς ἀνατείνοντες τὼ χεῖρʼ ἀγαθῶν διδόναι τι μέρος· καὶ ταῦθʼ ἡμῖν παραχρῆμʼ ἔσται
626πυροὺς ὀλίγους προβαλοῦσιν.
627ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὦ φίλτατʼ ἐμοὶ πολὺ πρεσβυτῶν ἐξ ἐχθίστου μεταπίπτων,
628οὐκ ἔστιν ὅπως ἂν ἐγώ ποθʼ ἑκὼν τῆς σῆς γνώμης ἔτʼ ἀφείμην.
629ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἐπαυχήσας δὲ τοῖσι σοῖς λόγοις
630ἐπηπείλησα καὶ κατώμοσα,
631ἢν σὺ παρʼ ἐμὲ θέμενος
632ὁμόφρονας λόγους δικαίους
633ἀδόλους ὁσίους
634ἐπὶ θεοὺς ἴῃς, ἐμοὶ
635ΧΟΡΌΣ: φρονῶν ξυνῳδά, μὴ πολὺν χρόνον
636θεοὺς ἔτι σκῆπτρα τἀμὰ τρίψειν.
637ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλʼ ὅσα μὲν δεῖ ῥώμῃ πράττειν, ἐπὶ ταῦτα τεταξόμεθʼ ἡμεῖς·
638ὅσα δὲ γνώμῃ δεῖ βουλεύειν, ἐπὶ σοὶ τάδε πάντʼ ἀνάκειται.
639ἜΠΟΨ: καὶ μὴν μὰ τὸν Δίʼ οὐχὶ νυστάζειν ἔτι
640ὥρα ʼστὶν ἡμῖν οὐδὲ μελλονικιᾶν,
641ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστα δεῖ τι δρᾶν· πρῶτον δέ γε
641aεἰσέλθετʼ ἐς νεοττιάν γε τὴν ἐμὴν
642καὶ τἀμὰ κάρφη καὶ τὰ παρόντα φρύγανα,
643καὶ τοὔνομʼ ἡμῖν φράσατον.
643bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλὰ ῥᾴδιον.
644ἐμοὶ μὲν ὄνομα Πισθέταιρος, τῳδεδὶ
645Εὐελπίδης Κριῶθεν.
645bἜΠΟΨ: ἀλλὰ χαίρετον
646ἄμφω.
646bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: δεχόμεθα.
646cἜΠΟΨ: δεῦρο τοίνυν εἴσιτον.
647ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἴωμεν· εἰσηγοῦ σὺ λαβὼν ἡμᾶς.
647bἜΠΟΨ: ἴθι.
Part 17
648ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀτὰρ τὸ δεῖνα, δεῦρʼ ἐπανάκρουσαι πάλιν.
649φέρʼ ἴδω, φράσον νῷν, πῶς ἐγώ τε χοὐτοσὶ
650ξυνεσόμεθʼ ὑμῖν πετομένοις οὐ πετομένω;
651ἜΠΟΨ: καλῶς.
651bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὅρα νυν, ὡς ἐν Αἰσώπου λόγοις
652ἐστὶν λεγόμενον δή τι, τὴν ἀλώπεχʼ, ὡς
653φλαύρως ἐκοινώνησεν αἰετῷ ποτέ.
654ἜΠΟΨ: μηδὲν φοβηθῇς· ἔστι γάρ τι ῥιζίον,
655ὃ διατραγόντʼ ἔσεσθον ἐπτερωμένω.
656ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὕτω μὲν εἰσίωμεν. ἄγε δὴ Ξανθία
657καὶ Μανόδωρε λαμβάνετε τὰ στρώματα.
658ΧΟΡΌΣ: οὗτος σὲ καλῶ, σὲ λέγω.
658bἜΠΟΨ: τί καλεῖς;
658cΧΟΡΌΣ: τούτους μὲν ἄγων μετὰ σαυτοῦ
659ἀρίστισον εὖ· τὴν δʼ ἡδυμελῆ ξύμφωνον ἀηδόνα Μούσαις
660κατάλειφʼ ἡμῖν δεῦρʼ ἐκβιβάσας, ἵνα παίσωμεν μετʼ ἐκείνης.
661ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ τοῦτο μεντοι νὴ Δίʼ αὐτοῖσιν πιθοῦ·
662ἐκβίβασον ἐκ τοῦ βουτόμου τοὐρνίθιον.
663ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐκβίβασον αὐτοῦ πρὸς θεῶν αὐτήν, ἵνα
664καὶ νὼ θεασώμεσθα τὴν ἀηδόνα.
665ἜΠΟΨ: ἀλλʼ εἰ δοκεῖ σφῷν, ταῦτα χρὴ δρᾶν. ἡ Πρόκνη
666ἔκβαινε καὶ σαυτὴν ἐπιδείκνυ τοῖς ξένοις.
667ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Ζεῦ πολυτίμηθʼ ὡς καλὸν τοὐρνίθιον,
668ὡς δʼ ἁπαλόν, ὡς δὲ λευκόν.
668bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἆρά γʼ οἶσθʼ ὅτι
669ἐγὼ διαμηρίζοιμʼ ἂν αὐτὴν ἡδέως;
670ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὅσον δʼ ἔχει τὸν χρυσόν, ὥσπερ παρθένος.
671ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐγὼ μὲν αὐτὴν κἂν φιλῆσαί μοι δοκῶ.
672ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ὦ κακόδαιμον ῥύγχος ὀβελίσκοιν ἔχει.
673ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ ᾠὸν νὴ Δίʼ ἀπολέψαντα χρὴ
674ἀπὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς τὸ λέμμα κᾆθʼ οὕτω φιλεῖν.
675ἜΠΟΨ: ἴωμεν.
675bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἡγοῦ δὴ σὺ νῷν τύχἀγαθῇ.
676ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὦ φίλη, ὦ ξουθή,
677ὦ φίλτατον ὀρνέων
678πάντων, ξύννομε τῶν ἐμῶν
679ὕμνων, ξύντροφʼ ἀηδοῖ,
680ἦλθες ἦλθες ὤφθης,
681ἡδὺν φθόγγον ἐμοὶ φέρουσʼ.
682ἀλλʼ ὦ καλλιβόαν κρέκουσʼ
683αὐλὸν φθέγμασιν ἠρινοῖς,
684ἄρχου τῶν ἀναπαίστων.
Part 18
685ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἄγε δὴ φύσιν ἄνδρες ἀμαυρόβιοι, φύλλων γενεᾷ προσόμοιοι, ὀλιγοδρανέες, πλάσματα πηλοῦ, σκιοειδέα φῦλʼ ἀμενηνά, ἀπτῆνες ἐφημέριοι ταλαοὶ βροτοὶ ἀνέρες εἰκελόνειροι, προσέχετε τὸν νοῦν τοῖς ἀθανάτοις ἡμῖν τοῖς αἰὲν ἐοῦσιν, τοῖς αἰθερίοις τοῖσιν ἀγήρῳς τοῖς ἄφθιτα μηδομένοισιν,
690ἵνʼ ἀκούσαντες πάντα παρʼ ἡμῶν ὀρθῶς περὶ τῶν μετεώρων. φύσιν οἰωνῶν γένεσίν τε θεῶν ποταμῶν τʼ Ἐρέβους τε Χάους τε εἰδότες ὀρθῶς, Προδίκῳ παρʼ ἐμοῦ κλάειν εἴπητε τὸ λοιπόν. Χάος ἦν καὶ Νὺξ Ἔρεβός τε μέλαν πρῶτον καὶ Τάρταρος εὐρύς, γῆ δʼ οὐδʼ ἀὴρ οὐδʼ οὐρανὸς ἦν· Ἐρέβους δʼ ἐν ἀπείροσι κόλποις
695τίκτει πρώτιστον ὑπηνέμιον Νὺξ ἡ μελανόπτερος ᾠόν, ἐξ οὖ περιτελλομέναις ὥραις ἔβλαστεν Ἔρως ὁ ποθεινός, στίλβων νῶτον πτερύγοιν χρυσαῖν, εἰκὼς ἀνεμώκεσι δίναις. οὗτος δὲ Χάει πτερόεντι μιγεὶς νυχίῳ κατὰ Τάρταρον εὐρὺν ἐνεόττευσεν γένος ἡμέτερον, καὶ πρῶτον ἀνήγαγεν ἐς φῶς.
700πρότερον δʼ οὐκ ἦν γένος ἀθανάτων, πρὶν Ἔρως ξυνέμειξεν ἅπαντα· ξυμμιγνυμένων δʼ ἑτέρων ἑτέροις γένετʼ οὐρανὸς ὠκεανός τε καὶ γῆ πάντων τε θεῶν μακάρων γένος ἄφθιτον. ὦδε μέν ἐσμεν πολὺ πρεσβύτατοι πάντων μακάρων. ἡμεῖς δʼ ὡς ἐσμὲν Ἔρωτος πολλοῖς δῆλον· πετόμεσθά τε γὰρ καὶ τοῖσιν ἐρῶσι σύνεσμεν·
705πολλοὺς δὲ καλοὺς ἀπομωμοκότας παῖδας πρὸς τέρμασιν ὥρας διὰ τὴν ἰσχὺν τὴν ἡμετέραν διεμήρισαν ἄνδρες ἐρασταί, ὁ μὲν ὄρτυγα δοὺς ὁ δὲ πορφυρίωνʼ ὁ δὲ χῆνʼ ὁ δὲ Περσικὸν ὄρνιν.
708ΧΟΡΌΣ: πάντα δὲ θνητοῖς ἐστὶν ἀφʼ ἡμῶν τῶν ὀρνίθων τὰ μέγιστα. πρῶτα μὲν ὥρας φαίνομεν ἡμεῖς ἦρος χειμῶνος ὀπώρας· σπείρειν μέν, ὅταν γέρανος κρώζουσʼ ἐς τὴν Λιβύην μεταχωρῇ. καὶ πηδάλιον τότε ναυκλήρῳ φράζει κρεμάσαντι καθεύδειν, εἶτα δʼ Ὀρέστῃ χλαῖναν ὑφαίνειν, ἵνα μὴ ῥιγῶν ἀποδύῃ.
713ἰκτῖνος δʼ αὖ μετὰ ταῦτα φανεὶς ἑτέραν ὥραν ἀποφαίνει, ἡνίκα πεκτεῖν ὥρα προβάτων πόκον ἠρινόν· εἶτα χελιδών, ὅτε χρὴ χλαῖναν πωλεῖν ἤδη καὶ ληδάριόν τι πρίασθαι. ἐσμὲν δʼ ὑμῖν Ἄμμων Δελφοὶ Δωδώνη Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων. ἐλθόντες γὰρ πρῶτον ἐπʼ ὄρνις οὕτω πρὸς ἅπαντα τρέπεσθε,
718πρός τʼ ἐμπορίαν, καὶ πρὸς βιότου κτῆσιν, καὶ πρὸς γάμον ἀνδρός. ὄρνιν τε νομίζετε πάνθʼ ὅσαπερ περὶ μαντείας διακρίνει· φήμη γʼ ὑμῖν ὄρνις ἐστί, πταρμόν τʼ ὄρνιθα καλεῖτε, ξύμβολον ὄρνιν, φωνὴν ὄρνιν, θεράποντʼ ὄρνιν, ὄνον ὄρνιν. ἆρʼ οὐ φανερῶς ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν ἐσμὲν μαντεῖος Ἀπόλλων;
723ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἢν οὖν ἡμᾶς νομίσητε θεούς, ἕξετε χρῆσθαι μάντεσι Μούσαις αὔραις ὥραις χειμῶνι θέρει μετρίῳ πνίγει· κοὐκ ἀποδράντες καθεδούμεθʼ ἄνω σεμνυνόμενοι
728παρὰ ταῖς νεφέλαις ὥσπερ χὠ Ζεύς· ἀλλὰ παρόντες δώσομεν ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς, παισίν, παίδων παισίν, πλουθυγιείαν εὐδαιμονίαν βίον εἰρήνην
733νεότητα γέλωτα χοροὺς θαλίας γάλα τʼ ὀρνίθων. ὥστε παρέσται κοπιᾶν ὑμῖν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγαθῶν· οὕτω πλουτήσετε πάντες.
737ΧΟΡΌΣ: Μοῦσα λοχμαία, τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ, ποικίλη, μεθʼ ἧς ἐγὼ νάπαισι καὶ κορυφαῖς ἐν ὀρείαις, τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ,
742ἱζόμενος μελίας ἐπὶ φυλλοκόμου, τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ, διʼ ἐμῆς γένυος ξουθῆς μελέων Πανὶ νόμους ἱεροὺς ἀναφαίνω σεμνά τε μητρὶ χορεύματʼ ὀρείᾳ,
747τοτοτοτοτοτοτοτοτοτίγξ, ἔνθεν ὡστερεὶ μέλιττα Φρύνιχος ἀμβροσίων μελέων ἀπεβόσκετο καρπὸν ἀεὶ φέρων γλυκεῖαν ᾠδάν. τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ.
752ΧΟΡΌΣ: εἰ μετʼ ὀρνίθων τις ὑμῶν ὦ θεαταὶ βούλεται διαπλέκειν ζῶν ἡδέως τὸ λοιπόν, ὡς ἡμᾶς ἴτω. ὅσα γάρ ἐστιν ἐνθάδʼ αἰσχρὰ τῷ νόμῳ κρατούμενα, ταῦτα πάντʼ ἐστὶν παρʼ ἡμῖν τοῖσιν ὄρνισιν καλά. εἰ γὰρ ἐνθάδʼ ἐστὶν αἰσχρὸν τὸν πατέρα τύπτειν νόμῳ,
758τοῦτʼ ἐκεῖ καλὸν παρʼ ἡμῖν ἐστιν, ἤν τις τῷ πατρὶ προσδραμὼν εἴπῃ πατάξας, αἶρε πλῆκτρον, εἰ μαχεῖ. εἰ δὲ τυγχάνει τις ὑμῶν δραπέτης ἐστιγμένος, ἀτταγᾶς οὗτος παρʼ ἡμῖν ποικίλος κεκλήσεται. εἰ δὲ τυγχάνει τις ὢν Φρὺξ μηδὲν ἦττον Σπινθάρου,
763φρυγίλος ὄρνις ἐνθάδʼ ἔσται, τοῦ Φιλήμονος γένους. εἰ δὲ δοῦλός ἐστι καὶ Κὰρ ὥσπερ Ἐξηκεστίδης, φυσάτω πάππους παρʼ ἡμῖν, καὶ φανοῦνται φράτερες. εἰ δʼ ὁ Πεισίου προδοῦναι τοῖς ἀτίμοις τὰς πύλας βούλεται, πέρδιξ γενέσθω, τοῦ πατρὸς νεοττίον·
768ὡς παρʼ ἡμῖν οὐδὲν αἰσχρόν ἐστιν ἐκπερδικίσαι.
769ΧΟΡΌΣ: τοιάδε κύκνοι, τιὸ τιὸ τιὰ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ, συμμιγῆ βοὴν ὁμοῦ πτεροῖς κρέκοντες ἴακχον Ἀπόλλω, τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ,
774ὄχθῳ ἐφεζόμενοι παρʼ Ἕβρον ποταμόν, τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ, διὰ δʼ αἰθέριον νέφος ἦλθε βοά· πτῆξε δὲ φῦλά τε ποικίλα θηρῶν, κύματά τʼ ἔσβεσε νήνεμος αἴθρη,
779τοτοτοτοτοτοτοτοτοτίγξ· πᾶς δʼ ἐπεκτύπησʼ Ὄλυμπος· εἷλε δὲ θάμβος ἄνακτας· Ὀλυμπιάδες δὲ μέλος Χάριτες Μοῦσαί τʼ ἐπωλόλυξαν. τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ.
785ΧΟΡΌΣ: οὐδέν ἐστʼ ἄμεινον οὐδʼ ἥδιον ἢ φῦσαι πτερά. αὐτίχʼ ὑμῶν τῶν θεατῶν εἴ τις ἧν ὑπόπτερος, εἶτα πεινῶν τοῖς χοροῖσι τῶν τραγῳδῶν ἤχθετο, ἐκπτόμενος ἂν οὗτος ἠρίστησεν ἐλθὼν οἴκαδε, κᾆτʼ ἂν ἐμπλησθεὶς ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς αὖθις αὖ κατέπτετο.
790εἴ τε Πατροκλείδης τις ὑμῶν τυγχάνει χεζητιῶν, οὐκ ἂν ἐξίδισεν ἐς θοἰμάτιον, ἀλλʼ ἀνέπτετο, κἀποπαρδὼν κἀναπνεύσας αὖθις αὖ κατέπτετο· εἴ τε μοιχεύων τις ὑμῶν ἐστιν ὅστις τυγχάνει, κᾆθʼ ὁρᾷ τὸν ἄνδρα τῆς γυναικὸς ἐν βουλευτικῷ,
795οὗτος ἂν πάλιν παρʼ ὑμῶν πτερυγίσας ἀνέπτετο, εἶτα βινήσας ἐκεῖθεν αὖθις αὖ κατέπτετο. ἆρʼ ὑπόπτερον γενέσθαι παντός ἐστιν ἄξιον; ὡς Διειτρέφης γε πυτιναῖα μόνον ἔχων πτερὰ ᾑρέθη φύλαρχος, εἶθʼ ἵππαρχος, εἶτʼ ἐξ οὐδενὸς
800μεγάλα πράττει κἀστὶ νυνὶ ξουθὸς ἱππαλεκτρυών.
801ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ταυτὶ τοιαυτί· μὰ Δίʼ ἐγὼ μὲν πρᾶγμά πω
802γελοιότερον οὐκ εἶδον οὐδεπώποτε.
803ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐπὶ τῷ γελᾷς;
803bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐπὶ τοῖσι σοῖς ὠκυπτέροις.
804οἶσθʼ ᾧ μάλιστʼ ἔοικας ἐπτερωμένος;
805εἰς εὐτέλειαν χηνὶ συγγεγραμμένῳ.
806ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: σὺ δὲ κοψίχῳ γε σκάφιον ἀποτετιλμένῳ.
807ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ταυτὶ μὲν ᾐκάσμεσθα κατὰ τὸν Αἰσχύλον·
808τάδʼ οὐχ ὑπʼ ἄλλων ἀλλὰ τοῖς αὑτῶν πτεροῖς.
809ἜΠΟΨ: ἄγε δὴ τί χρὴ δρᾶν;
809bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πρῶτον ὄνομα τῇ πόλει
810θέσθαι τι μέγα καὶ κλεινόν, εἶτα τοῖς θεοῖς
811θῦσαι μετὰ τοῦτο.
811bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ταῦτα κἀμοὶ συνδοκεῖ.
812ἜΠΟΨ: φέρʼ ἴδω, τί δʼ ἡμῖν τοὔνομʼ ἔσται τῇ πόλει;
813ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: βούλεσθε τὸ μέγα τοῦτο τοὐκ Λακεδαίμονος
814Σπάρτην ὄνομα καλῶμεν αὐτήν;
814bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Ἡράκλεις·
815Σπάρτην γὰρ ἂν θείμην ἐγὼ τἠμῇ πόλει;
816οὐδʼ ἂν χαμεύνῃ πάνυ γε κειρίαν γʼ ἔχων.
817ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί δῆτʼ ὄνομʼ αὐτῇ θησόμεσθʼ;
817bἜΠΟΨ: ἐντευθενὶ
818ἐκ τῶν νεφελῶν καὶ τῶν μετεώρων χωρίων
819χαῦνόν τι πάνυ.
Part 19
819bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: βούλει Νεφελοκοκκυγίαν;
820ἜΠΟΨ: ἰοὺ ἰού·
820aκαλόν γʼ ἀτεχνῶς σὺ καὶ μέγʼ ηὗρες τοὔνομα.
821ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἆρʼ ἐστὶν αὑτηγὶ Νεφελοκοκκυγία,
822ἵνα καὶ τὰ Θεογένους τὰ πολλὰ χρήματα
822bτά τʼ Αἰσχίνου γʼ ἅπαντα;
823ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ λῷστον μὲν οὖν
824τὸ Φλέγρας πεδίον, ἵνʼ οἱ θεοὶ τοὺς γηγενεῖς
825ἀλαζονευόμενοι καθυπερηκόντισαν.
826ἜΠΟΨ: λιπαρὸν τὸ χρῆμα τῆς πόλεως. τίς δαὶ θεὸς
827πολιοῦχος ἔσται; τῷ ξανοῦμεν τὸν πέπλον;
828ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί δʼ οὐκ Ἀθηναίαν ἐῶμεν Πολιάδα;
829ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ πῶς ἂν ἔτι γένοιτʼ ἂν εὔτακτος πόλις,
830ὅπου θεὸς γυνὴ γεγονυῖα πανοπλίαν
831ἕστηκʼ ἔχουσα, Κλεισθένης δὲ κερκίδα;
832ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τίς δαὶ καθέξει τῆς πόλεως τὸ Πελαργικόν;
833ἜΠΟΨ: ὄρνις ἀφʼ ἡμῶν τοῦ γένους τοῦ Περσικοῦ,
834ὅσπερ λέγεται δεινότατος εἶναι πανταχοῦ
835Ἄρεως νεοττός.
835bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὦ νεοττὲ δέσποτα·
836ὡς δʼ ὁ θεὸς ἐπιτήδειος οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ πετρῶν.
837ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄγε νυν σὺ μὲν βάδιζε πρὸς τὸν ἀέρα
838καὶ τοῖσι τειχίζουσι παραδιακόνει,
839χάλικας παραφόρει, πηλὸν ἀποδὺς ὄργασον,
840λεκάνην ἀνένεγκε, κατάπεσʼ ἀπὸ τῆς κλίμακος,
841φύλακας κατάστησαι, τὸ πῦρ ἔγκρυπτʼ ἀεί,
842κωδωνοφορῶν περίτρεχε καὶ κάθευδʼ ἐκεῖ·
843κήρυκα δὲ πέμψον τὸν μὲν ἐς θεοὺς ἄνω,
844ἕτερον δʼ ἄνωθεν ἆυ παρʼ ἀνθρώπους κάτω,
845κἀκεῖθεν αὖθις παρʼ ἐμέ.
845bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: σὺ δέ γʼ αὐτοῦ μένων
846οἴμωζε παρʼ ἔμʼ.
846bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἴθʼ ὦγάθʼ οἷ πέμπω σʼ ἐγώ.
847οὐδὲν γὰρ ἄνευ σοῦ τῶνδʼ ἃ λέγω πεπράξεται.
848ἐγὼ δʼ ἵνα θύσω τοῖσι καινοῖσιν θεοῖς,
849τὸν ἱερέα πέμψοντα τὴν πομπὴν καλῶ.
850παῖ παῖ, τὸ κανοῦν αἴρεσθε καὶ τὴν χέρνιβα.
851ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: ὁμορροθῶ, συνθέλω,
852συμπαραινέσας ἔχω
853προσόδια μεγάλα σεμνὰ προσιέναι θεοῖσιν,
855ἅμα δὲ προσέτι χάριτος ἕνεκα προβάτιόν τι θύειν.
856ἴτω ἴτω δὲ Πυθιὰς βοὰ θεῷ,
857συνᾳδέτω δὲ Χαῖρις ᾠδάν.
859ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: παῦσαι σὺ φυσῶν. Ἡράκλεις τουτὶ τί ἦν;
860τουτὶ μὰ Δίʼ ἐγὼ πολλὰ δὴ καὶ δείνʼ ἰδὼν
861οὔπω κόρακʼ εἶδον ἐμπεφορβειωμένον.
862ἱερεῦ σὸν ἔργον, θῦε τοῖς καινοῖς θεοῖς.
864ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: δράσω τάδʼ. ἀλλὰ ποῦ ʼστιν ὁ τὸ κανοῦν ἔχων;
865εὔχεσθε τῇ Ἑστίᾳ τῇ ὀρνιθείῳ καὶ τῷ ἰκτίνῳ τῷ ἑστιούχῳ καὶ ὄρνισιν Ὀλυμπίοις καὶ Ὀλυμπίῃσι πᾶσι καὶ πάσῃσιν —
866ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Σουνιέρακε χαῖρʼ ἄναξ Πελαργικέ.
867ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: καὶ κύκνῳ Πυθίῳ καὶ Δηλίῳ καὶ Λητοῖ Ὀρτυγομήτρᾳ καὶ Ἀρτέμιδι Ἀκαλανθίδι —
868ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκέτι Κολαινὶς ἀλλʼ Ἀκαλανθὶς Ἄρτεμις.
876ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: καὶ φρυγίλῳ Σαβαζίῳ καὶ στρούθῳ μεγάλῃ μητρὶ θεῶν καὶ ἀνθρώπων —
Part 20
877ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: δέσποινα Κυβέλη, στροῦθε, μῆτερ Κλεοκρίτου.
878ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: διδόναι Νεφελοκοκκυγιεῦσιν ὑγιείαν καὶ σωτηρίαν αὐτοῖσι καὶ Χίοισι —
880ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Χίοισιν ἥσθην πανταχοῦ προσκειμένοις.
881ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: καὶ ἥρωσιν ὄρνισι καὶ ἡρώων παισί, πορφυρίωνι καὶ
886πελεκᾶντι καὶ πελεκίνῳ καὶ φλέξιδι καὶ τέτρακι καὶ ταὧνι
887καὶ ἐλεᾷ καὶ βασκᾷ καὶ ἐλασᾷ καὶ ἐρωδιῷ καὶ καταρράκτῃ
888καὶ μελαγκορύφῳ καὶ αἰγιθάλλῳ —
889ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: παῦʼ ἐς κόρακας, παῦσαι καλῶν. ἰοὺ ἰού,
890ἐπὶ ποῖον ὦ κακόδαιμον ἱερεῖον καλεῖς
891ἁλιαιέτους καὶ γῦπας; οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὅτι
892ἰκτῖνος εἷς ἂν τοῦτό γʼ οἴχοιθʼ ἁρπάσας;
893ἄπελθʼ ἀφʼ ἡμῶν καὶ σὺ καὶ τὰ στέμματα·
894ἐγὼ γὰρ αὐτὸς τουτογὶ θύσω μόνος.
895ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: εἶτʼ αὖθις αὖ τἄρα σοι
896δεῖ με δεύτερον μέλος
899χέρνιβι θεοσεβὲς ὅσιον ἐπιβοᾶν, καλεῖν δὲ
900μάκαρας, ἕνα τινὰ μόνον, εἴπερ ἱκανὸν ἕξετʼ ὄψον.
901τὰ γὰρ παρόντα θύματʼ οὐδὲν ἄλλο πλὴν
902γένειόν ἐστι καὶ κέρατα.
903ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: θύοντες εὐξώμεσθα τοῖς πτερίνοις θεοῖς.
904ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: Νεφελοκοκκυγίαν τὰν εὐδαίμονα
905κλῇσον ὦ Μοῦσα τεαῖς ἐν ὓμνων ἀοιδαῖς.
906ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ τὸ πρᾶγμα ποδαπόν; εἰπέ μοι τίς εἶ;
907ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: ἐγὼ μελιγλώσσων ἐπέων ἱεὶς ἀοιδὰν
908Μουσάων θεράπων ὀτρηρός,
910κατὰ τὸν Ὅμηρον.
911ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔπειτα δῆτα δοῦλος ὢν κόμην ἔχεις;
912ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: οὔκ, ἀλλὰ πάντες ἐσμὲν οἱ διδάσκαλοι
913Μουσάων θεράποντες ὀτρηροί,
914κατὰ τὸν Ὅμηρον.
915ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἐτὸς ὀτρηρὸν καὶ τὸ ληδάριον ἔχεις.
916ἀτὰρ ὦ ποιητὰ κατὰ τί δεῦρʼ ἀνεφθάρης;
917ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: μέλη πεποίηκʼ ἐς τὰς Νεφελοκοκκυγίας
918τὰς ὑμετέρας κύκλιά τε πολλὰ καὶ καλὰ
919καὶ παρθένεια καὶ κατὰ τὰ Σιμωνίδου.
920ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ταυτὶ σὺ πότʼ ἐποίησας; ἀπὸ ποίου χρόνου;
921ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: πάλαι πάλαι δὴ τήνδʼ ἐγὼ κλῄζω πόλιν.
922ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἄρτι θύω τὴν δεκάτην ταύτης ἐγώ,
923καὶ τοὔνομʼ ὥσπερ παιδίῳ νῦν δὴ ʼθέμην;
924ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: ἀλλά τις ὠκεῖα Μουσάων φάτις
925οἷάπερ ἵππων ἀμαρυγά.
926σὺ δὲ πάτερ κτίστορ Αἴτνας,
927ζαθέων ἱερῶν ὁμώνυμε,
928δὸς ἐμὶν ὅ τι περ
929τεᾷ κεφαλᾷ θέλῃς
930πρόφρων δόμεν ἐμὶν τείν.
931ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ παρέξει τὸ κακὸν ἡμῖν πράγματα,
932εἰ μή τι τούτῳ δόντες ἀποφευξούμεθα.
933οὗτος, σὺ μέντοι σπολάδα καὶ χιτῶνʼ ἔχεις,
934ἀπόδυθι καὶ δὸς τῷ ποιητῇ τῷ σοφῷ.
935ἔχε τὴν σπολάδα· πάντως δέ μοι ῥιγῶν δοκεῖς.
936ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: τόδε μὲν οὐκ ἀέκουσα φίλα
937Μοῦσα δῶρον δέχεται·
938τὺ δὲ τεᾷ φρενὶ μάθε Πινδάρειον ἔπος —
Part 21
940ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἅνθρωπος ἡμῶν οὐκ ἀπαλλαχθήσεται.
941ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: νομάδεσσι γὰρ ἐν Σκύθαις
942ἀλᾶται Στράτων,
943ὃς ὑφαντοδόνατον ἔσθος οὐ πέπαται·
944ἀκλεὴς δʼ ἔβα σπολὰς ἄνευ χιτῶνος.
945ξύνες ὅ τοι λέγω.
946ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ξυνῆχʼ ὅτι βούλει τὸν χιτωνίσκον λαβεῖν.
947ἀπόδυθι· δεῖ γὰρ τὸν ποιητὴν ὠφελεῖν.
948ἄπελθε τουτονὶ λαβών.
948bΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: ἀπέρχομαι,
949κἀς τὴν πόλιν γʼ ἐλθὼν ποιήσω τοιαδί·
950κλῇσον ὦ χρυσόθρονε τὰν τρομερὰν κρυεράν·
951νιφόβολα πεδία πολύπορά τʼ ἤλυθον ἀλαλάν.
952ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ τὸν Δίʼ ἀλλʼ ἤδη πέφευγας ταυταγὶ
955τὰ κρυερὰ τονδὶ τὸν χιτωνίσκον λαβών.
956τουτὶ μὰ Δίʼ ἐγὼ τὸ κακὸν οὐδέποτʼ ἤλπισα,
957οὕτω ταχέως τοῦτον πεπύσθαι τὴν πόλιν.
958αὖθις σὺ περιχώρει λαβὼν τὴν χέρνιβα.
959εὐφημία ʼστω.
959bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: μὴ κατάρξῃ τοῦ τράγου.
960ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: σὺ δʼ εἶ τίς;
960bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: ὅστις; χρησμολόγος.
960cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμωζέ νυν.
961ΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: ὦ δαιμόνιε τὰ θεῖα μὴ φαύλως φέρε·
962ὡς ἔστι Βάκιδος χρησμὸς ἄντικρυς λέγων
963ἐς τὰς Νεφελοκοκκυγίας.
963bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κὔπειτα πῶς
964ταῦτʼ οὐκ ἐχρησμολόγεις σὺ πρὶν ἐμὲ τὴν πόλιν
965τήνδʼ οἰκίσαι;
965bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: τὸ θεῖον ἐνεπόδιζέ με.
966ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν οἷόν ἐστʼ ἀκοῦσαι τῶν ἐπῶν.
967ΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ὅταν οἰκήσωσι λύκοι πολιαί τε κορῶναι
968ἐν ταὐτῷ τὸ μεταξὺ Κορίνθου καὶ Σικυῶνος, —
969ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί οὖν προσήκει δῆτʼ ἐμοὶ Κορινθίων;
970ΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: ᾐνίξαθʼ ὁ Βάκις τοῦτο πρὸς τὸν ἀέρα.
971πρῶτον Πανδώρᾳ θῦσαι λευκότριχα κριόν·
972ὃς δέ κʼ ἐμῶν ἐπέων ἔλθῃ πρώτιστα προφήτης,
973τῷ δόμεν ἱμάτιον καθαρὸν καὶ καινὰ πέδιλα —
974ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔνεστι καὶ τὰ πέδιλα;
974bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: λαβὲ τὸ βιβλίον.
975καὶ φιάλην δοῦναι, καὶ σπλάγχνων χεῖρʼ ἐπιπλῆσαι.
976ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ σπλάγχνα διδόνʼ ἔνεστι;
976bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: λαβὲ τὸ βιβλίον.
977κἂν μὲν θέσπιε κοῦρε ποιῇς ταῦθʼ ὡς ἐπιτέλλω,
978αἰετὸς ἐν νεφέλῃσι γενήσεαι· αιʼ δέ κε μὴ δῷς,
979οὐκ ἔσει οὐ τρυγὼν οὐδʼ αἰετὸς οὐ δρυκολάπτης.
Part 22
980ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ ταῦτʼ ἔνεστʼ ἐνταῦθα;
980bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: λαβὲ τὸ βιβλίον.
981ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐδὲν ἄρʼ ὅμοιός ἐσθʼ ὁ χρησμὸς τουτῳί,
982ὃν ἐγὼ παρὰ τἀπόλλωνος ἐξεγραψάμην·
983αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἄκλητος ἰὼν ἄνθρωπος ἀλαζὼν
984λυπῇ θύοντας καὶ σπλαγχνεύειν ἐπιθυμῇ,
985δὴ τότε χρὴ τύπτειν αὐτὸν πλευρῶν τὸ μεταξὺ —
986ΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: οὐδὲν λέγειν οἶμαί σε.
986bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: λαβὲ τὸ βιβλίον.
987καὶ φείδου μηδὲν μηδʼ αἰετοῦ ἐν νεφέλῃσιν,
988μήτʼ ἢν Λάμπων ᾖ μήτʼ ἢν ὁ μέγας Διοπείθης.
989ΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: καὶ ταῦτʼ ἔνεστʼ ἐνταῦθα;
989bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: λαβὲ τὸ βιβλίον.
990οὐκ εἶ θύραζʼ; ἐς κόρακας.
990bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: οἴμοι δείλαιος.
991ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔκουν ἑτέρωσε χρησμολογήσεις ἐκτρέχων;
992ΜΈΤΩΝ: ἥκω παρʼ ὑμᾶς —
992bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἕτερον αὖ τουτὶ κακόν.
993τί δʼ αὖ σὺ δράσων; τίς δʼ ἰδέα βουλεύματος;
994τίς ἡ ʼπίνοια, τίς ὁ κόθορνος τῆς ὁδοῦ;
995ΜΈΤΩΝ: γεωμετρῆσαι βούλομαι τὸν ἀέρα
996ὑμῖν διελεῖν τε κατὰ γύας.
996bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πρὸς τῶν θεῶν
997σὺ δʼ εἶ τίς ἀνδρῶν;
997bΜΈΤΩΝ: ὅστις εἴμʼ ἐγώ; Μέτων,
998ὃν οἶδεν Ἑλλὰς χὠ Κολωνός.
998bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: εἰπέ μοι,
999ταυτὶ δέ σοι τί ἔστι;
999bΜΈΤΩΝ: κανόνες ἀέρος.
1000αὐτίκα γὰρ ἀήρ ἐστι τὴν ἰδέαν ὅλος
1001κατὰ πνιγέα μάλιστα. προσθεὶς οὖν ἐγὼ
1002τὸν κανόνʼ, ἄνωθεν τουτονὶ τὸν καμπύλον
1003ἐνθεὶς διαβήτην — μανθάνεις;
1004ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ μανθάνω.
1004bΜΈΤΩΝ: ὀρθῷ μετρήσω κανόνι προστιθείς, ἵνα
1005ὁ κύκλος γένηται σοι τετράγωνος κἀν μέσῳ
1006ἀγορά, φέρουσαι δʼ ὦσιν εἰς αὐτὴν ὁδοὶ
1007ὀρθαὶ πρὸς αὐτὸ τὸ μέσον, ὥσπερ δʼ ἀστέρος
1008αὐτοῦ κυκλοτεροῦς ὄντος ὀρθαὶ πανταχῇ
1009ἀκτῖνες ἀπολάμπωσιν.
1009bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἅνθρωπος Θαλῆς.
1010Μέτων —
1010bΜΈΤΩΝ: τί ἔστιν;
Part 23
1010cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἶσθʼ ὁτιὴ φιλῶ σʼ ἐγώ,
1011κἀμοὶ πιθόμενος ὑπαποκίνει τῆς ὁδοῦ.
1012ΜΈΤΩΝ: τί δʼ ἐστὶ δεινόν;
1012bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὥσπερ ἐν Λακεδαίμονι
1013ξενηλατοῦνται καὶ κεκίνηνταί τινες·
1014πληγαὶ συχναὶ κατʼ ἄστυ.
1014bΜΈΤΩΝ: μῶν στασιάζετε;
1015ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ τὸν Δίʼ οὐ δῆτʼ.
1015bΜΈΤΩΝ: ἀλλὰ πῶς;
1015cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁμοθυμαδὸν
1016σποδεῖν ἅπαντας τοὺς ἀλαζόνας δοκεῖ.
1017ΜΈΤΩΝ: ὑπάγοιμί τἄρʼ ἄν.
1017bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ Δίʼ ὡς οὐκ οἶδʼ ἂν εἰ
1018φθαίης ἄν· ἐπίκεινται γὰρ ἐγγὺς αὑταιί.
1019ΜΈΤΩΝ: οἴμοι κακοδαίμων.
1019bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἔλεγον ἐγὼ πάλαι;
1020οὐκ ἀναμετρήσεις σαυτὸν ἀπιὼν ἀλλαχῇ;
1021ἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: ποῦ πρόξενοι;
1021bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τίς ὁ Σαρδανάπαλλος οὑτοσί;
1022ἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: ἐπίσκοπος ἥκω δεῦρο τῷ κυάμῳ λαχὼν
1023ἐς τὰς Νεφελοκοκκυγίας.
1023bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐπίσκοπος;
1024ἔπεμψε δὲ τίς σε δεῦρο;
1024bἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: φαῦλον βιβλίον
1025Τελέου.
1025bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί; βούλει δῆτα τὸν μισθὸν λαβὼν
1026μὴ πράγματʼ ἔχειν ἀλλʼ ἀπιέναι;
1026bἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: νὴ τοὺς θεούς.
1027ἐκκλησιάσαι δʼ οὖν ἐδεόμην οἴκοι μένων.
1028ἔστιν γὰρ ἃ διʼ ἐμοῦ πέπρακται Φαρνάκῃ.
1029ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄπιθι λαβών· ἔστιν δʼ ὁ μισθὸς οὑτοσί.
1030ἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: τουτὶ τί ἦν;
Part 24
1030bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐκκλησία περὶ Φαρνάκου.
1031ἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: μαρτύρομαι τυπτόμενος ὢν ἐπίσκοπος.
1032ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἀποσοβήσεις; οὐκ ἀποίσεις τὼ κάδω;
1033οὐ δεινά; καὶ πέμπουσιν ἤδη ʼπισκόπους
1034ἐς τὴν πόλιν, πρὶν καὶ τεθύσθαι τοῖς θεοῖς;
1035ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: ἐὰν δʼ ὁ Νεφελοκοκκυγιεὺς τὸν Ἀθηναῖον ἀδικῇ —
1036ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ τί ἔστιν αὖ κακὸν τὸ βιβλίον;
1037ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: ψηφισματοπώλης εἰμὶ καὶ νόμους νέους
1038ἥκω παρʼ ὑμᾶς δεῦρο πωλήσων.
1038bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὸ τί;
1040ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: χρῆσθαι Νεφελοκοκκυγιᾶς τοῖσδε τοῖς μέτροισι καὶ
1041σταθμοῖσι καὶ ψηφίσμασι καθάπερ Ὀλοφύξιοι.
1042ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: σὺ δέ γʼ οἷσπερ ὡτοτύξιοι χρήσει τάχα.
1043ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: οὗτος τί πάσχεις;
1044ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἀποίσεις τοὺς νόμους;
1045πικροὺς ἐγώ σοι τήμερον δείξω νόμους.
1046ἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: καλοῦμαι Πισθέταιρον ὕβρεως ἐς τὸν Μουνιχιῶνα μῆνα.
1047ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄληθες οὗτος; ἔτι γὰρ ἐνταῦθʼ ἦσθα σύ;
1050ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: ἐὰν δέ τις ἐξελαύνῃ τοὺς ἄρχοντας καὶ μὴ δέχηται
1051κατὰ τὴν στήλην —
1052ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμοι κακοδαίμων, καὶ σὺ γὰρ ἐνταῦθʼ ἦσθʼ ἔτι;
1052aἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: ἀπολῶ σε καὶ γράφω σε μυρίας δραχμάς.
1053ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐγὼ δὲ σοῦ γε τὼ κάδω διασκεδῶ.
1054ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: μέμνησʼ ὅτε τῆς στήλης κατετίλας ἑσπέρας;
1055ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: αἰβοῖ· λαβέτω τις αὐτόν. οὗτος οὐ μενεῖς;
1056ἀπίωμεν ἡμεῖς ὡς τάχιστʼ ἐντευθενὶ
1057θύσοντες εἴσω τοῖς θεοῖσι τὸν τράγον.
1058ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἤδη ʼμοὶ τῷ παντόπτᾳ καὶ παντάρχᾳ θνητοὶ πάντες θύσουσʼ εὐκταίαις εὐχαῖς. πᾶσαν μὲν γὰρ γᾶν ὀπτεύω, σῴζω δʼ εὐθαλεῖς καρποὺς
1063κτείνων παμφύλων γένναν θηρῶν, ἂ πάντʼ ἐν γαίᾳ ἐκ κάλυκος αὐξανόμενον γένυσι παμφάγοις δένδρεσί τʼ ἐφημένα καρπὸν ἀποβόσκεται· κτείνω δʼ οἳ κήπους εὐώδεις
1068φθείρουσιν λύμαις ἐχθίσταις, ἑρπετά τε καὶ δάκετα πάνθʼ ὅσαπερ ἔστιν ὑπʼ ἐμᾶς πτέρυγος ἐν φοναῖς ὄλλυται.
Part 25
1072ΧΟΡΌΣ: τῇδε μέντοι θἠμέρᾳ μάλιστʼ ἐπαναγορεύεται, ἢν ἀποκτείνῃ τις ὑμῶν Διαγόραν τὸν Μήλιον, λαμβάνειν τάλαντον, ἤν τε τῶν τυράννων τίς τινα τῶν τεθνηκότων ἀποκτείνῃ, τάλαντον λαμβάνειν. βουλόμεσθʼ οὖν νυν ἀνειπεῖν ταὐτὰ χἠμεῖς ἐνθάδε.
1077ἢν ἀποκτείνῃ τις ὑμῶν Φιλοκράτη τὸν Στρούθιον, λήψεται τάλαντον, ἢν δὲ ζῶντά γʼ ἀγάγῃ, τέτταρα, ὅτι συνείρων τοὺς σπίνους πωλεῖ καθʼ ἑπτὰ τοὐβολοῦ, εἶτα φυσῶν τὰς κίχλας δείκνυσι καὶ λυμαίνεται, τοῖς τε κοψίχοισιν ἐς τὰς ῥῖνας ἐγχεῖ τὰ πτερά,
1082τὰς περιστεράς θʼ ὁμοίως ξυλλαβὼν εἵρξας ἔχει, κἀπαναγκάζει παλεύειν δεδεμένας ἐν δικτύῳ. ταῦτα βουλόμεσθʼ ἀνειπεῖν· κεἴ τις ὄρνιθας τρέφει εἱργμένους ὑμῶν ἐν αὐλῇ, φράζομεν μεθιέναι. ἢν δὲ μὴ πίθησθε, συλληφθέντες ὑπὸ τῶν ὀρνέων
1087αὖθις ὑμεῖς αὖ παρʼ ἡμῖν δεδεμένοι παλεύσετε.
1088ΧΟΡΌΣ: εὔδαιμον φῦλον πτηνῶν οἰωνῶν, οἳ χειμῶνος μὲν χλαίνας οὐκ ἀμπισχνοῦνται· οὐδʼ αὖ θερμὴ πνίγους ἡμᾶς ἀκτὶς τηλαυγὴς θάλπει·
1093ἀλλʼ ἀνθηρῶν λειμώνων φύλλων τʼ ἐν κόλποις ναίω, ἡνίκʼ ἂν ὁ θεσπέσιος ὀξὺ μέλος ἀχέτας θάλπεσι μεσημβρινοῖς ἡλιομανὴς βοᾷ. χειμάζω δʼ ἐν κοίλοις ἄντροις
1098νύμφαοις οὐρείαις ξυμπαίζων· ἠρινά τε βοσκόμεθα παρθένια λευκότροφα μύρτα Χαρίτων τε κηπεύματα.
1102ΧΟΡΌΣ: τοῖς κριταῖς εἰπεῖν τι βουλόμεσθα τῆς νίκης πέρι, ὅσʼ ἀγάθʼ, ἢν κρίνωσιν ἡμᾶς, πᾶσιν αὐτοῖς δώσομεν, ὥστε κρείττω δῶρα πολλῷ τῶν Ἀλεξάνδρου λαβεῖν. πρῶτα μὲν γὰρ οὗ μάλιστα πᾶς κριτὴς ἐφίεται, γλαῦκες ὑμᾶς οὔποτʼ ἐπιλείψουσι Λαυρειωτικαί·
1107ἀλλʼ ἐνοικήσουσιν ἔνδον, ἔν τε τοῖς βαλλαντίοις ἐννεοττεύσουσι κἀκλέψουσι μικρὰ κέρματα. εἶτα πρὸς τούτοισιν ὥσπερ ἐν ἱεροῖς οἰκήσετε· τὰς γὰρ ὑμῶν οἰκίας ἐρέψομεν πρὸς αἰετόν· κἂν λαχόντες ἀρχίδιον εἶθʼ ἁρπάσαι βούλησθέ τι,
1112ὀξὺν ἱερακίσκον ἐς τὰς χεῖρας ὑμῖν δώσομεν. ἢν δέ που δειπνῆτε, πρηγορεῶνας ὑμῖν πέμψομεν. ἢν δὲ μὴ κρίνητε, χαλκεύεσθε μηνίσκους φορεῖν ὥσπερ ἀνδριάντες· ὡς ὑμῶν ὃς ἂν μὴ μῆνʼ ἔχῃ, ὅταν ἔχητε χλανίδα λευκήν, τότε μάλισθʼ οὕτω δίκην
1117δώσεθʼ ἡμῖν, πᾶσι τοῖς ὄρνισι κατατιλώμενοι.
1118ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὰ μὲν ἱέρʼ ἡμῖν ἐστιν ὦρνιθες καλά·
1119ἀλλʼ ὡς ἀπὸ τοῦ τείχους πάρεστιν ἄγγελος
1120οὐδείς, ὅτου πευσόμεθα τἀκεῖ πράγματα.
1121ἀλλʼ οὑτοσὶ τρέχει τις Ἀλφειὸν πνέων.
1122ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: ποῦ ποῦ ʼστι, ποῦ ποῦ ποῦ ʼστι, ποῦ ποῦ ποῦ ʼστι ποῦ,
1123ποῦ Πισθέταιρός ἐστιν ἅρχων;
1123bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὑτοσί.
1124ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: ἐξῳκοδόμηταί σοι τὸ τεῖχος.
1124bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: εὖ λέγεις.
1125ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: κάλλιστον ἔργον καὶ μεγαλοπρεπέστατον·
1126ὥστʼ ἂν ἐπάνω μὲν Προξενίδης ὁ Κομπασεὺς
1127καὶ Θεογένης ἐναντίω δύʼ ἅρματε,
1128ἵππων ὑπόντων μέγεθος ὅσον ὁ δούριος,
1129ὑπὸ τοῦ πλάτους ἂν παρελασαίτην.
1129bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Ἡράκλεις.
1130ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: τὸ δὲ μῆκός ἐστι, καὶ γὰρ ἐμέτρησʼ αὔτʼ ἐγώ,
1131ἑκατοντορόγυιον.
1131bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Πόσειδον τοῦ μάκρους.
1132τίνες ᾠκοδόμησαν αὐτὸ τηλικουτονί;
1133ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: ὄρνιθες, οὐδεὶς ἄλλος, οὐκ Αἰγύπτιος
1134πλινθοφόρος, οὐ λιθουργός, οὐ τέκτων παρῆν,
1135ἀλλʼ αὐτόχειρες, ὥστε θαυμάζειν ἐμέ.
1136ἐκ μέν γε Λιβύης ἧκον ὡς τρισμύριαι
1137γέρανοι θεμελίους καταπεπωκυῖαι λίθους.
1138τούτους δʼ ἐτύκιζον αἱ κρέκες τοῖς ῥύγχεσιν.
1139ἕτεροι δʼ ἐπλινθοφόρουν πελαργοὶ μύριοι·
1140ὕδωρ δʼ ἐφόρουν κάτωθεν ἐς τὸν ἀέρα
1141οἱ χαραδριοὶ καὶ τἄλλα ποτόμιʼ ὄρνεα.
1142ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐπηλοφόρουν δʼ αὐτοῖσι τίνες;
1142bἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: ἐρωδιοὶ
1143λεκάναισι.
1143bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὸν δὲ πηλὸν ἐνεβάλλοντο πῶς;
1144ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: τοῦτʼ ὦγάθʼ ἐξηύρητο καὶ σοφώτατα·
1145οἱ χῆνες ὑποτύπτοντες ὥσπερ ταῖς ἄμαις
1146ἐς τὰς λεκάνας ἐνέβαλλον αὐτοῖς τοῖν ποδοῖν.
1147ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δῆτα πόδες ἂν οὐκ ἂν ἐργασαίατο;
1148ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: καὶ νὴ Δίʼ αἱ νῆτταί γε περιεζωσμέναι
1149ἐπλινθοφόρουν· ἄνω δὲ τὸν ὑπαγωγέα
1150ἐπέτοντʼ ἔχουσαι κατόπιν †ὥσπερ παιδία
1151τὸν πηλὸν ἐν τοῖς στόμασιν† αἱ χελιδόνες.
1152ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δῆτα μισθωτοὺς ἂν ἔτι μισθοῖτό τις;
1153φέρʼ ἴδω, τί δαί; τὰ ξύλινα τοῦ τείχους τίνες
1154ἀπηργάσαντʼ;
Part 26
1154bἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: ὄρνιθες ἦσαν τέκτονες
1155σοφώτατοι πελεκᾶντες, οἳ τοῖς ῥύγχεσιν
1156ἀπεπελέκησαν τὰς πύλας· ἦν δʼ ὁ κτύπος
1157αὐτῶν πελεκώντων ὥσπερ ἐν ναυπηγίῳ.
1158καὶ νῦν ἅπαντʼ ἐκεῖνα πεπύλωται πύλαις
1159καὶ βεβαλάνωται καὶ φυλάττεται κύκλῳ,
1160ἐφοδεύεται, κωδωνοφορεῖται, πανταχῇ,
1161φυλακαὶ καθεστήκασι καὶ φρυκτωρίαι
1162ἐν τοῖσι πύργοις. ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ μὲν ἀποτρέχων
1163ἀπονίψομαι· σὺ δʼ αὐτὸς ἤδη τἄλλα δρᾶ.
1164ΧΟΡΌΣ: οὗτος τί ποιεῖς; ἆρα θαυμάζεις ὅτι
1165οὕτω τὸ τεῖχος ἐκτετείχισται ταχύ;
1166ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ τοὺς θεοὺς ἔγωγε· καὶ γὰρ ἄξιον·
1167ἴσα γὰρ ἀληθῶς φαίνεταί μοι ψεύδεσιν.
1168ἀλλʼ ὅδε φύλαξ γὰρ τῶν ἐκεῖθεν ἄγγελος
1169ἐσθεῖ πρὸς ἡμᾶς δεῦρο πυρρίχην βλέπων.
1170ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Β: ἰοὺ ἰού, ἰοὺ ἰού, ἰοὺ ἰού.
1171ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί τὸ πρᾶγμα τουτί;
1171bἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Β: δεινότατα πεπόνθαμεν.
1172τῶν γὰρ θεῶν τις ἄρτι τῶν παρὰ τοῦ Διὸς
1173διὰ τῶν πυλῶν εἰσέπτετʼ ἐς τὸν ἀέρα,
1174λαθὼν κολοιοὺς φύλακας ἡμεροσκόπους.
1175ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ δεινὸν ἔργον καὶ σχέτλιον εἰργασμένος.
1176τίς τῶν θεῶν;
1176bἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Β: οὐκ ἴσμεν· ὅτι δʼ εἶχε πτερά,
1177τοῦτʼ ἴσμεν.
1177bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔκουν δῆτα περιπόλους ἐχρῆν
1178πέμψαι κατʼ αὐτὸν εὐθύς;
1178bἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Β: ἀλλʼ ἐπέμψαμεν
1179τρισμυρίους ἱέρακας ἱπποτοξότας,
1180χωρεῖ δὲ πᾶς τις ὄνυχας ἠγκυλωμένος,
1181κερχνῂς τριόρχης γὺψ κύμινδις αἰετός·
1182ῥύμῃ τε καὶ πτεροῖσι καὶ ῥοιζήμασιν
1183αἰθὴρ δονεῖται τοῦ θεοῦ ζητουμένου·
1184κἄστʼ οὐ μακρὰν ἄπωθεν, ἀλλʼ ἐνταῦθά που
1185ἤδη ʼστίν.
1185bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔκουν σφενδόνας δεῖ λαμβάνειν
1186καὶ τόξα; χώρει δεῦρο πᾶς ὑπηρέτης·
1187τόξευε παῖε, σφενδόνην τίς μοι δότω.
1189ΧΟΡΌΣ: πόλεμος αἴρεται, πόλεμος οὐ φατὸς
1190πρὸς ἐμὲ καὶ θεούς. ἀλλὰ φύλαττε πᾶς
1191ἀέρα περινέφελον, ὃν ἔρεβος ἐτέκετο,
1195μή σε λάθῃ θεῶν τις ταύτῃ περῶν·
1196ΧΟΡΌΣ: [...] ἄθρει δὲ πᾶς κύκλῳ σκοπῶν,
1197ὡς ἐγγὺς ἤδη δαίμονος πεδαρσίου
1198δίνης πτερωτὸς φθόγγος ἐξακούεται.
1199ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: αὕτη σύ, ποῖ ποῖ ποῖ πέτει; μένʼ ἥσυχος,
1200ἔχʼ ἀτρέμας· αὐτοῦ στῆθʼ· ἐπίσχες τοῦ δρόμου.
1201τίς εἶ; ποδαπή; λέγειν ἐχρῆν ὁπόθεν πότʼ εἶ.
1202ἾΡΙΣ: παρὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔγωγε τῶν Ὀλυμπίων.
1203ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὄνομα δέ σο. τί ἐστι; πλοῖον ἢ κυνῆ;
1204ἾΡΙΣ: Ἶρις ταχεῖα.
1204bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Πάραλος ἢ Σαλαμινία;
1205ἾΡΙΣ: τί δὲ τοῦτο;
1205bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ταυτηνί τις οὐ συλλήψεται
1206ἀναπτόμενος τρίορχος;
Part 27
1206bἾΡΙΣ: ἐμὲ συλλήψεται;
1207τί ποτʼ ἐστὶ τουτὶ τὸ κακόν;
1207bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἰμώξει μακρά.
1208ἾΡΙΣ: ἄτοπόν γε τουτὶ πρᾶγμα.
1208bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κατὰ ποίας πύλας
1209εἰσῆλθες ἐς τὸ τεῖχος ὦ μιαρωτάτη;
1210ἾΡΙΣ: οὐκ οἶδα μὰ Δίʼ ἔγωγε κατὰ ποίας πύλας.
1211ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἤκουσας αὐτῆς οἷον εἰρωνεύεται;
1212πρὸς τοὺς κολοιάρχας προσῆλθες; οὐ λέγεις;
1213σφραγῖδʼ ἔχεις παρὰ τῶν πελαργῶν;
1213bἾΡΙΣ: τί τὸ κακόν.
1214ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἔλαβες;
1214bἾΡΙΣ: ὑγιαίνεις μέν;
1214cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐδὲ σύμβολον
1215ἐπέβαλεν ὀρνίθαρχος οὐδείς σοι παρών;
1216ἾΡΙΣ: μὰ Δίʼ οὐκ ἔμοιγʼ ἐπέβαλεν οὐδεὶς ὦ μέλε.
1217ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κἄπειτα δῆθʼ οὕτω σιωπῇ διαπέτει
1218διὰ τῆς πόλεως τῆς ἀλλοτρίας καὶ τοῦ χάους;
1219ἾΡΙΣ: ποίᾳ γὰρ ἄλλῃ χρὴ πέτεσθαι τοὺς θεούς;
1220ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ οἶδα μὰ Δίʼ ἔγωγε· τῇδε μὲν γὰρ οὔ.
1221ἀδικεῖς δὲ καὶ νῦν. ἆρά γʼ οἶσθα τοῦθʼ ὅτι
1222δικαιότατʼ ἂν ληφθεῖσα πασῶν Ἰρίδων
1223ἀπέθανες, εἰ τῆς ἀξίας ἐτύγχανες;
1224ἾΡΙΣ: ἀλλʼ ἀθάνατός εἰμʼ.
1224bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ὅμως ἂν ἀπέθανες.
1225δεινότατα γάρ τοι πεισόμεσθʼ, ἐμοὶ δοκεῖ,
1226εἰ τῶν μὲν ἄλλων ἄρχομεν, ὑμεῖς δʼ οἱ θεοὶ
1227ἀκολαστανεῖτε, κοὐδέπω γνώσεσθʼ ὅτι
1228ἀκροατέον ὑμῖν ἐν μέρει τῶν κρειττόνων.
1229φράσον δέ τοί μοι τὼ πτέρυγε ποῖ ναυστολεῖς;
1230ἾΡΙΣ: ἐγώ; πρὸς ἀνθρώπους πέτομαι παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς
1231φράσουσα θύειν τοῖς Ὀλυμπίοις θεοῖς
1232μηλοσφαγεῖν τε βουθύτοις ἐπʼ ἐσχάραις
1233κνισᾶν τʼ ἀγυιάς.
1233bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί σὺ λέγεις; ποίοις θεοῖς;
1234ἾΡΙΣ: ποίοισιν; ἡμῖν τοῖς ἐν οὐρανῷ θεοῖς.
1235ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: θεοὶ γὰρ ὑμεῖς;
Part 28
1235bἾΡΙΣ: τίς γάρ ἐστʼ ἄλλος θεός;
1236ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὄρνιθες ἀνθρώποισι νῦν εἰσιν θεοί,
1237οἷς θυτέον αὐτούς, ἀλλὰ μὰ Δίʼ οὐ τῷ Διί.
1238ἾΡΙΣ: ὦ μῶρε μῶρε μὴ θεῶν κίνει φρένας
1239δεινάς, ὅπως μή σου γένος πανώλεθρον
1240Διὸς μακέλλῃ πᾶν ἀναστρέψῃ Δίκη,
1241λιγνὺς δὲ σῶμα καὶ δόμων περιπτυχὰς
1242καταιθαλώσῃ σου Λικυμνίαις βολαῖς.
1243ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄκουσον αὕτη· παῦε τῶν παφλασμάτων· ἔχʼ ἀτρέμα. φέρʼ ἴδω, πότερα Λυδὸν ἢ Φρύγα ταυτὶ λέγουσα μορμολύττεσθαι δοκεῖς; ἆρʼ οἶσθʼ ὅτι Ζεὺς εἴ με λυπήσει πέρα, μέλαθρα μὲν αὐτοῦ καὶ δόμους Ἀμφίονος
1248καταιθαλώσω πυρφόροισιν αἰετοῖς; πέμψω δὲ πορφυρίωνας ἐς τὸν οὐρανὸν ὄρνις ἐπʼ αὐτὸν παρδαλᾶς ἐνημμένους πλεῖν ἑξακοσίους τὸν ἀριθμόν. καὶ δή ποτε εἷς Πορφυρίων αὐτῷ παρέσχε πράγματα.
1253σὺ δʼ εἴ με λυπήσεις τι, τῆς διακόνου πρώτης ἀνατείνας τὼ σκέλει διαμηριῶ τὴν Ἶριν αὐτήν, ὥστε θαυμάζειν ὅπως οὕτω γέρων ὢν στύομαι τριέμβολον.
1257ἾΡΙΣ: διαρραγείης ὦ μέλʼ αὐτοῖς ῥήμασιν.
1258ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἀποσοβήσεις; οὐ ταχέως; εὐρὰξ πατάξ.
1259ἾΡΙΣ: ἦ μήν σε παύσει τῆς ὕβρεως οὑμὸς πατήρ.
1260ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμοι τάλας. οὔκουν ἑτέρωσε πετομένη
1261καταιθαλώσεις τῶν νεωτέρων τινά;
1263ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀποκεκλῄκαμεν διογενεῖς θεοὺς
1264μηκέτι τὴν ἐμὴν διαπερᾶν πόλιν,
1265μηδέ γέ τινʼ ἱερόθυτον ἀνὰ δάπεδον ἔτι
1266τῇδε βροτῶν θεοῖσι πέμπειν καπνόν.
1269ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: δεινόν γε τὸν κήρυκα τὸν παρὰ τοὺς βροτοὺς
1270οἰχόμενον, εἰ μηδέποτε νοστήσει πάλιν.
1271ΚΗ͂ΡΥΞ: ὦ Πισθέταιρʼ ὦ μακάριʼ ὦ σοφώτατε,
1272ὦ κλεινότατʼ ὦ σοφώτατʼ ὦ γλαφυρώτατε,
1273ὦ τρισμακάριʼ ὦ κατακέλευσον.
1273bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί σὺ λέγεις;
1274ΚΗ͂ΡΥΞ: στεφάνῳ σε χρυσῷ τῷδε σοφίας οὕνεκα
1275στεφανοῦσι καὶ τιμῶσιν οἱ πάντες λεῴ.
1276ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: δέχομαι. τί δʼ οὕτως οἱ λεῲ τιμῶσί με;
1277ΚΗ͂ΡΥΞ: ὦ κλεινοτάτην αἰθέριον οἰκίσας πόλιν, οὐκ οἷσθʼ ὅσην τιμὴν παρʼ ἀνθρώποις φέρει, ὅσους τʼ ἐραστὰς τῆσδε τῆς χώρας ἔχεις. πρὶν μὲν γὰρ οἰκίσαι σε τήνδε τὴν πόλιν, ἐλακωνομάνουν ἅπαντες ἄνθρωποι τότε,
1282ἐκόμων ἐπείνων ἐρρύπων ἐσωκράτουν σκυτάλιʼ ἐφόρουν, νυνὶ δʼ ὑποστρέψαντες αὖ ὀρνιθομανοῦσι, πάντα δʼ ὑπὸ τῆς ἡδονῆς ποιοῦσιν ἅπερ ὄρνιθες ἐκμιμούμενοι· πρῶτον μὲν εὐθὺς πάντες ἐξ εὐνῆς ἅμα
1287ἐπέτονθʼ ἕωθεν ὥσπερ ἡμεῖς ἐπὶ νομόν· κἄπειτʼ ἂν ἅμα κατῆραν ἐς τὰ βιβλία· εἶτʼ ἀπενέμοντʼ ἐνταῦθα τὰ ψηφίσματα. ὠρνιθομάνουν δʼ οὕτω περιφανῶς ὥστε καὶ πολλοῖσιν ὀρνίθων ὀνόματʼ ἦν κείμενα.
1292πέρδιξ μὲν εἷς κάπηλος ὠνομάζετο χωλός, Μενίππῳ δʼ ἦν χελιδὼν τοὔνομα, Ὀπουντίῳ δʼ ὀφθαλμὸν οὐκ ἔχων κόραξ, κορυδὸς Φιλοκλέει, χηναλώπηξ Θεογένει, ἶβις Λυκούργῳ, Χαιρεφῶντι νυκτερίς,
1297Συρακοσίῳ δὲ κίττα· Μειδίας δʼ ἐκεῖ ὄρτυξ ἐκαλεῖτο· καὶ γὰρ ᾔκειν ὄρτυγι ὑπὸ στυφοκόπου τὴν κεφαλὴν πεπληγμένῳ. ᾖδον δʼ ὑπὸ φιλορνιθίας πάντες μέλη, ὅπου χελιδὼν ἦν τις ἐμπεποιημένη
1302ἢ πηνέλοψ ἢ χήν τις ἢ περιστερὰ ἢ πτέρυγες, ἢ πτεροῦ τι καὶ σμικρὸν προσῆν. τοιαῦτα μὲν τἀκεῖθεν. ἓν δέ σοι λέγω· ἥξουσʼ ἐκεῖθεν δεῦρο πλεῖν ἢ μύριοι πτερῶν δεόμενοι καὶ τρόπων γαμψωνύχων·
1307ὥστε πτερῶν σοι τοῖς ἐποίκοις δεῖ ποθέν.
1308ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἆρα μὰ Δίʼ ἡμῖν ἔτʼ ἔργον ἑστάναι.
1309ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστα σὺ μὲν ἰὼν τὰς ἀρρίχους
1310καὶ τοὺς κοφίνους ἅπαντας ἐμπίμπλη πτερῶν·
1311Μανῆς δὲ φερέτω μοι θύραζε τὰ πτερά·
1312ἐγὼ δʼ ἐκείνων τοὺς προσιόντας δέξομαι.
1313ΧΟΡΌΣ: ταχὺ δὴ πολυάνορα τάνδε πόλιν
1314καλεῖ τις ἀνθρώπων.
1315ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τύχη μόνον προσείη.
1316ΧΟΡΌΣ: κατέχουσι δʼ ἔρωτες ἐμᾶς πόλεως.
1317ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: θάττον φέρειν κελεύω.
Part 29
1318ΧΟΡΌΣ: τί γὰρ οὐκ ἔνι ταύτῃ
1319καλὸν ἀνδρὶ μετοικεῖν;
1320Σοφία Πόθος Ἀμβροσία Χάριτες
1321τό τε τῆς ἀγανόφρονος Ἡσυχίας
1322εὐήμερον πρόσωπον.
1323ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὡς βλακικῶς διακονεῖς·
1324οὐ θᾶττον ἐγκονήσεις;
1325ΧΟΡΌΣ: φερέτω κάλαθον ταχύ τις πτερύγων,
1326σὺ δʼ αὖθις ἐξόρμα —
1327ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τύπτων γε τοῦτον ὡδί.
1328ΧΟΡΌΣ: πάνυ γὰρ βραδύς ἐστί τις ὥσπερ ὄνος.
1329ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Μανῆς γάρ ἐστι δειλός.
1330ΧΟΡΌΣ: σὺ δὲ τὰ πτερὰ πρῶτον
1331διάθες τάδε κόσμῳ,
1332τά τε μουσίχʼ ὁμοῦ τά τε μαντικὰ καὶ
1333τὰ θαλάττιʼ. ἔπειτα δʼ ὅπως φρονίμως
1334πρὸς ἄνδρʼ ὁρῶν πτερώσεις.
1335ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔ τοι μὰ τὰς κερχνῇδας ἔτι σοῦ σχήσομαι,
1336οὕτως ὁρῶν σε δειλὸν ὄντα καὶ βραδύν.
1337ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: γενοίμαν αἰετὸς ὑψιπέτας,
1338ὡς ἀμποταθείην ὑπὲρ ἀτρυγέτου
1339γλαυκᾶς ἐπʼ οἶδμα λίμνας.
1340ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔοικεν οὐ ψευδαγγελήσειν ἅγγελος.
1341ᾄδων γὰρ ὅδε τις αἰετοὺς προσέρχεται.
1342ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: αἰβοῖ·
1343οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδὲν τοῦ πέτεσθαι γλυκύτερον·
1344ὀρνιθομανῶ γὰρ καὶ πέτομαι καὶ βούλομαι
1345οἰκεῖν μεθʼ ὑμῶν κἀπιθυμῶ τῶν νόμων.
1346ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ποίων νόμων; πολλοὶ γὰρ ὀρνίθων νόμοι.
1347ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: πάντων· μάλιστα δʼ ὅτι καλὸν νομίζεται
1348τὸν πατέρα τοῖς ὄρνισιν ἄγχειν καὶ δάκνειν.
1349ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ νὴ Δίʼ ἀνδρεῖόν γε πάνυ νομιζομεν,
1350ὃς ἂν πεπλήγῃ τὸν πατέρα νεοττὸς ὤν.
1351ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: διὰ ταῦτα μέντοι δεῦρʼ ἀνοικισθεὶς ἐγὼ
1352ἄγχειν ἐπιθυμῶ τὸν πατέρα καὶ πάντʼ ἔχειν.
1353ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ἔστιν ἡμῖν τοῖσιν ὄρνισιν νόμος
1354παλαιὸς ἐν ταῖς τῶν πελαργῶν κύρβεσιν·
1355ἐπὴν ὁ πατὴρ ὁ πελαργὸς ἐκπετησίμους
1356πάντας ποιήσῃ τοὺς πελαργιδέας τρέφων,
1357δεῖ τοὺς νεοττοὺς τὸν πατέρα πάλιν τρέφειν.
1358ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: ἀπέλαυσά τἄρα νὴ Δίʼ ἐλθὼν ἐνθαδί,
1359εἴπερ γέ μοι καὶ τὸν πατέρα βοσκητέον.
1360ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐδέν γʼ. ἐπειδήπερ γὰρ ἦλθες ὦ μέλε εὔνους, πτερώσω σʼ ὥσπερ ὄρνιν ὀρφανόν. σοὶ δʼ ὦ νεανίσκʼ οὐ κακῶς ὑποθήσομαι, ἀλλʼ οἷάπερ αὐτὸς ἔμαθον ὅτε παῖς ἦ. σὺ γὰρ τὸν μὲν πατέρα μὴ τύπτε· ταυτηνδὶ λαβὼν
1365τὴν πτέρυγα καὶ τουτὶ τὸ πλῆκτρον θἀτέρᾳ, νομίσας ἀλεκτρυόνος ἔχειν τονδὶ λόφον, φρούρει στρατεύου μισθοφορῶν σαυτὸν τρέφε, τὸν πατέρ ἔα ζῆν· ἀλλʼ ἐπειδὴ μάχιμος εἶ, ἐς τἀπὶ Θρᾴκης ἀποπέτου κἀκεῖ μάχου.
1370ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: νὴ τὸν Διόνυσον εὖ γέ μοι δοκεῖς λέγειν,
1371καὶ πείσομαί σοι.
1371bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νοῦν ἄρʼ ἔξεις νὴ Δία.
Part 30
1373ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: ἀναπέτομαι δὴ πρὸς Ὄλυμπον πτερύγεσσι κούφαις·
1374πέτομαι δʼ ὁδὸν ἄλλοτʼ ἐπʼ ἄλλαν μελέων —
1375ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ τὸ πρᾶγμα φορτίου δεῖται πτερῶν.
1376ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: ἀφόβῳ φρενὶ σώματί τε νέαν ἐφέπων —
1377ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀσπαζόμεσθα φιλύρινον Κινησίαν.
1378τί δεῦρο πόδα σὺ κυλλὸν ἀνὰ κύκλον κυκλεῖς;
1380ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: ὄρνις γενέσθαι βούλομαι λιγύφθογγος ἀηδών.
1381ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: παῦσαι μελῳδῶν, ἀλλʼ ὅ τι λέγεις εἰπέ μοι.
1382ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: ὑπὸ σοῦ πτερωθεὶς βούλομαι μετάρσιος
1383ἀναπτόμενος ἐκ τῶν νεφελῶν καινὰς λαβεῖν
1385ἀεροδονήτους καὶ νιφοβόλους ἀναβολάς.
1386ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐκ τῶν νεφελῶν γὰρ ἄν τις ἀναβολὰς λάβοι;
1387ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: κρέμαται μὲν οὖν ἐντεῦθεν ἡμῶν ἡ τέχνη.
1388τῶν διθυράμβων γὰρ τὰ λαμπρὰ γίγνεται
1389ἀέρια καὶ σκότιά γε καὶ κυαναυγέα
1390καὶ πτεροδόνητα· σὺ δὲ κλύων εἴσει τάχα.
1391ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ δῆτʼ ἔγωγε.
1391bΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: νὴ τὸν Ἡρακλέα σύ γε.
1392ἅπαντα γὰρ δίειμί σοι τὸν ἀέρα.
1393ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: εἴδωλα πετεινῶν
1394αἰθεροδρόμων
1395οἰωνῶν ταναοδείρων —
1395aΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὠόπ.
1396ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: τὸν ἁλάδρομον ἁλάμενος
1397ἅμʼ ἀνεμων πνοαῖσι βαίην.
1398ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ τὸν Δίʼ ἦ ʼγώ σου καταπαύσω τὰς πνοάς.
1399ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: τοτὲ μὲν νοτίαν στείχων πρὸς ὁδόν,
1400τοτὲ δʼ αὖ βορέᾳ σῶμα πελάζων
1400aἀλίμενον αἰθέρος αὔλακα τέμνων.
1401ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: χαρίεντά γʼ ὦ πρεσβῦτʼ ἐσοφίσω καὶ σοφά.
1402ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ γὰρ σὺ χαίρεις πτεροδόνητος γενόμενος;
1403ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: ταυτὶ πεποίηκας τὸν κυκλιοδιδάσκαλον,
1404ὂς ταῖσι φυλαῖς περιμάχητός εἰμʼ ἀεί;
1405ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: βούλει διδάσκειν καὶ παρʼ ἡμῖν οὖν μένων
1406Λεωτροφίδῃ χορὸν πετομένων ὀρνέων
1407Κεκροπίδα φυλήν;
Part 31
1407bΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: καταγελᾷς μου, δῆλος εἶ.
1408ἀλλʼ οὖν ἔγωγʼ οὐ παύσομαι, τοῦτʼ ἴσθʼ ὅτι,
1409πρὶν ἂν πτερωθεὶς διαδράμω τὸν ἀέρα.
1410ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: ὄρνιθες τίνες οὐδὲν ἔχοντες πτεροποίκιλοι,
1411τανυσίπτερε ποικίλα χελιδοῖ;
1412ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ τὸ κακὸν οὐ φαῦλον ἐξεγρήγορεν.
1413ὅδʼ αὖ μινυρίζων δεῦρό τις προσέρχεται.
1415ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: τανυσίπτερε ποικίλα μάλʼ αὖθις.
1416ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐς θοἰμάτιον τὸ σκόλιον ᾄδειν μοι δοκεῖ,
1417δεῖσθαι δʼ ἔοικεν οὐκ ὀλίγων χελιδόνων.
1418ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: τίς ὁ πτερῶν δεῦρʼ ἐστὶ τοὺς ἀφικνουμένους;
1419ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁδὶ πάρεστιν· ἀλλʼ ὅτου δεῖ χρὴ λέγειν.
1420ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: πτερῶν πτερῶν δεῖ· μὴ πύθῃ τὸ δεύτερον.
1421ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μῶν εὐθὺ Πελλήνης πέτεσθαι διανοεῖ;
1422ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλὰ κλητήρ εἰμι νησιωτικὸς
1423καὶ συκοφάντης —
1423bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ μακάριε τῆς τέχνης.
1424ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: καὶ πραγματοδίφης. εἶτα δέομαι πτερὰ λαβὼν
1425κύκλῳ περισοβεῖν τὰς πόλεις καλούμενος.
1426ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὑπὸ πτερύγων τι προσκαλεῖ σοφώτερον;
1427ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλʼ ἵνʼ οἱ λῃσταί τε μὴ λυπῶσί με,
1428μετὰ τῶν γεράνων τʼ ἐκεῖθεν ἀναχωρῶ πάλιν,
1429ἀνθʼ ἕρματος πολλὰς καταπεπωκὼς δίκας.
1430ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ γὰρ ἐργάζει σὺ τοὔργον; εἰπέ μοι,
1431νεανίας ὢν συκοφαντεῖς τοὺς ξένους;
1432ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: τί γὰρ πάθω; σκάπτειν γὰρ οὐκ ἐπίσταμαι.
1433ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ἔστιν ἕτερα νὴ Δίʼ ἔργα σώφρονα,
1434ἀφʼ ὧν διαζῆν ἄνδρα χρῆν τοσουτονὶ
1435ἐκ τοῦ δικαίου μᾶλλον ἢ δικορραφεῖν.
1436ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: ὦ δαιμόνιε μὴ νουθέτει μʼ ἀλλὰ πτέρου.
1437ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νῦν τοι λέγων πτερῶ σε.
1437bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: καὶ πῶς ἂν λόγοις
1438ἄνδρα πτερώσειας σύ;
Part 32
1438bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πάντες τοῖς λόγοις
1439ἀναπτεροῦνται.
1439bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: πάντες;
1439cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἀκήκοας,
1440ὅταν λέγωσιν οἱ πατέρες ἑκάστοτε
1441τοῖς μειρακίοις ἐν τοῖσι κουρείοις ταδί;
1442δεινῶς γέ μου τὸ μειράκιον Διειτρέφης
1443λέγων ἀνεπτέρωκεν ὥσθʼ ἱππηλατεῖν.
1444ὁ δέ τις τὸν αὑτοῦ φησιν ἐπὶ τραγῳδίᾳ
1445ἀνεπτερῶσθαι καὶ πεποτῆσθαι τὰς φρένας.
1446ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: λόγοισί τἄρα καὶ πτεροῦνται;
1446bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: φήμʼ ἐγώ.
1447ὑπὸ γὰρ λόγων ὁ νοῦς τε μετεωρίζεται
1448ἐπαίρεταί τʼ ἄνθρωπος. οὕτω καί σʼ ἐγὼ
1449ἀναπτερώσας βούλομαι χρηστοῖς λόγοις
1450τρέψαι πρὸς ἔργον νόμιμον.
1450bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: ἀλλʼ οὐ βούλομαι.
1451ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δαὶ ποιήσεις;
1451bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: τὸ γένος οὐ καταισχυνῶ.
1452παππῷος ὁ βίος συκοφαντεῖν ἐστί μοι.
1453ἀλλὰ πτέρου με ταχέσι καὶ κούφοις πτεροῖς
1454ἱέρακος ἢ κερχνῇδος, ὡς ἂν τοὺς ξένους
1455καλεσάμενος κᾆτʼ ἐγκεκληκὼς ἐνθαδὶ
1456κατʼ αὖ πέτωμαι πάλιν ἐκεῖσε.
1456bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μανθάνω.
1457ὡδὶ λέγεις· ὅπως ἂν ὠφλήκῃ δίκην
1458ἐνθάδε πρὶν ἥκειν ὁ ξένος.
1458bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: πάνυ μανθάνεις.
1459ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κἄπειθʼ ὁ μὲν πλεῖ δεῦρο, σὺ δʼ ἐκεῖσʼ αὖ πέτει
1460ἁρπασόμενος τὰ χρήματʼ αὐτοῦ.
1460bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: πάντʼ ἔχεις.
1461βέμβικος οὐδὲν διαφέρειν δεῖ.
1461bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μανθάνω
1462βέμβικα· καὶ μὴν ἔστι μοι νὴ τὸν Δία
1463κάλλιστα Κορκυραῖα τοιαυτὶ πτερά.
1464ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: οἴμοι τάλας μάστιγʼ ἔχεις.
1464bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πτερὼ μὲν οὖν,
1465οἷσί σε ποιήσω τήμερον βεμβικιᾶν.
1466ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: οἴμοι τάλας.
1466bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ πτερυγιεῖς ἐντευθενί;
1467οὐκ ἀπολιβάξεις ὦ κάκιστʼ ἀπολούμενος;
1468πικρὰν τάχʼ ὄψει στρεψοδικοπανουργίαν.
1469ἀπίωμεν ἡμεῖς ξυλλαβόντες τὰ πτερά.
1470ΧΟΡΌΣ: πολλὰ δὴ καὶ καινὰ καὶ θαυμάστʼ ἐπεπτόμεσθα καὶ δεινὰ πράγματʼ εἴδομεν. ἔστι γὰρ δένδρον πεφυκὸς ἔκτοπόν τι Καρδίας ἀ-
1475πωτέρω Κλεώνυμος, χρήσιμον μὲν οὐδέν, ἄλλως δὲ δειλὸν καὶ μέγα. τοῦτο τοῦ μὲν ἦρος ἀεὶ βλαστάνει καὶ συκοφαντεῖ,
1480τοῦ δὲ χειμῶνος πάλιν τὰς ἀσπίδας φυλλορροεῖ.
1482ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἔστι δʼ αὗ χώρα πρὸς αὐτῷ τῷ σκότῳ πόρρω τις ἐν τῇ λύχνων ἐρημίᾳ, ἔνθα τοῖς ἥρωσιν ἄνθρωποι ξυναριστῶσι καὶ ξύν-
1487εισι πλὴν τῆς ἑσπέρας. τηνικαῦτα δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἦν ἀσφαλὲς ξυντυγχάνειν. εἰ γὰρ ἐντύχοι τις ἥρῳ τῶν βροτῶν νύκτωρ Ὀρέστῃ,
1492γυμνὸς ἦν πληγεὶς ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ πάντα τἀπιδέξια.
1494ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: οἴμοι τάλας, ὁ Ζεὺς ὅπως μή μʼ ὄψεται.
1495ποῦ Πισθέταιρός ἐστʼ;
Part 33
1495bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔα τουτὶ τί ἦν;
1496τίς ὁ συγκαλυμμός;
1496bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: τῶν θεῶν ὁρᾷς τινα
1497ἐμοῦ κατόπιν ἐνταῦθα;
1497bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ Δίʼ ἐγὼ μὲν οὔ.
1498τίς δʼ εἶ σύ;
1498bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: πηνίκʼ ἐστὶν ἄρα τῆς ἡμέρας;
1499ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁπηνίκα; σμικρόν τι μετὰ μεσημβρίαν.
1500ἀλλὰ σὺ τίς εἶ;
1500bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: βουλυτὸς ἢ περαιτέρω;
1501ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμʼ ὡς βδελύττομαί σε.
1501bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: τί γὰρ ὁ Ζεὺς ποιεῖ;
1502ἀπαιθριάζει τὰς νεφέλας ἢ ξυννέφει;
1503ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμωζε μεγάλʼ.
1503bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: οὕτω μὲν ἐκκεκαλύψομαι.
1504ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ φίλε Προμηθεῦ.
1504bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: παῦε παῦε, μὴ βόα.
1505ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί γὰρ ἔστι;
1505bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: σίγα, μὴ κάλει μου τοὔνομα·
1506ἀπὸ γάρ μʼ ὀλεῖς, εἴ μʼ ἐνθάδʼ ὁ Ζεὺς ὄψεται.
1507ἀλλʼ ἵνα φράσω σοι πάντα τἄνω πράγματα,
1508τουτὶ λαβών μου τὸ σκιάδειον ὑπέρεχε
1509ἄνωθεν, ὡς ἂν μή μʼ ὁρῶσιν οἱ θεοί.
1510ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἰοὺ ἰού·
1511εὖ γʼ ἐπενόησας αὐτὸ καὶ προμηθικῶς.
1512ὑπόδυθι ταχὺ δὴ κᾆτα θαρρήσας λέγε.
1513ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: ἄκουε δή νυν.
1513bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὡς ἀκούοντος λέγε.
1514ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: ἀπόλωλεν ὁ Ζεύς.
1514bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πηνίκʼ ἄττʼ ἀπώλετο;
1515ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: ἐξ οὗπερ ὑμεῖς ᾠκίσατε τὸν ἀέρα. θύει γὰρ οὐδεὶς οὐδὲν ἀνθρώπων ἔτι θεοῖσιν, οὐδὲ κνῖσα μηρίων ἄπο ἀνῆλθεν ὡς ἡμᾶς ἀπʼ ἐκείνου τοῦ χρόνου, ἀλλʼ ὡσπερεὶ Θεσμοφορίοις νηστεύομεν
1520ἄνευ θυηλῶν· οἱ δὲ βάρβαροι θεοὶ πεινῶντες ὥσπερ Ἰλλυριοὶ κεκριγότες ἐπιστρατεύσειν φάσʼ ἄνωθεν τῷ Διί, εἰ μὴ παρέξει τἀμπόριʼ ἀνεῳγμένα, ἵνʼ εἰσάγοιτο σπλάγχνα κατατετμημένα.
Part 34
1525ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: εἰσὶν γὰρ ἕτεροι βάρβαροι θεοί τινες
1526ἄνωθεν ὑμῶν;
1526bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: οὐ γάρ εἰσι βάρβαροι,
1527ὅθεν ὁ πατρῷός ἐστιν Ἐξηκεστίδῃ;
1528ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὄνομα δὲ τούτοις τοῖς θεοῖς τοῖς βαρβάροις
1529τί ἔστιν;
1529bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: ὅ τι ἔστιν; Τριβαλλοί.
1529cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μανθάνω.
1530ἐντεῦθεν ἆρα τοὐπιτριβείης ἐγένετο;
1531ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: μάλιστα πάντων. ἓν δέ σοι λέγω σαφές·
1532ἥξουσι πρέσβεις δεῦρο περὶ διαλλαγῶν
1533παρὰ τοῦ Διὸς καὶ τῶν Τριβαλλῶν τῶν ἄνω·
1534ὑμεῖς δὲ μὴ σπένδεσθʼ, ἐὰν μὴ παραδιδῷ
1535τὸ σκῆπτρον ὁ Ζεὺς τοῖσιν ὄρνισιν πάλιν,
1536καὶ τὴν Βασίλειάν σοι γυναῖκʼ ἔχειν διδῷ.
1537ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τίς ἐστιν ἡ Βασίλεια;
1537bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: καλλίστη κόρη,
1538ἥπερ ταμιεύει τὸν κεραυνὸν τοῦ Διὸς
1539καὶ τἄλλʼ ἁπαξάπαντα, τὴν εὐβουλίαν
1540τὴν εὐνομίαν τὴν σωφροσύνην τὰ νεώρια,
1541τὴν λοιδορίαν τὸν κωλακρέτην τὰ τριώβολα.
1542ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἅπαντά γʼ ἆρʼ αὐτῷ ταμιεύει;
1542bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: φήμʼ ἐγώ.
1543ἥν γʼ ἢν σὺ παρʼ ἐκείνου παραλάβῃς, πάντʼ ἔχεις.
1544τούτων ἕνεκα δεῦρʼ ἦλθον, ἵνα φράσαιμί σοι.
1545ἀεί ποτʼ ἀνθρώποις γὰρ εὔνους εἴμʼ ἐγώ.
1546ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μόνον θεῶν γὰρ διὰ σʼ ἀπανθρακίζομεν.
1547ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: μισῶ δʼ ἅπαντας τοὺς θεούς, ὡς οἶσθα σύ.
1548ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ τὸν Δίʼ ἀεὶ δῆτα θεομισὴς ἔφυς.
1549ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: Τίμων καθαρός. ἀλλʼ ὡς ἂν ἀποτρέχω πάλιν,
1550φέρε τὸ σκιάδειον, ἵνα με κἂν ὁ Ζεὺς ἴδῃ
1551ἄνωθεν, ἀκολουθεῖν δοκῶ κανηφόρῳ.
1552ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ τὸν δίφρον γε διφροφόρει τονδὶ λαβών.
1553ΧΟΡΌΣ: πρὸς δὲ τοῖς Σκιάποσιν λίμνη τις ἔστʼ ἄλουτος οὗ ψυχαγωγεῖ Σωκράτης· ἔνθα καὶ Πείσανδρος ἦλθε δεόμενος ψυχὴν ἰδεῖν ἣ
1558ζῶντʼ ἐκεῖνον προὔλιπε, σφάγιʼ ἔχων κάμηλον ἀμνόν τινʼ, ἧς λαιμοὺς τεμὼν ὥσπερ ποθʼ οὑδυσσεὺς ἀπῆλθε, κᾆτʼ ἀνῆλθʼ αὐτῷ κάτωθεν
1563πρὸς τὸ λαῖτμα τῆς καμήλου Χαιρεφῶν ἡ νυκτερίς.
1565ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τὸ μὲν πόλισμα τῆς Νεφελοκοκκυγίας
1566ὁρᾶν τοδὶ πάρεστιν, οἷ πρεσβεύομεν.
1567οὗτος τί δρᾷς; ἐπʼ ἀριστέρʼ οὕτως ἀμπέχει;
1568οὐ μεταβαλεῖς θοἰμάτιον ὧδʼ ἐπιδέξια;
1569τί ὦ κακόδαιμον; Λαισποδίας εἶ τὴν φύσιν;
1570ὦ δημοκρατία ποῖ προβιβᾷς ἡμᾶς ποτε,
1571εἰ τουτονί γʼ ἐχειροτόνησαν οἱ θεοί;
1572ΤΡΙΒΑΛΛΌΣ: ἕξεις ἀτρέμας;
1572bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: οἴμωζε· πολὺ γὰρ δή σʼ ἐγὼ
1573ἑόρακα πάντων βαρβαρώτατον θεῶν.
1574ἄγε δὴ τί δρῶμεν Ἡράκλεις;
1574bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ἀκήκοας
1575ἐμοῦ γʼ ὅτι τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἄγχειν βούλομαι,
1576ὅστις ποτʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ τοὺς θεοὺς ἀποτειχίσας.
Part 35
1577ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: ἀλλʼ ὦγάθʼ ᾑρήμεσθα περὶ διαλλαγῶν
1578πρέσβεις.
1578bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: διπλασίως μᾶλλον ἄγχειν μοι δοκεῖ.
1579ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὴν τυρόκνηστίν τις δότω· φέρε σίλφιον·
1580τυρὸν φερέτω τις· πυρπόλει τοὺς ἄνθρακας.
1581ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τὸν ἄνδρα χαίρειν οἱ θεοὶ κελεύομεν
1582τρεῖς ὄντες ἡμεῖς.
1582bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ἐπικνῶ τὸ σίλφιον.
1583ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: τὰ δὲ κρέα τοῦ ταῦτʼ ἐστίν;
1583bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὄρνιθές τινες
1584ἐπανιστάμενοι τοῖς δημοτικοῖσιν ὀρνέοις
1585ἔδοξαν ἀδικεῖν.
1585bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: εἶτα δῆτα σίλφιον
1586εἴπικνῇς πρότερον αὐτοῖσιν;
1586bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ χαῖρʼ Ἡράκλεις.
1587τί ἔστι;
1587bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: πρεσβεύοντες ἡμεῖς ἥκομεν
1588παρὰ τῶν θεῶν περὶ πολέμου καταλλαγῆς.
1589ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔλαιον οὐκ ἔνεστιν ἐν τῇ ληκύθῳ.
1590ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: καὶ μὴν τά γʼ ὀρνίθεια λιπάρʼ εἶναι πρέπει.
1591ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: ἡμεῖς τε γὰρ πολεμοῦντες οὐ κερδαίνομεν,
1592ὑμεῖς τʼ ἂν ἡμῖν τοῖς θεοῖς ὄντες φίλοι
1593ὄμβριον ὕδωρ ἂν εἴχετʼ ἐν τοῖς τέλμασιν,
1594ἀλκυονίδας τʼ ἂν ἤγεθʼ ἡμέρας ἀεί.
1595τούτων περὶ πάντων αὐτοκράτορες ἥκομεν.
1596ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ οὔτε πρότερον πώποθʼ ἡμεῖς ἤρξαμεν
1597πολέμου πρὸς ὑμᾶς, νῦν τʼ ἐθέλομεν, εἰ δοκεῖ,
1598ἐάν τι δίκαιον ἀλλὰ νῦν ἐθέλητε δρᾶν,
1599σπονδὰς ποιεῖσθαι. τὰ δὲ δίκαιʼ ἐστὶν ταδί,
1600τὸ σκῆπτρον ἡμῖν τοῖσιν ὄρνισιν πάλιν
1601τὸν Δίʼ ἀποδοῦναι· κἂν διαλλαττώμεθα
1602ἐπὶ τοῖσδε, τοὺς πρέσβεις ἐπʼ ἄριστον καλῶ.
1603ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ἐμοὶ μὲν ἀπόχρη ταῦτα καὶ ψηφίζομαι.
1604ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τί ὦ κακόδαιμον; ἠλίθιος καὶ γάστρις εἶ.
1605ἀποστερεῖς τὸν πατέρα τῆς τυραννίδος;
1606ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄληθες; οὐ γὰρ μεῖζον ὑμεῖς οἱ θεοὶ
1607ἰσχύσετʼ, ἢν ὄρνιθες ἄρξωσιν κάτω;
1608νῦν μέν γʼ ὑπὸ ταῖς νεφέλαισιν ἐγκεκρυμμένοι
1609κύψαντες ἐπιορκοῦσιν ὑμᾶς οἱ βροτοί·
1610ἐὰν δὲ τοὺς ὄρνις ἔχητε συμμάχους,
1611ὅταν ὀμνύῃ τις τὸν κόρακα καὶ τὸν Δία,
1612ὁ κόραξ παρελθὼν τοὐπιορκοῦντος λάθρᾳ
1613προσπτόμενος ἐκκόψει τὸν ὀφθαλμὸν θενών.
1614ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: νὴ τὸν Ποσειδῶ ταῦτά γέ τοι καλῶς λέγεις.
1615ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: κἀμοὶ δοκεῖ.
1615bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δαὶ σὺ φῄς;
Part 36
1615cΤΡΙΒΑΛΛΌΣ: ναβαισατρεῦ.
1616ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁρᾷς; ἐπαινεῖ χοὖτος. ἕτερόν νυν ἔτι
1617ἀκούσαθʼ ὅσον ὑμᾶς ἀγαθὸν ποιήσομεν.
1618ἐάν τις ἀνθρώπων ἱερεῖόν τῳ θεῶν
1619εὐξάμενος εἶτα διασοφίζηται λέγων,
1620μενετοὶ θεοί, καὶ μἀποδιδῷ μισητίᾳ,
1621ἀναπράξομεν καὶ ταῦτα.
1621bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: φέρʼ ἴδω τῷ τρόπῳ;
1622ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὅταν διαριθμῶν ἀργυρίδιον τύχῃ
1623ἅνθρωπος οὗτος, ἢ καθῆται λούμενος,
1624καταπτόμενος ἰκτῖνος ἁρπάσας λάθρᾳ
1625προβάτοιν δυοῖν τιμὴν ἀνοίσει τῷ θεῷ.
1626ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: τὸ σκῆπτρον ἀποδοῦναι πάλιν ψηφίζομαι
1627τούτοις ἐγώ.
1627bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: καὶ τὸν Τριβαλλόν νυν ἐροῦ.
1628ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ὁ Τριβαλλός, οἰμώζειν δοκεῖ σοι;
1628bΤΡΙΒΑΛΛΌΣ: σαυνάκα
1629βακταρικροῦσα.
1629bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: φησί μʼ εὖ λέγειν πάνυ.
1630ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: εἴ τοι δοκεῖ σφῷν ταῦτα, κἀμοὶ συνδοκεῖ.
1631ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: οὗτος, δοκεῖ δρᾶν ταῦτα τοῦ σκήπτρου πέρι.
1632ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ νὴ Δίʼ ἕτερόν γʼ ἐστὶν οὗ ʼμνήσθην ἐγώ.
1633τὴν μὲν γὰρ Ἥραν παραδίδωμι τῷ Διί,
1634τὴν δὲ Βασίλειαν τὴν κόρην γυναῖκʼ ἐμοὶ
1635ἐκδοτέον ἐστίν.
1635bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: οὐ διαλλαγῶν ἐρᾷς.
1636ἀπίωμεν οἴκαδʼ αὖθις.
1636bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὀλίγον μοι μέλει.
1637μάγειρε τὸ κατάχυσμα χρὴ ποιεῖν γλυκύ.
1638ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ὦ δαιμόνιʼ ἀνθρώπων Πόσειδον ποῖ φέρει;
1639ἡμεῖς περὶ γυναικὸς μιᾶς πολεμήσομεν;
1640ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τί δαὶ ποιῶμεν;
1640bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ὅ τι; διαλλαττώμεθα.
1641ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τί δʼ ᾠζύρʼ; οὐκ οἶσθʼ ἐξαπατώμενος πάλαι;
1642βλάπτεις δέ τοι σὺ σαυτόν. ἢν γὰρ ἀποθάνῃ
1643ὁ Ζεὺς παραδοὺς τούτοισι τὴν τυραννίδα,
1644πένης ἔσει σύ. σοῦ γὰρ ἅπαντα γίγνεται
1645τὰ χρήμαθʼ, ὅσʼ ἂν ὁ Ζεὺς ἀποθνῄσκων καταλίπῃ.
1646ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμοι τάλας οἷόν σε περισοφίζεται.
1647δεῦρʼ ὡς ἔμʼ ἀποχώρησον, ἵνα τί σοι φράσω.
1648διαβάλλεταί σʼ ὁ θεῖος ὦ πόνηρε σύ.
1649τῶν γὰρ πατρῴων οὐδʼ ἀκαρῆ μέτεστί σοι
1650κατὰ τοὺς νόμους· νόθος γὰρ εἶ κοὐ γνήσιος.
1651ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ἐγὼ νόθος; τί λέγεις;
Part 37
1651bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: σὺ μέντοι νὴ Δία
1652ὤν γε ξένης γυναικός. ἢ πῶς ἄν ποτε
1653ἐπίκληρον εἶναι τὴν Ἀθηναίαν δοκεῖς,
1654οὖσαν θυγατέρʼ, ὄντων ἀδελφῶν γνησίων;
1655ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: τί δʼ ἢν ὁ πατὴρ ἐμοὶ διδῷ τὰ χρήματα
1656νοθεἶ ἀποθνῄσκων;
1656bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁ νόμος αὐτὸν οὐκ ἐᾷ.
1657οὗτος ὁ Ποσειδῶν πρῶτος, ὃς ἐπαίρει σε νῦν,
1658ἀνθέξεταί σου τῶν πατρῴων χρημάτων
1659φάσκων ἀδελφὸς αὐτὸς εἶναι γνήσιος.
1660ἐρῶ δὲ δὴ καὶ τὸν Σόλωνός σοι νόμον·
1661νόθῳ δὲ μὴ εἶναι ἀγχιστείαν παίδων ὄντων
1665γνησίων. ἐὰν δὲ παῖδες μὴ ὦσι γνήσιοι, τοῖς
1666ἐγγυτάτω γένους μετεῖναι τῶν χρημάτων.
1667ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ἐμοὶ δʼ ἄρʼ οὐδὲν τῶν πατρῴων χρημάτων
1668μέτεστιν;
1668bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ μέντοι μὰ Δία. λέξον δέ μοι,
1669ἤδη σʼ ὁ πατὴρ εἰσήγαγʼ ἐς τοὺς φράτερας;
1670ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: οὐ δῆτʼ ἐμέ γε. καὶ δῆτʼ ἐθαύμαζον πάλαι.
1671ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δῆτʼ ἄνω κέχηνας αἴκειαν βλέπων;
1672ἀλλʼ ἢν μεθʼ ἡμῶν ᾖς, καταστήσας σʼ ἐγὼ
1673τύραννον ὀρνίθων παρέξω σοι γάλα.
1674ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: δίκαιʼ ἔμοιγε καὶ πάλαι δοκεῖς λέγειν
1675περὶ τῆς κόρης, κἄγωγε παραδίδωμί σοι.
1676ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δαὶ σὺ φῄς;
1676bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τἀναντία ψηφίζομαι.
1677ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐν τῷ Τριβαλλῷ πᾶν τὸ πρᾶγμα. τί σὺ λέγεις;
1678ΤΡΙΒΑΛΛΌΣ: καλάνι κόραυνα καὶ μεγάλα βασιλιναῦ
1679ὄρνιτο παραδίδωμι.
1679bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: παραδοῦναι λέγει.
1680ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: μὰ τὸν Δίʼ οὐχ οὗτός γε παραδοῦναι λέγει,
1681εἰ μὴ † βαδίζειν † ωἅσπερ αἱ χελιδόσιν λέγει.
1682ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκοῦν παραδοῦναι ταῖς χελιδόσιν λέγει.
1683ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: σφὼ νῦν διαλλάττεσθε καὶ ξυμβαίνετε·
1684ἐγὼ δʼ, ἐπειδὴ σφῷν δοκεῖ, σιγήσομαι.
1685ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ἡμῖν ἃ λέγεις σὺ πάντα συγχωρεῖν δοκεῖ.
1686ἀλλʼ ἴθι μεθʼ ἡμῶν αὐτὸς ἐς τὸν οὐρανόν,
1687ἵνα τὴν Βασίλειαν καὶ τὰ πάντʼ ἐκεῖ λάβῃς.
1688ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐς καιρὸν ἆρα κατεκόπησαν οὑτοιὶ
1689ἐς τοὺς γάμους.
1689bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: βούλεσθε δῆτʼ ἐγὼ τέως
1690ὀπτῶ τὰ κρέα ταυτὶ μένων; ὑμεῖς δʼ ἴτε.
1691ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: ὀπτᾷς τὰ κρέα; πολλήν γε τενθείαν λέγεις.
1692οὐκ εἶ μεθʼ ἡμῶν;
Part 38
1692bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: εὖ γε μέντἂν διετέθην.
1693ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλὰ γαμικὴν χλανίδα δότω τις δεῦρό μοι.
1694ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἔστι δʼ ἐν Φαναῖσι πρὸς τῇ Κλεψύδρᾳ πανοῦργον ἐγ- γλωττογαστόρων γένος, οἳ θερίζουσίν τε καὶ σπείρουσι καὶ τρυγῶσι ταῖς γλώτταισι
1699συκάζουσί τε· βάρβαροι δʼ εἰσὶν γένος, Γοργίαι τε καὶ Φίλιπποι. κἀπὸ τῶν ἐγγλωττογαστόρων ἐκείνων τῶν Φιλίππων
1704πανταχοῦ τῆς Ἀττικῆς ἡ γλῶττα χωρὶς τέμνεται.
1706ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ: ὦ πάντʼ ἀγαθὰ πράττοντες, ὦ μείζω λόγου, ὦ τρισμακάριον πτηνὸν ὀρνίθων γένος, δέχεσθε τὸν τύραννον ὀλβίοις δόμοις. προσέρχεται γὰρ οἷς οὔτε παμφαὴς ἀστὴρ ἰδεῖν ἔλαμψε χρυσαυγεῖ δόμῳ,
1711οὔθʼ ἡλίου τηλαυγὲς ἀκτίνων σέλας τοιοῦτον ἐξέλαμψεν, οἶον ἔρχεται ἔχων γυναικὸς κάλλος οὐ φατὸν λέγειν, πάλλων κεραυνόν, πτεροφόρον Διὸς βέλος· ὀσμὴ δʼ ἀνωνόμαστος ἐς βάθος κύκλου
1716χωρεῖ, καλὸν θέαμα· θυμιαμάτων δʼ αὖραι διαψαίρουσι πλεκτάνην καπνοῦ. ὁδὶ δὲ καὐτός ἐστιν. ἀλλὰ χρὴ θεᾶς Μούσης ἀνοίγειν ἱερὸν εὔφημον στόμα.
1720ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἄναγε δίεχε πάραγε πάρεχε.
1721περιπέτεσθε
1722τὸν μάκαρα μάκαρι σὺν τύχᾳ.
1723ὦ φεῦ φεῦ τῆς ὥρας τοῦ κάλλους.
1725ὦ μακαριστὸν σὺ γάμον τῇδε πόλει γημας.
1726ΧΟΡΌΣ: μεγάλαι μεγάλαι κατέχουσι τύχαι
1727γένος ὀρνίθων
1728διὰ τόνδε τὸν ἄνδρʼ. ἀλλʼ ὑμεναίοις
1729καὶ νυμφιδίοισι δέχεσθʼ ᾠδαῖς
1730αὐτὸν καὶ τὴν Βασίλειαν.
1731ΧΟΡΌΣ: Ἥρᾳ ποτʼ Ὀλυμπίᾳ
1732τῶν ἠλιβάτων θρόνων
1733ἄρχοντα θεοῖς μέγαν
1734Μοῖραι ξυνεκοίμισαν
1735ἐν τοιῷδʼ ὑμεναίῳ.
1736Ὑμὴν ὦ Ὑμέναιʼ ὦ,
1736aὙμὴν ὦ Ὑμέναιʼ ὦ.
1737ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὁ δʼ ἀμφιθαλὴς Ἔρως
1738χρυσόπτερος ἡνίας
1739ηὔθυνε παλιντόνους,
1740Ζηνὸς πάροχος γάμων
1741τῆς τʼ εὐδαίμονος Ἥρας.
1742Ὑμὴν ὦ Ὑμέναιʼ ὦ,
1742aὙμὴν ὦ Ὑμέναιʼ ὦ.
1743ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐχάρην ὕμνοις, ἐχάρην ᾠδαῖς·
1744ἄγαμαι δὲ λόγων. ἄγε νυν αὐτοῦ
1745καὶ τὰς χθονίας κλῄσατε βροντὰς
1746τάς τε πυρώδεις Διὸς ἀστεροπὰς
1747δεινόν τʼ ἀργῆτα κεραυνόν.
1748ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὦ μέγα χρύσεον ἀστεροπῆς φάος,
1749ὦ Διὸς ἄμβροτον ἔγχος πυρφόρον,
1750ὦ χθόνιαι βαρυαχέες
1751ὀμβροφόροι θʼ ἅμα βρονταί,
1752αἷς ὅδε νῦν χθόνα σείει.
1753διὰ σὲ τὰ πάντα κρατήσας
1754καὶ πάρεδρον Βασίλειαν ἔχει Διός.
1754aὙμὴν ὦ Ὑμέναιʼ ὦ.
1755ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔπεσθε νῦν γάμοισιν ὦ
1756φῦλα πάντα συννόμων
1757πτεροφόρʼ ἐπὶ δάπεδον Διὸς
1758καὶ λέχος γαμήλιον.
1759ὄρεξον ὦ μάκαιρα σὴν
1760χεῖρα καὶ πτερῶν ἐμῶν
1761λαβοῦσα συγχόρευσον· αἴρων
1762δὲ κουφιῶ σʼ ἐγώ.
1763ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλαλαλαὶ ἰὴ παιών,
1764τήνελλα καλλίνικος, ὦ
1765δαιμόνων ὑπέρτατε.
Part 1
1ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὀρθὴν κελεύεις, ᾗ τὸ δένδρον φαίνεται;
2ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: διαρραγείης· ἥδε δʼ αὖ κρώζει πάλιν.
3ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί ὦ πόνηρʼ ἄνω κάτω πλανύττομεν;
4ἀπολούμεθʼ ἄλλως τὴν ὁδὸν προφορουμένω.
5ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὸ δʼ ἐμὲ κορώνῃ πειθόμενον τὸν ἄθλιον
6ὁδοῦ περιελθεῖν στάδια πλεῖν ἢ χίλια.
7ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τὸ δʼ ἐμὲ κολοιῷ πειθόμενον τὸν δύσμορον
8ἀποσποδῆσαι τοὺς ὄνυχας τῶν δακτύλων.
9ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ οὐδʼ ὅπου γῆς ἐσμὲν οἶδʼ ἔγωγʼ ἔτι.
10ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐντευθενὶ τὴν πατρίδʼ ἂν ἐξεύροις σύ που;
11ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐδʼ ἂν μὰ Δία γʼ ἐντεῦθεν Ἐξηκεστίδης.
12ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οἴμοι.
12bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: σὺ μὲν ὦ τᾶν τὴν ὁδὸν ταύτην ἴθι.
13ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἦ δεινὰ νὼ δέδρακεν οὑκ τῶν ὀρνέων, ὁ πινακοπώλης φιλοκράτης μελαγχολῶν, ὃς τώδʼ ἔφασκε νῷν φράσειν τὸν Τηρέα τὸν ἔποφʼ ὃς ὄρνις ἐγένετʼ ἐκ τῶν ὀρνέων· κἀπέδοτο τὸν μὲν Θαρρελείδου τουτονὶ
18κολοιὸν ὀβολοῦ, τηνδεδὶ τριωβόλου. τὼ δʼ οὐκ ἄρʼ ᾔστην οὐδὲν ἄλλο πλὴν δάκνειν. καὶ νῦν τί κέχηνας; ἔσθʼ ὅποι κατὰ τῶν πετρῶν ἡμᾶς ἔτʼ ἔξεις. οὐ γάρ ἐστʼ ἐνταῦθά τις ὁδός.
22bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐδὲ μὰ Δίʼ ἐνταῦθά γʼ ἀτραπὸς οὐδαμοῦ.
23ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐδʼ ἡ κορώνη τῆς ὁδοῦ τι λέγει πέρι;
24ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ ταὐτὰ κρώζει μὰ Δία νῦν τε καὶ τότε.
25ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί δὴ λέγει περὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ;
25bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δʼ ἄλλο γʼ ἢ
26βρύκουσʼ ἀπέδεσθαί φησί μου τοὺς δακτύλους;
27ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐ δεινὸν οὖν δῆτʼ ἐστὶν ἡμᾶς δεομένους ἐς κόρακας ἐλθεῖν καὶ παρεσκευασμένους ἔπειτα μὴ ʼξευρεῖν δύνασθαι τὴν ὁδόν; ἡμεῖς γάρ, ὦνδρες οἱ παρόντες ἐν λόγῳ, νόσον νοσοῦμεν τὴν ἐναντίαν Σάκᾳ·
32ὁ μὲν γὰρ ὢν οὐκ ἀστὸς ἐσβιάζεται, ἡμεῖς δὲ φυλῇ καὶ γένει τιμώμενοι, ἀστοὶ μετʼ ἀστῶν, οὐ σοβοῦντος οὐδενὸς ἀνεπτόμεσθʼ ἐκ τῆς πατρίδος ἀμφοῖν ποδοῖν, αὐτὴν μὲν οὐ μισοῦντʼ ἐκείνην τὴν πόλιν
37τὸ μὴ οὐ μεγάλην εἶναι φύσει κεὐδαίμονα καὶ πᾶσι κοινὴν ἐναποτεῖσαι χρήματα. οἱ μὲν γὰρ οὖν τέττιγες ἕνα μῆνʼ ἢ δύο ἐπὶ τῶν κραδῶν ᾄδουσʼ, Ἀθηναῖοι δʼ ἀεὶ ἐπὶ τῶν δικῶν ᾄδουσι πάντα τὸν βίον.
42διὰ ταῦτα τόνδε τὸν βάδον βαδίζομεν, κανοῦν δʼ ἔχοντε καὶ χύτραν καὶ μυρρίνας πλανώμεθα ζητοῦντε τόπον ἀπράγμονα, ὅποι καθιδρυθέντε διαγενοίμεθʼ ἄν. ὁ δὲ στόλος νῷν ἐστι παρὰ τὸν Τηρέα
47τὸν ἔποπα, παρʼ ἐκείνου πυθέσθαι δεομἐνω, εἴ που τοιαύτην εἶδε πόλιν ᾗ ʼπέπτετο.
49ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὗτος.
49bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί ἔστιν;
49cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἡ κορώνη μοι πάλαι
50ἄνω τι φράζει.
Part 1
1EUELPIDES: Do you think I should walk straight for yon tree?
2PISTHETAERUS: Cursed beast, what are you croaking to me? . . . to retrace my steps?
3EUELPIDES: Why, you wretch, we are wandering at random, we are exerting ourselves only to return to the same spot; we're wasting our time.
5PISTHETAERUS: To think that I should trust to this crow, which has made me cover more than a thousand furlongs!
7EUELPIDES: And that I, in obedience to this jay, should have worn my toes down to the nails!
9PISTHETAERUS: If only I knew where we were . . .
10EUELPIDES: Could you find your country again from here?
11PISTHETAERUS: No, I feel quite sure I could not, any more than could Execestides find his.
12EUELPIDES: Alas!
12bPISTHETAERUS: Aye, aye, my friend, it's surely the road of alases we are following.
13EUELPIDES: That Philocrates, the bird-seller, played us a scurvy trick,
15when he pretended these two guides could help us to find Tereus, the Epops, who is a bird, without being born of one. He has indeed sold us this jay, a true son of Tharrhelides, for an obolus, and this crow for three, but what can they do? Why, nothing whatever but bite and scratch!
20What's the matter with you then, that you keep opening your beak? Do you want us to fling ourselves headlong down these rocks? There is no road that way.
22bPISTHETAERUS: Not even the vestige of a trail in any direction
23EUELPIDES: And what does the crow say about the road to follow?
24PISTHETAERUS: By Zeus, it no longer croaks the same thing it did.
25EUELPIDES: And which way does it tell us to go now?
25bPISTHETAERUS: It says that, by dint of gnawing, it will devour my fingers.
27EUELPIDES: What misfortune is ours! we strain every nerve to get to the crows, do everything we can to that end, and we cannot find our way!
30Yes, spectators, our madness is quite different from that of Sacas. He is not a citizen, and would fain be one at any cost; we, on the contrary, born of an honorable tribe and family and living in the midst of our fellow-citizens,
35we have fled from our country as hard as ever we could go. It's not that we hate it; we recognize it to be great and rich, likewise that everyone has the right to ruin himself paying taxes; but the crickets only chirrup among the fig-trees for a month or two,
40whereas the Athenians spend their whole lives in chanting forth judgments from their law-courts. That is why we started off with a basket, a stew-pot and some myrtle boughs and have come to seek a quiet country
45in which to settle. We are going to Tereus, the Epops, to learn from him, whether, in his aerial flights, he has noticed some town of this kind.
49PISTHETAERUS: Here! look!
49bEUELPIDES: What's the matter?
49cPISTHETAERUS: Why, the crow has been directing me
50to something up there for some time now.
Part 2
50bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: χὠ κολοιὸς οὑτοσὶ
51ἄνω κέχηνεν ὡσπερεὶ δεικνύς τί μοι,
52κοὐκ ἔσθʼ ὅπως οὐκ ἔστιν ἐνταῦθʼ ὄρνεα.
53εἰσόμεθα δʼ αὐτίκʼ, ἢν ποιήσωμεν ψόφον.
54ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ οἶσθʼ ὃ δρᾶσον; τῷ σκέλει θένε τὴν πέτραν.
55ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: σὺ δὲ τῇ κεφαλῇ γʼ, ἵνʼ ᾖ διπλάσιος ὁ ψόφος.
56ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: σὺ δʼ οὖν λίθῳ κόψον λαβών.
56bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: πάνυ γʼ, εἰ δοκεῖ.
57παῖ παῖ.
57bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί λέγεις οὗτος; τὸν ἔποπα παῖ καλεῖς;
58οὐκ ἀντὶ τοῦ παιδός σʼ ἐχρῆν ἐποποῖ καλεῖν;
59ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐποποῖ. ποιήσεις ἔτι με κόπτειν αὖθις αὖ.
60ἐποποῖ.
60bΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: τίνες οὗτοι; τίς ὁ βοῶν τὸν δεσπότην;
61ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: Ἄπολλον ἀποτρόπαιε τοῦ χασμήματος.
62ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: οἴμοι τάλας ὀρνιθοθήρα τουτωί.
63ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὕτως τι δεινὸν οὐδὲ κάλλιον λέγειν.
64ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: ἀπολεῖσθον.
64bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐσμὲν ἀνθρώπω.
64cΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: τί δαί;
65ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: Ὑποδεδιὼς ἔγωγε Λιβυκὸν ὄρνεον.
66ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: οὐδὲν λέγεις.
66bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: καὶ μὴν ἐροῦ τὰ πρὸς ποδῶν.
67ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: ὁδὶ δὲ δὴ τίς ἐστιν ὄρνις; οὐκ ἐρεῖς;
68ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Ἐπικεχοδὼς ἔγωγε Φασιανικός.
69ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἀτὰρ σὺ τί θηρίον ποτʼ εἶ πρὸς τῶν θεῶν;
Part 2
50bEUELPIDES: And the jay is also opening it beak and craning its neck to show me I know not what. Clearly, there are some birds about here. We shall soon know, if we kick up a noise to start them.
54PISTHETAERUS: Do you know what to do? Knock your leg against this rock.
55EUELPIDES: And you your head to double the noise.
56PISTHETAERUS: Well then use a stone instead; take one and hammer with it.
56bEUELPIDES: Good idea! He does so. Ho there, within! Slave! slave!
57bPISTHETAERUS: What's that, friend! You say, slave, to summon Epops? It would be much better to shout, Epops, Epops!
59EUELPIDES: Well then, Epops! Must I knock again? Epops!
60bTROCHILUS: Rushing out of a thicket. Who's there? Who calls my master?
61PISTHETAERUS: Apollo the Deliverer! what an enormous beak!
62TROCHILUS: Good god! they are bird-catchers.
63EUELPIDES: But is it so terrible? Wouldn't it be better to explain things?
64TROCHILUS: You're done for.
64bEUELPIDES: But we are not men.
64cTROCHILUS: What are you, then?
65EUELPIDES: I am the Fearling, an African bird.
66TROCHILUS: You talk nonsense.
66bEUELPIDES: Well, then, just ask it of my feet.
67TROCHILUS: And this other one, what bird is it? To Pisthetaerus. Speak up!
68PISTHETAERUS: I? I am a Crapple, from the land of the pheasants.
69EUELPIDES: But you yourself, in the name of the gods! what animal are you?
Part 3
70ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: ὄρνις ἔγωγε δοῦλος.
70bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἡττήθης τινὸς
71ἀλεκτρυόνος;
71bΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: οὐκ ἀλλʼ ὅτε περ ὁ δεσπότης
72ἔποψ ἐγένετο, τότε γενέσθαι μʼ ηὔξατο
73ὄρνιν, ἵνʼ ἀκόλουθον διάκονόν τʼ ἔχῃ.
74ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: δεῖται γὰρ ὄρνις καὶ διακόνου τινός;
75ΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: οὗτός γʼ, ἅτʼ οἶμαι πρότερον ἄνθρωπός ποτʼ ὤν,
76τοτὲ μὲν ἐρᾷ φαγεῖν ἀφύας Φαληρικάς·
77τρέχω ʼπʼ ἀφύας λαβὼν ἐγὼ τὸ τρύβλιον.
78ἔτνους δʼ ἐπιθυμεῖ, δεῖ τορύνης καὶ χύτρας·
79τρέχω ʼπὶ τορύνην.
79bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τροχίλος ὄρνις οὑτοσί.
80οἶσθʼ οὖν ὃ δρᾶσον ὦ τροχίλε; τὸν δεσπότην
81ἡμῖν κάλεσον.
81bΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ἀρτίως νὴ τὸν Δία
82εὕδει καταφαγὼν μύρτα καὶ σέρφους τινάς.
83ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὅμως ἐπέγειρον αὐτόν.
83bΘΕΡΆΠΩΝ ἜΠΟΠΟΣ: οἶδα μὲν σαφῶς
84ὅτι ἀχθέσεται, σφῷν δʼ αὐτὸν οὕνεκʼ ἐπεγερῶ.
85ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κακῶς σύ γʼ ἀπόλοιʼ, ὥς μʼ ἀπέκτεινας δέει.
86ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οἴμοι κακοδαίμων χὠ κολοιός μοἴχεται
87ὑπὸ τοῦ δέους.
87bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ δειλότατον σὺ θηρίον,
88δείσας ἀφῆκας τὸν κολοιόν;
88bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: εἰπέ μοι,
89σὺ δὲ τὴν κορώνην οὐκ ἀφῆκας καταπεσών;
90ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ Δίʼ οὐκ ἔγωγε.
90bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ποῦ γάρ ἐστʼ;
90cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀπέπτετο.
91ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐκ ἆρʼ ἀφῆκας; ὦγάθʼ ὡς ἀνδρεῖος εἶ.
92ἜΠΟΨ: ἄνοιγε τὴν ὕλην, ἵνʼ ἐξέλθω ποτέ.
93ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὦ Ἡράκλεις τουτὶ τί ποτʼ ἐστὶ τὸ θηρίον;
94τίς ἡ πτέρωσις; τίς ὁ τρόπος τῆς τριλοφίας;
95ἜΠΟΨ: τίνες εἰσί μʼ οἱ ζητοῦντες;
Part 3
70TROCHILUS: Why, I am a slave-bird.
70bEUELPIDES: Why, have you been conquered by a cock?
71bTROCHILUS: No, but when my master was turned into a hoopoe, he begged me to become a bird also, to follow and to serve him.
74EUELPIDES: Does a bird need a servant, then?
75TROCHILUS: That's no doubt because he was once a man. At times he wants to eat a dish of sardines from Phalerum; I seize my dish and fly to fetch him some. Again he wants some pea-soup; I seize a ladle and a pot and run to get it.
79bEUELPIDES: This is, then,
80truly a running-bird. Come, Trochilus, do us the kindness to call your master.
81bTROCHILUS: Why, he has just fallen asleep after a feed of myrtle-berries and a few grubs.
83EUELPIDES: Never mind; wake him up.
83bTROCHILUS: I am certain he will be angry. However, I will wake him to please you.
85PISTHETAERUS: You cursed brute! why, I am almost dead with terror!
86EUELPIDES: Oh! my god! it was sheer fear that made me lose my jay.
87bPISTHETAERUS: Ah! you big coward! were you so frightened that you let go your jay?
88bEUELPIDES: And did you not lose your crow, when you fell sprawling on the ground? Tell me that.
90PISTHETAERUS: Not at all.
90bEUELPIDES: Where is it, then?
90cPISTHETAERUS: It flew away.
91EUELPIDES: And you did not let it go? Oh! you brave fellow!
92EPOPS: Open the thicket, that I may go out!
93EUELPIDES: By Heracles! what a creature! what plumage! What means this triple crest?
95EPOPS: Who wants me?
Part 4
95bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οἱ δώδεκα θεοὶ
96εἴξασιν ἐπιτρῖψαί σε.
96bἜΠΟΨ: μῶν με σκώπτετον
97ὁρῶντε τὴν πτέρωσιν; ἦν γὰρ ὦ ξένοι
98ἄνθρωπος.
98bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐ σοῦ καταγελῶμεν.
98cἜΠΟΨ: ἀλλὰ τοῦ;
99ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τὸ ῥάμφος ἡμῖν σου γέλοιον φαίνεται.
100ἜΠΟΨ: τοιαῦτα μέντοι Σοφοκλέης λυμαίνεται
101ἐν ταῖς τραγῳδίαισιν ἐμὲ τὸν Τηρέα.
102ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: Τηρεὺς γὰρ εἶ σύ; πότερον ὄρνις ἢ ταὧς;
103ἜΠΟΨ: ὄρνις ἔγωγε.
103bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: κᾆτά σοι ποῦ τὰ πτερά;
104ἜΠΟΨ: ἐξερρύηκε.
104bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: πότερον ὑπὸ νόσου τινός;
105ἜΠΟΨ: οὔκ, ἀλλὰ τὸν χειμῶνα πάντα τὤρνεα
106πτερορρυεῖ τε καὖθις ἕτερα φύομεν.
107ἀλλʼ εἴπατόν μοι σφὼ τίνʼ ἐστόν;
107bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: νώ; βροτώ.
108ἜΠΟΨ: ποδαπὼ τὸ γένος;
108bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὅθεν αἱ τριήρεις αἱ καλαί.
109ἜΠΟΨ: μῶν ἡλιαστά;
109bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: μἀλλὰ θατέρου τρόπου,
110ἀπηλιαστά.
110bἜΠΟΨ: σπείρεται γὰρ τοῦτʼ ἐκεῖ
111τὸ σπέρμʼ;
111bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὀλίγον ζητῶν ἂν ἐξ ἀγροῦ λάβοις.
112ἜΠΟΨ: πράγους δὲ δὴ τοῦ δεομένω δεῦρʼ ἤλθετον;
Part 4
95bEUELPIDES: The twelve great gods have used you ill, it seems.
96bEPOPS: Are you twitting me about my feathers? I have been a man, strangers.
98bEUELPIDES: It's not you we are jeering at.
98cEPOPS: At what, then?
99EUELPIDES: Why, it's your beak that looks so ridiculous to us.
100EPOPS: This is how Sophocles outrages me in his tragedies. Know, I once was Tereus.
102EUELPIDES: You were Tereus, and what are you now? a bird or a peacock?
103EPOPS: I am a bird.
103bEUELPIDES: Then where are your feathers? I don't see any.
104EPOPS: They have fallen off.
104bEUELPIDES: Through illness?
105EPOPS: No. All birds moult their feathers, you know, every winter, and others grow in their place. But tell me, who are you?
107bEUELPIDES: We? We are mortals.
108EPOPS: From what country?
108bEUELPIDES: From the land of the beautiful galleys.
109EPOPS: Are you dicasts?
109bEUELPIDES: No, if anything,
110we are anti-dicasts.
110bEPOPS: Is that kind of seed sown among you?
111bEUELPIDES: You have to look hard to find even a little in our fields.
112EPOPS: What brings you here?
Part 5
113ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: σοὶ ξυγγενέσθαι βουλομένω.
114ἜΠΟΨ: τίνος πέρι;
114bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὅτι πρῶτα μὲν ἦσθʼ ἄνθρωπος ὥσπερ νὼ ποτέ,
115κἀργύριον ὠφείλησας ὥσπερ νὼ ποτέ,
116κοὐκ ἀποδιδοὺς ἔχαιρες ὥσπερ νὼ ποτέ·
117εἶτʼ αὖθις ὀρνίθων μεταλλάξας φύσιν
118καὶ γῆν ἐπέπτου καὶ θάλατταν ἐν κύκλῳ,
119καὶ πάνθʼ ὅσαπερ ἄνθρωπος ὅσα τʼ ὄρνις φρονεῖς·
120ταῦτ οὖν ἱκέται νὼ πρὸς σὲ δεῦρʼ ἀφίγμεθα,
121εἴ τινα πόλιν φράσειας ἡμῖν εὔερον
122ὥσπερ σισύραν ἐγκατακλινῆναι μαλθακήν.
123ἜΠΟΨ: ἔμειτα μείζω τῶν Κραναῶν ζητεῖς πόλιν;
124ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: μείζω μὲν οὐδέν, προσφορωτέραν δὲ νῷν.
125ἜΠΟΨ: ἀριστοκρατεῖσθαι δῆλος εἶ ζητῶν.
125bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐγώ;
126ἥκιστα· καὶ γὰρ τὸν Σκελίου βδελύττομαι.
127ἜΠΟΨ: ποίαν τινʼ οὖν ἥδιστʼ ἂν οἰκοῖτʼ ἂν πόλιν;
128ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὅπου τὰ μέγιστα πράγματʼ εἴη τοιάδε·
129ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν μου πρῴ τις ἐλθὼν τῶν φίλων
130λέγοι ταδί· πρὸς τοῦ Διὸς τοὐλυμπίου
131ὅπως παρέσει μοι καὶ σὺ καὶ τὰ παιδία
132λουσάμενα πρῴ· μέλλω γὰρ ἑστιᾶν γάμους·
133καὶ μηδαμῶς ἄλλως ποιήσῃς· εἰ δὲ μή,
134μή μοι τότε γʼ ἔλθῃς, ὅταν ἐγὼ πράττω κακῶς.
135ἜΠΟΨ: νὴ Δία ταλαιπώρων γε πραγμάτων ἐρᾷς.
136τί δαὶ σύ;
136bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τοιούτων ἐρῶ κἀγώ.
136cἜΠΟΨ: τίνων;
137ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὅπου ξυναντῶν μοι ταδί τις μέμψεται
138ὥσπερ ἀδικηθεὶς παιδὸς ὡραίου πατήρ·
139καλῶς γέ μου τὸν υἱὸν ὦ Στιλβωνίδη
140εὑρὼν ἀπιόντʼ ἀπὸ γυμνασίου λελουμένον
141οὐκ ἔκυσας, οὐ προσεῖπας, οὐ προσηγάγου,
142οὐκ ὠρχιπέδισας, ὢν ἐμοὶ πατρικὸς φίλος.
143ἜΠΟΨ: ὦ δειλακρίων σὺ τῶν κακῶν οἵων ἐρᾷς.
144ἀτὰρ ἔστι γʼ ὁποίαν λέγετον εὐδαίμων πόλις
145παρὰ τὴν ἐρυθρὰν θάλατταν.
145bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οἴμοι μηδαμῶς
146ἡμῖν παρὰ τὴν θάλατταν, ἵνʼ ἀνακύψεται
147κλητῆρʼ ἄγουσʼ ἕωθεν ἡ Σαλαμινία.
148Ἑλληνικὴν δὲ πόλιν ἔχεις ἡμῖν φράσαι;
149ἜΠΟΨ: τί οὐ τὸν Ἠλεῖον Λέπρεον οἰκίζετον
150ἐλθόνθʼ;
150bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὁτιὴ νὴ τοὺς θεοὺς ὅσʼ οὐκ ἰδὼν
151βδελύττομαι τὸν Λέπρεον ἀπὸ Μελανθίου.
152ἜΠΟΨ: ἀλλʼ εἰσὶν ἕτεροι τῆς Λοκρίδος Ὀπούντιοι,
153ἵνα χρὴ κατοικεῖν.
153bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἀλλʼ ἔγωγʼ Ὀπούντιος
154οὐκ ἂν γενοίμην ἐπὶ ταλάντῳ χρυσίου.
155οὗτος δὲ δὴ τίς ἔσθʼ ὁ μετʼ ὀρνίθων βίος;
156σὺ γὰρ οἶσθʼ ἀκριβῶς.
156bἜΠΟΨ: οὐκ ἄχαρις ἐς τὴν τριβήν·
157οὗ πρῶτα μὲν δεῖ ζῆν ἄνευ βαλλαντίου.
Part 5
113EUELPIDES: We wish to pay you a visit.
114EPOPS: What for?
114bEUELPIDES: Because you formerly were a man, like we are,
115formerly you had debts, as we have, formerly you did not want to pay them, like ourselves; furthermore, being turned into a bird, you have when flying seen all lands and seas. Thus you have all human knowledge as well as that of birds.
120And hence we have come to you to beg you to direct us to some cosy town, in which one can repose as if on thick coverlets.
123EPOPS: And are you looking for a greater city than Athens?
124EUELPIDES: No, not a greater, but one more pleasant to live in.
125EPOPS: Then you are looking for an aristocratic country.
125bEUELPIDES: I? Not at all! I hold the son of Scellias in horror.
127EPOPS: But, after all, what sort of city would please you best?
128EUELPIDES: A place where the following would be the most important business transacted. —Some friend would come knocking at the door quite early in the morning
130saying, By Olympian Zeus, be at my house early, as soon as you have bathed, and bring your children too. I am giving a nuptial feast, so don't fail, or else don't cross my threshold when I am in distress.
135EPOPS: Ah! that's what may be called being fond of hardships! To Pisthetaerus. And what say you?
136bPISTHETAERUS: My tastes are similar.
136cEPOPS: And they are?
137PISTHETAERUS: I want a town where the father of a handsome lad will stop in the street and say to me reproachfully as if I had failed him, Ah! Is this well done, Stilbonides?
140You met my son coming from the bath after the gymnasium and you neither spoke to him, nor kissed him, nor took him with you, nor ever once felt his balls. Would anyone call you an old friend of mine?
143EPOPS: Ah! wag, I see you are fond of suffering. But there is a city of delights such as you want.
145It's on the Red Sea.
145bEUELPIDES: Oh, no. Not a sea-port, where some fine morning the Salaminian galley can appear, bringing a process-server along. Have you no Greek town you can propose to us?
149EPOPS: Why not choose Lepreum in Elis for your settlement?
150bEUELPIDES: By Zeus! I could not look at Lepreum without disgust, because of Melanthius.
152EPOPS: Then, again, there is the Opuntian Locris, where you could live.
153bEUELPIDES: I would not be Opuntian for a talent.
155But come, what is it like to live with the birds? You should know pretty well.
156bEPOPS: Why, it's not a disagreeable life. In the first place, one has no purse.
Part 6
158ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: πολλήν γʼ ἀφεῖλες τοῦ βίου κιβδηλίαν.
159ἜΠΟΨ: νεμόμεσθα δʼ ἐν κήποις τὰ λευκὰ σήσαμα
160καὶ μύρτα καὶ μήκωνα καὶ σισύμβρια.
161ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὑμεῖς μὲν ἆρα ζῆτε νυμφίων βίον.
161bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: φεῦ φεῦ·
162aἦ μέγʼ ἐνορῶ βούλευμʼ ἐν ὀρνίθων γένει,
163καὶ δύναμιν ἣ γένοιτʼ ἄν, εἰ πίθοισθέ μοι.
164ἜΠΟΨ: τί σοι πιθώμεσθʼ;
164bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὅ τι πίθησθε; πρῶτα μὲν
165μὴ περιπέτεσθε πανταχῇ κεχηνότες·
166ὡς τοῦτʼ ἄτιμον τοὔργον ἐστίν. αὐτίκα
167ἐκεῖ παρʼ ἡμῖν τοὺς πετομένους ἢν ἔρῃ,
168τίς ὄρνις οὗτος; ὁ Τελέας ἐρεῖ ταδί·
169ἅνθρωπος ὄρνις ἀστάθμητος πετόμενος,
170ἀτέκμαρτος, οὐδὲν οὐδέποτʼ ἐν ταὐτῷ μένων.
171ἜΠΟΨ: νὴ τὸν Διόνυσον εὖ γε μωμᾷ ταυταγί.
172τί ἂν οὖν ποιοῖμεν;
172bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἰκίσατε μίαν πόλιν.
173ἜΠΟΨ: ποίαν δʼ ἂν οἰκίσαιμεν ὄρνιθες πόλιν;
174ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄληθες; ὦ σκαιότατον εἰρηκὼς ἔπος,
175βλέψον κάτω.
175bἜΠΟΨ: καὶ δὴ βλέπω.
175cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: βλέπε νῦν ἄνω.
176ἜΠΟΨ: βλέπω.
176bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: περίαγε τὸν τράχηλον.
176cἜΠΟΨ: νὴ Δία
177ἀπολαύσομαί τί γʼ, εἰ διαστραφήσομαι.
178ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: εἶδές τι;
178bἜΠΟΨ: τὰς νεφέλας γε καὶ τὸν οὐρανόν.
179ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐχ οὗτος οὖν δήπου ʼστὶν ὀρνίθων πόλος;
180ἜΠΟΨ: πόλος; τίνα τρόπον;
180bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὥσπερ ἂν εἴποι τις τόπος.
181ὅτι δὲ πολεῖται τοῦτο καὶ διέρχεται
182ἅπαντα διὰ τούτου, καλεῖται νῦν πόλος.
183ἢν δʼ οἰκίσητε τοῦτο καὶ φάρξηθʼ ἅπαξ,
184ἐκ τοῦ πόλου τούτου κεκλήσεται πόλις.
185ὥστʼ ἄρξετʼ ἀνθρώπων μὲν ὥσπερ παρνόπων,
186τοὺς δʼ αὖ θεοὺς ἀπολεῖτε λιμῷ Μηλίῳ.
Part 6
158EUELPIDES: That does away with a lot of roguery.
159EPOPS: For food the gardens yield us white sesame,
160myrtle-berries, poppies and mint.
161EUELPIDES: Why, 'tis the life of the newly-wed indeed.
161bPISTHETAERUS: Ha! I am beginning to see a great plan, which will transfer the supreme power to the birds, if you will but take my advice.
164EPOPS: Take your advice? In what way?
164bPISTHETAERUS: In what way? Well, firstly,
165do not fly in all directions with open beak; it is not dignified. Among us, when we see a thoughtless man, we ask, What sort of bird is this? and Teleas answers, It's a man who has no brain, a bird that has lost his head, a creature
170you cannot catch, for it never remains in any one place.
171EPOPS: By Zeus himself! your jest hits the mark. What then is to be done?
172bPISTHETAERUS: Found a city.
173EPOPS: We birds? But what sort of city should we build?
174PISTHETAERUS: Oh, really, really! you talk like such a fool!
175Look down.
175bEPOPS: I am looking.
175cPISTHETAERUS: Now look up.
176EPOPS: I am looking.
176bPISTHETAERUS: Turn your head round.
176cEPOPS: Ah! it will be pleasant for me if I end in twisting my neck off!
178PISTHETAERUS: What have you seen?
178bEPOPS: The clouds and the sky.
179PISTHETAERUS: Very well! is not this the pole of the birds then?
180EPOPS: How their pole?
180bPISTHETAERUS: Or, if you like it, their place. And since it turns and passes through the whole universe, it is called ‘pole.’ If you build and fortify it, you will turn your pole into a city.
185In this way you will reign over mankind as you do over the grasshoppers and you will cause the gods to die of rabid hunger.
Part 7
187ἜΠΟΨ: πῶς;
187bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐν μέσῳ δήπουθεν ἀήρ ἐστι γῆς.
188εἶθʼ ὥσπερ ἡμεῖς, ἢν ἰέναι βουλώμεθα
189Πυθώδε, Βοιωτοὺς δίοδον αἰτούμεθα,
190οὕτως, ὅταν θύσωσιν ἄνθρωποι θεοῖς,
191ἢν μὴ φόρον φέρωσιν οἱ ὑμῖν οἱ θεοί,
193τῶν μηρίων τὴν κνῖσαν οὐ διαφρήσετε.
194ἜΠΟΨ: ἰοὺ ἰού·
194aμὰ γῆν μὰ παγίδας μὰ νεφέλας μὰ δίκτυα,
195μὴ ʼγὼ νόημα κομψότερον ἤκουσά πω·
196ὥστʼ ἂν κατοικίζοιμι μετὰ σοῦ τὴν πόλιν,
197εἰ ξυνδοκοίη τοῖσιν ἄλλοις ὀρνέοις.
198ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τίς ἂν οὖν τὸ πρᾶγμʼ αὐτοῖς διηγήσαιτο;
198bἜΠΟΨ: σύ.
199ἐγὼ γὰρ αὐτοὺς βαρβάρους ὄντας πρὸ τοῦ
200ἐδίδαξα τὴν φωνήν, ξυνὼν πολὺν χρόνον.
201ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πῶς δῆτʼ ἂν αὐτοὺς ξυγκαλέσειας;
201bἜΠΟΨ: ῥᾳδίως.
202δευρὶ γὰρ ἐσβὰς αὐτίκα μάλʼ ἐς τὴν λόχμην,
203ἔπειτʼ ἀνεγείρας τὴν ἐμὴν ἀηδόνα,
204καλοῦμεν αὐτούς· οἱ δὲ νῷν τοῦ φθέγματος
205ἐάνπερ ἐπακούσωσι θεύσονται δρόμῳ.
206ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ φίλτατʼ ὀρνίθων σὺ μή νυν ἕσταθι·
207ἀλλʼ ἀντιβολῶ σʼ ἄγʼ ὡς τάχιστʼ ἐς τὴν λόχμην
208ἔσβαινε κἀνέγειρε τὴν ἀηδόνα.
209ἜΠΟΨ: ἄγε σύννομέ μοι παῦσαι μὲν ὕπνου, λῦσον δὲ νόμους ἱερῶν ὕμνων, οὓς διὰ θείου στόματος θρηνεῖς τὸν ἐμὸν καὶ σὸν πολύδακρυν Ἴτυν· ἐλελιζομένης δʼ ἱεροῖς μέλεσιν
214γένυος ξουθῆς καθαρὰ χωρεῖ διὰ φυλλοκόμου μίλακος ἠχὼ πρὸς Διὸς ἕδρας, ἵνʼ ὁ χρυσοκόμας Φοῖβος ἀκούων τοῖς σοῖς ἐλέγοις ἀντιψάλλων
219ἐλεφαντόδετον φόρμιγγα θεῶν ἵστησι χορούς· διὰ δʼ ἀθανάτων στομάτων χωρεῖ ξύμφωνος ὁμοῦ θεία μακάρων ὀλολυγή.
223ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Ζεῦ βασιλεῦ τοῦ φθέγματος τοὐρνιθίου·
224οἶον κατεμελίτωσε τὴν λόχμην ὃλην.
225ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὗτος.
225bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί ἔστιν;
225cοὐ σιωπήσει;
225dἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί δαί;
226ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὕποψ μελῳδεῖν αὖ παρασκευάζεται.
227ἜΠΟΨ: ἐποποῖ ποποποποποποποῖ, ἰὼ ἰὼ ἰτὼ ἰτὼ ἰτὼ ἰτὼ, ἴτω τις ὧδε τῶν ἐμῶν ὁμοπτέρων· ὅσοι τʼ εὐσπόρους ἀγροίκων γύας νέμεσθε, φῦλα μυρία κριθοτράγων
232σπερμολόγων τε γένη ταχὺ πετόμενα, μαλθακὴν ἱέντα γῆρυν· ὅσα τʼ ἐν ἄλοκι θαμὰ βῶλον ἀμφιτιττυβίζεθʼ ὧδε λεπτὸν ἡδομένᾳ φωνᾷ·
237τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιό. ὅσα θʼ ὑμῶν κατὰ κήπους ἐπὶ κισσοῦ κλάδεσι νομὸν ἔχει, τά τε κατʼ ὄρεα τά τε κοτινοτράγα τά τε κομαροφάγα, ἀνύσατε πετόμενα πρὸς ἐμὰν αὐδάν·
243τριοτὸ τριοτὸ τοτοβρίξ· οἵ θʼ ἑλείας παρʼ αὐλῶνας ὀξυστόμους ἐμπίδας κάπτεθʼ, ὅσα τʼ εὐδρόσους γῆς τόπους ἔχετε λειμῶνά τʼ ἐρόεντα Μαραθῶνος, ὄρνις πτερυγοποίκιλός τʼ ἀτταγᾶς ἀτταγᾶς.
250ὧν τʼ ἐπὶ πόντιον οἶδμα θαλάσσης φῦλα μετʼ ἀλκυόνεσσι ποτῆται, δεῦρʼ ἴτε πευσόμενοι τὰ νεώτερα, πάντα γὰρ ἐνθάδε φῦλʼ ἀθροΐζομεν οἰωνῶν ταναοδείρων.
255ἥκει γὰρ τις δριμὺς πρέσβυς καινὸς γνώμην καινῶν τʼ ἔργων ἐγχειρητής. ἀλλʼ ἴτʼ ἐς λόγους ἅπαντα, δεῦρο δεῦρο δεῦρο δεῦρο.
260ΧΟΡΌΣ: τοροτοροτοροτοροτίξ.
261κικκαβαῦ κικκαβαῦ.
262τοροτοροτοροτορολιλιλίξ.
263ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁρᾷς τινʼ ὄρνιν;
263bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: μὰ τὸν Ἀπόλλω ʼγὼ μὲν οὔ·
264καίτοι κέχηνά γʼ ἐς τὸν οὐρανὸν βλέπων.
265ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄλλως ἄρʼ οὕποψ, ὡς ἔοικʼ, ἐς τὴν λόχμην
266ἐσβὰς ἐπῷζε χαραδριὸν μιμούμενος.
267ὌΡΝΙΣ ΤΙΣ: τοροτὶξ τοροτίξ.
Part 7
187EPOPS: How so?
187bPISTHETAERUS: The air is between earth and heaven. When we want to go to Delphi, we ask the Boeotians for leave of passage;
190in the same way, when men sacrifice to the gods, unless the latter pay you tribute, you exercise the right of every nation towards strangers and don't allow the smoke of the sacrifices to pass through your city and territory.
194EPOPS: By earth! by snares! by network! by cages!
195I never heard of anything more cleverly conceived; and, if the other birds approve, I am going to build the city along with you.
198PISTHETAERUS: Who will explain the matter to them?
198bEPOPS: You must yourself. Before I came they were quite ignorant,
200but since I have lived with them I have taught them to speak.
201PISTHETAERUS: But how can they be gathered together?
201bEPOPS: Easily. I will hasten down to the thicket to waken my dear Procne
205and as soon as they hear our voices, they will come to us hot wing.
206PISTHETAERUS: My dear bird, lose no time, please! Fly at once into the thicket and awaken Procne.
209EPOPS: Chase off drowsy sleep, dear companion.
210Let the sacred hymn gush from thy divine throat in melodious strains; roll forth in soft cadence your refreshing melodies to bewail the fate of Itys, which has been the cause of so many tears to us both.
215Your pure notes rise through the thick leaves of the yew-tree right up to the throne of Zeus, where Phoebus listens to you, Phoebus with his golden hair. And his ivory lyre responds to your plaintive accents;
220he gathers the choir of the gods and from their immortal lips pours forth a sacred chant of blessed voices.
223PISTHETAERUS: Oh! by Zeus! what a throat that little bird possesses. He has filled the whole thicket with honey-sweet melody!
225EUELPIDES: Hush!
225bPISTHETAERUS: What's the matter?
225cEUELPIDES: Be still!
225dPISTHETAERUS: What for?
226EUELPIDES: Epops is going to sing again.
227EPOPS: Epopopoi popoi popopopoi popoi, here, here, quick, quick, quick, my comrades in the air;
230all you who pillage the fertile lands of the husbandmen, the numberless tribes who gather and devour the barley seeds, the swift flying race that sings so sweetly. And you whose gentle twitter
235resounds through the fields with the little cry of tiotiotiotiotiotiotiotio; and you who hop about the branches of the ivy in the gardens;
240the mountain birds, who feed on the wild olive-berries or the arbutus, hurry to come at my call, trioto, trioto, totobrix; you also, who snap up the sharp-stinging
245gnats in the marshy vales, and you who dwell in the fine plain of Marathon, all damp with dew, and you, the francolin with speckled wings;
250you too, the halcyons, who flit over the swelling waves of the sea, come hither to hear the tidings; let all the tribes of long-necked birds assemble here;
255know that a clever old man has come to us, bringing an entirely new idea and proposing great reforms. Let all come to the debate here, here, here, here.
260Torotorotorotorotix, kikkabau, kikkabau, torotorotorolililix.
263PISTHETAERUS: Can you see any bird?
263bEUELPIDES: By Phoebus, no! and yet I am straining my eyesight to scan the sky.
265PISTHETAERUS: It was hardly worth Epops' while to go and bury himself in the thicket like a hatching plover.
267A BIRD: Torotix, torotix.
Part 8
268ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦγάθʼ ἀλλʼ εἶς οὑτοσὶ καὶ δή τις ὄρνις ἔρχεται.
269ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: νὴ Δίʼ ὄρνις δῆτα. τίς ποτʼ ἐστίν; οὐ δήπου ταὧς;
270ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὗτος αὐτὸς νῷν φράσει· τίς ἐστιν ὄρνις οὑτοσί;
271ἜΠΟΨ: οὗτος οὐ τῶν ἠθάδων τῶνδʼ ὧν ὁρᾶθʼ ὑμεῖς ἀεί,
272ἀλλὰ λιμναῖος.
272bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: βαβαὶ καλός γε καὶ φοινικιοῦς.
273ἜΠΟΨ: εἰκότως γε· καὶ γὰρ ὄνομʼ αὐτῷ ʼστὶ φοινικόπτερος.
274ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὗτος ὦ σέ τοι.
274bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί βωστρεῖς;
274cἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἕτερος ὄρνις οὑτοσί.
275ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ Δίʼ ἕτερος δῆτα χοὖτος ἔξεδρον χρόαν ἔχων.
276τίς ποτʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ μουσόμαντις ἄτοπος ὄρνις ὀρειβάτης;
277ἜΠΟΨ: ὄνομα τούτῳ Μῆδός ἐστο.
277bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Μῆδος; ὦναξ Ἡράκλεις·
278εἶτα πῶς ἄνευ καμήλου Μῆδος ὤν εἰσέπτετο;
279ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἕτερος αὖ λόφον κατειληφώς τις ὄρνις οὑτοσί.
280ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί τὸ τέρας τουτί ποτʼ ἐστίν; οὐ σὺ μόνος ἄρʼ ἦσθʼ ἔποψ,
281ἀλλὰ χοὖτος ἕτερος;
281bἜΠΟΨ: οὑτοσὶ μέν ἐστι Φιλοκλέους
282ἐξ ἔποπος, ἐγὼ δὲ τούτου πάππος, ὥσπερ εἰ λέγοις
283Ἱππόνικος Καλλίου κἀξ Ἱππονίκου Καλλίας.
284ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Καλλίας ἄρʼ οὗτος οὕρνις ἐστίν· ὡς πτερορρυεῖ.
285ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἅτε γὰρ ὢν γενναῖος ὑπό τε συκοφαντῶν τίλλεται,
286αἵ τε θήλειαι προσεκτίλλουσιν αὐτοῦ τὰ πτερά.
287ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Πόσειδον ἕτερος αὖ τις βαπτὸς ὄρνις οὑτοσί.
288τίς ὀνομάξεταί ποθʼ οὗτος;
288bἜΠΟΨ: οὑτοσὶ κατωφαγᾶς.
289ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔστι γὰρ κατωφαγᾶς τις ἄλλος ἢ Κλεώνυμος;
Part 8
268PISTHETAERUS: Wait, friend, there's a bird.
269EUELPIDES: By Zeus, it is a bird, but what kind? Isn't it a peacock?
270PISTHETAERUS: Epops will tell us. What is this bird?
271EPOPS: It's not one of those you are used to seeing; it's a bird from the marshes.
272bEUELPIDES: Oh! oh! but he is very handsome with his wings as crimson as flame.
273EPOPS: Undoubtedly; indeed he is called flamingo.
274EUELPIDES: Hi! I say! You!
274bPISTHETAERUS: What are you shouting for?
274cEUELPIDES: Why, here's another bird.
275PISTHETAERUS: Aye, indeed; this one's a foreign bird too. To Epops. What is this bird from beyond the mountains with a look as solemn as it is stupid?
277EPOPS: He is called the Mede.
277bEUELPIDES: The Mede! But, by Heracles, how, if a Mede, has he flown here without a camel?
279PISTHETAERUS: Here's another bird with a crest.
280EUELPIDES: Ah! that's curious. I say, Epops, you are not the only one of your kind then?
281bEPOPS: This bird is the son of Philocles, who is the son of Epops; so that, you see, I am his grandfather; just as one might say, Hipponicus, the son of Callias, who is the son of Hipponicus.
284EUELPIDES: Then this bird is Callias! Why, what a lot of his feathers he has lost!
285EPOPS: That's because he is honest; so the informers set upon him and the women too pluck out his feathers.
287EUELPIDES: By Poseidon, do you see that many-coloured bird? What is his name?
288bEPOPS: This one? That's the glutton.
289EUELPIDES: Is there another glutton besides Cleonymus?
290But why, if he is Cleonymus, has he not thrown away his crest?
291But what is the meaning of all these crests? Have these birds come to contend for the double stadium prize?
Part 9
290ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: πῶς ἂν οὖν Κλεώνυμός γʼ ὢν οὐκ ἀπέβαλε τὸν λόφον;
291ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλὰ μέντοι τίς ποθʼ ἡ λόφωσις ἡ τῶν ὀρνέων;
292ἦ ʼπὶ τὸν δίαυλον ἦλθον;
292bἜΠΟΨ: ὥσπερ οἱ Κᾶρες μὲν οὖν
293ἐπὶ λόφων οἰκοῦσιν ὦγάθʼ ἀσφαλείας οὔνεκα.
294ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Πόσειδον οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὅσον συνείλεκται κακὸν
295ὀρνέων;
295bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὦναξ Ἄπολλον τοῦ νέφους. ἰοὺ ἰού,
296οὐδʼ ἰδεῖν ἔτʼ ἔσθʼ ὑπʼ αὐτῶν πετομένων τὴν εἴσοδον.
297ἜΠΟΨ: οὑτοσὶ πέρδιξ, ἐκεινοσί γε νὴ Δίʼ ἀτταγᾶς,
298οὑτοσὶ δὲ πηνέλοψ, ἐκεινηὶ δέ γʼ ἀλκυών.
299ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τίς γάρ ἐσθʼ οὕπισθεν αὐτῆς;
299bἜΠΟΨ: ὅστις ἐστί; κειρύλος.
300ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κειρύλος γάρ ἐστιν ὄρνις;
300bἜΠΟΨ: οὐ γάρ ἐστι Σποργίλος;
301χαὐτηί γε γλαῦξ.
301bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί φῄς; τίς γλαῦκʼ Ἀθήναζʼ ἤγαγεν;
302ἜΠΟΨ: κίττα τρυγὼν κορυδὸς ἐλεᾶς ὑποθυμὶς περιστερὰ
303νέρτος ἱέραξ φάττα κόκκυξ ἐρυθρόπους κεβλήπυρις
304πορφυρὶς κερχνῂς κολυμβὶς ἀμπελὶς φήνη δρύοψ.
305ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἰοὺ ἰοὺ τῶν ὀρνέων, ἰοὺ ἰοὺ τῶν κοψίχων·
306οἶα πιππίζουσι καὶ τρέχουσι διακεκραγότες.
307ἆρʼ ἀπειλοῦσίν γε νῷν; οἴμοι, κεχήνασίν γέ τοι
308καὶ βλέπουσιν ἐς σὲ κἀμέ.
308bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τοῦτο μὲν κἀμοὶ δοκεῖ.
310ΧΟΡΌΣ: ποποποποποποποποποποῖ ποῦ μʼ ἄρʼ ὃς
311ἐκάλεσε; τίνα τόπον ἄρα ποτὲ νέμεται;
312ἜΠΟΨ: οὑτοσὶ πάλαι πάρειμι κοὐκ ἀποστατῶ φίλων.
313ΧΟΡΌΣ: τί τί τί τί τί τί τί τί· τίνα λόγον ἄρα ποτὲ
315πρὸς ἐμὲ φίλον ἔχων;
316ἜΠΟΨ: κοινὸν ἀσφαλῆ δίκαιον ἡδὺν ὠφελήσιμον.
317ἄνδρε γὰρ λεπτὼ λογιστὰ δεῦρʼ ἀφῖχθον ὡς ἐμέ.
318ΧΟΡΌΣ: ποῦ; πᾷ; πῶς φῄς;
320ἜΠΟΨ: φήμʼ ἀπʼ ἀνθρώπων ἀφῖχθαι δεῦρο πρεσβύτα δύο·
321ἥκετον δʼ ἔχοντε πρέμνον πράγματος πελωρίου.
Part 9
292bEPOPS: They are like the Carians, who cling to the crests of their mountains for greater safety.
294PISTHETAERUS: Oh, Poseidon! look what awful swarms of birds are gathering here!
295bEUELPIDES: By Phoebus! what a cloud! The entrance to the stage is no longer visible so closely do they fly together.
297PISTHETAERUS: Here is the partridge.
297aEUELPIDES: Why, there is the francolin.
298PISTHETAERUS: There is the poachard.
298aEUELPIDES: Here is the kingfisher.
299To Epops. What's that bird behind the kingfisher?
299bEPOPS: That's the barber.
300EUELPIDES: What? a bird a barber?
300bPISTHETAERUS: Why, Sporgilus is one.
301EPOPS: Here comes the owl.
301bEUELPIDES: And who is it brings an owl to Athens?
302EPOPS: Here is the magpie, the turtle-dove, the swallow, the horned-owl, the buzzard, the pigeon, the falcon, the ring-dove, the cuckoo, the red-foot, the red-cap, the purple-cap, the kestrel, the diver, the ousel, the osprey, the woodpecker . . .
305PISTHETAERUS: Oh! what a lot of birds! Oh! what a lot of blackbirds! How they scold, how they come rushing up! What a noise! what a noise! Can they be bearing us ill-will? Oh! there! there! they are opening their beaks and staring at us.
308bEUELPIDES: Why, so they are.
310LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Popopopopopo. Where is he who called me? Where am I to find him?
312EPOPS: I have been waiting for you a long while! I never fail in my word to my friends.
313LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Tititititititi. What good news
315have you for me?
316EPOPS: Something that concerns our common safety, and that is just as pleasant as it is to the point. Two men, who are subtle reasoners, have come here to seek me.
318LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Where? How? What are you saying?
Part 10
322ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὦ μέγιστον ἐξαμαρτὼν ἐξ ὅτου ʼτράφην ἐγώ,
323πῶς λέγεις;
323bἜΠΟΨ: μήπω φοβηθῇς τὸν λόγον.
323cΧΟΡΌΣ: τί μʼ ἠργάσω;
324ἜΠΟΨ: ἄνδρʼ ἐδεξάμην ἐραστὰ τῆσδε τῆς ξυνουσίας.
325ΧΟΡΌΣ: καὶ δέδρακας τοῦτο τοὔργον;
325bἜΠΟΨ: καὶ δεδρακώς γʼ ἥδομαι.
326ΧΟΡΌΣ: κἀστὸν ἤδη που παρʼ ἡμῖν;
326bἜΠΟΨ: εἰ παρʼ ὑμῖν εἴμʼ ἐγώ.
327ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἔα ἔα,
328προδεδόμεθʼ ἀνόσιά τʼ ἐπάθομεν·
329ὃς γὰρ φίλος ἦν ὁμότροφά θʼ ἡμῖν
330ἐνέμετο πεδία παρʼ ἡμῖν,
331παρέβη μὲν θεσμοὺς ἀρχαίους,
332παρέβη δʼ ὅρκους ὀρνίθων·
333ἐς δὲ δόλον ἐκάλεσε, παρέβαλέ τʼ ἐμὲ παρὰ
334γένος ἀνόσιον, ὅπερ ἐξότʼ ἐγένετʼ ἐπʼ ἐμοὶ
335πολέμιον ἐτράφη.
336ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλὰ πρὸς τοῦτον μὲν ἡμῖν ἐστιν ὕστερος λόγος·
337τὼ δὲ πρεσβύτα δοκεῖ μοι τώδε δοῦναι τὴν δίκην
338διαφορηθῆναί θʼ ὑφʼ ἡμῶν.
338bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὡς ἀπωλόμεσθʼ ἄρα.
339ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: αἴτιος μέντοι σὺ νῷν εἶ τῶν κακῶν τούτων μόνος.
340ἐπὶ τί γάρ μʼ ἐκεῖθεν ἦγες;
340bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἵνʼ ἀκολουθοίης ἐμοί.
341ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἵνα μὲν οὖν κλάοιμι μεγάλα.
341bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τοῦτο μὲν ληρεῖς ἔχων
342κάρτα· πῶς κλαύσει γάρ, ἢν ἅπαξ γε τὠφθαλμὼ ʼκκοπῇς;
343ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἰὼ ἰώ,
344ἔπαγʼ ἔπιθʼ ἐπίφερε πολέμιον
345ὁρμὰν φονίαν, πτέρυγά τε παντᾷ
346ἐπίβαλε περί τε κύκλωσαι·
347ὡς δεῖ τώδʼ οἰμώζειν ἄμφω
348καὶ δοῦναι ῥύγχει φορβάν.
349οὔτε γὰρ ὄρος σκιερὸν οὔτε νέφος αἰθέριον
350οὔτε πολιὸν πέλαγος ἔστιν ὅ τι δέξεται
351τώδʼ ἀποφυγόντε με.
352ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλὰ μὴ μέλλωμεν ἤδη τώδε τίλλειν καὶ δάκνειν.
353ποῦ ʼσθʼ ὁ ταξίαρχος; ἐπαγέτω τὸ δεξιὸν κέρας.
354ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τοῦτʼ ἐκεῖνο· ποῖφύγω δύστηνος;
354bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὗτος οὐ μενεῖς;
355ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἵνʼ ὑπὸ τούτων διαφορηθῶ;
Part 10
320EPOPS: I say, two old men have come from the abode of humans to propose a vast and splendid scheme to us.
322LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Oh! it's a horrible, unheard-of crime! What are you saying?
323bEPOPS: Never let my words scare you.
323cLEADER OF THE CHORUS: What have you done to me?
324EPOPS: I have welcomed two men, who wish to live with us.
325LEADER OF THE CHORUS: And you have dared to do that!
325bEPOPS: Yes, and I am delighted at having done so.
326LEADER OF THE CHORUS: And are they already with us?
326bEPOPS: Just as much as I am.
327CHORUS: Ah! ah! we are betrayed; 'tis sacrilege! Our friend,
330he who picked up corn-seeds in the same plains as ourselves, has violated our ancient laws; he has broken the oaths that bind all birds; he has laid a snare for me, he has handed us over to the attacks of that impious race which, throughout all time,
335has never ceased to war against us.
336LEADER OF THE CHORUS: As for this traitorous bird, we will decide his case later, but the two old men shall be punished forthwith; we are going to tear them to pieces.
338bPISTHETAERUS: It's all over with us.
339EUELPIDES: You are the sole cause of all our trouble.
340Why did you bring me from down yonder?
340bPISTHETAERUS: To have you with me.
341EUELPIDES: Say rather to have me melt into tears.
341bPISTHETAERUS: Go on! you are talking nonsense. How will you weep with your eyes pecked out?
343CHORUS: Io! io! forward to the attack, throw yourselves upon the foe,
345spill his blood; take to your wings and surround them on all sides. Woe to them! let us get to work with our beaks, let us devour them.
350Nothing can save them from our wrath, neither the mountain forests, nor the clouds that float in the sky, nor the foaming deep.
352LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Come, peck, tear to ribbons. Where is the chief of the cohort? Let him engage the right wing.
354EUELPIDES: This is the fatal moment. Where shall I fly to, unfortunate wretch that I am?
354bPISTHETAERUS: Wait! Stay here!
Part 11
355bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πῶς γὰρ ἂν τούτους δοκεῖς
356ἐκφυγεῖν;
356bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐκ οἶδʼ ὅπως ἄν.
356cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ἐγώ τοί σοι λέγω,
357ὅτι μένοντε δεῖ μάχεσθαι λαμβάνειν τε τῶν χυτρῶν.
358ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί δὲ χύτρα νώ γʼ ὠφελήσει;
358bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: γλαῦξ μὲν οὐ πρόσεισι νῷν.
359ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τοῖς δὲ γαμψώνυξι τοισδί;
359bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὸν ὀβελίσκον ἁρπάσας
360εἶτα κατάπηξον πρὸ σαυτοῦ.
360bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τοῖσι δʼ ὀφθαλμοῖσι τί;
361ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὀξύβαφον ἐντευθενὶ προσδοῦ λαβὼν ἢ τρύβλιον.
362ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὦ σοφώτατʼ, εὖ γʼ ἀνηῦρες αὐτὸ καὶ στρατηγικῶς·
363ὑπερακοντίζεις σύ γʼ ἤδη Νικίαν ταῖς μηχαναῖς.
364ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἐλελελεῦ χώρει κάθες τὸ ῥύγχος· οὐ μέλλειν ἐχρῆν.
365ἕλκε τίλλε παῖε δεῖρε, κόπτε πρώτην τὴν χύτραν.
366ἜΠΟΨ: εἰπέ μοι τί μέλλετʼ ὦ πάντων κάκιστα θηρίων
367ἀπολέσαι παθόντες οὐδὲν ἄνδρε καὶ διασπάσαι
368τῆς ἐμῆς γυναικὸς ὄντε ξυγγενεῖ καὶ φυλέτα;
369ΧΟΡΌΣ: φεισόμεσθα γάρ τι τῶνδε μᾶλλον ἡμεῖς ἢ λύκων;
370ἢ τίνας τεισαίμεθʼ ἄλλους τῶνδʼ ἂν ἐχθίους ἔτι;
371ἜΠΟΨ: εἰ δὲ τὴν φύσιν μὲν ἐχθροὶ τὸν δὲ νοῦν εἰσιν φίλοι,
372καὶ διδάξοντές τι δεῦρʼ ἥκουσιν ὑμᾶς χρήσιμον;
373ΧΟΡΌΣ: πῶς δʼ ἂν οἵδʼ ἡμᾶς τι χρήσιμον διδάξειάν ποτε
374ἢ φράσειαν, ὄντες ἐχθροὶ τοῖσι πάπποις τοῖς ἐμοῖς;
375ἜΠΟΨ: ἀλλʼ ἀπʼ ἐχθρῶν δῆτα πολλὰ μανθάνουσιν οἱ σοφοί.
376ἡ γὰρ εὐλάβεια σῴζει πάντα. παρὰ μὲν οὖν φίλου
377οὐ μάθοις ἂν τοῦθʼ, ὁ δʼ ἐχθρὸς εὐθὺς ἐξηνάγκασεν.
378αὐτίχʼ αἱ πόλεις παρʼ ἀνδρῶν γʼ ἔμαθον ἐχθρῶν κοὐ φίλων
379ἐκπονεῖν θʼ ὑψηλὰ τείχη ναῦς τε κεκτῆσθαι μακράς·
380τὸ δὲ μάθημα τοῦτο σῴζει παῖδας οἶκον χρήματα.
381ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἔστι μὲν λόγων ἀκοῦσαι πρῶτον, ὡς ἡμῖν δοκεῖ,
382χρήσιμον· μάθοι γὰρ ἄν τις κἀπὸ τῶν ἐχθρῶν σοφόν.
383ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἵδε τῆς ὀργῆς χαλᾶν εἴξασιν. ἄναγʼ ἐπὶ σκέλος.
384ἜΠΟΨ: καὶ δίκαιόν γʼ ἐστὶ κἀμοὶ δεῖ νέμειν ὑμᾶς χάριν.
385ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλὰ μὴν οὐδʼ ἄλλο σοί πω πρᾶγμʼ ἐνηντιώμεθα.
Part 11
355EUELPIDES: That they may tear me to pieces?
355bPISTHETAERUS: And how do you think to escape them?
356bEUELPIDES: I don't know at all.
356cPISTHETAERUS: Come, I will tell you. We must stop and fight them. Let us arm ourselves with these stew-pots.
358EUELPIDES: Why with the stew-pots?
358bPISTHETAERUS: The owl will not attack us then.
359EUELPIDES: But do you see all those hooked claws?
359bPISTHETAERUS: Take the spit
360and pierce the foe on your side.
360bEUELPIDES: And how about my eyes?
361PISTHETAERUS: Protect them with this dish or this vinegar-pot.
362EUELPIDES: Oh! what cleverness! what inventive genius! You are a great general, even greater than Nicias, where stratagem is concerned.
364LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Forward, forward, charge with your beaks! Come, no delay.
365Tear, pluck, strike, flay them, and first of all smash the stew-pot.
366EPOPS: Oh, most cruel of all animals, why tear these two men to pieces, why kill them? What have they done to you? They belong to the same tribe, to the same family as my wife.
369LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Are wolves to be spared? Are they not our most mortal foes?
370So let us punish them.
371EPOPS: If they are your foes by nature, they are your friends in heart, and they come here to give you useful advice.
373LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Advice or a useful word from their lips, from them, the enemies of my forebears?
375EPOPS: The wise can often profit by the lessons of a foe, for caution is the mother of safety. It is just such a thing as one will not learn from a friend and which an enemy compels you to know. To begin with, it's the foe and not the friend that taught cities to build high walls, to equip long vessels of war;
380and it's this knowledge that protects our children, our slaves and our wealth.
381LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Well then, I agree, let us first hear them, for that is best; one can even learn something in an enemy's school.
383PISTHETAERUS: Their wrath seems to cool. Draw back a little.
384EPOPS: It's only justice, and you will thank me later.
Part 12
386ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μᾶλλον εἰρήνην ἄγουσι νὴ Δίʼ, ὥστε τὴν χύτραν
387τώ τε τρυβλίω καθίει·
388καὶ τὸ δόρυ χρή, τὸν ὀβελίσκον,
389περιπατεῖν ἔχοντας ἡμᾶς
390τῶν ὅπλων ἐντός, παρʼ αὐτὴν
391τὴν χύτραν ἄκραν ὁρῶντας
392ἐγγύς· ὡς οὐ φευκτέον νῷν.
393ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐτεὸν ἢν δʼ ἄρʼ ἀποθάνωμεν,
394κατορυχθησόμεσθα ποῦ γῆς;
395ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁ Κεραμεικὸς δέξεται νώ.
396δημοσίᾳ γὰρ ἵνα ταφῶμεν,
397φήσομεν πρὸς τοὺς στρατηγοὺς
398μαχομένω τοῖς πολεμίοισιν
399ἀποθανεῖν ἐν Ὀρνεαῖς.
400ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἄναγʼ ἐς τάξιν πάλιν ἐς ταὐτόν,
401καὶ τὸν θυμὸν κατάθου κύψας
402παρὰ τὴν ὀργὴν ὥσπερ ὁπλίτης·
403κἀναπυθώμεθα τούσδε τίνες ποτὲ
404καὶ πόθεν ἔμολον
405† ἐπὶ τίνα τʼ ἐπίνοιαν. †
406ἰὼ ἔποψ σέ τοι καλῶ.
407ἜΠΟΨ: καλεῖς δὲ τοῦ κλύειν θέλων;
408ΧΟΡΌΣ: τίνες ποθʼ οἵδε καὶ πόθεν;
409ἜΠΟΨ: ξείνω σοφῆς ἀφʼ Ἑλλάδος.
410ΧΟΡΌΣ: τύχη δὲ ποία κομίζει
411ποτʼ αὐτὼ πρὸς ὄρνιθας
412ἐλθεῖν;
412bἜΠΟΨ: ἔρως
413βίου διαίτης τε καὶ
414σοῦ ξυνοικεῖν τέ σοι
415καὶ ξυνεῖναι τὸ πᾶν.
416ΧΟΡΌΣ: τί φῄς;
416aλέγουσι δὴ τίνας λόγους;
417ἜΠΟΨ: ἄπιστα καὶ πέρα κλύειν.
418ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὁρᾷ τι κέρδος ἐνθάδʼ ἄξιον
419μονῆς, ὅτῳ πέποιθʼ
419aἐμοὶ ξυνὼν [...]
420κρατεῖν ἂν ἢ τὸν ἐχθρὸν ἢ
421φίλοισιν ὠφελεῖν ἔχειν;
422ἜΠΟΨ: λέγει μέγαν τινʼ ὄλβον οὔτε
423λεκτὸν οὔτε πιστόν· ὡς
424σὰ γὰρ τὰ πάντα ταῦτα καὶ
425τὸ τῇδε καὶ τὸ κεῖσε καὶ
426τὸ δεῦρο προσβιβᾷ λέγων.
427ΧΟΡΌΣ: πότερα μαινόμενος;
428ἜΠΟΨ: ἄφατον ὡς φρόνιμος.
429ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἔνι σοφόν τι φρενί;
430ἜΠΟΨ: πυκνότατον κίναδος,
431σόφισμα κύρμα τρῖμμα παιπάλημʼ ὅλον.
432ΧΟΡΌΣ: λέγειν λέγειν κέλευέ μοι.
433κλύων γὰρ ὧν σύ μοι λέγεις
434λόγων ἀνεπτέρωμαι.
435ἜΠΟΨ: ἄγε δὴ σὺ καὶ σὺ τὴν πανοπλίαν μὲν πάλιν
436ταύτην λαβόντε κρεμάσατον τύχἀγαθῇ
437ἐς τὸν ἰπνὸν εἴσω πλησίον τοὐπιστάτου·
438σὺ δὲ τούσδʼ ἐφʼ οἷσπερ τοῖς λόγοις συνέλεξʼ ἐγὼ
439φράσον, δίδαξον.
439bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ τὸν Ἀπόλλω ʼγὼ μὲν οὔ,
440ἢν μὴ διάθωνταί γʼ οἵδε διαθήκην ἐμοὶ
441ἥνπερ ὁ πίθηκος τῇ γυναικὶ διέθετο,
441aὁ μαχαιροποιός, μήτε δάκνειν τούτους ἐμὲ
442μήτʼ ὀρχίπεδʼ ἕλκειν μήτʼ ὀρύττειν —
Part 12
385LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Never have we opposed your advice up to now.
386PISTHETAERUS: They are in a more peaceful mood; put down your stew-pot and your two dishes; spit in hand, doing duty for a spear, let us mount guard inside the camp
390close to the pot and watch in our arsenal closely; for we must not fly.
393EUELPIDES: You are right. But where shall we be buried, if we die?
395PISTHETAERUS: In the Ceramicus; for, to get a public funeral, we shall tell the Strategi that we fell at Orneae, fighting the country's foes.
400LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Return to your ranks and lay down your courage beside your wrath as the hoplites do. Then let us ask these men who they are, whence they come,
405and with what intent. Here, Epops, answer me.
407EPOPS: Are you calling me? What do you want of me?
408LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Who are they? From what country?
409EPOPS: Strangers, who have come from Greece, the land of the wise.
410LEADER OF THE CHORUS: And what fate has led them hither to the land of the birds?
412bEPOPS: Their love for you and their wish to share your kind of life; to dwell and
415remain with you always.
416LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Indeed, and what are their plans?
417EPOPS: They are wonderful, incredible, unheard of.
418LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Why, do they think to see some advantage that determines them to settle here? Are they hoping with our help
420to triumph over their foes or to be useful to their friends?
422EPOPS: They speak of benefits so great it is impossible either to describe or conceive them; all shall be yours,
425all that we see here, there, above and below us; this they vouch for.
427LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Are they mad?
428EPOPS: They are the sanest people in the world.
429LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Clever men?
430EPOPS: The slyest of foxes, cleverness its very self, men of the world, cunning, the cream of knowing folk.
432LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Tell them to speak and speak quickly; why, as I listen to you, I am beside myself with delight.
435EPOPS: Here, you there, take all these weapons and hang them up inside close to the fire, near the figure of the god who presides there and under his protection; To Pisthetaerus. as for you, address the birds, tell them why I have gathered them together.
Part 13
442bΧΟΡΌΣ: οὔτι που
443τόν —; οὐδαμῶς.
443bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔκ, ἀλλὰ τὠφθαλμὼ λέγω.
444ΧΟΡΌΣ: διατίθεμαι ʼγώ.
444bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κατόμοσόν νυν ταῦτά μοι.
445ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὄμνυμʼ ἐπὶ τούτοις, πᾶσι νικᾶν τοῖς κριταῖς
446καὶ τοῖς θεαταῖς πᾶσιν.
446bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔσται ταυταγί.
447ΧΟΡΌΣ: εἰ δὲ παραβαίην, ἑνὶ κριτῇ νικᾶν μόνον.
448ΚΗ͂ΡΥΞ: ἀκούετε λεῴ· τοὺς ὁπλίτας νυνμενὶ
449ἀνελομένους θὤπλʼ ἀπιέναι πάλιν οἴκαδε,
450σκοπεῖν δʼ ὅ τι ἂν προγράφωμεν ἐν τοῖς πινακίοις.
451ΧΟΡΌΣ: δολερὸν μὲν ἀεὶ κατὰ πάντα δὴ τρόπον
452πέφυκεν ἄνθρωπος· σὺ δʼ ὅμως λέγε μοι.
453τάχα γὰρ τύχοις ἂν
454χρηστὸν ἐξειπὼν ὅ τι μοι παρορᾷς, ἢ
455δύναμίν τινα μείζω
456παραλειπομένην ὑπʼ ἐμῆς φρενὸς ἀξυνέτου·
457σὺ δὲ τοῦθʼ οὑρᾷς λέγʼ ἐς κοινόν.
458ὃ γὰρ ἂν σὺ τύχῃς μοι
459ἀγαθὸν πορίσας, τοῦτο κοινὸν ἔσται.
460ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλʼ ἐφʼ ὅτῳπερ πράγματι τὴν σὴν ἥκεις γνώμην ἀναπείσας,
461λέγε θαρρήσας· ὡς τὰς σπονδὰς οὐ μὴ πρότεροι παραβῶμεν.
462ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ μὴν ὀργῶ νὴ τὸν Δία καὶ προπεφύραται λόγος εἷς μοι,
463ὃν διαμάττειν οὐ κωλύει· φέρε παῖ στέφανον· καταχεῖσθαι
464κατὰ χειρὸς ὕδωρ φερέτω ταχύ τις.
464bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: δειπνήσειν μέλλομεν; ἢ τί;
465ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλὰ λέγειν ζητῶ τι πάλαι μέγα καὶ λαρινὸν ἔπος τι,
466ὅ το τὴν τούτων θραύσει ψυχήν· οὕτως ὑμῶν ὑπεραλγῶ,
467οἵτινες ὄντες πρότερον βασιλῆς —
467bΧΟΡΌΣ: ἡμεῖς βασιλῆς; τίνος;
467cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὑμεῖς
468πάντων ὁπόσʼ ἔστιν, ἐμοῦ πρῶτον, τουδί, καὶ τοῦ Διὸς αὐτοῦ,
469ἀρχαιότεροι πρότεροί τε Κρόνου καὶ Τιτάνων ἐγένεσθε,
470καὶ γῆς.
470bΧΟΡΌΣ: καὶ γῆς;
470cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ τὸν Ἀπόλλω.
470dΧΟΡΌΣ: τουτὶ μὰ Δίʼ οὐκ ἐπεπύσμην.
471ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀμαθὴς γὰρ ἔφυς κοὐ πολυπράγμων, οὐδʼ Αἴσωπον πεπάτηκας,
472ὃς ἔφασκε λέγων κορυδὸν πάντων πρώτην ὄρνιθα γενέσθαι,
473προτέραν τῆς γῆς, κἄπειτα νόσῳ τὸν πατέρʼ αὐτῆς ἀποθνῄσκειν·
474γῆν δʼ οὐκ εἶναι, τὸν δὲ προκεῖσθαι πεμπταῖον· τὴν δʼ ἀποροῦσαν
475ὑπʼ ἀμηχανίας τὸν πατέρʼ αὑτῆς ἐν τῇ κεφαλῇ κατορύξαι.
476ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὁ πατὴρ ἄρα τῆς κορυδοῦ νυνὶ κεῖται τεθνεὼς Κεφαλῆσιν.
Part 13
439bPISTHETAERUS: Not I, by Apollo,
440unless they agree with me as the little ape of an armorer agreed with his wife, not to bite me, nor pull me by the balls, nor shove things into my . . .
442bEUELPIDES: Do you mean this?
443bPISTHETAERUS: No, I mean my eyes.
444LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Agreed.
444bPISTHETAERUS: Swear it.
445LEADER OF THE CHORUS: I swear it and, if I keep my promise, let judges and spectators give me the victory unanimously.
446bPISTHETAERUS: It is a bargain.
447LEADER OF THE CHORUS: And if I break my word, may I succeed by one vote only.
448EPOPS: Hearken, ye people! Hoplites, pick up your weapons and return to your firesides;
450do not fail to read the decrees of dismissal we have posted.
451CHORUS: Man is a truly cunning creature, but nevertheless explain. Perhaps you are going to show me some good way
455to extend my power, some way that I have not had the wit to find out and which you have discovered. Speak! 'tis to your own interest as well as to mine, for if you secure me some advantage, I will surely share it with you.
460LEADER OF THE CHORUS: But what object can have induced you to come among us? Speak boldly, for I shall not break the truce, —until you have told us all.
462PISTHETAERUS: I am bursting with desire to speak; I have already mixed the dough of my address and nothing prevents me from kneading it.... Slave! bring the chaplet and water, which you must pour over my hands. Be quick!
464bEUELPIDES: Is it a question of feasting? What does it all mean?
465PISTHETAERUS: By Zeus, no! but I am hunting for fine, tasty words to break down the hardness of their hearts. To the Chorus. I grieve so much for you, who at one time were kings...
467bLEADER OF THE CHORUS: We kings? Over whom?
467cPISTHETAERUS: ... of all that exists, firstly of me and of this man, even of Zeus himself. Your race is older than Saturn, the Titans and the Earth.
470bLEADER OF THE CHORUS: What, older than the Earth!
470cPISTHETAERUS: By Phoebus, yes.
470dLEADER OF THE CHORUS: By Zeus, but I never knew that before!
471PISTHETAERUS: That's because you are ignorant and heedless, and have never read your Aesop. He is the one who tells us that the lark was born before all other creatures, indeed before the Earth; his father died of sickness, but the Earth did not exist then; he remained unburied for five days, when the bird in its dilemma decided,
475for want of a better place, to entomb its father in its own head.
Part 14
477ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔκουν δῆτʼ εἰ πρότεροι μὲν γῆς πρότεροι δὲ θεῶν ἐγένοντο,
478ὡς πρεσβυτάτων αὐτῶν ὄντῶν ὀρθῶς ἐσθʼ ἡ βασιλεία;
479ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: νὴ τὸν Ἀπόλλω· πάνυ τοίνυν χρὴ ῥύγχος βόσκειν σε τὸ λοιπόν·
480οὐκ ἀποδώσει ταχέως ὁ Ζεὺς τὸ σκῆπτρον τῷ δρυκολάπτῃ.
481ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὡς δʼ οὐχὶ θεοὶ τοίνυν ἦρχον τῶν ἀνθρώπων τὸ παλαιόν,
482ἀλλʼ ὄρνιθες, κἀβασίλευον, πόλλʼ ἐστὶ τεκμήρια τούτων.
483αὐτίκα δʼ ὑμῖν πρῶτʼ ἐπιδείξω τὸν ἀλεκτρυόνʼ, ὡς ἐτυράννει
484ἦρχέ τε Περσῶν πρῶτον πάντων Δαρείου καὶ Μεγαβάζου,
485ὥστε καλεῖται Περσικὸς ὄρνις ἀπὸ τῆς ἀρχῆς ἔτʼ ἐκείνης.
486ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: διὰ ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἔχων καὶ νῦν ὥσπερ βασιλεὺς ὁ μέγας διαβάσκει
487ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς τὴν κυρβασίαν τῶν ὀρνίθων μόνος ὀρθήν.
488ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὕτω δʼ ἴσχυσέ τε καὶ μέγας ἦν τότε καὶ πολύς, ὥστʼ ἔτι καὶ νῦν
489ὑπὸ τῆς ῥώμης τῆς τότʼ ἐκείνης, ὁπόταν μόνον ὄρθριον ᾄσῃ,
490ἀναπηδῶσιν πάντες ἐπʼ ἔργον χαλκῆς κεραμῆς σκυλοδέψαι
491σκυτῆς βαλανῆς ἀλφιταμοιβοὶ τορνευτολυρασπιδοπηγοί·
492οἱ δὲ βαδίζουσʼ ὑποδησάμενοι νύκτωρ.
492bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐμὲ τοῦτό γʼ ἐρώτα.
493χλαῖναν γὰρ ἀπώλεσʼ ὁ μοχθηρὸς Φρυγίων ἐρίων διὰ τοῦτον.
494ἐς δεκάτην γάρ ποτε παιδαρίου κληθεὶς ὑπέπινον ἐν ἄστει,
495κἄρτι καθηῦδον, καὶ πρὶν δειπνεῖν τοὺς ἄλλους οὗτος ἄρʼ ᾖσεν·
496κἀγὼ νομίσας ὄρθρον ἐχώρουν Ἀλιμουντάδε, κἄρτι προκύπτω
497ἔξω τείχους καὶ λωποδύτης παίει ῥοπάλῳ με τὸ νῶτον·
498κἀγὼ πίπτω μέλλω τε βοᾶν, ὁ δʼ ἀπέβλισε θοἰμάτιόν μου.
499ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἰκτῖνος δʼ οὖν τῶν Ἑλλήνων ἦρχεν τότε κἀβασίλευεν.
500ΧΟΡΌΣ: τῶν Ἑλλήνων;
500bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ κατέδειξέν γʼ οὗτος πρῶτος βασιλεύων
501προκυλινδεῖσθαι τοῖς ἰκτίνοις.
501bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: νὴ τὸν Διόνυσον, ἐγὼ γοῦν
502ἐκυλινδούμην ἰκτῖνον ἰδών· κᾆθʼ ὕπτιος ὢν ἀναχάσκων
503ὀβολὸν κατεβρόχθισα· κᾆτα κενὸν τὸν θύλακον οἴκαδʼ ἀφεῖλκον.
504ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Αἰγύπτου δʼ αὖ καὶ Φοινίκης πάσης κόκκυξ βασιλεὺς ἦν·
505χὠπόθʼ ὁ κόκκυξ εἴποι κόκκυ, τότʼ ἂν οἱ Φοίνικες ἅπαντες
506τοὺς πυροὺς ἂν καὶ τὰς κριθὰς ἐν τοῖς πεδίοις ἐθέριζον.
507ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τοῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἐκεῖνʼ ἦν τοὔπος ἀληθῶς· κόκκυψωλοὶ πεδίονδε.
508ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἦρχον δʼ οὕτω σφόδρα τὴν ἀρχήν, ὥστʼ εἴ τις καὶ βασιλεύοι
509ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν τῶν Ἑλλήνων Ἀγαμέμνων ἢ Μενέλαος,
510ἐπὶ τῶν σκήπτρων ἐκάθητʼ ὄρνις μετέχων ὅ τι δωροδοκοίη.
511ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τουτὶ τοίνυν οὐκ ᾔδη ʼγώ· καὶ δῆτά μʼ ἐλάμβανε θαῦμα,
512ὁπότʼ ἐξέλθοι Πρίαμός τις ἔχων ὄρνιν ἐν τοῖσι τραγῳδοῖς,
513ὁ δʼ ἄρʼ εἱστήκει τὸν Λυσικράτη τηρῶν ὅ τι δωροδοκοίη.
514ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὃ δὲ δεινότατόν γʼ ἐστὶν ἁπάντων, ὁ Ζεὺς γὰρ ὁ νῦν βασιλεύων
515αἰετὸν ὄρνιν ἕστηκεν ἔχων ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς βασιλεὺς ὤν,
516ἡ δʼ αὖ θυγάτηρ γλαῦχʼ, ὁ δʼ Ἀπόλλων ὥσπερ θεράπων ἱέρακα.
517ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: νὴ τὴν Δήμητρʼ εὖ ταῦτα λέγεις. τίνος οὕνεκα ταῦτʼ ἄρʼ ἔχουσιν;
518ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἵνʼ ὅταν θύων τις ἔπειτʼ αὐτοῖς ἐς τὴν χεῖρʼ, ὡς νόμος ἐστίν,
519τὰ σπλάγχνα διδῷ, τοῦ Διὸς αὐτοὶ πρότεροι τὰ σπλάγχνα λάβωσιν.
520ὤμνυ τʼ οὐδεὶς τότʼ ἂν ἀνθρώπων θεόν, ἀλλʼ ὄρνιθας ἅπαντες·
521Λάμπων δʼ ὄμνυσʼ ἔτι καὶ νυνὶ τὸν χῆνʼ, ὅταν ἐξαπατᾷ τι.
522οὕτως ὑμᾶς πάντες πρότερον μεγάλους ἁγίους τʼ ἐνόμιζον,
523ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νῦν δʼ ἀνδράποδʼ ἠλιθίους Μανᾶς· ὥσπερ δʼ ἤδη τοὺς μαινομένους βάλλουσʼ ὑμᾶς, κἀν τοῖς ἱεροῖς πᾶς τις ἐφʼ ὑμῖν ὀρνιθευτὴς ἵστησι βρόχους παγίδας ῥάβδους
528ἕρκη νεφέλας δίκτυα πηκτάς· εἶτα λαβόντες πωλοῦσʼ ἁθρόους· οἱ δʼ ὠνοῦνται βλιμάζοντες· κοὐδʼ οὖν, εἴπερ ταῦτα δοκεῖ δρᾶν, ὀπτησάμενοι παρέθενθʼ ὑμᾶς,
533ἀλλʼ ἐπικνῶσιν τυρὸν ἔλαιον σίλφιον ὄξος καὶ τρίψαντες κατάχυσμʼ ἕτερον γλυκὺ καὶ λιπαρόν, κἄπειτα κατεσκέδασαν θερμὸν τοῦτο καθʼ ὑμῶν
538αὐτῶν ὥσπερ κενεβρείων.
539ΧΟΡΌΣ: πολὺ δὴ πολὺ δὴ χαλεπωτάτους λόγους
540ἤνεγκας ἄνθρωφʼ. ὡς ἐδάκρυσά γʼ ἐμῶν
541πατέρων κάκην, οἳ
542τάσδε τὰς τιμὰς προγόνων παραδόντων
543ἐπʼ ἐμοῦ κατέλυσαν.
544σὺ δέ μοι κατὰ δαίμονα καί τινα συντυχίαν
545ἀγαθὴν ἥκεις ἐμοὶ σωτήρ.
546ἀναθεὶς γὰρ ἐγώ σοι
547τὰ νεοττία κἀμαυτὸν οἰκήσω.
548ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλʼ ὅ τι χρὴ δρᾶν, σὺ δίδασκε παρών· ὡς ζῆν οὐκ ἄξιον ἡμῖν,
549εἰ μὴ κομιούμεθα παντὶ τρόπῳ τὴν ἡμετέραν βασιλείαν.
Part 14
476EUELPIDES: So that the lark's father is buried at Cephalae.
477PISTHETAERUS: Hence, if they existed before the Earth, before the gods, the kingship belongs to them by right of priority.
479EUELPIDES: Undoubtedly, but sharpen your beak well;
480Zeus won't be in a hurry to hand over his scepter to the woodpecker.
481PISTHETAERUS: It was not the gods, but the birds, who were formerly the masters and kings over men; of this I have a thousand proofs. First of all, I will point you to the cock, who governed the Persians before all other monarchs, before Darius and Megabazus.
485It's in memory of his reign that he is called the Persian bird.
486EUELPIDES: For this reason also, even to-day, he alone of all the birds wears his tiara straight on his head, like the Great King.
488PISTHETAERUS: He was so strong, so great, so feared, that even now, on account of his ancient power,
490everyone jumps out of bed as soon as ever he crows at daybreak. Blacksmiths, potters, tanners, shoemakers, bathmen, corn-dealers, lyre-makers and armorers, all put on their shoes and go to work before it is daylight.
492bEUELPIDES: I can tell you something about that. It was the cock's fault that I lost a splendid tunic of Phrygian wool. I was at a feast in town, given to celebrate the birth of a child; I had drunk pretty freely
495and had just fallen asleep, when a cock, I suppose in a greater hurry than the rest, began to crow. I thought it was dawn and set out for Halimus. I had hardly got beyond the walls, when a footpad struck me in the back with his bludgeon; down I went and wanted to shout, but he had already made off with my mantle.
499PISTHETAERUS: Formerly also the kite was ruler and king over the Greeks.
500LEADER OF THE CHORUS: The Greeks?
500bPISTHETAERUS: And when he was king, he was the one who first taught them to fall on their knees before the kites.
501bEUELPIDES: By Zeus! that's what I did myself one day on seeing a kite; but at the moment I was on my knees, and leaning backwards with mouth agape, I bolted an obolus and was forced to carry my meal-sack home empty.
504PISTHETAERUS: The cuckoo was king of Egypt and of the whole of Phoenicia.
505When he called out cuckoo, all the Phoenicians hurried to the fields to reap their wheat and their barley.
507EUELPIDES: Hence no doubt the proverb, Cuckoo! cuckoo! go to the fields, ye circumcised.
508PISTHETAERUS: So powerful were the birds that the kings of Grecian cities, Agamemnon, Menelaus, for instance,
510carried a bird on the tip of their scepters, who had his share of all presents.
511EUELPIDES: That I didn't know and was much astonished when I saw Priam come upon the stage in the tragedies with a bird, which kept watching Lysicrates to see if he got any present.
514PISTHETAERUS: But the strongest proof of all is that Zeus, who now reigns,
515is represented as standing with an eagle on his head as a symbol of his royalty; his daughter has an owl, and Phoebus, as his servant, has a hawk.
517EUELPIDES: By Demeter, the point is well taken. But what are all these birds doing in heaven?
518PISTHETAERUS: When anyone sacrifices and, according to the rite, offers the entrails to the gods, these birds take their share before Zeus.
520Formerly men always swore by the birds and never by the gods. And even now Lampon swears by the goose whenever he wishes to deceive someone. Thus it is clear that you were once great and sacred,
523PISTHETAERUS: but now you are looked upon as slaves, as fools, as Maneses; stones
525are thrown at you as at raving madmen, even in holy places. A crowd of bird-catchers sets snares, traps, limed twigs and nets of all sorts for you; you are caught, you are sold in heaps
530and the buyers finger you over to be certain you are fat. Again, if they would but serve you up simply roasted; but they rasp cheese into a mixture of oil, vinegar and laserwort,
535to which another sweet and greasy sauce is added, and the whole is poured scalding hot over your back, for all the world as if you were diseased meat.
539CHORUS: Man, your words have
540made my heart bleed; I have groaned over the treachery of our fathers, who knew not how to transmit to us the high rank they held from their forefathers. But 'tis a benevolent Genius, a happy Fate, that sends you to us;
545you shall be our deliverer and I place the destiny of my little ones and my own in your hands with every confidence.
Part 15
550ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ δὴ τοίνυν πρῶτα διδάσκω μίαν ὀρνίθων πόλιν εἶναι,
551κἄπειτα τὸν ἀέρα πάντα κύκλῳ καὶ πᾶν τουτὶ τὸ μεταξὺ
552περιτειχίζειν μεγάλαις πλίνθοις ὀπταῖς ὥσπερ Βαβυλῶνα.
553ἜΠΟΨ: ὦ Κεβριόνη καὶ Πορφυρίων ὡς σμερδαλέον τὸ πόλισμα.
554ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κἄπειτʼ ἢν τοῦτʼ ἐπανεστήκῃ, τὴν ἀρχὴν τὸν Δίʼ ἀπαιτεῖν· κἂν μὲν μὴ φῇ μηδʼ ἐθελήσῃ μηδʼ εὐθὺς γνωσιμαχήσῃ, ἱερὸν πόλεμον πρωὐδᾶν αὐτῷ, καὶ τοῖσι θεοῖσιν ἀπειπεῖν διὰ τῆς χώρας τῆς ὑμετέρας ἐστυκόσι μὴ διαφοιτᾶν, ὥσπερ πρότερον μοιχεύσοντες τὰς Ἀλκμήνας κατέβαινον
559καὶ τὰς Ἀλόπας καὶ τὰς Σεμέλας· ἤνπερ δʼ ἐπίωσʼ, ἐπιβάλλειν σφραγῖδʼ αὐτοῖς ἐπὶ τὴν ψωλήν, ἵνα μὴ βινῶσʼ ἔτʼ ἐκείνας. τοῖς δʼ ἀνθρώποις ὄρνιν ἕτερον πέμψαι κήρυκα κελεύω, ὡς ὀρνίθων βασιλευόντων θύειν ὄρνισι τὸ λοιπόν, κἄπειτα θεοῖς ὕστερον αὖθις· προσνείμασθαι δὲ πρεπόντως
564τοῖσι θεοῖσιν τῶν ὀρνίθων ὃς ἂν ἁρμόττῃ καθʼ ἕκαστον· ἢν Ἀφροδίτῃ θύῃ, πυροὺς ὄρνιθι φαληρίδι θύειν· ἢν δὲ Ποσειδῶνί τις οἶν θύῃ, νήττῃ πυροὺς καθαγίζειν· ἢν δʼ Ἡρακλέει θύῃ τι, λάρῳ ναστοὺς θύειν μελιτοῦντας· κἂν Διὶ θύῃ βασιλεῖ κριόν, βασιλεύς ἐστʼ ὀρχίλος ὄρνις,
569ᾧ προτέρῳ δεῖ τοῦ Διὸς αὐτοῦ σέρφον ἐνόρχην σφαγιάζειν.
570ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἥσθην σέρφῳ σφαγιαζομένῳ. βροντάτω νῦν ὁ μέγας Ζάν.
571ΧΟΡΌΣ: καὶ πῶς ἡμᾶς νομιοῦσι θεοὺς ἄνθρωποι κοὐχὶ κολοιούς,
572οἳ πετόμεσθα πτέρυγάς τʼ ἔχομεν;
572bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ληρεῖς· καὶ νὴ Δίʼ ὅ γʼ Ἑρμῆς
573πέτεται θεὸς ὢν πτέρυγάς τε φορεῖ, κἄλλοι γε θεοὶ πάνυ πολλοί.
574αὐτίκα Νίκη πέτεται πτερύγοιν χρυσαῖν καὶ νὴ Δίʼ Ἔρως γε·
575Ἥρην δέ γʼ Ὅμηρος ἔφασκʼ ἰκέλην εἶναι τρήρωνι πελείῃ.
576ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὁ Ζεὺς δʼ ἡμῖν οὐ βροντήσας πέμψει πτερόεντα κεραυνόν;
577ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἢν δʼ οὖν ὑμᾶς μὲν ὑπʼ ἀγνοίας εἶναι νομίσωσι τὸ μηδέν,
578τούτους δὲ θεοὺς τοὺς ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ τότε χρὴ στρούθων νέφος ἀρθὲν
579καὶ σπερμολόγων ἐκ τῶν ἀγρῶν τὸ σπέρμʼ αὐτῶν ἀνακάψαι·
580κἄπειτʼ αὐτοῖς ἡ Δημήτηρ πυροὺς πεινῶσι μετρείτω.
581ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: οὐκ ἐθελήσει μὰ Δίʼ, ἀλλʼ ὄψει προφάσεις αὐτὴν παρέχουσαν.
582ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἱ δʼ αὖ κόρακες τῶν ζευγαρίων, οἷσιν τὴν γῆν καταροῦσιν,
583καὶ τῶν προβάτων τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἐκκοψάντων ἐπὶ πείρᾳ·
584εἶθʼ ὅ γʼ Ἀπόλλων ἰατρός γʼ ὢν ἰάσθω· μισθοφορεῖ δέ.
585ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: μὴ πρίν γʼ ἂν ἐγὼ τὼ βοιδαρίω τὠμὼ πρώτιστʼ ἀποδῶμαι.
586ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἢν δʼ ἡγῶνται σὲ θεὸν σὲ βίον σὲ δὲ γῆν σὲ Κρόνον σὲ Ποσειδῶ,
587ἀγάθʼ αὐτοῖσιν πάντα παρέσται.
587bἜΠΟΨ: λέγε δή μοι τῶν ἀγαθῶν ἕν.
588ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πρῶτα μὲν αὐτῶν τὰς οἰνάνθας οἱ πάρνοπες οὐ κατέδονται,
589ἀλλὰ γλαυκῶν λόχος εἷς αὐτοὺς καὶ κερχνῄδων ἐπιτρίψει.
590εἶθʼ οἱ κνῖπες καὶ ψῆνες ἀεὶ τὰς συκᾶς οὐ κατέδονται,
591ἀλλʼ ἀναλέξει πάντας καθαρῶς αὐτοὺς ἀγέλη μία κιχλῶν.
592ἜΠΟΨ: πλουτεῖν δὲ πόθεν δώσομεν αὐτοῖς; καὶ γὰρ τούτου σφόδρʼ ἐρῶσιν.
593ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὰ μέταλλʼ αὐτοῖς μαντευομένοις οὗτοι δώσουσι τὰ χρηστά,
594τάς τʼ ἐμπορίας τὰς κερδαλέας πρὸς τὸν μάντιν κατεροῦσιν,
595ὥστʼ ἀπολεῖται τῶν ναυκλήρων οὐδείς.
595bἜΠΟΨ: πῶς οὐκ ἀπολεῖται;
596ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: προερεῖ τις ἀεὶ τῶν ὀρνίθων μαντευομένῳ περὶ τοῦ πλοῦ·
597νυνὶ μὴ πλεῖ, χειμὼν ἔσται· νυνὶ πλεῖ, κέρδος ἐπέσται.
598ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: γαῦλον κτῶμαι καὶ ναυκληρῶ, κοὐκ ἂν μείναιμι παρʼ ὑμῖν.
599ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τοὺς θησαυρούς τʼ αὐτοῖς δείξουσʼ οὓς οἱ πρότεροι κατέθεντο
600τῶν ἀργυρίων· οὗτοι γὰρ ἴσασι· λέγουσι δέ τοι τάδε πάντες,
601οὐδεὶς οἶδεν τὸν θησαυρὸν τὸν ἐμὸν πλὴν εἴ τις ἄρʼ ὄρνις.
Part 15
548LEADER OF THE CHORUS: But hasten to tell me what must be done; we should not be worthy to live, if we did not seek to regain our royalty by every possible means.
550PISTHETAERUS: First I advise that the birds gather together in one city and that they build a wall of great bricks, like that at Babylon, round the plains of the air and the whole region of space that divides earth from heaven.
553EPOPS: Oh, Cebriones! oh, Porphyrion! what a terribly strong place!
554PISTHETAERUS: Then, when this has been well done and completed, you demand back the empire from Zeus;
555if he will not agree, if he refuses and does not at once confess himself beaten, you declare a sacred war against him and forbid the gods henceforward to pass through your country with their tools up, as hitherto, for the purpose of laying their Alcmenas, their Alopes, or their Semeles! if they try to pass through,
560you put rings on their tools so that they can't make love any longer. You send another messenger to mankind, who will proclaim to them that the birds are kings, that for the future they must first of all sacrifice to them, and only afterwards to the gods; that it is fitting to appoint to each deity the bird that has most in common with it.
565For instance, are they sacrificing to Aphrodite, let them at the same time offer barley to the coot; are they immolating a sheep to Poseidon, let them consecrate wheat in honor of the duck; if a steer is being offered to Heracles, let honey-cakes be dedicated to the gull; if a goat is being slain for King Zeus, there is a King-Bird, the wren, to whom the sacrifice of a male gnat is due before Zeus himself even.
570EUELPIDES: This notion of an immolated gnat delights me! And now let the great Zeus thunder!
571LEADER OF THE CHORUS: But how will mankind recognize us as gods and not as jays? Us, who have wings and fly?
572bPISTHETAERUS: You talk rubbish! Hermes is a god and has wings and flies, and so do many other gods. First of all, Victory flies with golden wings, Eros is undoubtedly winged too,
575and Iris is compared by Homer to a timorous dove.
576EUELPIDES: But will not Zeus thunder and send his winged bolts against us?
577PISTHETAERUS: If men in their blindness do not recognize us as gods and so continue to worship the dwellers in Olympus? Then a cloud of sparrows greedy for corn must descend upon their fields and eat up all their seeds;
580we shall see then if Demeter will mete them out any wheat.
581EUELPIDES: By Zeus, she'll take good care she does not, and you will see her inventing a thousand excuses.
582PISTHETAERUS: The crows too will prove your divinity to them by pecking out the eyes of their flocks and of their draught-oxen; and then let Apollo cure them, since he is a physician and is paid for the purpose.
585EUELPIDES: Oh! don't do that! Wait first until I have sold my two young bullocks.
586PISTHETAERUS: If on the other hand they recognize that you are God, the principle of life, that you are Earth, Kronos, Poseidon, they shall be loaded with benefits.
587bEPOPS: Name me one of these then.
588PISTHETAERUS: Firstly, the locusts shall not eat up their vine-blossoms; a legion of owls and kestrels will devour them.
590Moreover, the gnats and the gallbugs shall no longer ravage the figs; a flock of thrushes shall swallow the whole host down to the very last.
592EPOPS: And how shall we give wealth to mankind? This is their strongest passion.
593PISTHETAERUS: When they consult the omens, you will point them to the richest mines, you will reveal the paying ventures to the diviner,
595and not another shipwreck will happen or sailor perish.
595bEPOPS: No more shall perish? How is that?
596PISTHETAERUS: When the auguries are examined before starting on a voyage, some bird will not fail to say, Don't start! there will be a storm, or else, Go! you will make a most profitable venture.
598EUELPIDES: I shall buy a trading-vessel and go to sea. I will not stay with you.
Part 16
602ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: πωλῶ γαῦλον, κτῶμαι σμινύην, καὶ τὰς ὑδρίας ἀνορύττω.
603ἜΠΟΨ: πῶς δʼ ὑγιείαν δώσουσʼ αὐτοῖς, οὖσαν παρὰ τοῖσι θεοῖσιν;
604ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἢν εὖ πράττωσʼ, οὐχ ὑγιεία μεγάλη τοῦτʼ ἐστί; σάφʼ ἴσθι,
605ὡς ἄνθρωπός γε κακῶς πράττων ἀτεχνῶς οὐδεὶς ὑγιαίνει.
606ἜΠΟΨ: πῶς δʼ ἐς γῆράς ποτʼ ἀφίξονται; καὶ γὰρ τοῦτʼ ἔστʼ ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ·
607ἢ παιδάριʼ ὄντʼ ἀποθνῄσκειν δεῖ;
607bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλὰ τριακόσιʼ αὐτοῖς
608ἔτι προσθήσουσʼ ὄρνιθες ἔτη.
608bἜΠΟΨ: παρὰ τοῦ;
608cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: παρʼ ὅτου; παρʼ ἑαυτῶν.
609οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅτι πέντʼ ἀνδρῶν γενεὰς ζώει λακέρυζα κορώνη;
610ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: αἰβοῖ πολλῷ κρείττους οὗτοι τοῦ Διὸς ἡμῖν βασιλεύειν.
611ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ γὰρ πολλῷ; πρῶτον μέν γʼ οὐχὶ νεὼς ἡμᾶς οἰκοδομεῖν δεῖ λιθίνους αὐτοῖς, οὐδὲ θυρῶσαι χρυσαῖσι θύραις, ἀλλʼ ὑπὸ θάμνοις καὶ πρινιδίοις
616οἰκήσουσιν. τοῖς δʼ αὖ σεμνοῖς τῶν ὀρνίθων δένδρον ἐλάας ὁ νεὼς ἔσται· κοὐκ ἐς Δελφοὺς οὐδʼ εἰς Ἄμμωνʼ ἐλθόντες ἐκεῖ θύσομεν, ἀλλʼ ἐν ταῖσιν κομάροις
621καὶ τοῖς κοτίνοις στάντες ἔχοντες κριθὰς πυροὺς εὐξόμεθʼ αὐτοῖς ἀνατείνοντες τὼ χεῖρʼ ἀγαθῶν διδόναι τι μέρος· καὶ ταῦθʼ ἡμῖν παραχρῆμʼ ἔσται
626πυροὺς ὀλίγους προβαλοῦσιν.
627ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὦ φίλτατʼ ἐμοὶ πολὺ πρεσβυτῶν ἐξ ἐχθίστου μεταπίπτων,
628οὐκ ἔστιν ὅπως ἂν ἐγώ ποθʼ ἑκὼν τῆς σῆς γνώμης ἔτʼ ἀφείμην.
629ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἐπαυχήσας δὲ τοῖσι σοῖς λόγοις
630ἐπηπείλησα καὶ κατώμοσα,
631ἢν σὺ παρʼ ἐμὲ θέμενος
632ὁμόφρονας λόγους δικαίους
633ἀδόλους ὁσίους
634ἐπὶ θεοὺς ἴῃς, ἐμοὶ
635ΧΟΡΌΣ: φρονῶν ξυνῳδά, μὴ πολὺν χρόνον
636θεοὺς ἔτι σκῆπτρα τἀμὰ τρίψειν.
637ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλλʼ ὅσα μὲν δεῖ ῥώμῃ πράττειν, ἐπὶ ταῦτα τεταξόμεθʼ ἡμεῖς·
638ὅσα δὲ γνώμῃ δεῖ βουλεύειν, ἐπὶ σοὶ τάδε πάντʼ ἀνάκειται.
639ἜΠΟΨ: καὶ μὴν μὰ τὸν Δίʼ οὐχὶ νυστάζειν ἔτι
640ὥρα ʼστὶν ἡμῖν οὐδὲ μελλονικιᾶν,
641ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστα δεῖ τι δρᾶν· πρῶτον δέ γε
641aεἰσέλθετʼ ἐς νεοττιάν γε τὴν ἐμὴν
642καὶ τἀμὰ κάρφη καὶ τὰ παρόντα φρύγανα,
643καὶ τοὔνομʼ ἡμῖν φράσατον.
643bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλὰ ῥᾴδιον.
644ἐμοὶ μὲν ὄνομα Πισθέταιρος, τῳδεδὶ
645Εὐελπίδης Κριῶθεν.
645bἜΠΟΨ: ἀλλὰ χαίρετον
646ἄμφω.
646bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: δεχόμεθα.
646cἜΠΟΨ: δεῦρο τοίνυν εἴσιτον.
647ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἴωμεν· εἰσηγοῦ σὺ λαβὼν ἡμᾶς.
647bἜΠΟΨ: ἴθι.
Part 16
599PISTHETAERUS: You will discover treasures to them, which were buried in former times,
600for you know them. Do not all men say, None knows where my treasure lies, unless perchance it be some bird.
602EUELPIDES: I shall sell my boat and buy a spade to unearth the vessels.
603LEADER OF THE CHORUS: And how are we to give them health, which belongs to the gods?
604PISTHETAERUS: If they are happy, is not that the chief thing towards health?
605The miserable man is never well.
606LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Old Age also dwells in Olympus. How will they get at it? Must they die in early youth?
607bPISTHETAERUS: Why, the birds, by Zeus,
608will add three hundred years to their life.
608bLEADER OF THE CHORUS: From whom will they take them?
608cPISTHETAERUS: From whom? Why, from themselves. Don't you know the cawing crow lives five times as long as a man?
610EUELPIDES: Ah! ah! these are far better kings for us than Zeus!
611PISTHETAERUS: Far better, are they not? And firstly, we shall not have to build them temples of hewn stone, closed with gates of gold;
615they will dwell amongst the bushes and in the thickets of green oak; the most venerated of birds will have no other temple than the foliage of the olive tree; we shall not go to Delphi or to Ammon
620to sacrifice; but standing erect in the midst of arbutus and wild olives and holding forth our hands filled with wheat and barley, we shall pray them to admit us to a share of the blessings they enjoy
625and shall at once obtain them for a few grains of wheat.
627LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Old man, whom I detested, you are now to me the dearest of all; never shall I, if I can help it, fail to follow your advice.
629CHORUS: Inspirited by your words,
630I threaten my rivals the gods, and I swear that if you march in alliance with me against the gods and are faithful to our just, loyal and sacred bond, we shall soon have shattered their scepter.
637LEADER OF THE CHORUS: We shall charge ourselves with the performance of everything that requires force; that which demands thought and deliberation shall be yours to supply.
639EPOPS: By Zeus! it's no longer
640the time to delay and loiter like Nicias; let us act as promptly as possible.... In the first place, come, enter my nest built of brushwood and blades of straw, and tell me your names.
643bPISTHETAERUS: That is soon done; my name is Pisthetaerus, and his,
645Euelpides, of the deme Crioa.
645bEPOPS: Good! and good luck to you.
646bPISTHETAERUS: We accept the omen.
646cEPOPS: Come in here.
647PISTHETAERUS: Very well, you are the one who must lead us and introduce us.
647bEPOPS: Come then.
Part 17
648ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀτὰρ τὸ δεῖνα, δεῦρʼ ἐπανάκρουσαι πάλιν.
649φέρʼ ἴδω, φράσον νῷν, πῶς ἐγώ τε χοὐτοσὶ
650ξυνεσόμεθʼ ὑμῖν πετομένοις οὐ πετομένω;
651ἜΠΟΨ: καλῶς.
651bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὅρα νυν, ὡς ἐν Αἰσώπου λόγοις
652ἐστὶν λεγόμενον δή τι, τὴν ἀλώπεχʼ, ὡς
653φλαύρως ἐκοινώνησεν αἰετῷ ποτέ.
654ἜΠΟΨ: μηδὲν φοβηθῇς· ἔστι γάρ τι ῥιζίον,
655ὃ διατραγόντʼ ἔσεσθον ἐπτερωμένω.
656ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὕτω μὲν εἰσίωμεν. ἄγε δὴ Ξανθία
657καὶ Μανόδωρε λαμβάνετε τὰ στρώματα.
658ΧΟΡΌΣ: οὗτος σὲ καλῶ, σὲ λέγω.
658bἜΠΟΨ: τί καλεῖς;
658cΧΟΡΌΣ: τούτους μὲν ἄγων μετὰ σαυτοῦ
659ἀρίστισον εὖ· τὴν δʼ ἡδυμελῆ ξύμφωνον ἀηδόνα Μούσαις
660κατάλειφʼ ἡμῖν δεῦρʼ ἐκβιβάσας, ἵνα παίσωμεν μετʼ ἐκείνης.
661ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ τοῦτο μεντοι νὴ Δίʼ αὐτοῖσιν πιθοῦ·
662ἐκβίβασον ἐκ τοῦ βουτόμου τοὐρνίθιον.
663ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐκβίβασον αὐτοῦ πρὸς θεῶν αὐτήν, ἵνα
664καὶ νὼ θεασώμεσθα τὴν ἀηδόνα.
665ἜΠΟΨ: ἀλλʼ εἰ δοκεῖ σφῷν, ταῦτα χρὴ δρᾶν. ἡ Πρόκνη
666ἔκβαινε καὶ σαυτὴν ἐπιδείκνυ τοῖς ξένοις.
667ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Ζεῦ πολυτίμηθʼ ὡς καλὸν τοὐρνίθιον,
668ὡς δʼ ἁπαλόν, ὡς δὲ λευκόν.
668bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἆρά γʼ οἶσθʼ ὅτι
669ἐγὼ διαμηρίζοιμʼ ἂν αὐτὴν ἡδέως;
670ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὅσον δʼ ἔχει τὸν χρυσόν, ὥσπερ παρθένος.
671ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐγὼ μὲν αὐτὴν κἂν φιλῆσαί μοι δοκῶ.
672ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ὦ κακόδαιμον ῥύγχος ὀβελίσκοιν ἔχει.
673ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ ᾠὸν νὴ Δίʼ ἀπολέψαντα χρὴ
674ἀπὸ τῆς κεφαλῆς τὸ λέμμα κᾆθʼ οὕτω φιλεῖν.
675ἜΠΟΨ: ἴωμεν.
675bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἡγοῦ δὴ σὺ νῷν τύχἀγαθῇ.
676ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὦ φίλη, ὦ ξουθή,
677ὦ φίλτατον ὀρνέων
678πάντων, ξύννομε τῶν ἐμῶν
679ὕμνων, ξύντροφʼ ἀηδοῖ,
680ἦλθες ἦλθες ὤφθης,
681ἡδὺν φθόγγον ἐμοὶ φέρουσʼ.
682ἀλλʼ ὦ καλλιβόαν κρέκουσʼ
683αὐλὸν φθέγμασιν ἠρινοῖς,
684ἄρχου τῶν ἀναπαίστων.
Part 17
648PISTHETAERUS: Oh! my god! do come back here. Hi! tell us how
650we are to follow you. You can fly, but we cannot.
651EPOPS: Well, well.
651bPISTHETAERUS: Remember Aesop's fables. It is told there that the fox fared very badly, because he had made an alliance with the eagle.
654EPOPS: Be at ease. You shall eat a certain root
655and wings will grow on your shoulders.
656PISTHETAERUS: Then let us enter. Xanthias and Manodorus, pick up our baggage.
658LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Hi! Epops! do you hear me?
658bEPOPS: What's the matter?
658cLEADER OF THE CHORUS: Take them off to dine well and call your mate, the melodious Procne, whose songs are worthy of the Muses;
660she will delight our leisure moments.
661PISTHETAERUS: Oh! I conjure you, accede to their wish; for this delightful bird will leave her rushes at the sound of your voice;
663for the sake of the gods, let her come here, so that we may contemplate the nightingale.
665EPOPS: Let it be as you desire. Come forth, Procne, show yourself to these strangers.
667PISTHETAERUS: Oh! great Zeus! what a beautiful little bird! what a dainty form! what brilliant plumage!
668bDo you know how dearly I should like to get between her thighs?
670EUELPIDES: She is dazzling all over with gold, like a young girl.
671Oh! how I should like to kiss her!
672PISTHETAERUS: Why, wretched man, she has two little sharp points on her beak!
673EUELPIDES: I would treat her like an egg, the shell of which we remove before eating it; I would take off her mask and then kiss her pretty face.
675EPOPS: Let us go in.
675bPISTHETAERUS: Lead the way, and may success attend us. Epops goes into the thicket, followed by Pisthetaerus and Euelpides.
676CHORUS: Lovable golden bird, whom I cherish above all others, you, whom I associate with all my songs, nightingale,
680you have come, you have come, to show yourself to me and to charm me with your notes. Come, you, who play spring melodies upon the harmonious flute, lead off our anapests.
685LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Weak mortals, chained to the earth, creatures of clay as frail as the foliage of the woods, you unfortunate race, whose life is but darkness, as unreal as a shadow, the illusion of a dream, hearken to us, who are immortal beings, ethereal, ever young and occupied with eternal thoughts, for we shall teach you about all celestial matters;
690you shall know thoroughly what is the nature of the birds, what the origin of the gods, of the rivers, of Erebus, and Chaos; thanks to us, even Prodicus will envy you your knowledge.
693At the beginning there was only Chaos, Night, dark Erebus, and deep Tartarus. Earth, the air and heaven had no existence.
695Firstly, blackwinged Night laid a germless egg in the bosom of the infinite deeps of Erebus, and from this, after the revolution of long ages, sprang the graceful Eros with his glittering golden wings, swift as the whirlwinds of the tempest. He mated in deep Tartarus with dark Chaos, winged like himself, and thus hatched forth our race, which was the first to see the light.
700That of the Immortals did not exist until Eros had brought together all the ingredients of the world, and from their marriage Heaven, Ocean, Earth and the imperishable race of blessed gods sprang into being. Thus our origin is very much older than that of the dwellers in Olympus. We are the offspring of Eros; there are a thousand proofs to show it. We have wings and we lend assistance to lovers.
705How many handsome youths, who had sworn to remain insensible, have opened their thighs because of our power and have yielded themselves to their lovers when almost at the end of their youth, being led away by the gift of a quail, a waterfowl, a goose, or a cock.
708CHORUS: And what important services do not the birds render to mortals! First of all, they mark the seasons for them, springtime, winter, and autumn.
710Does the screaming crane migrate to Libya, —it warns the husbandman to sow, the pilot to take his ease beside his tiller hung up in his dwelling, and Orestes to weave a tunic, so that the rigorous cold may not drive him any more to strip other folk. When the kite reappears, he tells of the return of spring and of the period when the fleece of the sheep must be clipped. Is the swallow in sight?
715All hasten to sell their warm tunic and to buy some light clothing. We are your Ammon, Delphi, Dodona, your Phoebus Apollo. Before undertaking anything, whether a business transaction, a marriage, or the purchase of food, you consult the birds by reading the omens, and you give this name of omen to all signs that tell of the future.
720With you a word is an omen, you call a sneeze an omen, a meeting an omen, an unknown sound an omen, a slave or an ass an omen. Is it not clear that we are a prophetic Apollo to you?
723CHORUS: If you recognize us as gods, we shall be your divining Muses, through us you will know the winds and the seasons, summer,
725winter, and the temperate months. We shall not withdraw ourselves to the highest clouds like Zeus, but shall be among you and shall give to you
730and to your children and the children of your children, health and wealth, long life, peace, youth, laughter, songs and feasts; in short, you will all be so well off,
735that you will be weary and cloyed with enjoyment.
Part 18
685ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἄγε δὴ φύσιν ἄνδρες ἀμαυρόβιοι, φύλλων γενεᾷ προσόμοιοι, ὀλιγοδρανέες, πλάσματα πηλοῦ, σκιοειδέα φῦλʼ ἀμενηνά, ἀπτῆνες ἐφημέριοι ταλαοὶ βροτοὶ ἀνέρες εἰκελόνειροι, προσέχετε τὸν νοῦν τοῖς ἀθανάτοις ἡμῖν τοῖς αἰὲν ἐοῦσιν, τοῖς αἰθερίοις τοῖσιν ἀγήρῳς τοῖς ἄφθιτα μηδομένοισιν,
690ἵνʼ ἀκούσαντες πάντα παρʼ ἡμῶν ὀρθῶς περὶ τῶν μετεώρων. φύσιν οἰωνῶν γένεσίν τε θεῶν ποταμῶν τʼ Ἐρέβους τε Χάους τε εἰδότες ὀρθῶς, Προδίκῳ παρʼ ἐμοῦ κλάειν εἴπητε τὸ λοιπόν. Χάος ἦν καὶ Νὺξ Ἔρεβός τε μέλαν πρῶτον καὶ Τάρταρος εὐρύς, γῆ δʼ οὐδʼ ἀὴρ οὐδʼ οὐρανὸς ἦν· Ἐρέβους δʼ ἐν ἀπείροσι κόλποις
695τίκτει πρώτιστον ὑπηνέμιον Νὺξ ἡ μελανόπτερος ᾠόν, ἐξ οὖ περιτελλομέναις ὥραις ἔβλαστεν Ἔρως ὁ ποθεινός, στίλβων νῶτον πτερύγοιν χρυσαῖν, εἰκὼς ἀνεμώκεσι δίναις. οὗτος δὲ Χάει πτερόεντι μιγεὶς νυχίῳ κατὰ Τάρταρον εὐρὺν ἐνεόττευσεν γένος ἡμέτερον, καὶ πρῶτον ἀνήγαγεν ἐς φῶς.
700πρότερον δʼ οὐκ ἦν γένος ἀθανάτων, πρὶν Ἔρως ξυνέμειξεν ἅπαντα· ξυμμιγνυμένων δʼ ἑτέρων ἑτέροις γένετʼ οὐρανὸς ὠκεανός τε καὶ γῆ πάντων τε θεῶν μακάρων γένος ἄφθιτον. ὦδε μέν ἐσμεν πολὺ πρεσβύτατοι πάντων μακάρων. ἡμεῖς δʼ ὡς ἐσμὲν Ἔρωτος πολλοῖς δῆλον· πετόμεσθά τε γὰρ καὶ τοῖσιν ἐρῶσι σύνεσμεν·
705πολλοὺς δὲ καλοὺς ἀπομωμοκότας παῖδας πρὸς τέρμασιν ὥρας διὰ τὴν ἰσχὺν τὴν ἡμετέραν διεμήρισαν ἄνδρες ἐρασταί, ὁ μὲν ὄρτυγα δοὺς ὁ δὲ πορφυρίωνʼ ὁ δὲ χῆνʼ ὁ δὲ Περσικὸν ὄρνιν.
708ΧΟΡΌΣ: πάντα δὲ θνητοῖς ἐστὶν ἀφʼ ἡμῶν τῶν ὀρνίθων τὰ μέγιστα. πρῶτα μὲν ὥρας φαίνομεν ἡμεῖς ἦρος χειμῶνος ὀπώρας· σπείρειν μέν, ὅταν γέρανος κρώζουσʼ ἐς τὴν Λιβύην μεταχωρῇ. καὶ πηδάλιον τότε ναυκλήρῳ φράζει κρεμάσαντι καθεύδειν, εἶτα δʼ Ὀρέστῃ χλαῖναν ὑφαίνειν, ἵνα μὴ ῥιγῶν ἀποδύῃ.
713ἰκτῖνος δʼ αὖ μετὰ ταῦτα φανεὶς ἑτέραν ὥραν ἀποφαίνει, ἡνίκα πεκτεῖν ὥρα προβάτων πόκον ἠρινόν· εἶτα χελιδών, ὅτε χρὴ χλαῖναν πωλεῖν ἤδη καὶ ληδάριόν τι πρίασθαι. ἐσμὲν δʼ ὑμῖν Ἄμμων Δελφοὶ Δωδώνη Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων. ἐλθόντες γὰρ πρῶτον ἐπʼ ὄρνις οὕτω πρὸς ἅπαντα τρέπεσθε,
718πρός τʼ ἐμπορίαν, καὶ πρὸς βιότου κτῆσιν, καὶ πρὸς γάμον ἀνδρός. ὄρνιν τε νομίζετε πάνθʼ ὅσαπερ περὶ μαντείας διακρίνει· φήμη γʼ ὑμῖν ὄρνις ἐστί, πταρμόν τʼ ὄρνιθα καλεῖτε, ξύμβολον ὄρνιν, φωνὴν ὄρνιν, θεράποντʼ ὄρνιν, ὄνον ὄρνιν. ἆρʼ οὐ φανερῶς ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν ἐσμὲν μαντεῖος Ἀπόλλων;
723ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἢν οὖν ἡμᾶς νομίσητε θεούς, ἕξετε χρῆσθαι μάντεσι Μούσαις αὔραις ὥραις χειμῶνι θέρει μετρίῳ πνίγει· κοὐκ ἀποδράντες καθεδούμεθʼ ἄνω σεμνυνόμενοι
728παρὰ ταῖς νεφέλαις ὥσπερ χὠ Ζεύς· ἀλλὰ παρόντες δώσομεν ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς, παισίν, παίδων παισίν, πλουθυγιείαν εὐδαιμονίαν βίον εἰρήνην
733νεότητα γέλωτα χοροὺς θαλίας γάλα τʼ ὀρνίθων. ὥστε παρέσται κοπιᾶν ὑμῖν ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγαθῶν· οὕτω πλουτήσετε πάντες.
737ΧΟΡΌΣ: Μοῦσα λοχμαία, τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ, ποικίλη, μεθʼ ἧς ἐγὼ νάπαισι καὶ κορυφαῖς ἐν ὀρείαις, τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ,
742ἱζόμενος μελίας ἐπὶ φυλλοκόμου, τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ, διʼ ἐμῆς γένυος ξουθῆς μελέων Πανὶ νόμους ἱεροὺς ἀναφαίνω σεμνά τε μητρὶ χορεύματʼ ὀρείᾳ,
747τοτοτοτοτοτοτοτοτοτίγξ, ἔνθεν ὡστερεὶ μέλιττα Φρύνιχος ἀμβροσίων μελέων ἀπεβόσκετο καρπὸν ἀεὶ φέρων γλυκεῖαν ᾠδάν. τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ.
752ΧΟΡΌΣ: εἰ μετʼ ὀρνίθων τις ὑμῶν ὦ θεαταὶ βούλεται διαπλέκειν ζῶν ἡδέως τὸ λοιπόν, ὡς ἡμᾶς ἴτω. ὅσα γάρ ἐστιν ἐνθάδʼ αἰσχρὰ τῷ νόμῳ κρατούμενα, ταῦτα πάντʼ ἐστὶν παρʼ ἡμῖν τοῖσιν ὄρνισιν καλά. εἰ γὰρ ἐνθάδʼ ἐστὶν αἰσχρὸν τὸν πατέρα τύπτειν νόμῳ,
758τοῦτʼ ἐκεῖ καλὸν παρʼ ἡμῖν ἐστιν, ἤν τις τῷ πατρὶ προσδραμὼν εἴπῃ πατάξας, αἶρε πλῆκτρον, εἰ μαχεῖ. εἰ δὲ τυγχάνει τις ὑμῶν δραπέτης ἐστιγμένος, ἀτταγᾶς οὗτος παρʼ ἡμῖν ποικίλος κεκλήσεται. εἰ δὲ τυγχάνει τις ὢν Φρὺξ μηδὲν ἦττον Σπινθάρου,
763φρυγίλος ὄρνις ἐνθάδʼ ἔσται, τοῦ Φιλήμονος γένους. εἰ δὲ δοῦλός ἐστι καὶ Κὰρ ὥσπερ Ἐξηκεστίδης, φυσάτω πάππους παρʼ ἡμῖν, καὶ φανοῦνται φράτερες. εἰ δʼ ὁ Πεισίου προδοῦναι τοῖς ἀτίμοις τὰς πύλας βούλεται, πέρδιξ γενέσθω, τοῦ πατρὸς νεοττίον·
768ὡς παρʼ ἡμῖν οὐδὲν αἰσχρόν ἐστιν ἐκπερδικίσαι.
769ΧΟΡΌΣ: τοιάδε κύκνοι, τιὸ τιὸ τιὰ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ, συμμιγῆ βοὴν ὁμοῦ πτεροῖς κρέκοντες ἴακχον Ἀπόλλω, τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ,
774ὄχθῳ ἐφεζόμενοι παρʼ Ἕβρον ποταμόν, τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ, διὰ δʼ αἰθέριον νέφος ἦλθε βοά· πτῆξε δὲ φῦλά τε ποικίλα θηρῶν, κύματά τʼ ἔσβεσε νήνεμος αἴθρη,
779τοτοτοτοτοτοτοτοτοτίγξ· πᾶς δʼ ἐπεκτύπησʼ Ὄλυμπος· εἷλε δὲ θάμβος ἄνακτας· Ὀλυμπιάδες δὲ μέλος Χάριτες Μοῦσαί τʼ ἐπωλόλυξαν. τιὸ τιὸ τιὸ τιοτίγξ.
785ΧΟΡΌΣ: οὐδέν ἐστʼ ἄμεινον οὐδʼ ἥδιον ἢ φῦσαι πτερά. αὐτίχʼ ὑμῶν τῶν θεατῶν εἴ τις ἧν ὑπόπτερος, εἶτα πεινῶν τοῖς χοροῖσι τῶν τραγῳδῶν ἤχθετο, ἐκπτόμενος ἂν οὗτος ἠρίστησεν ἐλθὼν οἴκαδε, κᾆτʼ ἂν ἐμπλησθεὶς ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς αὖθις αὖ κατέπτετο.
790εἴ τε Πατροκλείδης τις ὑμῶν τυγχάνει χεζητιῶν, οὐκ ἂν ἐξίδισεν ἐς θοἰμάτιον, ἀλλʼ ἀνέπτετο, κἀποπαρδὼν κἀναπνεύσας αὖθις αὖ κατέπτετο· εἴ τε μοιχεύων τις ὑμῶν ἐστιν ὅστις τυγχάνει, κᾆθʼ ὁρᾷ τὸν ἄνδρα τῆς γυναικὸς ἐν βουλευτικῷ,
795οὗτος ἂν πάλιν παρʼ ὑμῶν πτερυγίσας ἀνέπτετο, εἶτα βινήσας ἐκεῖθεν αὖθις αὖ κατέπτετο. ἆρʼ ὑπόπτερον γενέσθαι παντός ἐστιν ἄξιον; ὡς Διειτρέφης γε πυτιναῖα μόνον ἔχων πτερὰ ᾑρέθη φύλαρχος, εἶθʼ ἵππαρχος, εἶτʼ ἐξ οὐδενὸς
800μεγάλα πράττει κἀστὶ νυνὶ ξουθὸς ἱππαλεκτρυών.
801ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ταυτὶ τοιαυτί· μὰ Δίʼ ἐγὼ μὲν πρᾶγμά πω
802γελοιότερον οὐκ εἶδον οὐδεπώποτε.
803ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἐπὶ τῷ γελᾷς;
803bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐπὶ τοῖσι σοῖς ὠκυπτέροις.
804οἶσθʼ ᾧ μάλιστʼ ἔοικας ἐπτερωμένος;
805εἰς εὐτέλειαν χηνὶ συγγεγραμμένῳ.
806ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: σὺ δὲ κοψίχῳ γε σκάφιον ἀποτετιλμένῳ.
807ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ταυτὶ μὲν ᾐκάσμεσθα κατὰ τὸν Αἰσχύλον·
808τάδʼ οὐχ ὑπʼ ἄλλων ἀλλὰ τοῖς αὑτῶν πτεροῖς.
809ἜΠΟΨ: ἄγε δὴ τί χρὴ δρᾶν;
809bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πρῶτον ὄνομα τῇ πόλει
810θέσθαι τι μέγα καὶ κλεινόν, εἶτα τοῖς θεοῖς
811θῦσαι μετὰ τοῦτο.
811bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ταῦτα κἀμοὶ συνδοκεῖ.
812ἜΠΟΨ: φέρʼ ἴδω, τί δʼ ἡμῖν τοὔνομʼ ἔσται τῇ πόλει;
813ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: βούλεσθε τὸ μέγα τοῦτο τοὐκ Λακεδαίμονος
814Σπάρτην ὄνομα καλῶμεν αὐτήν;
814bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Ἡράκλεις·
815Σπάρτην γὰρ ἂν θείμην ἐγὼ τἠμῇ πόλει;
816οὐδʼ ἂν χαμεύνῃ πάνυ γε κειρίαν γʼ ἔχων.
817ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί δῆτʼ ὄνομʼ αὐτῇ θησόμεσθʼ;
817bἜΠΟΨ: ἐντευθενὶ
818ἐκ τῶν νεφελῶν καὶ τῶν μετεώρων χωρίων
819χαῦνόν τι πάνυ.
Part 18
737FIRST SEMI-CHORUS: Oh, rustic Muse of such varied note, tiotiotiotiotiotinx, I sing with you
740in the groves and on the mountain tops, tiotiotiotinx. I poured forth sacred strains from my golden throat
745in honor of the god Pan, tiotiotiotinx, from the top of the thickly leaved ash, and my voice mingles with the mighty choirs who extol Cybele on the mountain tops, totototototototototinx. 'Tis to our concerts that Phrynichus comes to pillage like a bee the ambrosia of his songs,
750the sweetness of which so charms the ear, tiotiotiotinx.
752LEADER OF FIRST SEMI-CHORUS: If there is one of you spectators who wishes to spend the rest of his life quietly among the birds, let him come to us.
755All that is disgraceful and forbidden by law on earth is on the contrary honorable among us, the birds. For instance, among you it's a crime to beat your father, but with us it's an estimable deed; it's considered fine to run straight at your father and hit him, saying, Come, lift your spur if you want to fight.
760The runaway slave, whom you brand, is only a spotted francolin with us. Are you Phrygian like Spintharus? Among us you would be the Phrygian bird, the goldfinch, of the race of Philemon. Are you a slave and a Carian like Execestides?
765Among us you can create yourself forefathers; you can always find relations. Does the son of Pisias want to betray the gates of the city to the foe? Let him become a partridge, the fitting offspring of his father; among us there is no shame in escaping as cleverly as a partridge.
769SECOND SEMI-CHORUS: So the swans on the banks of the Hebrus,
770tiotiotiotiotiotinx, mingle their voices to serenade Apollo, tiotiotiotinx, flapping their wings the while,
775tiotiotiotinx; their notes reach beyond the clouds of heaven; they startle the various tribes of the beasts; a windless sky calms the waves, totototototototototinx;
780all Olympus resounds, and astonishment seizes its rulers; the Olympian graces and Muses cry aloud the strain, tiotiotiotinx.
785LEADER OF SECOND SEMI-CHORUS: There is nothing more useful nor more pleasant than to have wings. To begin with, just let us suppose a spectator to be dying with hunger and to be weary of the choruses of the tragic poets; if he were winged, he would fly off, go home to dine and come back with his stomach filled.
790Some Patroclides, needing to take a crap, would not have to spill it out on his cloak, but could fly off, satisfy his requirements, let a few farts and, having recovered his breath, return. If one of you, it matters not who, had adulterous relations and saw the husband of his mistress in the seats of the senators,
795he might stretch his wings, fly to her, and, having laid her, resume his place. Is it not the most priceless gift of all, to be winged? Look at Diitrephes! His wings were only wicker-work ones, and yet he got himself chosen Phylarch and then Hipparch; from being nobody,
800he has risen to be famous; he's now the finest gilded cock of his tribe.
801PISTHETAERUS: Halloa! What's this? By Zeus! I never saw anything so funny in all my life.
803EUELPIDES: What makes you laugh?
803bPISTHETAERUS: Your little wings. D'you know what you look like?
805Like a goose painted by some dauber.
806EUELPIDES: And you look like a close-shaven blackbird.
807PISTHETAERUS: We ourselves asked for this transformation, and, as Aeschylus has it, These are no borrowed feathers, but truly our own.
809EPOPS: Come now, what must be done?
809bPISTHETAERUS: First give our city
810a great and famous name, then sacrifice to the gods.
811bEUELPIDES: I think so too.
812LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Let's see. What shall our city be called?
813PISTHETAERUS: Will you have a high-sounding Laconian name? Shall we call it Sparta?
814bEUELPIDES: What!
815call my town Sparta? Why, I would not use esparto for my bed, even though I had nothing but bands of rushes.
817PISTHETAERUS: Well then, what name can you suggest?
817bEUELPIDES: Some name borrowed from the clouds, from these lofty regions in which we dwell —in short, some well-known name.
819bPISTHETAERUS: Do you like Nephelococcygia?
820LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Oh! capital!
820atruly that's a brilliant thought!
821EUELPIDES: Is it in Nephelococcygia that all the wealth of Theogenes and most of Aeschines' is?
Part 19
819bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: βούλει Νεφελοκοκκυγίαν;
820ἜΠΟΨ: ἰοὺ ἰού·
820aκαλόν γʼ ἀτεχνῶς σὺ καὶ μέγʼ ηὗρες τοὔνομα.
821ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ἆρʼ ἐστὶν αὑτηγὶ Νεφελοκοκκυγία,
822ἵνα καὶ τὰ Θεογένους τὰ πολλὰ χρήματα
822bτά τʼ Αἰσχίνου γʼ ἅπαντα;
823ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ λῷστον μὲν οὖν
824τὸ Φλέγρας πεδίον, ἵνʼ οἱ θεοὶ τοὺς γηγενεῖς
825ἀλαζονευόμενοι καθυπερηκόντισαν.
826ἜΠΟΨ: λιπαρὸν τὸ χρῆμα τῆς πόλεως. τίς δαὶ θεὸς
827πολιοῦχος ἔσται; τῷ ξανοῦμεν τὸν πέπλον;
828ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τί δʼ οὐκ Ἀθηναίαν ἐῶμεν Πολιάδα;
829ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ πῶς ἂν ἔτι γένοιτʼ ἂν εὔτακτος πόλις,
830ὅπου θεὸς γυνὴ γεγονυῖα πανοπλίαν
831ἕστηκʼ ἔχουσα, Κλεισθένης δὲ κερκίδα;
832ἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: τίς δαὶ καθέξει τῆς πόλεως τὸ Πελαργικόν;
833ἜΠΟΨ: ὄρνις ἀφʼ ἡμῶν τοῦ γένους τοῦ Περσικοῦ,
834ὅσπερ λέγεται δεινότατος εἶναι πανταχοῦ
835Ἄρεως νεοττός.
835bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: ὦ νεοττὲ δέσποτα·
836ὡς δʼ ὁ θεὸς ἐπιτήδειος οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ πετρῶν.
837ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄγε νυν σὺ μὲν βάδιζε πρὸς τὸν ἀέρα
838καὶ τοῖσι τειχίζουσι παραδιακόνει,
839χάλικας παραφόρει, πηλὸν ἀποδὺς ὄργασον,
840λεκάνην ἀνένεγκε, κατάπεσʼ ἀπὸ τῆς κλίμακος,
841φύλακας κατάστησαι, τὸ πῦρ ἔγκρυπτʼ ἀεί,
842κωδωνοφορῶν περίτρεχε καὶ κάθευδʼ ἐκεῖ·
843κήρυκα δὲ πέμψον τὸν μὲν ἐς θεοὺς ἄνω,
844ἕτερον δʼ ἄνωθεν ἆυ παρʼ ἀνθρώπους κάτω,
845κἀκεῖθεν αὖθις παρʼ ἐμέ.
845bἘΥΕΛΠΊΔΗΣ: σὺ δέ γʼ αὐτοῦ μένων
846οἴμωζε παρʼ ἔμʼ.
846bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἴθʼ ὦγάθʼ οἷ πέμπω σʼ ἐγώ.
847οὐδὲν γὰρ ἄνευ σοῦ τῶνδʼ ἃ λέγω πεπράξεται.
848ἐγὼ δʼ ἵνα θύσω τοῖσι καινοῖσιν θεοῖς,
849τὸν ἱερέα πέμψοντα τὴν πομπὴν καλῶ.
850παῖ παῖ, τὸ κανοῦν αἴρεσθε καὶ τὴν χέρνιβα.
851ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: ὁμορροθῶ, συνθέλω,
852συμπαραινέσας ἔχω
853προσόδια μεγάλα σεμνὰ προσιέναι θεοῖσιν,
855ἅμα δὲ προσέτι χάριτος ἕνεκα προβάτιόν τι θύειν.
856ἴτω ἴτω δὲ Πυθιὰς βοὰ θεῷ,
857συνᾳδέτω δὲ Χαῖρις ᾠδάν.
859ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: παῦσαι σὺ φυσῶν. Ἡράκλεις τουτὶ τί ἦν;
860τουτὶ μὰ Δίʼ ἐγὼ πολλὰ δὴ καὶ δείνʼ ἰδὼν
861οὔπω κόρακʼ εἶδον ἐμπεφορβειωμένον.
862ἱερεῦ σὸν ἔργον, θῦε τοῖς καινοῖς θεοῖς.
864ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: δράσω τάδʼ. ἀλλὰ ποῦ ʼστιν ὁ τὸ κανοῦν ἔχων;
865εὔχεσθε τῇ Ἑστίᾳ τῇ ὀρνιθείῳ καὶ τῷ ἰκτίνῳ τῷ ἑστιούχῳ καὶ ὄρνισιν Ὀλυμπίοις καὶ Ὀλυμπίῃσι πᾶσι καὶ πάσῃσιν —
866ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Σουνιέρακε χαῖρʼ ἄναξ Πελαργικέ.
867ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: καὶ κύκνῳ Πυθίῳ καὶ Δηλίῳ καὶ Λητοῖ Ὀρτυγομήτρᾳ καὶ Ἀρτέμιδι Ἀκαλανθίδι —
868ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκέτι Κολαινὶς ἀλλʼ Ἀκαλανθὶς Ἄρτεμις.
876ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: καὶ φρυγίλῳ Σαβαζίῳ καὶ στρούθῳ μεγάλῃ μητρὶ θεῶν καὶ ἀνθρώπων —
Part 19
823PISTHETAERUS: No, it's rather the plain of Phlegra, where the gods
825withered the pride of the sons of the Earth with their shafts.
826LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Oh! what a splendid city! But what god shall be its patron? for whom shall we weave the peplus?
828EUELPIDES: Why not choose Athena Polias?
829PISTHETAERUS: Oh! what a well-ordered town it would be
830to have a female deity armed from head to foot, while Clisthenes was spinning!
832LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Who then shall guard the Pelargicon?
832aPISTHETAERUS: A bird
832aaLEADER OF THE CHORUS: One of us? What kind of bird?
833PISTHETAERUS: A bird of Persian strain, who is everywhere proclaimed to be the bravest of all,
835a true chick of Ares.
835bEUELPIDES: Oh! noble chick!
837PISTHETAERUS: Because he is a god well suited to live on the rocks. Come! into the air with you to help the workers who are building the wall; carry up rubble, strip yourself to mix the mortar,
840take up the hod, tumble down the ladder, if you like, post sentinels, keep the fire smouldering beneath the ashes, go round the walls, bell in hand, and go to sleep up there yourself; then despatch two heralds, one to the gods above, the other to mankind on earth
845and come back here.
845bEUELPIDES: As for yourself, remain here, and may the plague take you for a troublesome fellow! He departs.
846bPISTHETAERUS: Go, friend, go where I send you, for without you my orders cannot be obeyed. For myself, I want to sacrifice to the new god, and I am going to summon the priest who must preside at the ceremony.
850Slaves! slaves! bring forward the basket and the lustral water.
851CHORUS: I do as you do, and I wish as you wish, and I implore you to address powerful and solemn prayers to the gods, and in addition
855to immolate a sheep as a token of our gratitude. Let us sing the Pythian chant in honor of the god, and let Chaeris accompany our voices.
859PISTHETAERUS: Enough! but, by Heracles! what is this?
860Great gods! I have seen many prodigious things, but I never saw a muzzled raven. The Priest arrives. Priest! it's high time! Sacrifice to the new gods.
864PRIEST: I begin, but where is the man with the basket? Pray to the Hestia of the birds, to the kite, who presides over the hearth, and to all the god and goddess-birds who dwell in Olympus . . .
866PISTHETAERUS: Oh! Hawk, the sacred guardian of Sunium, oh, god of the storks!
867PRIEST: . . . to the swan of Delos, to Leto the mother of the quails, and to Artemis, the goldfinch . . .
868PISTHETAERUS: It's no longer Artemis Colaenis, but Artemis the goldfinch.
876PRIEST: . . . to Bacchus, the finch and Cybele, the ostrich and mother of the gods and mankind. . .
877PISTHETAERUS: Oh! sovereign ostrich Cybele, mother of Cleocritus!
Part 20
877ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: δέσποινα Κυβέλη, στροῦθε, μῆτερ Κλεοκρίτου.
878ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: διδόναι Νεφελοκοκκυγιεῦσιν ὑγιείαν καὶ σωτηρίαν αὐτοῖσι καὶ Χίοισι —
880ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Χίοισιν ἥσθην πανταχοῦ προσκειμένοις.
881ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: καὶ ἥρωσιν ὄρνισι καὶ ἡρώων παισί, πορφυρίωνι καὶ
886πελεκᾶντι καὶ πελεκίνῳ καὶ φλέξιδι καὶ τέτρακι καὶ ταὧνι
887καὶ ἐλεᾷ καὶ βασκᾷ καὶ ἐλασᾷ καὶ ἐρωδιῷ καὶ καταρράκτῃ
888καὶ μελαγκορύφῳ καὶ αἰγιθάλλῳ —
889ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: παῦʼ ἐς κόρακας, παῦσαι καλῶν. ἰοὺ ἰού,
890ἐπὶ ποῖον ὦ κακόδαιμον ἱερεῖον καλεῖς
891ἁλιαιέτους καὶ γῦπας; οὐχ ὁρᾷς ὅτι
892ἰκτῖνος εἷς ἂν τοῦτό γʼ οἴχοιθʼ ἁρπάσας;
893ἄπελθʼ ἀφʼ ἡμῶν καὶ σὺ καὶ τὰ στέμματα·
894ἐγὼ γὰρ αὐτὸς τουτογὶ θύσω μόνος.
895ἹΕΡΕΎΣ: εἶτʼ αὖθις αὖ τἄρα σοι
896δεῖ με δεύτερον μέλος
899χέρνιβι θεοσεβὲς ὅσιον ἐπιβοᾶν, καλεῖν δὲ
900μάκαρας, ἕνα τινὰ μόνον, εἴπερ ἱκανὸν ἕξετʼ ὄψον.
901τὰ γὰρ παρόντα θύματʼ οὐδὲν ἄλλο πλὴν
902γένειόν ἐστι καὶ κέρατα.
903ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: θύοντες εὐξώμεσθα τοῖς πτερίνοις θεοῖς.
904ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: Νεφελοκοκκυγίαν τὰν εὐδαίμονα
905κλῇσον ὦ Μοῦσα τεαῖς ἐν ὓμνων ἀοιδαῖς.
906ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ τὸ πρᾶγμα ποδαπόν; εἰπέ μοι τίς εἶ;
907ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: ἐγὼ μελιγλώσσων ἐπέων ἱεὶς ἀοιδὰν
908Μουσάων θεράπων ὀτρηρός,
910κατὰ τὸν Ὅμηρον.
911ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔπειτα δῆτα δοῦλος ὢν κόμην ἔχεις;
912ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: οὔκ, ἀλλὰ πάντες ἐσμὲν οἱ διδάσκαλοι
913Μουσάων θεράποντες ὀτρηροί,
914κατὰ τὸν Ὅμηρον.
915ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἐτὸς ὀτρηρὸν καὶ τὸ ληδάριον ἔχεις.
916ἀτὰρ ὦ ποιητὰ κατὰ τί δεῦρʼ ἀνεφθάρης;
917ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: μέλη πεποίηκʼ ἐς τὰς Νεφελοκοκκυγίας
918τὰς ὑμετέρας κύκλιά τε πολλὰ καὶ καλὰ
919καὶ παρθένεια καὶ κατὰ τὰ Σιμωνίδου.
920ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ταυτὶ σὺ πότʼ ἐποίησας; ἀπὸ ποίου χρόνου;
921ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: πάλαι πάλαι δὴ τήνδʼ ἐγὼ κλῄζω πόλιν.
922ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἄρτι θύω τὴν δεκάτην ταύτης ἐγώ,
923καὶ τοὔνομʼ ὥσπερ παιδίῳ νῦν δὴ ʼθέμην;
924ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: ἀλλά τις ὠκεῖα Μουσάων φάτις
925οἷάπερ ἵππων ἀμαρυγά.
926σὺ δὲ πάτερ κτίστορ Αἴτνας,
927ζαθέων ἱερῶν ὁμώνυμε,
928δὸς ἐμὶν ὅ τι περ
929τεᾷ κεφαλᾷ θέλῃς
930πρόφρων δόμεν ἐμὶν τείν.
931ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ παρέξει τὸ κακὸν ἡμῖν πράγματα,
932εἰ μή τι τούτῳ δόντες ἀποφευξούμεθα.
933οὗτος, σὺ μέντοι σπολάδα καὶ χιτῶνʼ ἔχεις,
934ἀπόδυθι καὶ δὸς τῷ ποιητῇ τῷ σοφῷ.
935ἔχε τὴν σπολάδα· πάντως δέ μοι ῥιγῶν δοκεῖς.
936ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: τόδε μὲν οὐκ ἀέκουσα φίλα
937Μοῦσα δῶρον δέχεται·
938τὺ δὲ τεᾷ φρενὶ μάθε Πινδάρειον ἔπος —
Part 20
878PRIEST: . . . to grant health and safety to the Nephelococcygians as well as to the dwellers in Chios . . .
880PISTHETAERUS: The dwellers in Chios! Ah! I am delighted they should be thus mentioned on all occasions.
881PRIEST: . . . to the heroes, the birds, to the sons of heroes, to the porphyrion, the pelican, the spoon-bill, the redbreast, the grouse, the peacock, the horned-owl, the teal, the bittern, the heron, the stormy petrel, the fig-pecker, the titmouse . . .
889PISTHETAERUS: Stop! stop! you drive me crazy with your endless list. Why, wretch,
890to what sacred feast are you inviting the vultures and the sea-eagles? Don't you see that a single kite could easily carry off the lot at once? Begone, you and your fillets and all; I shall know how to complete the sacrifice by myself.
895CHORUS: It is imperative that I sing another sacred chant for the rite of the lustral water, and that I invoke
900the immortals, or at least one of them, provided always that you have some suitable food to offer him; from what I see here, in the shape of gifts, there is naught whatever but horn and hair.
903PISTHETAERUS: Let us address our sacrifices and our prayers to the winged gods.
904POET: Oh, Muse! celebrate happy Nephelococcygia in your hymns.
906PISTHETAERUS: What have we here? Where did you come from, tell me? Who are you?
907POET: I am he whose language is sweeter than honey, the zealous slave of the Muses,
910as Homer has it.
911PISTHETAERUS: You a slave! and yet you wear your hair long?
912POET: No, but the fact is all we poets are the assiduous slaves of the Muses, according to Homer.
915PISTHETAERUS: In truth your little cloak is quite holy too through zeal! But, poet, what ill wind drove you here?
917POET: I have composed verses in honor of your Nephelococcygia, a host of splendid dithyrambs and parthenia worthy of Simonides himself.
920PISTHETAERUS: And when did you compose them? How long since?
921POET: Oh! 'tis long, aye, very long, that I have sung in honor of this city.
922PISTHETAERUS: But I am only celebrating its foundation with this sacrifice; I have only just named it, as is done with little babies.
924POET: Just as the chargers fly with the speed of the wind, so does the voice of the Muses take its flight. Oh! thou noble founder of the town of Aetna thou, whose name recalls the holy sacrifices,
930make us such gift as thy generous heart shall suggest. He puts out his hand.
931PISTHETAERUS: He will drive us silly if we do not get rid of him by some present. To the Priest's acolyte. Here! you, who have a fur as well as your tunic, take it off and give it to this clever poet. Come,
935take this fur; you look to me to be shivering with cold.
936POET: My Muse will gladly accept this gift; but engrave these verses of Pindar's on your mind.
940PISTHETAERUS: Oh! what a pest! It's impossible then to get rid of him!
Part 21
940ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἅνθρωπος ἡμῶν οὐκ ἀπαλλαχθήσεται.
941ΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: νομάδεσσι γὰρ ἐν Σκύθαις
942ἀλᾶται Στράτων,
943ὃς ὑφαντοδόνατον ἔσθος οὐ πέπαται·
944ἀκλεὴς δʼ ἔβα σπολὰς ἄνευ χιτῶνος.
945ξύνες ὅ τοι λέγω.
946ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ξυνῆχʼ ὅτι βούλει τὸν χιτωνίσκον λαβεῖν.
947ἀπόδυθι· δεῖ γὰρ τὸν ποιητὴν ὠφελεῖν.
948ἄπελθε τουτονὶ λαβών.
948bΠΟΙΗΤΉΣ: ἀπέρχομαι,
949κἀς τὴν πόλιν γʼ ἐλθὼν ποιήσω τοιαδί·
950κλῇσον ὦ χρυσόθρονε τὰν τρομερὰν κρυεράν·
951νιφόβολα πεδία πολύπορά τʼ ἤλυθον ἀλαλάν.
952ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ τὸν Δίʼ ἀλλʼ ἤδη πέφευγας ταυταγὶ
955τὰ κρυερὰ τονδὶ τὸν χιτωνίσκον λαβών.
956τουτὶ μὰ Δίʼ ἐγὼ τὸ κακὸν οὐδέποτʼ ἤλπισα,
957οὕτω ταχέως τοῦτον πεπύσθαι τὴν πόλιν.
958αὖθις σὺ περιχώρει λαβὼν τὴν χέρνιβα.
959εὐφημία ʼστω.
959bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: μὴ κατάρξῃ τοῦ τράγου.
960ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: σὺ δʼ εἶ τίς;
960bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: ὅστις; χρησμολόγος.
960cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμωζέ νυν.
961ΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: ὦ δαιμόνιε τὰ θεῖα μὴ φαύλως φέρε·
962ὡς ἔστι Βάκιδος χρησμὸς ἄντικρυς λέγων
963ἐς τὰς Νεφελοκοκκυγίας.
963bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κὔπειτα πῶς
964ταῦτʼ οὐκ ἐχρησμολόγεις σὺ πρὶν ἐμὲ τὴν πόλιν
965τήνδʼ οἰκίσαι;
965bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: τὸ θεῖον ἐνεπόδιζέ με.
966ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ οὐδὲν οἷόν ἐστʼ ἀκοῦσαι τῶν ἐπῶν.
967ΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ὅταν οἰκήσωσι λύκοι πολιαί τε κορῶναι
968ἐν ταὐτῷ τὸ μεταξὺ Κορίνθου καὶ Σικυῶνος, —
969ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί οὖν προσήκει δῆτʼ ἐμοὶ Κορινθίων;
970ΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: ᾐνίξαθʼ ὁ Βάκις τοῦτο πρὸς τὸν ἀέρα.
971πρῶτον Πανδώρᾳ θῦσαι λευκότριχα κριόν·
972ὃς δέ κʼ ἐμῶν ἐπέων ἔλθῃ πρώτιστα προφήτης,
973τῷ δόμεν ἱμάτιον καθαρὸν καὶ καινὰ πέδιλα —
974ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔνεστι καὶ τὰ πέδιλα;
974bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: λαβὲ τὸ βιβλίον.
975καὶ φιάλην δοῦναι, καὶ σπλάγχνων χεῖρʼ ἐπιπλῆσαι.
976ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ σπλάγχνα διδόνʼ ἔνεστι;
976bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: λαβὲ τὸ βιβλίον.
977κἂν μὲν θέσπιε κοῦρε ποιῇς ταῦθʼ ὡς ἐπιτέλλω,
978αἰετὸς ἐν νεφέλῃσι γενήσεαι· αιʼ δέ κε μὴ δῷς,
979οὐκ ἔσει οὐ τρυγὼν οὐδʼ αἰετὸς οὐ δρυκολάπτης.
Part 21
941POET: Straton wanders among the Scythian nomads, but has no linen garment. He is sad at only wearing an animal's pelt and no tunic.
945Do you get what I mean?
946PISTHETAERUS: I understand that you want me to offer you a tunic. Hi! you To the acolyte. take off yours; we must help the poet. . . . Come, you, take it and get out.
948bPOET: I am going, and these are the verses that I address to this city:
950Phoebus of the golden throne, celebrate this shivery, freezing city; I have travelled through fruitful and snow-covered plains. Tralala! Tralala! He departs.
952PISTHETAERUS: What are you chanting us
955about frosts? Thanks to the tunic, you no longer fear them. Ah! by Zeus! I could not have believed this cursed fellow could so soon have learnt the way to our city. To a slave. Come, take the lustral water and circle the altar. Let all keep silence!
959bORACLE-MONGER: Let not the goat be sacrificed.
960PISTHETAERUS: Who are you?
960bORACLE-MONGER: Who am I? An oracle-monger.
960cPISTHETAERUS: Get out!
961ORACLE-MONGER: Wretched man, insult not sacred things. For there is an oracle of Bacis, which exactly applies to Nephelococcygia.
963bPISTHETAERUS: Why did you not reveal it to me before
965I founded my city?
965bORACLE-MONGER: The divine spirit was against it.
966PISTHETAERUS: Well, I suppose there's nothing to do but hear the terms of the oracle.
967ORACLE-MONGER: But when the wolves and the white crows shall dwell together between Corinth and Sicyon ...
969PISTHETAERUS: But how do the Corinthians concern me?
970ORACLE-MONGER: It is the regions of the air that Bacis indicates in this manner. They must first sacrifice a white-fleeced goat to Pandora, and give the prophet who first reveals my words a good cloak and new sandals.
974PISTHETAERUS: Does it say sandals there?
974bORACLE-MONGER: Look at the book.
975And besides this a goblet of wine and a good share of the entrails of the victim.
976PISTHETAERUS: Of the entrails —does it say that?
976bORACLE-MONGER: Look at the book. If you do as I command, divine youth, you shall be an eagle among the clouds; if not, you shall be neither turtle-dove, nor eagle, nor woodpecker.
980PISTHETAERUS: Does it say all that?
Part 22
980ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ ταῦτʼ ἔνεστʼ ἐνταῦθα;
980bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: λαβὲ τὸ βιβλίον.
981ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐδὲν ἄρʼ ὅμοιός ἐσθʼ ὁ χρησμὸς τουτῳί,
982ὃν ἐγὼ παρὰ τἀπόλλωνος ἐξεγραψάμην·
983αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἄκλητος ἰὼν ἄνθρωπος ἀλαζὼν
984λυπῇ θύοντας καὶ σπλαγχνεύειν ἐπιθυμῇ,
985δὴ τότε χρὴ τύπτειν αὐτὸν πλευρῶν τὸ μεταξὺ —
986ΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: οὐδὲν λέγειν οἶμαί σε.
986bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: λαβὲ τὸ βιβλίον.
987καὶ φείδου μηδὲν μηδʼ αἰετοῦ ἐν νεφέλῃσιν,
988μήτʼ ἢν Λάμπων ᾖ μήτʼ ἢν ὁ μέγας Διοπείθης.
989ΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: καὶ ταῦτʼ ἔνεστʼ ἐνταῦθα;
989bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: λαβὲ τὸ βιβλίον.
990οὐκ εἶ θύραζʼ; ἐς κόρακας.
990bΧΡΗΣΜΟΛΌΓΟΣ: οἴμοι δείλαιος.
991ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔκουν ἑτέρωσε χρησμολογήσεις ἐκτρέχων;
992ΜΈΤΩΝ: ἥκω παρʼ ὑμᾶς —
992bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἕτερον αὖ τουτὶ κακόν.
993τί δʼ αὖ σὺ δράσων; τίς δʼ ἰδέα βουλεύματος;
994τίς ἡ ʼπίνοια, τίς ὁ κόθορνος τῆς ὁδοῦ;
995ΜΈΤΩΝ: γεωμετρῆσαι βούλομαι τὸν ἀέρα
996ὑμῖν διελεῖν τε κατὰ γύας.
996bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πρὸς τῶν θεῶν
997σὺ δʼ εἶ τίς ἀνδρῶν;
997bΜΈΤΩΝ: ὅστις εἴμʼ ἐγώ; Μέτων,
998ὃν οἶδεν Ἑλλὰς χὠ Κολωνός.
998bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: εἰπέ μοι,
999ταυτὶ δέ σοι τί ἔστι;
999bΜΈΤΩΝ: κανόνες ἀέρος.
1000αὐτίκα γὰρ ἀήρ ἐστι τὴν ἰδέαν ὅλος
1001κατὰ πνιγέα μάλιστα. προσθεὶς οὖν ἐγὼ
1002τὸν κανόνʼ, ἄνωθεν τουτονὶ τὸν καμπύλον
1003ἐνθεὶς διαβήτην — μανθάνεις;
1004ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ μανθάνω.
1004bΜΈΤΩΝ: ὀρθῷ μετρήσω κανόνι προστιθείς, ἵνα
1005ὁ κύκλος γένηται σοι τετράγωνος κἀν μέσῳ
1006ἀγορά, φέρουσαι δʼ ὦσιν εἰς αὐτὴν ὁδοὶ
1007ὀρθαὶ πρὸς αὐτὸ τὸ μέσον, ὥσπερ δʼ ἀστέρος
1008αὐτοῦ κυκλοτεροῦς ὄντος ὀρθαὶ πανταχῇ
1009ἀκτῖνες ἀπολάμπωσιν.
1009bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἅνθρωπος Θαλῆς.
1010Μέτων —
1010bΜΈΤΩΝ: τί ἔστιν;
Part 22
980bORACLE-MONGER: Look at the book.
981PISTHETAERUS: This oracle in no sort of way resembles the one Apollo dictated to me: If an impostor comes without invitation to annoy you during the sacrifice and to demand a share of the victim,
985apply a stout stick to his ribs.
986ORACLE-MONGER: You are drivelling.
986bPISTHETAERUS: Look at the book. And don't spare him, were he an eagle from out of the clouds, were it Lampon himself or the great Diopithes.
989ORACLE-MONGER: Does it say that?
989bPISTHETAERUS: Look at the book
990and go and hang yourself.
990bORACLE-MONGER: Oh! unfortunate wretch that I am. He departs.
991PISTHETAERUS: Away with you, and take your prophecies elsewhere.
992METON: I have come to you . . .
992bPISTHETAERUS: Yet another pest! What have you come to do? What's your plan? What's the purpose of your journey? Why these splendid buskins?
995METON: I want to survey the plains of the air for you and to parcel them into lots.
996bPISTHETAERUS: In the name of the gods, who are you?
997bMETON: Who am I? Meton, known throughout Greece and at Colonus.
998bPISTHETAERUS: What are these things?
999bMETON: Tools for measuring the air.
1000In truth, the spaces in the air have precisely the form of a furnace. With this bent ruler I draw a line from top to bottom; from one of its points I describe a circle with the compass. Do you understand?
1004PISTHETAERUS: Not in the least.
1004bMETON: With the straight ruler I set to work to inscribe
1005a square within this circle; in its center will be the market-place, into which all the straight streets will lead, converging to this center like a star, which, although only orbicular, sends forth its rays in a straight line from all sides.
1009bPISTHETAERUS: A regular Thales!
1010Meton . . .
1010bMETON: What d'you want with me?
1010cPISTHETAERUS: I want to give you a proof of my friendship. Use your legs.
Part 23
1010cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἶσθʼ ὁτιὴ φιλῶ σʼ ἐγώ,
1011κἀμοὶ πιθόμενος ὑπαποκίνει τῆς ὁδοῦ.
1012ΜΈΤΩΝ: τί δʼ ἐστὶ δεινόν;
1012bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὥσπερ ἐν Λακεδαίμονι
1013ξενηλατοῦνται καὶ κεκίνηνταί τινες·
1014πληγαὶ συχναὶ κατʼ ἄστυ.
1014bΜΈΤΩΝ: μῶν στασιάζετε;
1015ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ τὸν Δίʼ οὐ δῆτʼ.
1015bΜΈΤΩΝ: ἀλλὰ πῶς;
1015cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁμοθυμαδὸν
1016σποδεῖν ἅπαντας τοὺς ἀλαζόνας δοκεῖ.
1017ΜΈΤΩΝ: ὑπάγοιμί τἄρʼ ἄν.
1017bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ Δίʼ ὡς οὐκ οἶδʼ ἂν εἰ
1018φθαίης ἄν· ἐπίκεινται γὰρ ἐγγὺς αὑταιί.
1019ΜΈΤΩΝ: οἴμοι κακοδαίμων.
1019bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἔλεγον ἐγὼ πάλαι;
1020οὐκ ἀναμετρήσεις σαυτὸν ἀπιὼν ἀλλαχῇ;
1021ἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: ποῦ πρόξενοι;
1021bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τίς ὁ Σαρδανάπαλλος οὑτοσί;
1022ἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: ἐπίσκοπος ἥκω δεῦρο τῷ κυάμῳ λαχὼν
1023ἐς τὰς Νεφελοκοκκυγίας.
1023bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐπίσκοπος;
1024ἔπεμψε δὲ τίς σε δεῦρο;
1024bἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: φαῦλον βιβλίον
1025Τελέου.
1025bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί; βούλει δῆτα τὸν μισθὸν λαβὼν
1026μὴ πράγματʼ ἔχειν ἀλλʼ ἀπιέναι;
1026bἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: νὴ τοὺς θεούς.
1027ἐκκλησιάσαι δʼ οὖν ἐδεόμην οἴκοι μένων.
1028ἔστιν γὰρ ἃ διʼ ἐμοῦ πέπρακται Φαρνάκῃ.
1029ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄπιθι λαβών· ἔστιν δʼ ὁ μισθὸς οὑτοσί.
1030ἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: τουτὶ τί ἦν;
Part 23
1012METON: Why, what have I to fear?
1012bPISTHETAERUS: It's the same here as in Sparta. Strangers are driven away, and blows rain down as thick as hail.
1014bMETON: Is there sedition in your city?
1015PISTHETAERUS: No, certainly not.
1015bMETON: What's wrong then?
1015cPISTHETAERUS: We are agreed to sweep all quacks and impostors far from our borders.
1017METON: Then I'll be going.
1017bPISTHETAERUS: I'm afraid it's too late. The thunder growls already.
1019METON: Oh, woe! oh, woe!
1019bPISTHETAERUS: I warned you.
1020Now, be off, and do your surveying somewhere else.
1021INSPECTOR: Where are the Proxeni?
1021bPISTHETAERUS: Who is this Sardanapalus?
1022INSPECTOR: I have been appointed by lot to come to Nephelococcygia as inspector.
1023bPISTHETAERUS: An inspector! and who sends you here, you rascal?
1024bINSPECTOR: A decree of Teleas.
1025bPISTHETAERUS: Will you just pocket your salary, do nothing, and get out?
1026bINSPECTOR: Indeed I will; I am urgently needed to be at Athens to attend the Assembly; for I am charged with the interests of Pharnaces.
1029PISTHETAERUS: Take it then, and get on your way. This is your salary. He beats him.
1030INSPECTOR: What does this mean?
1030bPISTHETAERUS: This is the assembly where you have to defend Pharnaces.
Part 24
1030bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐκκλησία περὶ Φαρνάκου.
1031ἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: μαρτύρομαι τυπτόμενος ὢν ἐπίσκοπος.
1032ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἀποσοβήσεις; οὐκ ἀποίσεις τὼ κάδω;
1033οὐ δεινά; καὶ πέμπουσιν ἤδη ʼπισκόπους
1034ἐς τὴν πόλιν, πρὶν καὶ τεθύσθαι τοῖς θεοῖς;
1035ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: ἐὰν δʼ ὁ Νεφελοκοκκυγιεὺς τὸν Ἀθηναῖον ἀδικῇ —
1036ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ τί ἔστιν αὖ κακὸν τὸ βιβλίον;
1037ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: ψηφισματοπώλης εἰμὶ καὶ νόμους νέους
1038ἥκω παρʼ ὑμᾶς δεῦρο πωλήσων.
1038bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὸ τί;
1040ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: χρῆσθαι Νεφελοκοκκυγιᾶς τοῖσδε τοῖς μέτροισι καὶ
1041σταθμοῖσι καὶ ψηφίσμασι καθάπερ Ὀλοφύξιοι.
1042ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: σὺ δέ γʼ οἷσπερ ὡτοτύξιοι χρήσει τάχα.
1043ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: οὗτος τί πάσχεις;
1044ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἀποίσεις τοὺς νόμους;
1045πικροὺς ἐγώ σοι τήμερον δείξω νόμους.
1046ἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: καλοῦμαι Πισθέταιρον ὕβρεως ἐς τὸν Μουνιχιῶνα μῆνα.
1047ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄληθες οὗτος; ἔτι γὰρ ἐνταῦθʼ ἦσθα σύ;
1050ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: ἐὰν δέ τις ἐξελαύνῃ τοὺς ἄρχοντας καὶ μὴ δέχηται
1051κατὰ τὴν στήλην —
1052ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμοι κακοδαίμων, καὶ σὺ γὰρ ἐνταῦθʼ ἦσθʼ ἔτι;
1052aἘΠΊΣΚΟΠΟΣ: ἀπολῶ σε καὶ γράφω σε μυρίας δραχμάς.
1053ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐγὼ δὲ σοῦ γε τὼ κάδω διασκεδῶ.
1054ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΠΏΛΗΣ: μέμνησʼ ὅτε τῆς στήλης κατετίλας ἑσπέρας;
1055ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: αἰβοῖ· λαβέτω τις αὐτόν. οὗτος οὐ μενεῖς;
1056ἀπίωμεν ἡμεῖς ὡς τάχιστʼ ἐντευθενὶ
1057θύσοντες εἴσω τοῖς θεοῖσι τὸν τράγον.
1058ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἤδη ʼμοὶ τῷ παντόπτᾳ καὶ παντάρχᾳ θνητοὶ πάντες θύσουσʼ εὐκταίαις εὐχαῖς. πᾶσαν μὲν γὰρ γᾶν ὀπτεύω, σῴζω δʼ εὐθαλεῖς καρποὺς
1063κτείνων παμφύλων γένναν θηρῶν, ἂ πάντʼ ἐν γαίᾳ ἐκ κάλυκος αὐξανόμενον γένυσι παμφάγοις δένδρεσί τʼ ἐφημένα καρπὸν ἀποβόσκεται· κτείνω δʼ οἳ κήπους εὐώδεις
1068φθείρουσιν λύμαις ἐχθίσταις, ἑρπετά τε καὶ δάκετα πάνθʼ ὅσαπερ ἔστιν ὑπʼ ἐμᾶς πτέρυγος ἐν φοναῖς ὄλλυται.
Part 24
1031INSPECTOR: You shall testify that they dare to strike me, the inspector.
1032PISTHETAERUS: Are you not going to get out with your urns? It's not to be believed; they send us inspectors before we have so much as paid sacrifice to the gods.
1035DEALER IN DECREES: If the Nephelococcygian does wrong to the Athenian ...
1036PISTHETAERUS: What trouble now? What book is that?
1037DEALER IN DECREES: I am a dealer in decrees, and I have come here to sell you the new laws.
1038bPISTHETAERUS: Which?
1040DEALER IN DECREES: The Nephelococcygians shall adopt the same weights, measures and decrees as the Olophyxians.
1042PISTHETAERUS: And you shall soon be imitating the Ototyxians.
1043DEALER IN DECREES: Ow! what are you doing?
1044PISTHETAERUS: Now will you get out of here with your decrees? For I am going to let you see some severe ones.
1046INSPECTOR: I summon Pisthetaerus for outrage for the month of Munychion.
1047PISTHETAERUS: Ha! my friend! are you still here?
1050DEALER IN DECREES: Should anyone drive away the magistrates and not receive them, according to the decree duly posted ...
1052PISTHETAERUS: What! rascal! you are back too?
1052aINSPECTOR: Woe to you! I'll have you condemned to a fine of ten thousand drachmae.
1053PISTHETAERUS: And I'll smash your urns.
1054INSPECTOR: Do you recall that evening when you crapped on the column where the decrees are posted?
1055PISTHETAERUS: Here! here! let him be seized. The Inspector runs off. Why, don't you want to stay any longer? But let us get indoors as quick as possible; we will sacrifice the goat inside.
1058FIRST SEMI-CHORUS: Henceforth it is to me that mortals must address
1060their sacrifices and their prayers. Nothing escapes my sight nor my might. My glance embraces the universe, I preserve the fruit in the flower by destroying the thousand kinds of voracious insects the soil produces, which attack the trees
1065and feed on the germ when it has scarcely formed in the calyx; I destroy those who ravage the balmy terrace gardens like a deadly plague;
1070all these gnawing crawling creatures perish beneath the lash of my wing.
1072LEADER OF FIRST SEMI-CHORUS: I hear it proclaimed: A talent for him who shall kill Diagoras of Melos,
1075and a talent for him who destroys one of the dead tyrants. We likewise wish to make our proclamation: A talent to him among you who shall kill Philocrates, the Struthian; four, if he brings him to us alive. For this Philocrates skewers the finches together and sells them at the rate of an obolus for seven.
1080He tortures the thrushes by blowing them out, so that they may look bigger, sticks their own feathers into the nostrils of blackbirds, and collects pigeons, which he shuts up and forces them, fastened in a net, to decoy others. That is what we wish to proclaim. And if anyone is keeping birds
1085shut up in his yard, let him hasten to let them loose; those who disobey shall be seized by the birds and we shall put them in chains, so that in their turn they may decoy other men.
Part 25
1072ΧΟΡΌΣ: τῇδε μέντοι θἠμέρᾳ μάλιστʼ ἐπαναγορεύεται, ἢν ἀποκτείνῃ τις ὑμῶν Διαγόραν τὸν Μήλιον, λαμβάνειν τάλαντον, ἤν τε τῶν τυράννων τίς τινα τῶν τεθνηκότων ἀποκτείνῃ, τάλαντον λαμβάνειν. βουλόμεσθʼ οὖν νυν ἀνειπεῖν ταὐτὰ χἠμεῖς ἐνθάδε.
1077ἢν ἀποκτείνῃ τις ὑμῶν Φιλοκράτη τὸν Στρούθιον, λήψεται τάλαντον, ἢν δὲ ζῶντά γʼ ἀγάγῃ, τέτταρα, ὅτι συνείρων τοὺς σπίνους πωλεῖ καθʼ ἑπτὰ τοὐβολοῦ, εἶτα φυσῶν τὰς κίχλας δείκνυσι καὶ λυμαίνεται, τοῖς τε κοψίχοισιν ἐς τὰς ῥῖνας ἐγχεῖ τὰ πτερά,
1082τὰς περιστεράς θʼ ὁμοίως ξυλλαβὼν εἵρξας ἔχει, κἀπαναγκάζει παλεύειν δεδεμένας ἐν δικτύῳ. ταῦτα βουλόμεσθʼ ἀνειπεῖν· κεἴ τις ὄρνιθας τρέφει εἱργμένους ὑμῶν ἐν αὐλῇ, φράζομεν μεθιέναι. ἢν δὲ μὴ πίθησθε, συλληφθέντες ὑπὸ τῶν ὀρνέων
1087αὖθις ὑμεῖς αὖ παρʼ ἡμῖν δεδεμένοι παλεύσετε.
1088ΧΟΡΌΣ: εὔδαιμον φῦλον πτηνῶν οἰωνῶν, οἳ χειμῶνος μὲν χλαίνας οὐκ ἀμπισχνοῦνται· οὐδʼ αὖ θερμὴ πνίγους ἡμᾶς ἀκτὶς τηλαυγὴς θάλπει·
1093ἀλλʼ ἀνθηρῶν λειμώνων φύλλων τʼ ἐν κόλποις ναίω, ἡνίκʼ ἂν ὁ θεσπέσιος ὀξὺ μέλος ἀχέτας θάλπεσι μεσημβρινοῖς ἡλιομανὴς βοᾷ. χειμάζω δʼ ἐν κοίλοις ἄντροις
1098νύμφαοις οὐρείαις ξυμπαίζων· ἠρινά τε βοσκόμεθα παρθένια λευκότροφα μύρτα Χαρίτων τε κηπεύματα.
1102ΧΟΡΌΣ: τοῖς κριταῖς εἰπεῖν τι βουλόμεσθα τῆς νίκης πέρι, ὅσʼ ἀγάθʼ, ἢν κρίνωσιν ἡμᾶς, πᾶσιν αὐτοῖς δώσομεν, ὥστε κρείττω δῶρα πολλῷ τῶν Ἀλεξάνδρου λαβεῖν. πρῶτα μὲν γὰρ οὗ μάλιστα πᾶς κριτὴς ἐφίεται, γλαῦκες ὑμᾶς οὔποτʼ ἐπιλείψουσι Λαυρειωτικαί·
1107ἀλλʼ ἐνοικήσουσιν ἔνδον, ἔν τε τοῖς βαλλαντίοις ἐννεοττεύσουσι κἀκλέψουσι μικρὰ κέρματα. εἶτα πρὸς τούτοισιν ὥσπερ ἐν ἱεροῖς οἰκήσετε· τὰς γὰρ ὑμῶν οἰκίας ἐρέψομεν πρὸς αἰετόν· κἂν λαχόντες ἀρχίδιον εἶθʼ ἁρπάσαι βούλησθέ τι,
1112ὀξὺν ἱερακίσκον ἐς τὰς χεῖρας ὑμῖν δώσομεν. ἢν δέ που δειπνῆτε, πρηγορεῶνας ὑμῖν πέμψομεν. ἢν δὲ μὴ κρίνητε, χαλκεύεσθε μηνίσκους φορεῖν ὥσπερ ἀνδριάντες· ὡς ὑμῶν ὃς ἂν μὴ μῆνʼ ἔχῃ, ὅταν ἔχητε χλανίδα λευκήν, τότε μάλισθʼ οὕτω δίκην
1117δώσεθʼ ἡμῖν, πᾶσι τοῖς ὄρνισι κατατιλώμενοι.
1118ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὰ μὲν ἱέρʼ ἡμῖν ἐστιν ὦρνιθες καλά·
1119ἀλλʼ ὡς ἀπὸ τοῦ τείχους πάρεστιν ἄγγελος
1120οὐδείς, ὅτου πευσόμεθα τἀκεῖ πράγματα.
1121ἀλλʼ οὑτοσὶ τρέχει τις Ἀλφειὸν πνέων.
1122ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: ποῦ ποῦ ʼστι, ποῦ ποῦ ποῦ ʼστι, ποῦ ποῦ ποῦ ʼστι ποῦ,
1123ποῦ Πισθέταιρός ἐστιν ἅρχων;
1123bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὑτοσί.
1124ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: ἐξῳκοδόμηταί σοι τὸ τεῖχος.
1124bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: εὖ λέγεις.
1125ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: κάλλιστον ἔργον καὶ μεγαλοπρεπέστατον·
1126ὥστʼ ἂν ἐπάνω μὲν Προξενίδης ὁ Κομπασεὺς
1127καὶ Θεογένης ἐναντίω δύʼ ἅρματε,
1128ἵππων ὑπόντων μέγεθος ὅσον ὁ δούριος,
1129ὑπὸ τοῦ πλάτους ἂν παρελασαίτην.
1129bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Ἡράκλεις.
1130ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: τὸ δὲ μῆκός ἐστι, καὶ γὰρ ἐμέτρησʼ αὔτʼ ἐγώ,
1131ἑκατοντορόγυιον.
1131bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ Πόσειδον τοῦ μάκρους.
1132τίνες ᾠκοδόμησαν αὐτὸ τηλικουτονί;
1133ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: ὄρνιθες, οὐδεὶς ἄλλος, οὐκ Αἰγύπτιος
1134πλινθοφόρος, οὐ λιθουργός, οὐ τέκτων παρῆν,
1135ἀλλʼ αὐτόχειρες, ὥστε θαυμάζειν ἐμέ.
1136ἐκ μέν γε Λιβύης ἧκον ὡς τρισμύριαι
1137γέρανοι θεμελίους καταπεπωκυῖαι λίθους.
1138τούτους δʼ ἐτύκιζον αἱ κρέκες τοῖς ῥύγχεσιν.
1139ἕτεροι δʼ ἐπλινθοφόρουν πελαργοὶ μύριοι·
1140ὕδωρ δʼ ἐφόρουν κάτωθεν ἐς τὸν ἀέρα
1141οἱ χαραδριοὶ καὶ τἄλλα ποτόμιʼ ὄρνεα.
1142ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐπηλοφόρουν δʼ αὐτοῖσι τίνες;
1142bἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: ἐρωδιοὶ
1143λεκάναισι.
1143bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὸν δὲ πηλὸν ἐνεβάλλοντο πῶς;
1144ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: τοῦτʼ ὦγάθʼ ἐξηύρητο καὶ σοφώτατα·
1145οἱ χῆνες ὑποτύπτοντες ὥσπερ ταῖς ἄμαις
1146ἐς τὰς λεκάνας ἐνέβαλλον αὐτοῖς τοῖν ποδοῖν.
1147ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δῆτα πόδες ἂν οὐκ ἂν ἐργασαίατο;
1148ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: καὶ νὴ Δίʼ αἱ νῆτταί γε περιεζωσμέναι
1149ἐπλινθοφόρουν· ἄνω δὲ τὸν ὑπαγωγέα
1150ἐπέτοντʼ ἔχουσαι κατόπιν †ὥσπερ παιδία
1151τὸν πηλὸν ἐν τοῖς στόμασιν† αἱ χελιδόνες.
1152ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δῆτα μισθωτοὺς ἂν ἔτι μισθοῖτό τις;
1153φέρʼ ἴδω, τί δαί; τὰ ξύλινα τοῦ τείχους τίνες
1154ἀπηργάσαντʼ;
Part 25
1088SECOND SEMI-CHORUS: Happy indeed is the race of winged birds who
1090need no cloak in winter! Neither do I fear the relentless rays of the fiery dog-days;
1095when the divine grasshopper, intoxicated with the sunlight, as noon is burning the ground, is breaking out into shrill melody; my home is beneath the foliage in the flowery meadows. I winter in deep caverns, where I frolic with the mountain nymphs, while in spring I despoil
1100the gardens of the Graces and gather the white, virgin berry on the myrtle bushes.
1102LEADER OF SECOND SEMI-CHORUS: I want now to speak to the judges about the prize they are going to award; if they are favourable to us, we will load them with benefits far greater than those Paris received.
1105Firstly, the owls of Laurium, which every judge desires above all things, shall never be wanting to you; you shall see them homing with you, building their nests in your money-bags and laying coins. Besides, you shall be housed like the gods,
1110for we shall erect gables over your dwellings; if you hold some public post and want to do a little pilfering, we will give you the sharp claws of a hawk. Are you dining in town, we will provide you with stomachs as capacious as a bird's crop. But, if your award is against us, don't fail to have metal covers fashioned for yourselves,
1115like those they place over statues; else, look out! for the day you wear a white tunic all the birds will soil it with their droppings.
1118PISTHETAERUS: Birds! the sacrifice is propitious. But I see
1120no messenger coming from the wall to tell us what is happening. Ah! here comes one running himself out of breath as though he were in the Olympic stadium.
1122MESSENGER: Where, where, where is he? Where, where, where is he? Where, where, where is he? Where is Pisthetaerus, our leader?
1123bPISTHETAERUS: Here am I.
1124MESSENGER: The wall is finished.
1124bPISTHETAERUS: That's good news.
1125MESSENGER: It's a most beautiful, a most magnificent work of art. The wall is so broad that Proxenides, the Braggartian, and Theogenes could pass each other in their chariots, even if they were drawn by steeds as big as the Trojan horse.
1129bPISTHETAERUS: That's fine!
1130MESSENGER: Its length is one hundred stadia; I measured it myself.
1131bPISTHETAERUS: A decent length, by Poseidon! And who built such a wall?
1133MESSENGER: Birds —birds only; they had neither Egyptian brickmaker, nor stonemason, nor carpenter;
1135the birds did it all themselves; I could hardly believe my eyes. Thirty thousand cranes came from Libya with a supply of stones, intended for the foundations. The water-rails chiselled them with their beaks. Ten thousand storks were busy making bricks;
1140plovers and other water fowl carried water into the air.
1142PISTHETAERUS: And who carried the mortar?
1142bMESSENGER: Herons, in hods.
1143bPISTHETAERUS: But how could they put the mortar into the hods?
1144MESSENGER: Oh! it was a truly clever invention;
1145the geese used their feet like spades; they buried them in the pile of mortar and then emptied them into the hods.
1147PISTHETAERUS: Ah! to what use cannot feet be put?
1148MESSENGER: You should have seen how eagerly the ducks carried bricks. To complete the tale,
1150the swallows came flying to the work, their beaks full of mortar and their trowels on their backs, just the way little children are carried.
1152PISTHETAERUS: Who would want paid servants after this? But tell me, who did the woodwork?
1154bMESSENGER: Birds again,
1155and clever carpenters too, the pelicans, for they squared up the gates with their beaks in such a fashion that one would have thought they were using axes; the noise was just like a dockyard. Now the whole wall is tight everywhere, securely bolted and well guarded;
1160it is patrolled, bell in hand; the sentinels stand everywhere and beacons burn on the towers. But I must run off to clean myself; the rest is your business.
Part 26
1154bἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Α: ὄρνιθες ἦσαν τέκτονες
1155σοφώτατοι πελεκᾶντες, οἳ τοῖς ῥύγχεσιν
1156ἀπεπελέκησαν τὰς πύλας· ἦν δʼ ὁ κτύπος
1157αὐτῶν πελεκώντων ὥσπερ ἐν ναυπηγίῳ.
1158καὶ νῦν ἅπαντʼ ἐκεῖνα πεπύλωται πύλαις
1159καὶ βεβαλάνωται καὶ φυλάττεται κύκλῳ,
1160ἐφοδεύεται, κωδωνοφορεῖται, πανταχῇ,
1161φυλακαὶ καθεστήκασι καὶ φρυκτωρίαι
1162ἐν τοῖσι πύργοις. ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ μὲν ἀποτρέχων
1163ἀπονίψομαι· σὺ δʼ αὐτὸς ἤδη τἄλλα δρᾶ.
1164ΧΟΡΌΣ: οὗτος τί ποιεῖς; ἆρα θαυμάζεις ὅτι
1165οὕτω τὸ τεῖχος ἐκτετείχισται ταχύ;
1166ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ τοὺς θεοὺς ἔγωγε· καὶ γὰρ ἄξιον·
1167ἴσα γὰρ ἀληθῶς φαίνεταί μοι ψεύδεσιν.
1168ἀλλʼ ὅδε φύλαξ γὰρ τῶν ἐκεῖθεν ἄγγελος
1169ἐσθεῖ πρὸς ἡμᾶς δεῦρο πυρρίχην βλέπων.
1170ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Β: ἰοὺ ἰού, ἰοὺ ἰού, ἰοὺ ἰού.
1171ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί τὸ πρᾶγμα τουτί;
1171bἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Β: δεινότατα πεπόνθαμεν.
1172τῶν γὰρ θεῶν τις ἄρτι τῶν παρὰ τοῦ Διὸς
1173διὰ τῶν πυλῶν εἰσέπτετʼ ἐς τὸν ἀέρα,
1174λαθὼν κολοιοὺς φύλακας ἡμεροσκόπους.
1175ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ δεινὸν ἔργον καὶ σχέτλιον εἰργασμένος.
1176τίς τῶν θεῶν;
1176bἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Β: οὐκ ἴσμεν· ὅτι δʼ εἶχε πτερά,
1177τοῦτʼ ἴσμεν.
1177bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔκουν δῆτα περιπόλους ἐχρῆν
1178πέμψαι κατʼ αὐτὸν εὐθύς;
1178bἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ Β: ἀλλʼ ἐπέμψαμεν
1179τρισμυρίους ἱέρακας ἱπποτοξότας,
1180χωρεῖ δὲ πᾶς τις ὄνυχας ἠγκυλωμένος,
1181κερχνῂς τριόρχης γὺψ κύμινδις αἰετός·
1182ῥύμῃ τε καὶ πτεροῖσι καὶ ῥοιζήμασιν
1183αἰθὴρ δονεῖται τοῦ θεοῦ ζητουμένου·
1184κἄστʼ οὐ μακρὰν ἄπωθεν, ἀλλʼ ἐνταῦθά που
1185ἤδη ʼστίν.
1185bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔκουν σφενδόνας δεῖ λαμβάνειν
1186καὶ τόξα; χώρει δεῦρο πᾶς ὑπηρέτης·
1187τόξευε παῖε, σφενδόνην τίς μοι δότω.
1189ΧΟΡΌΣ: πόλεμος αἴρεται, πόλεμος οὐ φατὸς
1190πρὸς ἐμὲ καὶ θεούς. ἀλλὰ φύλαττε πᾶς
1191ἀέρα περινέφελον, ὃν ἔρεβος ἐτέκετο,
1195μή σε λάθῃ θεῶν τις ταύτῃ περῶν·
1196ΧΟΡΌΣ: [...] ἄθρει δὲ πᾶς κύκλῳ σκοπῶν,
1197ὡς ἐγγὺς ἤδη δαίμονος πεδαρσίου
1198δίνης πτερωτὸς φθόγγος ἐξακούεται.
1199ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: αὕτη σύ, ποῖ ποῖ ποῖ πέτει; μένʼ ἥσυχος,
1200ἔχʼ ἀτρέμας· αὐτοῦ στῆθʼ· ἐπίσχες τοῦ δρόμου.
1201τίς εἶ; ποδαπή; λέγειν ἐχρῆν ὁπόθεν πότʼ εἶ.
1202ἾΡΙΣ: παρὰ τῶν θεῶν ἔγωγε τῶν Ὀλυμπίων.
1203ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὄνομα δέ σο. τί ἐστι; πλοῖον ἢ κυνῆ;
1204ἾΡΙΣ: Ἶρις ταχεῖα.
1204bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Πάραλος ἢ Σαλαμινία;
1205ἾΡΙΣ: τί δὲ τοῦτο;
1205bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ταυτηνί τις οὐ συλλήψεται
1206ἀναπτόμενος τρίορχος;
Part 26
1164LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Well! what do you say to it? Are you not astonished
1165at the wall being completed so quickly?
1166PISTHETAERUS: By the gods, yes, and with good reason. It's really not to be believed. But here comes another messenger from the wall to bring us some further news! What a fighting look he has!
1170SECOND MESSENGER: Alas! alas! alas! alas! alas! alas!
1171PISTHETAERUS: What's the matter?
1171bSECOND MESSENGER: A horrible outrage has occurred; a god sent by Zeus has passed through our gates and has penetrated the realms of the air without the knowledge of the jays, who are on guard in the daytime.
1175PISTHETAERUS: It's a terrible and criminal deed. What god was it?
1176bSECOND MESSENGER: We don't know that. All we know is, that he has got wings.
1177bPISTHETAERUS: Why were not patrolmen sent against him at once?
1178bSECOND MESSENGER: We have despatched thirty thousand hawks of the legion of Mounted Archers.
1180All the hook-clawed birds are moving against him, the kestrel, the buzzard, the vulture, the great-horned owl; they cleave the air so that it resounds with the flapping of their wings; they are looking everywhere for the god, who cannot be far away; indeed, if I mistake not,
1185he is coming from yonder side.
1185bPISTHETAERUS: To arms, all, with slings and bows! This way, all our soldiers; shoot and strike! Some one give me a sling!
1189CHORUS: War, a terrible war is breaking out
1190between us and the gods! Come, let each one guard Air, the son of Erebus, in which the clouds float.
1195Take care no immortal enters it without your knowledge.
1196LEADER OF THE CHORUS: Scan all sides with your glance. Hark! methinks I can hear the rustle of the swift wings of a god from heaven.
1199PISTHETAERUS: Hi! you woman! where, where, where are you flying to? Halt, don't stir!
1200keep motionless! not a beat of your wing! She pauses in her flight. Who are you and from what country? You must say whence you come.
1202IRIS: I come from the abode of the Olympian gods.
1203PISTHETAERUS: What's your name, ship or head-dress?
1204IRIS: I am swift Iris.
1204bPISTHETAERUS: Paralus or Salaminia?
1205IRIS: What do you mean?
1205bPISTHETAERUS: Let a buzzard rush at her and seize her.
1206bIRIS: Seize me? But what do all these insults mean?
Part 27
1206bἾΡΙΣ: ἐμὲ συλλήψεται;
1207τί ποτʼ ἐστὶ τουτὶ τὸ κακόν;
1207bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἰμώξει μακρά.
1208ἾΡΙΣ: ἄτοπόν γε τουτὶ πρᾶγμα.
1208bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κατὰ ποίας πύλας
1209εἰσῆλθες ἐς τὸ τεῖχος ὦ μιαρωτάτη;
1210ἾΡΙΣ: οὐκ οἶδα μὰ Δίʼ ἔγωγε κατὰ ποίας πύλας.
1211ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἤκουσας αὐτῆς οἷον εἰρωνεύεται;
1212πρὸς τοὺς κολοιάρχας προσῆλθες; οὐ λέγεις;
1213σφραγῖδʼ ἔχεις παρὰ τῶν πελαργῶν;
1213bἾΡΙΣ: τί τὸ κακόν.
1214ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἔλαβες;
1214bἾΡΙΣ: ὑγιαίνεις μέν;
1214cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐδὲ σύμβολον
1215ἐπέβαλεν ὀρνίθαρχος οὐδείς σοι παρών;
1216ἾΡΙΣ: μὰ Δίʼ οὐκ ἔμοιγʼ ἐπέβαλεν οὐδεὶς ὦ μέλε.
1217ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κἄπειτα δῆθʼ οὕτω σιωπῇ διαπέτει
1218διὰ τῆς πόλεως τῆς ἀλλοτρίας καὶ τοῦ χάους;
1219ἾΡΙΣ: ποίᾳ γὰρ ἄλλῃ χρὴ πέτεσθαι τοὺς θεούς;
1220ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ οἶδα μὰ Δίʼ ἔγωγε· τῇδε μὲν γὰρ οὔ.
1221ἀδικεῖς δὲ καὶ νῦν. ἆρά γʼ οἶσθα τοῦθʼ ὅτι
1222δικαιότατʼ ἂν ληφθεῖσα πασῶν Ἰρίδων
1223ἀπέθανες, εἰ τῆς ἀξίας ἐτύγχανες;
1224ἾΡΙΣ: ἀλλʼ ἀθάνατός εἰμʼ.
1224bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ὅμως ἂν ἀπέθανες.
1225δεινότατα γάρ τοι πεισόμεσθʼ, ἐμοὶ δοκεῖ,
1226εἰ τῶν μὲν ἄλλων ἄρχομεν, ὑμεῖς δʼ οἱ θεοὶ
1227ἀκολαστανεῖτε, κοὐδέπω γνώσεσθʼ ὅτι
1228ἀκροατέον ὑμῖν ἐν μέρει τῶν κρειττόνων.
1229φράσον δέ τοί μοι τὼ πτέρυγε ποῖ ναυστολεῖς;
1230ἾΡΙΣ: ἐγώ; πρὸς ἀνθρώπους πέτομαι παρὰ τοῦ πατρὸς
1231φράσουσα θύειν τοῖς Ὀλυμπίοις θεοῖς
1232μηλοσφαγεῖν τε βουθύτοις ἐπʼ ἐσχάραις
1233κνισᾶν τʼ ἀγυιάς.
1233bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί σὺ λέγεις; ποίοις θεοῖς;
1234ἾΡΙΣ: ποίοισιν; ἡμῖν τοῖς ἐν οὐρανῷ θεοῖς.
1235ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: θεοὶ γὰρ ὑμεῖς;
Part 27
1207bPISTHETAERUS: Woe to you!
1208IRIS: I do not understand it.
1208bPISTHETAERUS: By which gate did you pass through the wall, wretched woman?
1210IRIS: By which gate? Why, great gods, I don't know.
1211PISTHETAERUS: You hear how she holds us in derision. Did you present yourself to the officers in command of the jays? You don't answer. Have you a permit, bearing the seal of the storks?
1213bIRIS: Am I dreaming?
1214PISTHETAERUS: Did you get one?
1214bIRIS: Are you mad?
1214cPISTHETAERUS: No
1215head-bird gave you a safe-conduct?
1216IRIS: A safe-conduct to me. You poor fool!
1217PISTHETAERUS: Ah! and so you slipped into this city on the sly and into these realms of air-land that don't belong to you.
1219IRIS: And what other roads can the gods travel?
1220PISTHETAERUS: By Zeus! I know nothing about that, not I. But they won't pass this way. And you still dare to complain? Why, if you were treated according to your deserts, no Iris would ever have more justly suffered death.
1224IRIS: I am immortal.
1224bPISTHETAERUS: You would have died nevertheless. —
1225Oh! that would be truly intolerable! What! should the universe obey us and the gods alone continue their insolence and not understand that they must submit to the law of the strongest in their due turn? But tell me, where are you flying to?
1230IRIS: I? The messenger of Zeus to mankind, I am going to tell them to sacrifice sheep and oxen on the altars and to fill their streets with the rich smoke of burning fat.
1233bPISTHETAERUS: Of which gods are you speaking?
1234IRIS: Of which? Why, of ourselves, the gods of heaven.
1235PISTHETAERUS: You, gods?
1235bIRIS: Are there others then?
Part 28
1235bἾΡΙΣ: τίς γάρ ἐστʼ ἄλλος θεός;
1236ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὄρνιθες ἀνθρώποισι νῦν εἰσιν θεοί,
1237οἷς θυτέον αὐτούς, ἀλλὰ μὰ Δίʼ οὐ τῷ Διί.
1238ἾΡΙΣ: ὦ μῶρε μῶρε μὴ θεῶν κίνει φρένας
1239δεινάς, ὅπως μή σου γένος πανώλεθρον
1240Διὸς μακέλλῃ πᾶν ἀναστρέψῃ Δίκη,
1241λιγνὺς δὲ σῶμα καὶ δόμων περιπτυχὰς
1242καταιθαλώσῃ σου Λικυμνίαις βολαῖς.
1243ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄκουσον αὕτη· παῦε τῶν παφλασμάτων· ἔχʼ ἀτρέμα. φέρʼ ἴδω, πότερα Λυδὸν ἢ Φρύγα ταυτὶ λέγουσα μορμολύττεσθαι δοκεῖς; ἆρʼ οἶσθʼ ὅτι Ζεὺς εἴ με λυπήσει πέρα, μέλαθρα μὲν αὐτοῦ καὶ δόμους Ἀμφίονος
1248καταιθαλώσω πυρφόροισιν αἰετοῖς; πέμψω δὲ πορφυρίωνας ἐς τὸν οὐρανὸν ὄρνις ἐπʼ αὐτὸν παρδαλᾶς ἐνημμένους πλεῖν ἑξακοσίους τὸν ἀριθμόν. καὶ δή ποτε εἷς Πορφυρίων αὐτῷ παρέσχε πράγματα.
1253σὺ δʼ εἴ με λυπήσεις τι, τῆς διακόνου πρώτης ἀνατείνας τὼ σκέλει διαμηριῶ τὴν Ἶριν αὐτήν, ὥστε θαυμάζειν ὅπως οὕτω γέρων ὢν στύομαι τριέμβολον.
1257ἾΡΙΣ: διαρραγείης ὦ μέλʼ αὐτοῖς ῥήμασιν.
1258ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἀποσοβήσεις; οὐ ταχέως; εὐρὰξ πατάξ.
1259ἾΡΙΣ: ἦ μήν σε παύσει τῆς ὕβρεως οὑμὸς πατήρ.
1260ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμοι τάλας. οὔκουν ἑτέρωσε πετομένη
1261καταιθαλώσεις τῶν νεωτέρων τινά;
1263ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀποκεκλῄκαμεν διογενεῖς θεοὺς
1264μηκέτι τὴν ἐμὴν διαπερᾶν πόλιν,
1265μηδέ γέ τινʼ ἱερόθυτον ἀνὰ δάπεδον ἔτι
1266τῇδε βροτῶν θεοῖσι πέμπειν καπνόν.
1269ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: δεινόν γε τὸν κήρυκα τὸν παρὰ τοὺς βροτοὺς
1270οἰχόμενον, εἰ μηδέποτε νοστήσει πάλιν.
1271ΚΗ͂ΡΥΞ: ὦ Πισθέταιρʼ ὦ μακάριʼ ὦ σοφώτατε,
1272ὦ κλεινότατʼ ὦ σοφώτατʼ ὦ γλαφυρώτατε,
1273ὦ τρισμακάριʼ ὦ κατακέλευσον.
1273bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί σὺ λέγεις;
1274ΚΗ͂ΡΥΞ: στεφάνῳ σε χρυσῷ τῷδε σοφίας οὕνεκα
1275στεφανοῦσι καὶ τιμῶσιν οἱ πάντες λεῴ.
1276ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: δέχομαι. τί δʼ οὕτως οἱ λεῲ τιμῶσί με;
1277ΚΗ͂ΡΥΞ: ὦ κλεινοτάτην αἰθέριον οἰκίσας πόλιν, οὐκ οἷσθʼ ὅσην τιμὴν παρʼ ἀνθρώποις φέρει, ὅσους τʼ ἐραστὰς τῆσδε τῆς χώρας ἔχεις. πρὶν μὲν γὰρ οἰκίσαι σε τήνδε τὴν πόλιν, ἐλακωνομάνουν ἅπαντες ἄνθρωποι τότε,
1282ἐκόμων ἐπείνων ἐρρύπων ἐσωκράτουν σκυτάλιʼ ἐφόρουν, νυνὶ δʼ ὑποστρέψαντες αὖ ὀρνιθομανοῦσι, πάντα δʼ ὑπὸ τῆς ἡδονῆς ποιοῦσιν ἅπερ ὄρνιθες ἐκμιμούμενοι· πρῶτον μὲν εὐθὺς πάντες ἐξ εὐνῆς ἅμα
1287ἐπέτονθʼ ἕωθεν ὥσπερ ἡμεῖς ἐπὶ νομόν· κἄπειτʼ ἂν ἅμα κατῆραν ἐς τὰ βιβλία· εἶτʼ ἀπενέμοντʼ ἐνταῦθα τὰ ψηφίσματα. ὠρνιθομάνουν δʼ οὕτω περιφανῶς ὥστε καὶ πολλοῖσιν ὀρνίθων ὀνόματʼ ἦν κείμενα.
1292πέρδιξ μὲν εἷς κάπηλος ὠνομάζετο χωλός, Μενίππῳ δʼ ἦν χελιδὼν τοὔνομα, Ὀπουντίῳ δʼ ὀφθαλμὸν οὐκ ἔχων κόραξ, κορυδὸς Φιλοκλέει, χηναλώπηξ Θεογένει, ἶβις Λυκούργῳ, Χαιρεφῶντι νυκτερίς,
1297Συρακοσίῳ δὲ κίττα· Μειδίας δʼ ἐκεῖ ὄρτυξ ἐκαλεῖτο· καὶ γὰρ ᾔκειν ὄρτυγι ὑπὸ στυφοκόπου τὴν κεφαλὴν πεπληγμένῳ. ᾖδον δʼ ὑπὸ φιλορνιθίας πάντες μέλη, ὅπου χελιδὼν ἦν τις ἐμπεποιημένη
1302ἢ πηνέλοψ ἢ χήν τις ἢ περιστερὰ ἢ πτέρυγες, ἢ πτεροῦ τι καὶ σμικρὸν προσῆν. τοιαῦτα μὲν τἀκεῖθεν. ἓν δέ σοι λέγω· ἥξουσʼ ἐκεῖθεν δεῦρο πλεῖν ἢ μύριοι πτερῶν δεόμενοι καὶ τρόπων γαμψωνύχων·
1307ὥστε πτερῶν σοι τοῖς ἐποίκοις δεῖ ποθέν.
1308ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἆρα μὰ Δίʼ ἡμῖν ἔτʼ ἔργον ἑστάναι.
1309ἀλλʼ ὡς τάχιστα σὺ μὲν ἰὼν τὰς ἀρρίχους
1310καὶ τοὺς κοφίνους ἅπαντας ἐμπίμπλη πτερῶν·
1311Μανῆς δὲ φερέτω μοι θύραζε τὰ πτερά·
1312ἐγὼ δʼ ἐκείνων τοὺς προσιόντας δέξομαι.
1313ΧΟΡΌΣ: ταχὺ δὴ πολυάνορα τάνδε πόλιν
1314καλεῖ τις ἀνθρώπων.
1315ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τύχη μόνον προσείη.
1316ΧΟΡΌΣ: κατέχουσι δʼ ἔρωτες ἐμᾶς πόλεως.
1317ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: θάττον φέρειν κελεύω.
Part 28
1236PISTHETAERUS: Men now adore the birds as gods, and it's to them, by Zeus, that they must offer sacrifices, and not to Zeus at all!
1238IRIS: Oh! fool! fool! Rouse not
1240the wrath of the gods, for it is terrible indeed. Armed with the brand of Zeus, Justice would annihilate your race; the lightning would strike you as it did Licymnius and consume both your body and the porticos of your palace.
1243PISTHETAERUS: Here! that's enough tall talk. Just you listen and keep quiet! Do you take me for a Lydian or a Phrygian
1245and think to frighten me with your big words? Know, that if Zeus worries me again, I shall go at the head of my eagles, who are armed with lightning, and reduce his dwelling and that of Amphion to cinders. I shall send more than six hundred porphyrions
1250clothed in leopards' skins up to heaven against him; and formerly a single Porphyrion gave him enough to do. As for you, his messenger, if you annoy me, I shall begin by getting between your thighs,
1255and even though you are Iris, you will be surprised at the erection the old man can produce; it's three times as good as the ram on a ship's prow!
1257IRIS: May you perish, you wretch, you and your infamous words!
1258PISTHETAERUS: Won't you get out of here quickly? Come, stretch your wings or look out for squalls!
1259IRIS: If my father does not punish you for your insults ...
1260PISTHETAERUS: Ha! ... but just you be off elsewhere to roast younger folk than us with your lightning.
1263CHORUS: We forbid the gods, the sons of Zeus, to pass through our city
1265and the mortals to send them the smoke of their sacrifices by this road.
1269PISTHETAERUS: It's odd that the messenger
1270we sent to the mortals has never returned.
1271HERALD: Oh! blessed Pisthetaerus, very wise, very illustrious, very gracious, thrice happy, very ... Come, prompt me, somebody, do
1273bPISTHETAERUS: Get to your story!
1274HERALD: All peoples are filled with admiration for your wisdom, and they award you this golden crown.
1276PISTHETAERUS: I accept it. But tell me, why do the people admire me?
1277HERALD: Oh you, who have founded so illustrious a city in the air, you know not in what esteem men hold you and how many there are who burn with desire to dwell in it.
1280Before your city was built, all men had a mania for Sparta; long hair and fasting were held in honor, men went dirty like Socrates and carried staves. Now all is changed.
1285Firstly, as soon as it's dawn, they all spring out of bed together to go and seek their food, the same as you do; then they fly off towards the notices and finally devour the decrees.
1290The bird-madness is so clear that many actually bear the names of birds. There is a halting victualler, who styles himself the partridge; Menippus calls himself the swallow; Opuntius the one-eyed crow;
1295Philocles the lark; Theogenes the fox-goose; Lycurgus the ibis; Chaerephon the bat; Syracosius the magpie; Midias the quail; indeed he looks like a quail that has been hit hard on the head.
1300Out of love for the birds they repeat all the songs which concern the swallow, the teal, the goose or the pigeon; in each verse you see wings, or at all events a few feathers. This is what is happening down there.
1305Finally, there are more than ten thousand folk who are coming here from earth to ask you for feathers and hooked claws; so, mind you supply yourself with wings for the immigrants.
1308PISTHETAERUS: Ah! by Zeus, there's no time for idling. To some slaves. Go as quick as possible and fill every hamper,
1310every basket you can find with wings. Manes will bring them to me outside the walls, where I will welcome those who present themselves.
1313CHORUS: This town will soon be inhabited by a crowd of men.
1315Fortune favours us alone
1316and thus they have fallen in love with our city.
1317PISTHETAERUS: Come, hurry up and bring them along.
1318CHORUS: Will not man find here everything that can please him —
1320wisdom, love, the divine Graces, the sweet face of gentle peace?
1323PISTHETAERUS: Oh! you lazy servant! won't you hurry yourself?
1325CHORUS: Let a basket of wings be brought speedily.
1327Come, beat him as I do, and put some life into him;
1328he is as lazy as an ass.
Part 29
1318ΧΟΡΌΣ: τί γὰρ οὐκ ἔνι ταύτῃ
1319καλὸν ἀνδρὶ μετοικεῖν;
1320Σοφία Πόθος Ἀμβροσία Χάριτες
1321τό τε τῆς ἀγανόφρονος Ἡσυχίας
1322εὐήμερον πρόσωπον.
1323ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὡς βλακικῶς διακονεῖς·
1324οὐ θᾶττον ἐγκονήσεις;
1325ΧΟΡΌΣ: φερέτω κάλαθον ταχύ τις πτερύγων,
1326σὺ δʼ αὖθις ἐξόρμα —
1327ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τύπτων γε τοῦτον ὡδί.
1328ΧΟΡΌΣ: πάνυ γὰρ βραδύς ἐστί τις ὥσπερ ὄνος.
1329ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: Μανῆς γάρ ἐστι δειλός.
1330ΧΟΡΌΣ: σὺ δὲ τὰ πτερὰ πρῶτον
1331διάθες τάδε κόσμῳ,
1332τά τε μουσίχʼ ὁμοῦ τά τε μαντικὰ καὶ
1333τὰ θαλάττιʼ. ἔπειτα δʼ ὅπως φρονίμως
1334πρὸς ἄνδρʼ ὁρῶν πτερώσεις.
1335ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὔ τοι μὰ τὰς κερχνῇδας ἔτι σοῦ σχήσομαι,
1336οὕτως ὁρῶν σε δειλὸν ὄντα καὶ βραδύν.
1337ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: γενοίμαν αἰετὸς ὑψιπέτας,
1338ὡς ἀμποταθείην ὑπὲρ ἀτρυγέτου
1339γλαυκᾶς ἐπʼ οἶδμα λίμνας.
1340ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔοικεν οὐ ψευδαγγελήσειν ἅγγελος.
1341ᾄδων γὰρ ὅδε τις αἰετοὺς προσέρχεται.
1342ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: αἰβοῖ·
1343οὐκ ἔστιν οὐδὲν τοῦ πέτεσθαι γλυκύτερον·
1344ὀρνιθομανῶ γὰρ καὶ πέτομαι καὶ βούλομαι
1345οἰκεῖν μεθʼ ὑμῶν κἀπιθυμῶ τῶν νόμων.
1346ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ποίων νόμων; πολλοὶ γὰρ ὀρνίθων νόμοι.
1347ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: πάντων· μάλιστα δʼ ὅτι καλὸν νομίζεται
1348τὸν πατέρα τοῖς ὄρνισιν ἄγχειν καὶ δάκνειν.
1349ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ νὴ Δίʼ ἀνδρεῖόν γε πάνυ νομιζομεν,
1350ὃς ἂν πεπλήγῃ τὸν πατέρα νεοττὸς ὤν.
1351ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: διὰ ταῦτα μέντοι δεῦρʼ ἀνοικισθεὶς ἐγὼ
1352ἄγχειν ἐπιθυμῶ τὸν πατέρα καὶ πάντʼ ἔχειν.
1353ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ἔστιν ἡμῖν τοῖσιν ὄρνισιν νόμος
1354παλαιὸς ἐν ταῖς τῶν πελαργῶν κύρβεσιν·
1355ἐπὴν ὁ πατὴρ ὁ πελαργὸς ἐκπετησίμους
1356πάντας ποιήσῃ τοὺς πελαργιδέας τρέφων,
1357δεῖ τοὺς νεοττοὺς τὸν πατέρα πάλιν τρέφειν.
1358ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: ἀπέλαυσά τἄρα νὴ Δίʼ ἐλθὼν ἐνθαδί,
1359εἴπερ γέ μοι καὶ τὸν πατέρα βοσκητέον.
1360ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐδέν γʼ. ἐπειδήπερ γὰρ ἦλθες ὦ μέλε εὔνους, πτερώσω σʼ ὥσπερ ὄρνιν ὀρφανόν. σοὶ δʼ ὦ νεανίσκʼ οὐ κακῶς ὑποθήσομαι, ἀλλʼ οἷάπερ αὐτὸς ἔμαθον ὅτε παῖς ἦ. σὺ γὰρ τὸν μὲν πατέρα μὴ τύπτε· ταυτηνδὶ λαβὼν
1365τὴν πτέρυγα καὶ τουτὶ τὸ πλῆκτρον θἀτέρᾳ, νομίσας ἀλεκτρυόνος ἔχειν τονδὶ λόφον, φρούρει στρατεύου μισθοφορῶν σαυτὸν τρέφε, τὸν πατέρ ἔα ζῆν· ἀλλʼ ἐπειδὴ μάχιμος εἶ, ἐς τἀπὶ Θρᾴκης ἀποπέτου κἀκεῖ μάχου.
1370ΠΑΤΡΑΛΟΊΑΣ: νὴ τὸν Διόνυσον εὖ γέ μοι δοκεῖς λέγειν,
1371καὶ πείσομαί σοι.
1371bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νοῦν ἄρʼ ἔξεις νὴ Δία.
Part 29
1329PISTHETAERUS: Aye, Manes is a great craven.
1330CHORUS: Begin by putting this heap of wings in order; divide them in three parts according to the birds from whom they came; the singing, the prophetic and the aquatic birds; then you must take care to distribute them to the men according to their character.
1335PISTHETAERUS: Oh! by the kestrels! I can keep my hands off you no longer; you are too slow and lazy altogether.
1337PARRICIDE: Oh! might I but become an eagle, who soars in the skies! Oh! might I fly above the azure waves of the barren sea!
1340PISTHETAERUS: Ha! it would seem the news was true; I hear someone coming who talks of wings.
1342PARRICIDE: Nothing is more charming than to fly; I am bird-mad and fly towards you, for I want
1345to live with you and to obey your laws.
1346PISTHETAERUS: Which laws? The birds have many laws.
1347PARRICIDE: All of them; but the one that pleases me most is that among the birds it is considered a fine thing to peck and strangle one's father.
1349PISTHETAERUS: Yes, by Zeus! according to us,
1350he who dares to strike his father, while still a chick, is a brave fellow.
1351PARRICIDE: And therefore I want to dwell here, for I want to strangle my father and inherit his wealth.
1353PISTHETAERUS: But we have also an ancient law written in the code of the storks, which runs thus,
1355When the stork father has reared his young and has taught them to fly, the young must in their turn support the father.
1358PARRICIDE: It's hardly worth while coming all this distance to be compelled to keep my father!
1360PISTHETAERUS: No, no, young friend, since you have come to us with such willingness, I am going to give you these black wings, as though you were an orphan bird; furthermore, some good advice, that I received myself in infancy. Don't strike your father, but take
1365these wings in one hand and these spurs in the other; imagine you have a cock's crest on your head and go and mount guard and fight; live on your pay and respect your father's life. You're a gallant fellow! Very well, then! Fly to Thrace and fight.
1370PARRICIDE: By Bacchus! You're right; I will follow your counsel.
1371bPISTHETAERUS: It's acting wisely, by Zeus..
1373CINESIAS: On my light pinions I soar off to Olympus; in its capricious flight my Muse flutters along the thousand paths of poetry in turn ...
1375PISTHETAERUS: This is a fellow will need a whole shipload of wings.
1376CINESIAS: ... and being fearless and vigorous, it is seeking fresh outlet.
1377PISTHETAERUS: Welcome, Cinesias, you lime-wood man! Why have you come here twisting your game leg in circles?
1380CINESIAS: I want to become a bird, a tuneful nightingale.
Part 30
1373ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: ἀναπέτομαι δὴ πρὸς Ὄλυμπον πτερύγεσσι κούφαις·
1374πέτομαι δʼ ὁδὸν ἄλλοτʼ ἐπʼ ἄλλαν μελέων —
1375ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ τὸ πρᾶγμα φορτίου δεῖται πτερῶν.
1376ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: ἀφόβῳ φρενὶ σώματί τε νέαν ἐφέπων —
1377ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀσπαζόμεσθα φιλύρινον Κινησίαν.
1378τί δεῦρο πόδα σὺ κυλλὸν ἀνὰ κύκλον κυκλεῖς;
1380ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: ὄρνις γενέσθαι βούλομαι λιγύφθογγος ἀηδών.
1381ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: παῦσαι μελῳδῶν, ἀλλʼ ὅ τι λέγεις εἰπέ μοι.
1382ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: ὑπὸ σοῦ πτερωθεὶς βούλομαι μετάρσιος
1383ἀναπτόμενος ἐκ τῶν νεφελῶν καινὰς λαβεῖν
1385ἀεροδονήτους καὶ νιφοβόλους ἀναβολάς.
1386ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐκ τῶν νεφελῶν γὰρ ἄν τις ἀναβολὰς λάβοι;
1387ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: κρέμαται μὲν οὖν ἐντεῦθεν ἡμῶν ἡ τέχνη.
1388τῶν διθυράμβων γὰρ τὰ λαμπρὰ γίγνεται
1389ἀέρια καὶ σκότιά γε καὶ κυαναυγέα
1390καὶ πτεροδόνητα· σὺ δὲ κλύων εἴσει τάχα.
1391ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ δῆτʼ ἔγωγε.
1391bΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: νὴ τὸν Ἡρακλέα σύ γε.
1392ἅπαντα γὰρ δίειμί σοι τὸν ἀέρα.
1393ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: εἴδωλα πετεινῶν
1394αἰθεροδρόμων
1395οἰωνῶν ταναοδείρων —
1395aΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὠόπ.
1396ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: τὸν ἁλάδρομον ἁλάμενος
1397ἅμʼ ἀνεμων πνοαῖσι βαίην.
1398ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ τὸν Δίʼ ἦ ʼγώ σου καταπαύσω τὰς πνοάς.
1399ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: τοτὲ μὲν νοτίαν στείχων πρὸς ὁδόν,
1400τοτὲ δʼ αὖ βορέᾳ σῶμα πελάζων
1400aἀλίμενον αἰθέρος αὔλακα τέμνων.
1401ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: χαρίεντά γʼ ὦ πρεσβῦτʼ ἐσοφίσω καὶ σοφά.
1402ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ γὰρ σὺ χαίρεις πτεροδόνητος γενόμενος;
1403ΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: ταυτὶ πεποίηκας τὸν κυκλιοδιδάσκαλον,
1404ὂς ταῖσι φυλαῖς περιμάχητός εἰμʼ ἀεί;
1405ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: βούλει διδάσκειν καὶ παρʼ ἡμῖν οὖν μένων
1406Λεωτροφίδῃ χορὸν πετομένων ὀρνέων
1407Κεκροπίδα φυλήν;
Part 30
1381PISTHETAERUS: Enough of that sort of ditty. Tell me what you want.
1382CINESIAS: Give me wings and I will fly into the topmost airs to gather fresh songs in the clouds,
1385in the midst of the vapors and the fleecy snow.
1386PISTHETAERUS: Gather songs in the clouds?
1387CINESIAS: 'Tis on them the whole of our latter-day art depends. The most brilliant dithyrambs are those that flap their wings in empty space and are clothed in mist and dense obscurity.
1390To appreciate this, just listen.
1391PISTHETAERUS: Oh! no, no, no!
1391bCINESIAS: By Hermes! but indeed you shall.
1392CINESIAS: I shall travel through thine ethereal empire
1393like a winged bird, who cleaveth space with his long neck ...
1395aPISTHETAERUS: Stop! Way enough!
1396CINESIAS: ... as I soar over the seas, carried by the breath of the winds ...
1398PISTHETAERUS: By Zeus! I'll cut your breath short. He picks up a pair of wings and begins trying to stop Cinesias' mouth with them.
1399CINESIAS: ... now rushing along the tracks of Notus, now nearing Boreas
1400across the infinite wastes of the ether.
1401Ah! old man, that's a pretty and clever idea truly!
1402PISTHETAERUS: What! are you not delighted to be cleaving the air?
1403CINESIAS: To treat a dithyrambic poet, for whom the tribes dispute with each other, in this style!
1405PISTHETAERUS: Will you stay with us and form a chorus of winged birds as slender as Leotrophides for the Cecropid tribe?
1407bCINESIAS: You are making game of me, that's clear; but know that I shall never leave you in peace if I do not have wings wherewith to traverse the air.
1410INFORMER: What are these birds with downy feathers, who look so pitiable to me? Tell me, oh swallow with the long dappled wings.
1412PISTHETAERUS: Oh! it's a regular invasion that threatens us. Here comes another one, humming along.
1415INFORMER: Swallow with the long dappled wings, once more I summon you.
1416PISTHETAERUS: It's his cloak I believe he's addressing; it stands in great need of the swallows' return.
1418INFORMER: Where is he who gives out wings to all comers?
Part 31
1407bΚΙΝΗΣΊΑΣ: καταγελᾷς μου, δῆλος εἶ.
1408ἀλλʼ οὖν ἔγωγʼ οὐ παύσομαι, τοῦτʼ ἴσθʼ ὅτι,
1409πρὶν ἂν πτερωθεὶς διαδράμω τὸν ἀέρα.
1410ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: ὄρνιθες τίνες οὐδὲν ἔχοντες πτεροποίκιλοι,
1411τανυσίπτερε ποικίλα χελιδοῖ;
1412ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ τὸ κακὸν οὐ φαῦλον ἐξεγρήγορεν.
1413ὅδʼ αὖ μινυρίζων δεῦρό τις προσέρχεται.
1415ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: τανυσίπτερε ποικίλα μάλʼ αὖθις.
1416ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐς θοἰμάτιον τὸ σκόλιον ᾄδειν μοι δοκεῖ,
1417δεῖσθαι δʼ ἔοικεν οὐκ ὀλίγων χελιδόνων.
1418ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: τίς ὁ πτερῶν δεῦρʼ ἐστὶ τοὺς ἀφικνουμένους;
1419ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁδὶ πάρεστιν· ἀλλʼ ὅτου δεῖ χρὴ λέγειν.
1420ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: πτερῶν πτερῶν δεῖ· μὴ πύθῃ τὸ δεύτερον.
1421ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μῶν εὐθὺ Πελλήνης πέτεσθαι διανοεῖ;
1422ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλὰ κλητήρ εἰμι νησιωτικὸς
1423καὶ συκοφάντης —
1423bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ μακάριε τῆς τέχνης.
1424ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: καὶ πραγματοδίφης. εἶτα δέομαι πτερὰ λαβὼν
1425κύκλῳ περισοβεῖν τὰς πόλεις καλούμενος.
1426ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὑπὸ πτερύγων τι προσκαλεῖ σοφώτερον;
1427ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: μὰ Δίʼ ἀλλʼ ἵνʼ οἱ λῃσταί τε μὴ λυπῶσί με,
1428μετὰ τῶν γεράνων τʼ ἐκεῖθεν ἀναχωρῶ πάλιν,
1429ἀνθʼ ἕρματος πολλὰς καταπεπωκὼς δίκας.
1430ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τουτὶ γὰρ ἐργάζει σὺ τοὔργον; εἰπέ μοι,
1431νεανίας ὢν συκοφαντεῖς τοὺς ξένους;
1432ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: τί γὰρ πάθω; σκάπτειν γὰρ οὐκ ἐπίσταμαι.
1433ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ἔστιν ἕτερα νὴ Δίʼ ἔργα σώφρονα,
1434ἀφʼ ὧν διαζῆν ἄνδρα χρῆν τοσουτονὶ
1435ἐκ τοῦ δικαίου μᾶλλον ἢ δικορραφεῖν.
1436ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: ὦ δαιμόνιε μὴ νουθέτει μʼ ἀλλὰ πτέρου.
1437ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νῦν τοι λέγων πτερῶ σε.
1437bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: καὶ πῶς ἂν λόγοις
1438ἄνδρα πτερώσειας σύ;
Part 31
1419PISTHETAERUS: Here I am, but you must tell me for what purpose you want them.
1420INFORMER: Ask no questions. I want wings, and wings I must have.
1421PISTHETAERUS: Do you want to fly straight to Pellene?
1422INFORMER: I? Why, I am an accuser of the islands, an informer ...
1423bPISTHETAERUS: A fine trade, truly!
1424INFORMER: ... a hatcher of lawsuits. Hence I have great need of wings
1425to prowl round the cities and drag them before justice.
1426PISTHETAERUS: Would you do this better if you had wings?
1427INFORMER: No, but I should no longer fear the pirates; I should return with the cranes, loaded with a supply of lawsuits by way of ballast.
1430PISTHETAERUS: So it seems, despite all your youthful vigor, you make it your trade to denounce strangers?
1432INFORMER: Well, and why not? I don't know how to dig.
1433PISTHETAERUS: But, by Zeus! there are
1435honest ways of gaining a living at your age without all this infamous trickery.
1436INFORMER: My friend, I am asking you for wings, not for words.
1437PISTHETAERUS: It's just my words that gives you wings.
1437bINFORMER: And how can you give a man wings with your words?
1438bPISTHETAERUS: They all start this way.
1439bINFORMER: How?
1439cPISTHETAERUS: Have you not often heard
1440the father say to young men in the barbers' shops, It's astonishing how Diitrephes' advice has made my son fly to horse-riding. —Mine, says another, has
1445flown towards tragic poetry on the wings of his imagination.
1446INFORMER: So that words give wings?
1446bPISTHETAERUS: Undoubtedly; words give wings to the mind and make a man soar to heaven. Thus I hope that my wise words will give you wings
1450to fly to some less degrading trade.
1450bINFORMER: But I do not want to.
Part 32
1438bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πάντες τοῖς λόγοις
1439ἀναπτεροῦνται.
1439bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: πάντες;
1439cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκ ἀκήκοας,
1440ὅταν λέγωσιν οἱ πατέρες ἑκάστοτε
1441τοῖς μειρακίοις ἐν τοῖσι κουρείοις ταδί;
1442δεινῶς γέ μου τὸ μειράκιον Διειτρέφης
1443λέγων ἀνεπτέρωκεν ὥσθʼ ἱππηλατεῖν.
1444ὁ δέ τις τὸν αὑτοῦ φησιν ἐπὶ τραγῳδίᾳ
1445ἀνεπτερῶσθαι καὶ πεποτῆσθαι τὰς φρένας.
1446ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: λόγοισί τἄρα καὶ πτεροῦνται;
1446bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: φήμʼ ἐγώ.
1447ὑπὸ γὰρ λόγων ὁ νοῦς τε μετεωρίζεται
1448ἐπαίρεταί τʼ ἄνθρωπος. οὕτω καί σʼ ἐγὼ
1449ἀναπτερώσας βούλομαι χρηστοῖς λόγοις
1450τρέψαι πρὸς ἔργον νόμιμον.
1450bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: ἀλλʼ οὐ βούλομαι.
1451ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δαὶ ποιήσεις;
1451bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: τὸ γένος οὐ καταισχυνῶ.
1452παππῷος ὁ βίος συκοφαντεῖν ἐστί μοι.
1453ἀλλὰ πτέρου με ταχέσι καὶ κούφοις πτεροῖς
1454ἱέρακος ἢ κερχνῇδος, ὡς ἂν τοὺς ξένους
1455καλεσάμενος κᾆτʼ ἐγκεκληκὼς ἐνθαδὶ
1456κατʼ αὖ πέτωμαι πάλιν ἐκεῖσε.
1456bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μανθάνω.
1457ὡδὶ λέγεις· ὅπως ἂν ὠφλήκῃ δίκην
1458ἐνθάδε πρὶν ἥκειν ὁ ξένος.
1458bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: πάνυ μανθάνεις.
1459ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: κἄπειθʼ ὁ μὲν πλεῖ δεῦρο, σὺ δʼ ἐκεῖσʼ αὖ πέτει
1460ἁρπασόμενος τὰ χρήματʼ αὐτοῦ.
1460bΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: πάντʼ ἔχεις.
1461βέμβικος οὐδὲν διαφέρειν δεῖ.
1461bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μανθάνω
1462βέμβικα· καὶ μὴν ἔστι μοι νὴ τὸν Δία
1463κάλλιστα Κορκυραῖα τοιαυτὶ πτερά.
1464ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: οἴμοι τάλας μάστιγʼ ἔχεις.
1464bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πτερὼ μὲν οὖν,
1465οἷσί σε ποιήσω τήμερον βεμβικιᾶν.
1466ΣΥΚΟΦΆΝΤΗΣ: οἴμοι τάλας.
1466bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ πτερυγιεῖς ἐντευθενί;
1467οὐκ ἀπολιβάξεις ὦ κάκιστʼ ἀπολούμενος;
1468πικρὰν τάχʼ ὄψει στρεψοδικοπανουργίαν.
1469ἀπίωμεν ἡμεῖς ξυλλαβόντες τὰ πτερά.
1470ΧΟΡΌΣ: πολλὰ δὴ καὶ καινὰ καὶ θαυμάστʼ ἐπεπτόμεσθα καὶ δεινὰ πράγματʼ εἴδομεν. ἔστι γὰρ δένδρον πεφυκὸς ἔκτοπόν τι Καρδίας ἀ-
1475πωτέρω Κλεώνυμος, χρήσιμον μὲν οὐδέν, ἄλλως δὲ δειλὸν καὶ μέγα. τοῦτο τοῦ μὲν ἦρος ἀεὶ βλαστάνει καὶ συκοφαντεῖ,
1480τοῦ δὲ χειμῶνος πάλιν τὰς ἀσπίδας φυλλορροεῖ.
1482ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἔστι δʼ αὗ χώρα πρὸς αὐτῷ τῷ σκότῳ πόρρω τις ἐν τῇ λύχνων ἐρημίᾳ, ἔνθα τοῖς ἥρωσιν ἄνθρωποι ξυναριστῶσι καὶ ξύν-
1487εισι πλὴν τῆς ἑσπέρας. τηνικαῦτα δʼ οὐκέτʼ ἦν ἀσφαλὲς ξυντυγχάνειν. εἰ γὰρ ἐντύχοι τις ἥρῳ τῶν βροτῶν νύκτωρ Ὀρέστῃ,
1492γυμνὸς ἦν πληγεὶς ὑπʼ αὐτοῦ πάντα τἀπιδέξια.
1494ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: οἴμοι τάλας, ὁ Ζεὺς ὅπως μή μʼ ὄψεται.
1495ποῦ Πισθέταιρός ἐστʼ;
Part 32
1451PISTHETAERUS: What do you reckon on doing then?
1451bINFORMER: I won't belie my breeding; from generation to generation we have lived by informing. Quick, therefore, give me quickly some light, swift hawk or kestrel wings,
1455so that I may summon the islanders, sustain the accusation here, and haste back there again on flying pinions.
1456bPISTHETAERUS: I see. In this way the stranger will be condemned even before he appears.
1458bINFORMER: That's just it.
1459PISTHETAERUS: And while he is on his way here by sea, you will be flying to the islands
1460to despoil him of his property.
1460bINFORMER: You've hit it, precisely; I must whirl hither and thither like a perfect humming-top.
1461bPISTHETAERUS: I catch the idea. Wait, I've got some fine Corcyraean wings. How do you like them?
1464INFORMER: Oh! woe is me! Why, it's a whip!
1464bPISTHETAERUS: No, no; these are the wings,
1465I tell you, that make the top spin.
1466INFORMER: Oh! oh! oh!
1468bPISTHETAERUS: Take your flight, clear off, you miserable cur, or you will soon see what comes of quibbling and lying. The Informer flees. To his slaves. Come, let us gather up our wings and withdraw.
1470CHORUS: In my ethereal flights I have seen many things new and strange and wondrous beyond belief.
1475There is a tree called Cleonymus belonging to an unknown species; it has no heart, is good for nothing and is as tall as it is cowardly. In springtime it shoots forth calumnies instead of buds and
1480in autumn it strews the ground with bucklers in place of leaves.
1482CHORUS: Far away in the regions of darkness, where no ray of light ever enters, there is a country,
1485where men sit at the table of the heroes and dwell with them always —except in the evening.
1490Should any mortal meet the hero Orestes at night, he would soon be stripped and covered with blows from head to foot.
1494PROMETHEUS: Ah! by the gods! if only Zeus does not see me!
1495Where is Pisthetaerus?
1495bPISTHETAERUS: Ha! what is this? A masked man!
1496bPROMETHEUS: Can you see any god behind me?
1497bPISTHETAERUS: No, none. But who are you, pray?
1498bPROMETHEUS: What's the time, please?
1499PISTHETAERUS: The time? Why, it's past noon.
1500Who are you?
1500bPROMETHEUS: Is it the fall of day? Is it no later than that?
Part 33
1495bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔα τουτὶ τί ἦν;
1496τίς ὁ συγκαλυμμός;
1496bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: τῶν θεῶν ὁρᾷς τινα
1497ἐμοῦ κατόπιν ἐνταῦθα;
1497bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μὰ Δίʼ ἐγὼ μὲν οὔ.
1498τίς δʼ εἶ σύ;
1498bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: πηνίκʼ ἐστὶν ἄρα τῆς ἡμέρας;
1499ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁπηνίκα; σμικρόν τι μετὰ μεσημβρίαν.
1500ἀλλὰ σὺ τίς εἶ;
1500bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: βουλυτὸς ἢ περαιτέρω;
1501ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμʼ ὡς βδελύττομαί σε.
1501bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: τί γὰρ ὁ Ζεὺς ποιεῖ;
1502ἀπαιθριάζει τὰς νεφέλας ἢ ξυννέφει;
1503ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμωζε μεγάλʼ.
1503bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: οὕτω μὲν ἐκκεκαλύψομαι.
1504ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ φίλε Προμηθεῦ.
1504bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: παῦε παῦε, μὴ βόα.
1505ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί γὰρ ἔστι;
1505bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: σίγα, μὴ κάλει μου τοὔνομα·
1506ἀπὸ γάρ μʼ ὀλεῖς, εἴ μʼ ἐνθάδʼ ὁ Ζεὺς ὄψεται.
1507ἀλλʼ ἵνα φράσω σοι πάντα τἄνω πράγματα,
1508τουτὶ λαβών μου τὸ σκιάδειον ὑπέρεχε
1509ἄνωθεν, ὡς ἂν μή μʼ ὁρῶσιν οἱ θεοί.
1510ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἰοὺ ἰού·
1511εὖ γʼ ἐπενόησας αὐτὸ καὶ προμηθικῶς.
1512ὑπόδυθι ταχὺ δὴ κᾆτα θαρρήσας λέγε.
1513ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: ἄκουε δή νυν.
1513bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὡς ἀκούοντος λέγε.
1514ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: ἀπόλωλεν ὁ Ζεύς.
1514bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: πηνίκʼ ἄττʼ ἀπώλετο;
1515ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: ἐξ οὗπερ ὑμεῖς ᾠκίσατε τὸν ἀέρα. θύει γὰρ οὐδεὶς οὐδὲν ἀνθρώπων ἔτι θεοῖσιν, οὐδὲ κνῖσα μηρίων ἄπο ἀνῆλθεν ὡς ἡμᾶς ἀπʼ ἐκείνου τοῦ χρόνου, ἀλλʼ ὡσπερεὶ Θεσμοφορίοις νηστεύομεν
1520ἄνευ θυηλῶν· οἱ δὲ βάρβαροι θεοὶ πεινῶντες ὥσπερ Ἰλλυριοὶ κεκριγότες ἐπιστρατεύσειν φάσʼ ἄνωθεν τῷ Διί, εἰ μὴ παρέξει τἀμπόριʼ ἀνεῳγμένα, ἵνʼ εἰσάγοιτο σπλάγχνα κατατετμημένα.
Part 33
1501PISTHETAERUS: This is getting dull!
1501bPROMETHEUS: What is Zeus doing? Is he dispersing the clouds or gathering them?
1503PISTHETAERUS: Watch out for yourself!
1503bPROMETHEUS: Come, I will raise my mask.
1504PISTHETAERUS: Ah! my dear Prometheus!
1504bPROMETHEUS: Sh! Sh! speak lower!
1505PISTHETAERUS: Why, what's the matter, Prometheus?
1505bPROMETHEUS: Sh! sh! Don't call me by my name; you will be my ruin, if Zeus should see me here. But, if you want me to tell you how things are going in heaven, take this umbrella and shield me, so that the gods don't see me.
1510PISTHETAERUS: I can recognize Prometheus in this cunning trick. Come, quick then, and fear nothing; speak on.
1513PROMETHEUS: Then listen.
1513bPISTHETAERUS: I am listening, proceed!
1514PROMETHEUS: Zeus is done for.
1514bPISTHETAERUS: Ah! and since when, pray?
1515PROMETHEUS: Since you founded this city in the air. There is not a man who now sacrifices to the gods; the smoke of the victims no longer reaches us. Not the smallest offering comes! We fast as though it were the festival of Demeter.
1520The barbarian gods, who are dying of hunger, are bawling like Illyrians and threaten to make an armed descent upon Zeus, if he does not open markets where joints of the victims are sold.
1525PISTHETAERUS: What! there are other gods besides you, barbarian gods who dwell above Olympus?
1526bPROMETHEUS: If there were no barbarian gods, who would be the patron of Execestides?
1528PISTHETAERUS: And what is the name of these gods?
1529bPROMETHEUS: Their name? Why, the Triballi.
1529cPISTHETAERUS: Ah, indeed!
1530'tis from that no doubt that we derive the word ‘tribulation.'
1531PROMETHEUS: Most likely. But one thing I can tell you for certain, namely, that Zeus and the celestial Triballi are going to send deputies here to sue for peace. Now don't you treat with them, unless
1535Zeus restores the scepter to the birds and gives you Basileia in marriage.
Part 34
1525ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: εἰσὶν γὰρ ἕτεροι βάρβαροι θεοί τινες
1526ἄνωθεν ὑμῶν;
1526bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: οὐ γάρ εἰσι βάρβαροι,
1527ὅθεν ὁ πατρῷός ἐστιν Ἐξηκεστίδῃ;
1528ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὄνομα δὲ τούτοις τοῖς θεοῖς τοῖς βαρβάροις
1529τί ἔστιν;
1529bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: ὅ τι ἔστιν; Τριβαλλοί.
1529cΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μανθάνω.
1530ἐντεῦθεν ἆρα τοὐπιτριβείης ἐγένετο;
1531ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: μάλιστα πάντων. ἓν δέ σοι λέγω σαφές·
1532ἥξουσι πρέσβεις δεῦρο περὶ διαλλαγῶν
1533παρὰ τοῦ Διὸς καὶ τῶν Τριβαλλῶν τῶν ἄνω·
1534ὑμεῖς δὲ μὴ σπένδεσθʼ, ἐὰν μὴ παραδιδῷ
1535τὸ σκῆπτρον ὁ Ζεὺς τοῖσιν ὄρνισιν πάλιν,
1536καὶ τὴν Βασίλειάν σοι γυναῖκʼ ἔχειν διδῷ.
1537ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τίς ἐστιν ἡ Βασίλεια;
1537bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: καλλίστη κόρη,
1538ἥπερ ταμιεύει τὸν κεραυνὸν τοῦ Διὸς
1539καὶ τἄλλʼ ἁπαξάπαντα, τὴν εὐβουλίαν
1540τὴν εὐνομίαν τὴν σωφροσύνην τὰ νεώρια,
1541τὴν λοιδορίαν τὸν κωλακρέτην τὰ τριώβολα.
1542ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἅπαντά γʼ ἆρʼ αὐτῷ ταμιεύει;
1542bΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: φήμʼ ἐγώ.
1543ἥν γʼ ἢν σὺ παρʼ ἐκείνου παραλάβῃς, πάντʼ ἔχεις.
1544τούτων ἕνεκα δεῦρʼ ἦλθον, ἵνα φράσαιμί σοι.
1545ἀεί ποτʼ ἀνθρώποις γὰρ εὔνους εἴμʼ ἐγώ.
1546ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: μόνον θεῶν γὰρ διὰ σʼ ἀπανθρακίζομεν.
1547ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: μισῶ δʼ ἅπαντας τοὺς θεούς, ὡς οἶσθα σύ.
1548ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: νὴ τὸν Δίʼ ἀεὶ δῆτα θεομισὴς ἔφυς.
1549ΠΡΟΜΗΘΕΎΣ: Τίμων καθαρός. ἀλλʼ ὡς ἂν ἀποτρέχω πάλιν,
1550φέρε τὸ σκιάδειον, ἵνα με κἂν ὁ Ζεὺς ἴδῃ
1551ἄνωθεν, ἀκολουθεῖν δοκῶ κανηφόρῳ.
1552ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ τὸν δίφρον γε διφροφόρει τονδὶ λαβών.
1553ΧΟΡΌΣ: πρὸς δὲ τοῖς Σκιάποσιν λίμνη τις ἔστʼ ἄλουτος οὗ ψυχαγωγεῖ Σωκράτης· ἔνθα καὶ Πείσανδρος ἦλθε δεόμενος ψυχὴν ἰδεῖν ἣ
1558ζῶντʼ ἐκεῖνον προὔλιπε, σφάγιʼ ἔχων κάμηλον ἀμνόν τινʼ, ἧς λαιμοὺς τεμὼν ὥσπερ ποθʼ οὑδυσσεὺς ἀπῆλθε, κᾆτʼ ἀνῆλθʼ αὐτῷ κάτωθεν
1563πρὸς τὸ λαῖτμα τῆς καμήλου Χαιρεφῶν ἡ νυκτερίς.
1565ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τὸ μὲν πόλισμα τῆς Νεφελοκοκκυγίας
1566ὁρᾶν τοδὶ πάρεστιν, οἷ πρεσβεύομεν.
1567οὗτος τί δρᾷς; ἐπʼ ἀριστέρʼ οὕτως ἀμπέχει;
1568οὐ μεταβαλεῖς θοἰμάτιον ὧδʼ ἐπιδέξια;
1569τί ὦ κακόδαιμον; Λαισποδίας εἶ τὴν φύσιν;
1570ὦ δημοκρατία ποῖ προβιβᾷς ἡμᾶς ποτε,
1571εἰ τουτονί γʼ ἐχειροτόνησαν οἱ θεοί;
1572ΤΡΙΒΑΛΛΌΣ: ἕξεις ἀτρέμας;
1572bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: οἴμωζε· πολὺ γὰρ δή σʼ ἐγὼ
1573ἑόρακα πάντων βαρβαρώτατον θεῶν.
1574ἄγε δὴ τί δρῶμεν Ἡράκλεις;
1574bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ἀκήκοας
1575ἐμοῦ γʼ ὅτι τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἄγχειν βούλομαι,
1576ὅστις ποτʼ ἔσθʼ ὁ τοὺς θεοὺς ἀποτειχίσας.
Part 34
1537PISTHETAERUS: Who is this Basileia?
1537bPROMETHEUS: A very fine young damsel, who makes the lightning for Zeus; all things come from her,
1540wisdom, good laws, virtue, the fleet, calumnies, the public paymaster and the triobolus.
1542PISTHETAERUS: Ah! then she is a sort of general manageress to the god.
1542bPROMETHEUS: Yes, precisely. If he gives you her for your wife, yours will be the almighty power. That is what I have come to tell you;
1545for you know my constant and habitual goodwill towards men.
1546PISTHETAERUS: Oh, yes! it's thanks to you that we roast our meat.
1547PROMETHEUS: I hate the gods, as you know.
1548PISTHETAERUS: Aye, by Zeus, you have always detested them.
1549PROMETHEUS: Towards them I am a veritable Timon; but I must return in all haste,
1550so give me the umbrella; if Zeus should see me from up there, he would think I was escorting one of the Canephori.
1552PISTHETAERUS: Wait, take this stool as well. Prometheus leaves. Pisthetaerus goes into the thicket.
1553CHORUS: Near by the land of the Sciapodes there is a marsh, from the borders whereof the unwashed
1555Socrates evokes the souls of men. Pisander came one day to see his soul, which he had left there when still alive. He offered
1560a little victim, a camel, slit his throat and, following the example of Odysseus, stepped one pace backwards. Then that bat of a Chaerephon came up from hell to drink the camel's blood.
1565POSEIDON: This is the city of Nephelococcygia, to which we come as ambassadors. To Triballus. Hi! what are you up to? you are throwing your cloak over the left shoulder. Come, fling it quick over the right! And why, pray, does it draggle in this fashion? Have you ulcers to hide like Lespodias?
1570Oh! democracy! whither, oh! whither are you leading us? Is it possible that the gods have chosen such an envoy?
1572You are undisturbed?
1572bUgh! you cursed savage! you are by far the most barbarous of all the gods. —
1574Tell me, Heracles, what are we going to do?
1574bHERACLES: I have already told you
1575that I want to strangle the fellow who dared to wall us out.
1577POSEIDON: But, my friend, we are envoys of peace.
1578bHERACLES: All the more reason why I wish to strangle him.
1579PISTHETAERUS: Hand me the cheese-grater; bring me the silphium for sauce;
1580pass me the cheese and watch the coals.
1581HERACLES: Mortal! we who greet you are three gods.
1582bPISTHETAERUS: Wait a bit till I have prepared my silphium pickle.
1583HERACLES: What are these meats?
1583bPISTHETAERUS: These are birds that have been punished with death
1585for attacking the people's friends.
1585bHERACLES: And you are going to season them before answering us?
Part 35
1577ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: ἀλλʼ ὦγάθʼ ᾑρήμεσθα περὶ διαλλαγῶν
1578πρέσβεις.
1578bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: διπλασίως μᾶλλον ἄγχειν μοι δοκεῖ.
1579ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τὴν τυρόκνηστίν τις δότω· φέρε σίλφιον·
1580τυρὸν φερέτω τις· πυρπόλει τοὺς ἄνθρακας.
1581ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τὸν ἄνδρα χαίρειν οἱ θεοὶ κελεύομεν
1582τρεῖς ὄντες ἡμεῖς.
1582bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ ἐπικνῶ τὸ σίλφιον.
1583ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: τὰ δὲ κρέα τοῦ ταῦτʼ ἐστίν;
1583bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὄρνιθές τινες
1584ἐπανιστάμενοι τοῖς δημοτικοῖσιν ὀρνέοις
1585ἔδοξαν ἀδικεῖν.
1585bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: εἶτα δῆτα σίλφιον
1586εἴπικνῇς πρότερον αὐτοῖσιν;
1586bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὦ χαῖρʼ Ἡράκλεις.
1587τί ἔστι;
1587bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: πρεσβεύοντες ἡμεῖς ἥκομεν
1588παρὰ τῶν θεῶν περὶ πολέμου καταλλαγῆς.
1589ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔλαιον οὐκ ἔνεστιν ἐν τῇ ληκύθῳ.
1590ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: καὶ μὴν τά γʼ ὀρνίθεια λιπάρʼ εἶναι πρέπει.
1591ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: ἡμεῖς τε γὰρ πολεμοῦντες οὐ κερδαίνομεν,
1592ὑμεῖς τʼ ἂν ἡμῖν τοῖς θεοῖς ὄντες φίλοι
1593ὄμβριον ὕδωρ ἂν εἴχετʼ ἐν τοῖς τέλμασιν,
1594ἀλκυονίδας τʼ ἂν ἤγεθʼ ἡμέρας ἀεί.
1595τούτων περὶ πάντων αὐτοκράτορες ἥκομεν.
1596ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλʼ οὔτε πρότερον πώποθʼ ἡμεῖς ἤρξαμεν
1597πολέμου πρὸς ὑμᾶς, νῦν τʼ ἐθέλομεν, εἰ δοκεῖ,
1598ἐάν τι δίκαιον ἀλλὰ νῦν ἐθέλητε δρᾶν,
1599σπονδὰς ποιεῖσθαι. τὰ δὲ δίκαιʼ ἐστὶν ταδί,
1600τὸ σκῆπτρον ἡμῖν τοῖσιν ὄρνισιν πάλιν
1601τὸν Δίʼ ἀποδοῦναι· κἂν διαλλαττώμεθα
1602ἐπὶ τοῖσδε, τοὺς πρέσβεις ἐπʼ ἄριστον καλῶ.
1603ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ἐμοὶ μὲν ἀπόχρη ταῦτα καὶ ψηφίζομαι.
1604ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τί ὦ κακόδαιμον; ἠλίθιος καὶ γάστρις εἶ.
1605ἀποστερεῖς τὸν πατέρα τῆς τυραννίδος;
1606ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἄληθες; οὐ γὰρ μεῖζον ὑμεῖς οἱ θεοὶ
1607ἰσχύσετʼ, ἢν ὄρνιθες ἄρξωσιν κάτω;
1608νῦν μέν γʼ ὑπὸ ταῖς νεφέλαισιν ἐγκεκρυμμένοι
1609κύψαντες ἐπιορκοῦσιν ὑμᾶς οἱ βροτοί·
1610ἐὰν δὲ τοὺς ὄρνις ἔχητε συμμάχους,
1611ὅταν ὀμνύῃ τις τὸν κόρακα καὶ τὸν Δία,
1612ὁ κόραξ παρελθὼν τοὐπιορκοῦντος λάθρᾳ
1613προσπτόμενος ἐκκόψει τὸν ὀφθαλμὸν θενών.
1614ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: νὴ τὸν Ποσειδῶ ταῦτά γέ τοι καλῶς λέγεις.
1615ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: κἀμοὶ δοκεῖ.
1615bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δαὶ σὺ φῄς;
Part 35
1586bPISTHETAERUS: Ah! Heracles! welcome, welcome! What's the matter?
1587bPOSEIDON: The gods have sent us here as ambassadors to treat for peace.
1589PISTHETAERUS: There's no more oil in the flask.
1590HERACLES: And yet the birds must be thoroughly basted with it.
1591POSEIDON: We have no interest to serve in fighting you; as for you, be friends and we promise that you shall always have rain-water in your pools and the warmest of warm weather.
1595So far as these points go we are plenipotentiaries.
1596PISTHETAERUS: We have never been the aggressors, and even now we are as well disposed for peace as yourselves, provided you agree to one equitable condition, namely,
1600that Zeus yield his scepter to the birds. If only this is agreed to, I invite the ambassadors to dinner.
1603HERACLES: That's good enough for me. I vote for peace.
1604POSEIDON: You wretch! you are nothing but a fool and a glutton.
1605Do you want to dethrone your own father?
1606PISTHETAERUS: What an error. Why, the gods will be much more powerful if the birds govern the earth. At present the mortals are hidden beneath the clouds, escape your observation, and commit perjury in your name;
1610but if you had the birds for your allies, and a man, after having sworn by the crow and Zeus, should fail to keep his oath, the crow would dive down upon him unawares and pluck out his eye.
1614POSEIDON: Well thought of, by Poseidon!
1615HERACLES: My notion too.
1615bPISTHETAERUS: And you, what's your opinion?
1615cTRIBALLUS: Nabasatreu.
1616PISTHETAERUS: D'you see? he also approves. But listen, here is another thing in which we can serve you. If a man vows to offer a sacrifice to some god, and then procrastinates,
1620pretending that the gods can wait, and thus does not keep his word, we shall punish his stinginess.
1621bPOSEIDON: Ah! and how?
1622PISTHETAERUS: While he is counting his money or is in the bath, a kite will relieve him, before he knows it, either in coin or in clothes,
1625of the value of a couple of sheep, and carry it to the god.
1626HERACLES: I vote for restoring them the scepter.
1627bPOSEIDON: Ask Triballus.
1628HERACLES: Hi! Triballus, do you want a thrashing?
1628bTRIBALLUS: Sure, bashum head withum stick.
Part 36
1615cΤΡΙΒΑΛΛΌΣ: ναβαισατρεῦ.
1616ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁρᾷς; ἐπαινεῖ χοὖτος. ἕτερόν νυν ἔτι
1617ἀκούσαθʼ ὅσον ὑμᾶς ἀγαθὸν ποιήσομεν.
1618ἐάν τις ἀνθρώπων ἱερεῖόν τῳ θεῶν
1619εὐξάμενος εἶτα διασοφίζηται λέγων,
1620μενετοὶ θεοί, καὶ μἀποδιδῷ μισητίᾳ,
1621ἀναπράξομεν καὶ ταῦτα.
1621bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: φέρʼ ἴδω τῷ τρόπῳ;
1622ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὅταν διαριθμῶν ἀργυρίδιον τύχῃ
1623ἅνθρωπος οὗτος, ἢ καθῆται λούμενος,
1624καταπτόμενος ἰκτῖνος ἁρπάσας λάθρᾳ
1625προβάτοιν δυοῖν τιμὴν ἀνοίσει τῷ θεῷ.
1626ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: τὸ σκῆπτρον ἀποδοῦναι πάλιν ψηφίζομαι
1627τούτοις ἐγώ.
1627bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: καὶ τὸν Τριβαλλόν νυν ἐροῦ.
1628ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ὁ Τριβαλλός, οἰμώζειν δοκεῖ σοι;
1628bΤΡΙΒΑΛΛΌΣ: σαυνάκα
1629βακταρικροῦσα.
1629bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: φησί μʼ εὖ λέγειν πάνυ.
1630ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: εἴ τοι δοκεῖ σφῷν ταῦτα, κἀμοὶ συνδοκεῖ.
1631ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: οὗτος, δοκεῖ δρᾶν ταῦτα τοῦ σκήπτρου πέρι.
1632ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: καὶ νὴ Δίʼ ἕτερόν γʼ ἐστὶν οὗ ʼμνήσθην ἐγώ.
1633τὴν μὲν γὰρ Ἥραν παραδίδωμι τῷ Διί,
1634τὴν δὲ Βασίλειαν τὴν κόρην γυναῖκʼ ἐμοὶ
1635ἐκδοτέον ἐστίν.
1635bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: οὐ διαλλαγῶν ἐρᾷς.
1636ἀπίωμεν οἴκαδʼ αὖθις.
1636bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὀλίγον μοι μέλει.
1637μάγειρε τὸ κατάχυσμα χρὴ ποιεῖν γλυκύ.
1638ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ὦ δαιμόνιʼ ἀνθρώπων Πόσειδον ποῖ φέρει;
1639ἡμεῖς περὶ γυναικὸς μιᾶς πολεμήσομεν;
1640ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τί δαὶ ποιῶμεν;
1640bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ὅ τι; διαλλαττώμεθα.
1641ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τί δʼ ᾠζύρʼ; οὐκ οἶσθʼ ἐξαπατώμενος πάλαι;
1642βλάπτεις δέ τοι σὺ σαυτόν. ἢν γὰρ ἀποθάνῃ
1643ὁ Ζεὺς παραδοὺς τούτοισι τὴν τυραννίδα,
1644πένης ἔσει σύ. σοῦ γὰρ ἅπαντα γίγνεται
1645τὰ χρήμαθʼ, ὅσʼ ἂν ὁ Ζεὺς ἀποθνῄσκων καταλίπῃ.
1646ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οἴμοι τάλας οἷόν σε περισοφίζεται.
1647δεῦρʼ ὡς ἔμʼ ἀποχώρησον, ἵνα τί σοι φράσω.
1648διαβάλλεταί σʼ ὁ θεῖος ὦ πόνηρε σύ.
1649τῶν γὰρ πατρῴων οὐδʼ ἀκαρῆ μέτεστί σοι
1650κατὰ τοὺς νόμους· νόθος γὰρ εἶ κοὐ γνήσιος.
1651ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ἐγὼ νόθος; τί λέγεις;
Part 36
1629bHERACLES: He says, Right willingly.
1630POSEIDON: If that be the opinion of both of you, why, I consent too.
1631HERACLES: Very well! we accord you the scepter.
1632PISTHETAERUS: Ah! I was nearly forgetting another condition. I will leave Here to Zeus, but only if the young Basileia
1635is given me in marriage.
1635bPOSEIDON: Then you don't want peace. Let us withdraw.
1636bPISTHETAERUS: It matters mighty little to me. Cook, look to the gravy.
1638HERACLES: What an odd fellow this Poseidon is! Where are you off to? Are we going to war about a woman?
1640POSEIDON: What else is there to do?
1640bHERACLES: What else? Why, conclude peace.
1641POSEIDON: Oh! you blockhead! do you always want to be fooled? Why, you are seeking your own downfall. If Zeus were to die, after having yielded them the sovereignty, you would be ruined, for you are the heir of
1645all the wealth he will leave behind.
1646PISTHETAERUS: Oh! by the gods! how he is cajoling you. Step aside, that I may have a word with you. Your uncle is getting the better of you, my poor friend.
1650The law will not allow you an obolus of the paternal property, for you are a bastard and not a legitimate child.
1651HERACLES: I a bastard! What's that you tell me?
1651bPISTHETAERUS: Why, certainly; are you not born of a stranger woman? Besides, is not Athena recognized as Zeus' sole heiress? And no daughter would be that, if she had a legitimate brother.
1655HERACLES: But what if my father wished to give me his property on his death-bed, even though I be a bastard?
1656bPISTHETAERUS: The law forbids it, and this same Poseidon would be the first to lay claim to his wealth, in virtue of being his legitimate brother. Listen;
1660thus runs Solon's law: A bastard shall not inherit, if there are
1665legitimate children; and if there are no legitimate children, the property shall pass to the nearest kin.
1667HERACLES: And I get nothing whatever of the paternal property?
1668bPISTHETAERUS: Absolutely nothing. But tell me, has your father had you entered on the registers of his phratry?
1670HERACLES: No, and I have long been surprised at the omission.
1671PISTHETAERUS: Why do you shake your fist at heaven? Do you want to fight? Why, be on my side, I will make you a king and will feed you on bird's milk and honey.
1674HERACLES: Your further condition seems fair to me.
1675I cede you the young damsel.
Part 37
1651bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: σὺ μέντοι νὴ Δία
1652ὤν γε ξένης γυναικός. ἢ πῶς ἄν ποτε
1653ἐπίκληρον εἶναι τὴν Ἀθηναίαν δοκεῖς,
1654οὖσαν θυγατέρʼ, ὄντων ἀδελφῶν γνησίων;
1655ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: τί δʼ ἢν ὁ πατὴρ ἐμοὶ διδῷ τὰ χρήματα
1656νοθεἶ ἀποθνῄσκων;
1656bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ὁ νόμος αὐτὸν οὐκ ἐᾷ.
1657οὗτος ὁ Ποσειδῶν πρῶτος, ὃς ἐπαίρει σε νῦν,
1658ἀνθέξεταί σου τῶν πατρῴων χρημάτων
1659φάσκων ἀδελφὸς αὐτὸς εἶναι γνήσιος.
1660ἐρῶ δὲ δὴ καὶ τὸν Σόλωνός σοι νόμον·
1661νόθῳ δὲ μὴ εἶναι ἀγχιστείαν παίδων ὄντων
1665γνησίων. ἐὰν δὲ παῖδες μὴ ὦσι γνήσιοι, τοῖς
1666ἐγγυτάτω γένους μετεῖναι τῶν χρημάτων.
1667ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ἐμοὶ δʼ ἄρʼ οὐδὲν τῶν πατρῴων χρημάτων
1668μέτεστιν;
1668bΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐ μέντοι μὰ Δία. λέξον δέ μοι,
1669ἤδη σʼ ὁ πατὴρ εἰσήγαγʼ ἐς τοὺς φράτερας;
1670ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: οὐ δῆτʼ ἐμέ γε. καὶ δῆτʼ ἐθαύμαζον πάλαι.
1671ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δῆτʼ ἄνω κέχηνας αἴκειαν βλέπων;
1672ἀλλʼ ἢν μεθʼ ἡμῶν ᾖς, καταστήσας σʼ ἐγὼ
1673τύραννον ὀρνίθων παρέξω σοι γάλα.
1674ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: δίκαιʼ ἔμοιγε καὶ πάλαι δοκεῖς λέγειν
1675περὶ τῆς κόρης, κἄγωγε παραδίδωμί σοι.
1676ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: τί δαὶ σὺ φῄς;
1676bΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: τἀναντία ψηφίζομαι.
1677ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐν τῷ Τριβαλλῷ πᾶν τὸ πρᾶγμα. τί σὺ λέγεις;
1678ΤΡΙΒΑΛΛΌΣ: καλάνι κόραυνα καὶ μεγάλα βασιλιναῦ
1679ὄρνιτο παραδίδωμι.
1679bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: παραδοῦναι λέγει.
1680ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: μὰ τὸν Δίʼ οὐχ οὗτός γε παραδοῦναι λέγει,
1681εἰ μὴ † βαδίζειν † ωἅσπερ αἱ χελιδόσιν λέγει.
1682ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: οὐκοῦν παραδοῦναι ταῖς χελιδόσιν λέγει.
1683ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: σφὼ νῦν διαλλάττεσθε καὶ ξυμβαίνετε·
1684ἐγὼ δʼ, ἐπειδὴ σφῷν δοκεῖ, σιγήσομαι.
1685ἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: ἡμῖν ἃ λέγεις σὺ πάντα συγχωρεῖν δοκεῖ.
1686ἀλλʼ ἴθι μεθʼ ἡμῶν αὐτὸς ἐς τὸν οὐρανόν,
1687ἵνα τὴν Βασίλειαν καὶ τὰ πάντʼ ἐκεῖ λάβῃς.
1688ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐς καιρὸν ἆρα κατεκόπησαν οὑτοιὶ
1689ἐς τοὺς γάμους.
1689bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: βούλεσθε δῆτʼ ἐγὼ τέως
1690ὀπτῶ τὰ κρέα ταυτὶ μένων; ὑμεῖς δʼ ἴτε.
1691ΠΟΣΕΙΔΩ͂Ν: ὀπτᾷς τὰ κρέα; πολλήν γε τενθείαν λέγεις.
1692οὐκ εἶ μεθʼ ἡμῶν;
Part 37
1676bPOSEIDON: But I, I vote against this opinion.
1677PISTHETAERUS: Then it all depends on the Triballus. To the Triballus. What do you say?
1678TRIBALLUS: Givum bird pretty gel bigum queen.
1679bHERACLES: He says give her.
1680POSEIDON: Why no, he does not say anything of the sort, or else, like the swallows he does not know how to walk.
1682PISTHETAERUS: Exactly so. Does he not say she must be given to the swallows?
1683POSEIDON: All right, you two arrange the matter; make peace, since you wish it so; I'll hold my tongue.
1685HERACLES: We are of a mind to grant you all that you ask. But come up there with us to receive Basileia and the celestial bounty.
1688PISTHETAERUS: Here are birds already dressed, and very suitable for a nuptial feast.
1689bHERACLES: You go and, if you like, I will stay here to roast them.
1691PISTHETAERUS: You to roast them? you are too much the glutton; come along with us.
1692bHERACLES: Ah! how well I would have treated myself!
1693PISTHETAERUS: Let some one bring me a beautiful and magnificent tunic for the wedding.
1694CHORUS: At Phanae, near the
1695Clepsydra, there dwells a people who have neither faith nor law, the Englottogastors, who reap, sow, pluck the vines and the figs with their tongues;
1700they belong to a barbaric race, and among them the Philippi and the Gorgiases are to be found; 'tis these Englottogastorian Philippi who introduced the custom all over Attica
1705of cutting out the tongue separately at sacrifices.
1706MESSENGER: Oh, you, whose unbounded happiness I cannot express in words, thrice happy race of airy birds, receive your king in your fortunate dwellings. More brilliant than the brightest
1710star that illumes the earth, he is approaching his glittering golden palace; the sun itself does not shine with more dazzling glory. He is entering with his bride at his side, whose beauty no human tongue can express; in his hand he brandishes the lightning, the winged shaft of Zeus;
1715perfumes of unspeakable sweetness pervade the ethereal realms. 'Tis a glorious spectacle to see the clouds of incense wafting in light whirlwinds before the breath of the zephyr! But here he is himself. Divine Muse! let thy sacred lips begin with songs of happy omen.
1720CHORUS: Fall back! to the right! to the left! advance! Fly around this happy mortal, whom Fortune loads with her blessings. Oh! oh! what grace! what beauty!
1725Oh, marriage so auspicious for our city!
1726CHORUS: All honor to this man! 'tis through him that the birds are called to such glorious destinies. Let your nuptial hymns, your nuptial songs, greet
1730him and his Basileia!
1731CHORUS: 'Twas that the Fates formerly united Olympian Hera to the King who governs the gods from the summit of his inaccessible throne
1735in the midst of such festivities. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaeus!
1737CHORUS: Rosy Eros with the golden wings held the reins and guided the chariot; 'twas he, who presided over
1740the union of Zeus and the fortunate Hera. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaeus!
1743PISTHETAERUS: I am delighted with your songs, I applaud your verses. Now celebrate
1745the thunder that shakes the earth, the flaming lightning of Zeus and the terrible flashing thunderbolt.
Part 38
1692bἩΡΑΚΛΗ͂Σ: εὖ γε μέντἂν διετέθην.
1693ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἀλλὰ γαμικὴν χλανίδα δότω τις δεῦρό μοι.
1694ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἔστι δʼ ἐν Φαναῖσι πρὸς τῇ Κλεψύδρᾳ πανοῦργον ἐγ- γλωττογαστόρων γένος, οἳ θερίζουσίν τε καὶ σπείρουσι καὶ τρυγῶσι ταῖς γλώτταισι
1699συκάζουσί τε· βάρβαροι δʼ εἰσὶν γένος, Γοργίαι τε καὶ Φίλιπποι. κἀπὸ τῶν ἐγγλωττογαστόρων ἐκείνων τῶν Φιλίππων
1704πανταχοῦ τῆς Ἀττικῆς ἡ γλῶττα χωρὶς τέμνεται.
1706ἌΓΓΕΛΟΣ: ὦ πάντʼ ἀγαθὰ πράττοντες, ὦ μείζω λόγου, ὦ τρισμακάριον πτηνὸν ὀρνίθων γένος, δέχεσθε τὸν τύραννον ὀλβίοις δόμοις. προσέρχεται γὰρ οἷς οὔτε παμφαὴς ἀστὴρ ἰδεῖν ἔλαμψε χρυσαυγεῖ δόμῳ,
1711οὔθʼ ἡλίου τηλαυγὲς ἀκτίνων σέλας τοιοῦτον ἐξέλαμψεν, οἶον ἔρχεται ἔχων γυναικὸς κάλλος οὐ φατὸν λέγειν, πάλλων κεραυνόν, πτεροφόρον Διὸς βέλος· ὀσμὴ δʼ ἀνωνόμαστος ἐς βάθος κύκλου
1716χωρεῖ, καλὸν θέαμα· θυμιαμάτων δʼ αὖραι διαψαίρουσι πλεκτάνην καπνοῦ. ὁδὶ δὲ καὐτός ἐστιν. ἀλλὰ χρὴ θεᾶς Μούσης ἀνοίγειν ἱερὸν εὔφημον στόμα.
1720ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἄναγε δίεχε πάραγε πάρεχε.
1721περιπέτεσθε
1722τὸν μάκαρα μάκαρι σὺν τύχᾳ.
1723ὦ φεῦ φεῦ τῆς ὥρας τοῦ κάλλους.
1725ὦ μακαριστὸν σὺ γάμον τῇδε πόλει γημας.
1726ΧΟΡΌΣ: μεγάλαι μεγάλαι κατέχουσι τύχαι
1727γένος ὀρνίθων
1728διὰ τόνδε τὸν ἄνδρʼ. ἀλλʼ ὑμεναίοις
1729καὶ νυμφιδίοισι δέχεσθʼ ᾠδαῖς
1730αὐτὸν καὶ τὴν Βασίλειαν.
1731ΧΟΡΌΣ: Ἥρᾳ ποτʼ Ὀλυμπίᾳ
1732τῶν ἠλιβάτων θρόνων
1733ἄρχοντα θεοῖς μέγαν
1734Μοῖραι ξυνεκοίμισαν
1735ἐν τοιῷδʼ ὑμεναίῳ.
1736Ὑμὴν ὦ Ὑμέναιʼ ὦ,
1736aὙμὴν ὦ Ὑμέναιʼ ὦ.
1737ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὁ δʼ ἀμφιθαλὴς Ἔρως
1738χρυσόπτερος ἡνίας
1739ηὔθυνε παλιντόνους,
1740Ζηνὸς πάροχος γάμων
1741τῆς τʼ εὐδαίμονος Ἥρας.
1742Ὑμὴν ὦ Ὑμέναιʼ ὦ,
1742aὙμὴν ὦ Ὑμέναιʼ ὦ.
1743ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἐχάρην ὕμνοις, ἐχάρην ᾠδαῖς·
1744ἄγαμαι δὲ λόγων. ἄγε νυν αὐτοῦ
1745καὶ τὰς χθονίας κλῄσατε βροντὰς
1746τάς τε πυρώδεις Διὸς ἀστεροπὰς
1747δεινόν τʼ ἀργῆτα κεραυνόν.
1748ΧΟΡΌΣ: ὦ μέγα χρύσεον ἀστεροπῆς φάος,
1749ὦ Διὸς ἄμβροτον ἔγχος πυρφόρον,
1750ὦ χθόνιαι βαρυαχέες
1751ὀμβροφόροι θʼ ἅμα βρονταί,
1752αἷς ὅδε νῦν χθόνα σείει.
1753διὰ σὲ τὰ πάντα κρατήσας
1754καὶ πάρεδρον Βασίλειαν ἔχει Διός.
1754aὙμὴν ὦ Ὑμέναιʼ ὦ.
1755ΠΙΣΘΈΤΑΙΡΟΣ: ἔπεσθε νῦν γάμοισιν ὦ
1756φῦλα πάντα συννόμων
1757πτεροφόρʼ ἐπὶ δάπεδον Διὸς
1758καὶ λέχος γαμήλιον.
1759ὄρεξον ὦ μάκαιρα σὴν
1760χεῖρα καὶ πτερῶν ἐμῶν
1761λαβοῦσα συγχόρευσον· αἴρων
1762δὲ κουφιῶ σʼ ἐγώ.
1763ΧΟΡΌΣ: ἀλαλαλαὶ ἰὴ παιών,
1764τήνελλα καλλίνικος, ὦ
1765δαιμόνων ὑπέρτατε.
Part 38
1748CHORUS: Oh, thou golden flash of the lightning! oh, ye divine shafts of flame, that Zeus has hitherto shot forth!
1750Oh, ye rolling thunders, that bring down the rain! 'Tis by the order of our king that ye shall now stagger the earth! Oh, Hymen! 'tis through thee that he commands the universe and that he makes Basileia, whom he has robbed from Zeus, take her seat at his side. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaeus!
1755PISTHETAERUS: Let all the winged tribes of our fellow-citizens follow the bridal couple to the palace of Zeus and to the nuptial couch! Stretch forth your
1760hands, my dear wife! Take hold of me by my wings and let us dance; I am going to lift you up and carry you through the air.
1763CHORUS: Alalalai ie Paian! Tenella kallinikos!
1765Loftiest art thou of gods!