This text is part of:
Table of Contents:
Epops
To two attendants.
[435] 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. Pisthetaerus
Not I, by Apollo, [440] unless 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 . . . Euelpides
Bending over and pointing his finger at his anus.
Do you mean this? Pisthetaerus
No, I mean my eyes. Leader of the Chorus
Agreed. Pisthetaerus
Swear it. Leader of the Chorus
[445] I swear it and, if I keep my promise, let judges and spectators give me the victory unanimously. Pisthetaerus
It is a bargain. Leader of the Chorus
And if I break my word, may I succeed by one vote only. Epops
As Herald.
Hearken, ye people! Hoplites, pick up your weapons and return to your firesides; [450] do not fail to read the decrees of dismissal we have posted.
Aristophanes. Birds. The Complete Greek Drama, vol. 2. Eugene O'Neill, Jr. New York. Random House. 1938.
The Annenberg CPB/Project provided support for entering this text.