Birds again, and 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; it 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. He departs. Leader of the Chorus To Pisthetaerus. Well! what do you say to it? Are you not astonished at the wall being completed so quickly? Pisthetaerus 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! Second Messenger Rushing in. Alas! alas! alas! alas! alas! alas! Pisthetaerus What's the matter? Second 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. Pisthetaerus It's a terrible and criminal deed. What god was it? Second Messenger We don't know that. All we know is, that he has got wings. Pisthetaerus Why were not patrolmen sent against him at once? Second Messenger We have despatched thirty thousand hawks of the legion of Mounted Archers. All 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, he is coming from yonder side. Pisthetaerus To arms, all, with slings and bows! This way, all our soldiers; shoot and strike! Some one give me a sling! Chorus Singing. War, a terrible war is breaking out between us and the gods! Come, let each one guard Air, the son of Erebus, in which the clouds float. Take care no immortal enters it without your knowledge. Leader 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. The Machine brings in Iris, in the form of a young girl. Pisthetaerus Hi! you woman! where, where, where are you flying to? Halt, don't stir! keep 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. Iris I come from the abode of the Olympian gods. Pisthetaerus What's your name, ship or head-dress? Iris I am swift Iris. Pisthetaerus Paralus or Salaminia? Iris What do you mean? Pisthetaerus Let a buzzard rush at her and seize her. Iris Seize me? But what do all these insults mean? Pisthetaerus Woe to you!