Stasimon 2
[Lyric-Scene 1]
The bird-madness is so clear that many actually bear the names of birds. There is a halting victualler, who styles himself the partridge; Menippus calls himself the swallow; Opuntius the one-eyed crow;
1290
Herald
Philocles the lark; Theogenes the fox-goose; Lycurgus the ibis; Chaerephon the bat; Syracosius the magpie; Midias the quail; indeed he looks like a quail that has been hit hard on the head.
1295
Out of love for the birds they repeat all the songs which concern the swallow, the teal, the goose or the pigeon; in each verse you see wings, or at all events a few feathers. This is what is happening down there.
1300
Finally, there are more than ten thousand folk who are coming here from earth to ask you for feathers and hooked claws; so, mind you supply yourself with wings for the immigrants.
1305
Pisthetaerus
Ah! by Zeus, there's no time for idling. To some slaves. Go as quick as possible and fill every hamper,
every basket you can find with wings. Manes will bring them to me outside the walls, where I will welcome those who present themselves.
1310
[Choral 1]
This town will soon be inhabited by a crowd of men.
Chorus
Fortune favours us alone
1315
and thus they have fallen in love with our city.
Pisthetaerus
Come, hurry up and bring them along.
Chorus
Will not man find here everything that can please him —
wisdom, love, the divine Graces, the sweet face of gentle peace?
1320
Pisthetaerus
Oh! you lazy servant! won't you hurry yourself?
Chorus
Let a basket of wings be brought speedily.
1325
Come, beat him as I do, and put some life into him;
Pisthetaerus
Aye, Manes is a great craven.
Chorus
Begin by putting this heap of wings in order; divide them in three parts according to the birds from whom they came; the singing, the prophetic and the aquatic birds; then you must take care to distribute them to the men according to their character.
1330
