Parodos
[Lyric-Scene 1]
Ah! and since when, pray?
Prometheus
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.
1515
The 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.
1520
Pisthetaerus
What! there are other gods besides you, barbarian gods who dwell above Olympus?
1525
Prometheus
If there were no barbarian gods, who would be the patron of Execestides?
Pisthetaerus
And what is the name of these gods?
Prometheus
Their name? Why, the Triballi.
'tis from that no doubt that we derive the word ‘tribulation.'
1530
Prometheus
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
Zeus restores the scepter to the birds and gives you Basileia in marriage.
1535
Pisthetaerus
Who is this Basileia?
Prometheus
A very fine young damsel, who makes the lightning for Zeus; all things come from her,
wisdom, good laws, virtue, the fleet, calumnies, the public paymaster and the triobolus.
1540
Pisthetaerus
Ah! then she is a sort of general manageress to the god.
Prometheus
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;
for you know my constant and habitual goodwill towards men.
1545
Pisthetaerus
Oh, yes! it's thanks to you that we roast our meat.
Prometheus
I hate the gods, as you know.
Pisthetaerus
Aye, by Zeus, you have always detested them.
Prometheus
Towards them I am a veritable Timon; but I must return in all haste,
so give me the umbrella; if Zeus should see me from up there, he would think I was escorting one of the Canephori.
1550
Pisthetaerus
Wait, take this stool as well.
Prometheus leaves. Pisthetaerus goes into the thicket.
Chorus
Near by the land of the Sciapodes there is a marsh, from the borders whereof the unwashed
Socrates evokes the souls of men. Pisander came one day to see his soul, which he had left there when still alive. He offered
1555
a 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.
1560
Poseidon
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?
1565
Oh! democracy! whither, oh! whither are you leading us? Is it possible that the gods have chosen such an envoy?
1570
Ugh! you cursed savage! you are by far the most barbarous of all the gods. —
