Stasimon 3
[Lyric-Scene 1]
We have no interest to serve in fighting you; as for you, be friends and we promise that you shall always have rain-water in your pools and the warmest of warm weather.
Poseidon
So far as these points go we are plenipotentiaries.
1595
Pisthetaerus
We have never been the aggressors, and even now we are as well disposed for peace as yourselves, provided you agree to one equitable condition, namely,
that Zeus yield his scepter to the birds. If only this is agreed to, I invite the ambassadors to dinner.
1600
Heracles
That's good enough for me. I vote for peace.
Poseidon
You wretch! you are nothing but a fool and a glutton.
Do you want to dethrone your own father?
1605
Pisthetaerus
What an error. Why, the gods will be much more powerful if the birds govern the earth. At present the mortals are hidden beneath the clouds, escape your observation, and commit perjury in your name;
but if you had the birds for your allies, and a man, after having sworn by the crow and Zeus, should fail to keep his oath, the crow would dive down upon him unawares and pluck out his eye.
1610
Poseidon
Well thought of, by Poseidon!
Heracles
My notion too.
1615
Pisthetaerus
And you, what's your opinion?
1615
Triballus
Nabasatreu.
1615
Pisthetaerus
D'you see? he also approves. But listen, here is another thing in which we can serve you. If a man vows to offer a sacrifice to some god, and then procrastinates,
pretending that the gods can wait, and thus does not keep his word, we shall punish his stinginess.
1620
Pisthetaerus
While he is counting his money or is in the bath, a kite will relieve him, before he knows it, either in coin or in clothes,
of the value of a couple of sheep, and carry it to the god.
1625
Heracles
I vote for restoring them the scepter.
