Here is the magpie, the turtle-dove, the swallow, the horned-owl, the buzzard, the pigeon, the falcon, the ring-dove, the cuckoo, the red-foot, the red-cap, the purple-cap, the kestrel, the diver, the ousel, the osprey, the woodpecker . . . PisthetaerusOh! what a lot of birds! Oh! what a lot of blackbirds! How they scold, how they come rushing up! What a noise! what a noise! Can they be bearing us ill-will? Oh! there! there! they are opening their beaks and staring at us.EuelpidesWhy, so they are. Leader of the ChorusPopopopopopo. Where is he who called me? Where am I to find him?EpopsI have been waiting for you a long while! I never fail in my word to my friends.Leader of the ChorusTititititititi. What good news have you for me?EpopsSomething that concerns our common safety, and that is just as pleasant as it is to the point. Two men, who are subtle reasoners, have come here to seek me.Leader of the ChorusWhere? How? What are you saying?EpopsI say, two old men have come from the abode of humans to propose a vast and splendid scheme to us.Leader of the ChorusOh! it's a horrible, unheard-of crime! What are you saying?EpopsNever let my words scare you.Leader of the ChorusWhat have you done to me?EpopsI have welcomed two men, who wish to live with us.Leader of the ChorusAnd you have dared to do that!EpopsYes, and I am delighted at having done so.Leader of the ChorusAnd are they already with us?EpopsJust as much as I am.

ChorusSinging.Ah! ah! we are betrayed; 'tis sacrilege! Our friend, he who picked up corn-seeds in the same plains as ourselves, has violated our ancient laws; he has broken the oaths that bind all birds; he has laid a snare for me, he has handed us over to the attacks of that impious race which, throughout all time, has never ceased to war against us.

Leader of the ChorusAs for this traitorous bird, we will decide his case later, but the two old men shall be punished forthwith; we are going to tear them to pieces.PisthetaerusIt's all over with us.

EuelpidesYou are the sole cause of all our trouble.Why did you bring me from down yonder?PisthetaerusTo have you with me.EuelpidesSay rather to have me melt into tears.PisthetaerusGo on! you are talking nonsense. How will you weep with your eyes pecked out?

ChorusSinging.Io! io! forward to the attack, throw yourselves upon the foe, spill his blood; take to your wings and surround them on all sides. Woe to them! let us get to work with our beaks, let us devour them.