Parodos
[Lyric-Scene 1]
Absolutely nothing. But tell me, has your father had you entered on the registers of his phratry?
Heracles
No, and I have long been surprised at the omission.
1670
Pisthetaerus
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.
Heracles
Your further condition seems fair to me.
I cede you the young damsel.
1675
Poseidon
But I, I vote against this opinion.
Pisthetaerus
Then it all depends on the Triballus.
To the Triballus. What do you say?
Triballus
Givum bird pretty gel bigum queen.
Heracles
He says give her.
Poseidon
Why no, he does not say anything of the sort, or else, like the swallows he does not know how to walk.
1680
Pisthetaerus
Exactly so. Does he not say she must be given to the swallows?
Poseidon
All right, you two arrange the matter; make peace, since you wish it so; I'll hold my tongue.
Heracles
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.
1685
Pisthetaerus
Here are birds already dressed, and very suitable for a nuptial feast.
Heracles
You go and, if you like, I will stay here to roast them.
Pisthetaerus
You to roast them? you are too much the glutton; come along with us.
Heracles
Ah! how well I would have treated myself!
Pisthetaerus
Let some one bring me a beautiful and magnificent tunic for the wedding.
Chorus
At Phanae, near the
Clepsydra, there dwells a people who have neither faith nor law, the Englottogastors, who reap, sow, pluck the vines and the figs with their tongues;
1695
they 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
1700
of cutting out the tongue separately at sacrifices.
1705
Messenger
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
star 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;
1710
perfumes 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.
1715
[Exodus]
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!
1720
Chorus
Oh, marriage so auspicious for our city!
1725
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
him and his Basileia!
1730
[Exodus 1]
Lines rearranged to better fit Greek lineation. Originally read: 'Twas in the midst of such festivities that the Fates formerly united Olympian Hera to the King who governs the gods from the summit of his inaccessible throne. 'Twas that the Fates formerly united Olympian Hera to the King who governs the gods from the summit of his inaccessible throne
