Hoo. Pole? Is it called a pole?
Peis. Yes, that's the name. 180
Philosophers of late call it the pole;
Because it wheels and rolls itself about
As it were, in a kind of a roly-poly way.[1]
Well, there then, you may build and fortify,
And call it your Metropolis—your Acropolis.
From that position you'll command mankind, 185
And keep them in utter thorough subjugation:
Just as you do the grasshoppers and locusts.
And if the gods offend you, you'll blockade 'em,
And starve 'em to a surrender.
Hoo. In what way?
Peis. Why thus. Your atmosphere is placed, you see,
In a middle point, just betwixt earth and heaven.
A case of the same kind occurs with us.
Our people in Athens, if they send to Delphi
With deputations, offerings, or what not,
Are forced to obtain a pass from the Bœotians:
Thus when mankind on earth are sacrificing, 190
If you should find the gods grown mutinous
And insubordinate, you could intercept
All their supplies of sacrificial smoke.
Hoo. By the earth and all its springs! springes and nooses![2]
Odds, nets and snares! This is the cleverest notion: 195
And I could find it in my heart to venture;
If the other Birds agree to the proposal.
Peis. But who must state it to them?
Hoo. You yourself,
They'll understand ye, I found them mere barbarians,
But living here a length of time amongst them,
I have taught them to converse and speak correctly.[3] 200
Peis. How will you summon them?
Hoo. That's easy enough;
- ↑ The comic poets ridiculed the new prevailing passion for astronomical and physical science. See further on the Parabasis and the scene where Meton the astronomer is introduced.
- ↑ The Hoopoe's exclamation and oath are in the original, as they are here represented, exactly in the style of Bob Acres!
- ↑ The characteristic impertinence of a predominant people, considering their own language as that which ought to be universally spoken.
