Nothing can save them from our wrath, neither the mountain forests, nor the clouds that float in the sky, nor the foaming deep.

Leader of the ChorusCome, peck, tear to ribbons. Where is the chief of the cohort? Let him engage the right wing.

They rush at the two Athenians.EuelpidesThis is the fatal moment. Where shall I fly to, unfortunate wretch that I am?PisthetaerusWait! Stay here!EuelpidesThat they may tear me to pieces?PisthetaerusAnd how do you think to escape them?EuelpidesI don't know at all.PisthetaerusCome, I will tell you. We must stop and fight them. Let us arm ourselves with these stew-pots.EuelpidesWhy with the stew-pots?PisthetaerusThe owl will not attack us then.EuelpidesBut do you see all those hooked claws?PisthetaerusTake the spit and pierce the foe on your side.EuelpidesAnd how about my eyes?PisthetaerusProtect them with this dish or this vinegar-pot.EuelpidesOh! what cleverness! what inventive genius! You are a great general, even greater than Nicias, where stratagem is concerned.Leader of the ChorusForward, forward, charge with your beaks! Come, no delay. Tear, pluck, strike, flay them, and first of all smash the stew-pot.EpopsStepping in front of the Chorus.Oh, most cruel of all animals, why tear these two men to pieces, why kill them? What have they done to you? They belong to the same tribe, to the same family as my wife.Leader of the ChorusAre wolves to be spared? Are they not our most mortal foes? So let us punish them.EpopsIf they are your foes by nature, they are your friends in heart, and they come here to give you useful advice.Leader of the ChorusAdvice or a useful word from their lips, from them, the enemies of my forebears?EpopsThe wise can often profit by the lessons of a foe, for caution is the mother of safety. It is just such a thing as one will not learn from a friend and which an enemy compels you to know. To begin with, it's the foe and not the friend that taught cities to build high walls, to equip long vessels of war; and it's this knowledge that protects our children, our slaves and our wealth.Leader of the ChorusWell then, I agree, let us first hear them, for that is best; one can even learn something in an enemy's school.PisthetaerusTo Euelpides.Their wrath seems to cool. Draw back a little.EpopsIt's only justice, and you will thank me later.Leader of the ChorusNever have we opposed your advice up to now.

PisthetaerusThey are in a more peaceful mood; put down your stew-pot and your two dishes; spit in hand, doing duty for a spear, let us mount guard inside the camp