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273 THE BIRDS 273

3Iessengei To carry it ?

Of course, the carrion crows, and carrying pigeons. J^eisthetaii'us ^in a fuss, ichwh he endeavors to conceal]. Yes I yes ! But after all, to load your hods, How did you manage that ?

Messenger. Oh capitally, 30

I promise you. There were the geese, all barefoot Trampling the mortar, and, when all was ready, They handed it into the hods, so cleverly, With their flat feet !

Peisthetairus. [J. had joke, as a vent for irrita- tion^' They footed it, you mean —

Come ; it was handily done though, I confess. 35

Messenger. Indeed, I assure you, it was a sight to see them ; And trains of ducks, there were, clambering the lad- ders. With their duck legs, like bricklayer's 'prentices, All dapper and handy, with their little trowels.

Peisthetairus!^ In fact, then, it 's no use engaging foreigners, w

Mere folly and waste, we 've all within ourselves. Ah, well now, come ! But about the woodwork ? Heh! Who were the carpenters ? Answer me that !

Messenger. The woodpeckers, of course : and there they were. Laboring upon the gates, driving and banging, «

^ Like Falstaff, -when he is annoyed and perplexed, joking per- force.

2 Peisthetairus is at a loss ; nnable to think of a new objection, he maintains his importance by a wise observation. As soon as an ob- jection occurs, he states it with g^reat eagerness ; but with no better success than before-