Stasimon 3
[Lyric-Scene 1]
Oh! democracy! whither, oh! whither are you leading us? Is it possible that the gods have chosen such an envoy?
1570
Poseidon
You are undisturbed?
Ugh! you cursed savage! you are by far the most barbarous of all the gods. —
Tell me, Heracles, what are we going to do?
Heracles
I have already told you
that I want to strangle the fellow who dared to wall us out.
1575
Poseidon
But, my friend, we are envoys of peace.
Heracles
All the more reason why I wish to strangle him.
Pisthetaerus
Hand me the cheese-grater; bring me the silphium for sauce;
pass me the cheese and watch the coals.
1580
Heracles
Mortal! we who greet you are three gods.
Pisthetaerus
Wait a bit till I have prepared my silphium pickle.
Heracles
What are these meats?
Pisthetaerus
These are birds that have been punished with death
for attacking the people's friends.
1585
Heracles
And you are going to season them before answering us?
1585
Pisthetaerus
Ah! Heracles! welcome, welcome! What's the matter?
Poseidon
The gods have sent us here as ambassadors to treat for peace.
Pisthetaerus
There's no more oil in the flask.
Heracles
And yet the birds must be thoroughly basted with it.
1590
