they will dwell amongst the bushes and in the thickets of green oak; the most venerated of birds will have no other temple than the foliage of the olive tree; we shall not go to Delphi or to Ammon to sacrifice; but standing erect in the midst of arbutus and wild olives and holding forth our hands filled with wheat and barley, we shall pray them to admit us to a share of the blessings they enjoy and shall at once obtain them for a few grains of wheat. Leader of the Chorus Old man, whom I detested, you are now to me the dearest of all; never shall I, if I can help it, fail to follow your advice. Chorus Singing. Inspirited by your words, I threaten my rivals the gods, and I swear that if you march in alliance with me against the gods and are faithful to our just, loyal and sacred bond, we shall soon have shattered their scepter. Leader of the Chorus We shall charge ourselves with the performance of everything that requires force; that which demands thought and deliberation shall be yours to supply. Epops By Zeus! it's no longer the time to delay and loiter like Nicias; let us act as promptly as possible.... In the first place, come, enter my nest built of brushwood and blades of straw, and tell me your names. Pisthetaerus That is soon done; my name is Pisthetaerus, and his, Euelpides, of the deme Crioa. Epops Good! and good luck to you. Pisthetaerus We accept the omen. Epops Come in here. Pisthetaerus Very well, you are the one who must lead us and introduce us. Epops Come then. Pisthetaerus Pisthetaerus starts to fly away, then stops himself. Oh! my god! do come back here. Hi! tell us how we are to follow you. You can fly, but we cannot. Epops Well, well. Pisthetaerus Remember Aesop's fables. It is told there that the fox fared very badly, because he had made an alliance with the eagle. Epops Be at ease. You shall eat a certain root and wings will grow on your shoulders. Pisthetaerus Then let us enter. Xanthias and Manodorus, pick up our baggage. Leader of the Chorus Hi! Epops! do you hear me? Epops What's the matter? Leader of the Chorus Take them off to dine well and call your mate, the melodious Procne, whose songs are worthy of the Muses; she will delight our leisure moments. Pisthetaerus Oh! I conjure you, accede to their wish; for this delightful bird will leave her rushes at the sound of your voice; for the sake of the gods, let her come here, so that we may contemplate the nightingale. Epops Let it be as you desire. Come forth, Procne, show yourself to these strangers.