close to the pot and watch in our arsenal closely; for we must not fly. Euelpides You are right. But where shall we be buried, if we die? Pisthetaerus In the Ceramicus; for, to get a public funeral, we shall tell the Strategi that we fell at Orneae, fighting the country's foes. Leader of the Chorus Return to your ranks and lay down your courage beside your wrath as the hoplites do. Then let us ask these men who they are, whence they come, and with what intent. Here, Epops, answer me. Epops Are you calling me? What do you want of me? Leader of the Chorus Who are they? From what country? Epops Strangers, who have come from Greece , the land of the wise. Leader of the Chorus And what fate has led them hither to the land of the birds? Epops Their love for you and their wish to share your kind of life; to dwell and remain with you always. Leader of the Chorus Indeed, and what are their plans? Epops They are wonderful, incredible, unheard of. Leader of the Chorus Why, do they think to see some advantage that determines them to settle here? Are they hoping with our help to triumph over their foes or to be useful to their friends? Epops They speak of benefits so great it is impossible either to describe or conceive them; all shall be yours, all that we see here, there, above and below us; this they vouch for. Leader of the Chorus Are they mad? Epops They are the sanest people in the world. Leader of the Chorus Clever men? Epops The slyest of foxes, cleverness its very self, men of the world, cunning, the cream of knowing folk. Leader of the Chorus Tell them to speak and speak quickly; why, as I listen to you, I am beside myself with delight. Epops To two attendants. Here, you there, take all these weapons and hang them up inside close to the fire, near the figure of the god who presides there and under his protection; To Pisthetaerus. as for you, address the birds, tell them why I have gathered them together. Pisthetaerus Not I, by Apollo, unless they agree with me as the little ape of an armorer agreed with his wife, not to bite me, nor pull me by the balls, nor shove things into my . . . Euelpides Bending over and pointing his finger at his anus. Do you mean this? Pisthetaerus No, I mean my eyes. Leader of the Chorus Agreed. Pisthetaerus Swear it. Leader of the Chorus I swear it and, if I keep my promise, let judges and spectators give me the victory unanimously.