Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/283

253 * THE BIRDS 253

Euelpides. Well, truly it 's hard upon us, bard in- deed. To go with our own carcases to the crows,^ And not be able to find 'em after all.

Turning to the audience.^ For our design, most excellent spectators, 35

(Our passion, our disease, or what you will) Is the reverse of that which Sacas ^ feels ; For he, though not a native, strives perforce To make himself a citizen : whilst we. Known and acknowledged as Athenians born 40

(Not hustled ofp, nor otherwise compelled). Have deemed it fitting to betake ourselves To these our legs, and make our person scarce.

Not through disgust or hatred or disdain Of our illustrious birthplace, which we deem 45

Glorious and free ; with equal laws ordained For fine and forfeiture and confiscation, ΛVith taxes imiversally diffused ; And suits and pleas abounding in the Courts.

For grasshoppers sit only for a month so

Chirping upon the twigs ; but our Athenians Sit chirping and discussing all the year, Perched upon points of evidence and law.

^ " Go to the crows " was a common expression, meaning, " Go to the devil."

^ Peisthetairus, it will be seen, allows his companion to put himself forward, with the newly discovered natives ; remaining himself in the background as the person of authority, making use of the other as his herald ; he allows him also to address the audiences, not choos- ing to compromise himself by unnecessary communications.

The full and complete account of their motiΛ'es and design is, moreover, much better suited to the careless gossiping character of Euelpides.

3 Acestor, a tragical poet, not being a genuine Athenian, was called Sacas, from the name of a Scythian tribe.