Page:Acharnians and two other plays (1909).djvu/177

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Menelaus the king, Agamemnon the great,

Had a bird as assessor attending in state,

Perched on his sceptre, to watch for a share

Of fees and emoluments, secret or fair. Eu. Ah, there I perceive, I was right in my guess,

For when Priam appeared in his tragical dress,

The bird on his sceptre, I plainly could see,

Was watching Lysicrates taking a fee. Peis. Nay, Jupiter now that usurps the command,

Appears with an eagle, appointed to stand

As his emblem of empire; a striking example

Of authority once so extended and ample:

And each of the gods had his separate fowl,

Apollo a Hawk, and Minerva an Owl. Eu. That's matter of fact and you're right in the main;

But what was the reason I wish you'd explain? Peis. The reason was this: that the bird should be there,

To demand as of right a proportional share,

Of the entrails and fat, when an offering was made,

A suitable portion before them was laid:

Moreover you'll find, that the race of mankind

Always swore by a bird; and it never was heard

That they swore by the gods, at the time that I mention.

And Lampon himself, with a subtle intention,

Adheres to the old immemorial use;

He perjures and cheats us and swears "by the goose."

Thus far forth have I proved and shown

The power and estate that were once your own,

Now totally broken and overthrown:

And need I describe, your present tribe,

Weak, forlorn, exposed to scorn,

Distressed, oppressed, never at rest,

Daily pursued, with outrage rude;

With cries and noise, of men and boys,