THE BIRDS 271
" If at the sacrifice . . . ^ which you prepare, 90 An uninvited vagabond . . . should dare To interrupt you, and demand a share, Let cuffs and buffets ... be the varlet's lot. Smite him between the ribs . . . and spare him not." Soothsayer. Nonsense you 're talking ! Peisthetairus [loith the same action as the Sooth- sayer, as if he were feeling for papersJi. Look at the book, and see ! 95
" Thou shalt in no wise heed them, or forbear To lash and smite those eagles of the air. Neither regard their names, for it is written, Lampon and Diopithes shall be smitten." Soothsayer. Is all this there ?
Peisthetairus j)rodxicing a horsewhip^. Look at the book and see ! 100
Get out ! with a plague and a vengeance.
Soothsayer. Ο dear ! oh !
Peisthetairus. Go soothsay somewhere else, you
rascal, run ! [Exit Soothsayer.
The Completion of the New City.
Enter a Messenger, quite out of breath ; and speaking in short snatches.
Messenger. Where is he ? Where ? Where is he ? Where ? Where is he ? The president Peisthetairus ?
Peisthetairus [coolly~. Here am I.
Messenger [in a gasp of breath]. Your fortifica- tion 's finished.
- The breaks in tbe text may serve to indicate what was more dis-
tinctly expressed by the actor, namely, that Peisthetairus's Oracle is an extempore production.
