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The Birds of Aristophanes

Cary, Henry Francis (1772-1844)
  
THE BIRDS
  
PREFACE.
  
ARGUMENT.
  
[section]
  
[castlist]

expand section1. 
ACT I.
collapse section2. 
ACT II.
 1. 
SCENE I.
 2. 
SCENE II.
 3. 
SCENE III.
 4. 
SCENE IV.
 5. 
SCENE V.
 6. 
SCENE VI.
 7. 
SCENE VII.
 8. 
SCENE VIII.
expand section3. 
ACT III.
expand section4. 
ACT IV.
 5. 
ACT V.

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95

SCENE VI.

Pisthetærus, Chorus, an Envoy.
Envoy.
Where are my hosts, provided by the state?

Pisthetærus.
What spruce and essenced Emperor have we here?

Envoy.
I'm come an envoy, chosen by the ballot,
To Cuckoocloudlands.

Pisthetærus.
An envoy? and who sent thee?

Envoy.
A poor diploma here of Teleas' penning.

Pisthetærus.
What then? art willing to receive thy stipend,
And without more ado, at once begone?

96

Envoy.
Nay, by the Gods, I'd better stay'd at home
Attending the debates in Parliament.
Mine interest there had been of use to Pharnăces.

Pisthetærus.
Begone, and take it; for thy stipend's this.

[Beats him.
Envoy.
What mean'st by this?

Pisthetærus.
A parliament debate
For Pharnaces.

Envoy.
I call you all to witness
That I am stricken being an envoy.

Pisthetærus.
Whew!
Wilt thou not tramp and carry off thy boxes?
This is too bad. They send their envoys hither
Before we have even sacrificed to the Gods.

 

A Persian satrap. The envoy is perhaps hinting that for a bribe he would be willing to serve the interests of the new state against his employers.

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