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267 THE BIRDS 267

In laughter and mirth, on the face of the earth, 95

Laughing, quaffing, carousing, bousing. Your only distress, shall be the excess Of ease and abundance and happiness.

Men come to enjoy the New City^s privileges. Poet. " For the festive, happy day, Muse prepare an early lay. To Nephelococcugia." Peisthetairus. AVhat 's here to do ? What are

you ? Where do you come from ? Poet. An humble menial of the Muses' train, β As Homer expresses it.

Peisthetairus. A menial, are you ?

With your long hair ? ^ A menial ?

Poet. 'T is not that,

No ! but professors of the poetical art Are simply styled the " Menials of the Muses," As Homer expresses it.

Peisthetairus. Aye, the Muse has given you

A ragged livery. Well, but friend, I say — 11

Friend ! — Poet ! — What the plague has brought you here? Poet. I 've made an ode upon your new-built city, And a charming composition for a chorus, And another, in Simonides's manner. 15

Peisthetairus. When were they made? What

time ? How long ago ? Poet. From early date, I celebrate in song, The noble Nephelococcugian State.

Peisthetairus. That 's strange, when I'm just sacri- ficing here. For the first time, to give the town a name. 20

^ Slaves were forbidden to wear long hair.