We shall economise the cost
Of marble domes and gilded gates.
The Birds will live at cheaper rates,
Lodging, without shame or scorn,
In a maple or a thorn;615
The most exalted and divine
Will have an olive for his shrine.
We need not run to foreign lands,
Or Amnion's temple in the sands;
But perform our easy vows,
Among the neighbouring shrubs and boughs;620
Paying our oblations fairly,
With a pennyworth of barley.625
Chorus.[1] Ο best of all envoys, suspected before,
Now known and approved, and respected the more;
To you we resign the political lead,
Our worthy director in council and deed.
Elated with your bold design,
I swear and vow:630
If resolutely you combine
Your views and interests with mine;
In steadfast councils as a trusty friend,
Without deceit, or guile of fraudful end:
They that rule in haughty state,
The gods ere long shall abdicate635
Their high command;
And yield the sceptre to my rightful hand.
Then reckon on us for a number and force;
As on you we rely for a ready resource,
In council and policy, trusting to you,
To direct the design we resolve to pursue.
Hoo. That's well, but we've no time, by Jove, to loiter,
And dawdle and postpone like Nicias.[2]640
We should be doing something. First, however
- ↑ There can be no doubt that this speech belongs to the Chorus, though it may seem difficult to account for what is said of the sceptre, which it should seem ought rather to belong to the king. The Hoopoe, in answer, alludes to the inveterate vice of all Choruses—dawdling and inefficiency.
- ↑ The Athenians were at that time disappointed at Nicias's delay in not advancing immediately against Syracuse.
