And you your head to double the noise.PisthetaerusWell then use a stone instead; take one and hammer with it.EuelpidesGood idea! He does so. Ho there, within! Slave! slave!PisthetaerusWhat's that, friend! You say, slave, to summon Epops? It would be much better to shout, Epops, Epops!EuelpidesWell then, Epops! Must I knock again? Epops!TrochilusRushing out of a thicket. Who's there? Who calls my master?PisthetaerusIn terror.Apollo the Deliverer! what an enormous beak!He defecates. In the confusion both the jay and the crow fly away.TrochilusEqually frightened. Good god! they are bird-catchers.EuelpidesReassuring himself. But is it so terrible? Wouldn't it be better to explain things?TrochilusAlso reassuring himself. You're done for.EuelpidesBut we are not men.TrochilusWhat are you, then?EuelpidesDefecating also.I am the Fearling, an African bird.TrochilusYou talk nonsense.EuelpidesWell, then, just ask it of my feet.TrochilusAnd this other one, what bird is it? To Pisthetaerus. Speak up!PisthetaerusWeakly.I? I am a Crapple, from the land of the pheasants.EuelpidesBut you yourself, in the name of the gods! what animal are you?TrochilusWhy, I am a slave-bird.EuelpidesWhy, have you been conquered by a cock?TrochilusNo, but when my master was turned into a hoopoe, he begged me to become a bird also, to follow and to serve him.EuelpidesDoes a bird need a servant, then?TrochilusThat's no doubt because he was once a man. At times he wants to eat a dish of sardines from Phalerum; I seize my dish and fly to fetch him some. Again he wants some pea-soup; I seize a ladle and a pot and run to get it.EuelpidesThis is, then,truly a running-bird. Come, Trochilus, do us the kindness to call your master.TrochilusWhy, he has just fallen asleep after a feed of myrtle-berries and a few grubs.EuelpidesNever mind; wake him up.TrochilusI am certain he will be angry. However, I will wake him to please you.He goes back into the thicket.PisthetaerusAs soon as Trochilus is out of sight.You cursed brute! why, I am almost dead with terror!EuelpidesOh! my god! it was sheer fear that made me lose my jay.