The Comedies, Vol. 1 by Aristophanes

Author:Aristophanes [Aristophanes]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Drama
Publisher: Jazzybee Verlag
Published: 2016-10-16T00:00:00+00:00

Cho.

But if I were to violate it, to be victorious by one judge only. Endnote 1794

Pisth.

(as crier). O yes! O yes! Endnote 1795 Let the hoplites now take up their arms and go home again, and look at what we shall placard on the tablets.

Cho.

Man is naturally deceitful Endnote 1796 ever, in every way! but do you, nevertheless, say on. For Endnote 1797 perhaps you may chance to mention something good, which you espy in me, or some greater power neglected by my mind, being void of understanding; while you discern it. Speak for the public weal; for whatever good thing you happen to procure for me, this shall be common to all. But state boldly for what matter you have come, having convinced your own mind; for we will Endnote 1798 not be the first to break the treaty.

Pisth.

Well now, by Jove, I am eager; and one speech has been previously mixed up by me, which there is no impediment Endnote 1799 to my kneading thoroughly. Boy, bring a chaplet! let some one fetch water quickly to be poured over our hands!

Euel.

Are we about to banquet, Endnote 1800 or what?

Pisth.

No, by Jove; but I have been this long while seeking to utter a big and corpulent Endnote 1801 word, which shall make a breach in the minds Endnote 1802 of these; to such a degree do I grieve over you, who being formerly kings,—

Cho.

We kings? Kings of what?

Pisth.

of all things, as many as exist, Endnote 1803 of me first, of this man here, and of Jove himself, had an existence more primeval and prior to Cronus, and the Titans, and earth.

Cho.

And earth?

Pisth.

Aye, by Apollo.

Cho.

This, by Jove, I had not heard.

Pisth.

Very likely, for you are unlearned and not Endnote 1804 curious after knowledge, nor even are you familiar with Æsop, who in his fables asserted that the lark came into being the first of all, prior to the earth; and then that her father died of illness; but that there was no earth; and that he lay out five days! and that she, being at a loss, buried her father in her own head, by reason of her perplexity. Endnote 1805

Euel.

The father, then, of the lark now lies dead at Cephalæ. Endnote 1806

Epops.

Is not, then, the kingdom rightly theirs, pray, if they had an existence prior to the earth, and prior to the gods, inasmuch as they are the oldest?

Euel.

Aye, by Apollo! therefore, it behoves you very much henceforth to cherish your beak; Endnote 1807 Jove will not quickly restore the sceptre to the wood-pecker.

Pisth.

Of this, therefore, there are many proofs, that, not the gods, but the birds, were rulers and kings over men in ancient times. For example, I will first point out the cock to you, how he was sovereign and ruler over the Persians, before all, before Darius and Megabyzus. So that he is still called the Persian Endnote 1808 bird, from that his dominion.

Euel.

On this account, then, even now, he only of the birds struts about with the turban Endnote 1809 erect upon his head, like the great king.

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