Page:Acharnians and two other plays (1909).djvu/165

Rh Hoo. Pole? Is it called a pole? Peis. Yes, that's the name.

Philosophers of late call it the pole;

Because it wheels and rolls itself about

As it were, in a kind of a roly-poly way.

Well, there then, you may build and fortify,

And call it your Metropolis—your Acropolis.

From that position you'll command mankind,

And keep them in utter thorough subjugation:

Just as you do the grasshoppers and locusts.

And if the gods offend you, you'll blockade 'em,

And starve 'em to a surrender. Hoo. In what way? Peis. Why thus. Your atmosphere is placed, you see,

In a middle point, just betwixt earth and heaven.

A case of the same kind occurs with us.

Our people in Athens, if they send to Delphi

With deputations, offerings, or what not,

Are forced to obtain a pass from the Bœotians:

Thus when mankind on earth are sacrificing,

If you should find the gods grown mutinous

And insubordinate, you could intercept

All their supplies of sacrificial smoke. Hoo. By the earth and all its springs! springes and nooses!

Odds, nets and snares! This is the cleverest notion:

And I could find it in my heart to venture;

If the other Birds agree to the proposal. Peis. But who must state it to them? Hoo. You yourself,

They'll understand ye, I found them mere barbarians,

But living here a length of time amongst them,

I have taught them to converse and speak correctly. Peis. How will you summon them? Hoo. That's easy enough;

I'll just step into the thicket here hard by,