Stasimon 1
[Agon]
By Zeus, she'll take good care she does not, and you will see her inventing a thousand excuses.
Pisthetaerus
The crows too will prove your divinity to them by pecking out the eyes of their flocks and of their draught-oxen; and then let Apollo cure them, since he is a physician and is paid for the purpose.
Euelpides
Oh! don't do that! Wait first until I have sold my two young bullocks.
585
Pisthetaerus
If on the other hand they recognize that you are God, the principle of life, that you are Earth, Kronos, Poseidon, they shall be loaded with benefits.
Epops
Name me one of these then.
Pisthetaerus
Firstly, the locusts shall not eat up their vine-blossoms; a legion of owls and kestrels will devour them.
Moreover, the gnats and the gallbugs shall no longer ravage the figs; a flock of thrushes shall swallow the whole host down to the very last.
590
Epops
And how shall we give wealth to mankind? This is their strongest passion.
Pisthetaerus
When they consult the omens, you will point them to the richest mines, you will reveal the paying ventures to the diviner,
and not another shipwreck will happen or sailor perish.
595
Epops
No more shall perish? How is that?
595
Pisthetaerus
When the auguries are examined before starting on a voyage, some bird will not fail to say, Don't start! there will be a storm, or else, Go! you will make a most profitable venture.
Euelpides
I shall buy a trading-vessel and go to sea. I will not stay with you.
Pisthetaerus
You will discover treasures to them, which were buried in former times,
for you know them. Do not all men say, None knows where my treasure lies, unless perchance it be some bird.
600
Euelpides
I shall sell my boat and buy a spade to unearth the vessels.
Leader of the Chorus
And how are we to give them health, which belongs to the gods?
Pisthetaerus
If they are happy, is not that the chief thing towards health?
The miserable man is never well.
605
Leader of the Chorus
Old Age also dwells in Olympus. How will they get at it? Must they die in early youth?
