The Birds of Aristophanes, Acted at Athens at the Great Dionysia B.C. 414: The Greek Text Revised, with a Translation Into Corresponding Metres, Introduction and CommentaryBell & sons, 1906 - 305 pages |
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The Birds of Aristophanes, Acted at Athens at the Great Dionysia B.C. 414 ... Aristophanes,Benjamin Bickley Rogers No preview available - 2016 |
The Birds of Aristophanes, Acted at Athens at the Great Dionysia B.C. 414 ... Aristophanes,Benjamin Bickley Rogers No preview available - 2016 |
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Page 114 - Twas thine own genius gave the final blow, And helped to plant the wound that laid thee low : So the struck eagle, stretched upon the plain, No more through rolling clouds to soar again, Viewed his own feather on the fatal dart, And winged the shaft that quivered in his heart ; Keen were his pangs, but keener far to feel He nursed the pinion which impelled the steel ; While the same plumage that had warmed his nest Drank the last life-drop of his bleeding breast.
Page l - gainst that season comes Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated, The bird of dawning singeth all night long...
Page 81 - Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
Page 111 - Tio, tio, tio, tio, tiotinx." Truly to be clad in feather is the very best of things. Only fancy, dear spectators, had you each a brace of wings, Never need you, tired and hungry, at a Tragic Chorus stay, You would lightly, when it bored you, spread your wings and fly away, Back returning, after luncheon, to enjoy our Comic Play. Never need a Patrocleides...
Page 105 - Is there any one amongst you, O spectators, who would lead With the birds a life of pleasure, let him come to us with speed. All that here is reckoned shameful, all that here the laws condemn, With the birds is right and proper, you may do it all with them. Is it here by law forbidden for a son to beat his sire ? That a chick should strike his father, strutting up with youthful ire, Crowing, "Raise your spur and fight me, ' that is what the birds admire.
Page 63 - tis easily proved, by evidence weighty and ample, That Birds, and not Gods, were the Rulers of men, and the Lords of the world ; for example, Time was that the Persians were ruled by the Cock, a King autocratic, alone; The sceptre he wielded or ever the names "Megabazus...
Page 159 - Canny pelicans, Excellent workmen, hewing with huge beaks Gate-timber; and the uproar as they hewed Was like an arsenal when ships are building. Now every gateway has its gate, fast-barred, And watched the whole way round; and birds are pacing Their beats, and carrying bells, and. everywhere The guards are stationed, and the beacons blaze On every tower. But I must hurry off And wash myself. You, manage what remains.
Page 153 - Now we wish to tell the Judges, in a friendly sort of way, All the blessings we shall give them if we gain the prize to-day. Ne'er were made to Alexander lovelier promises or grander. First, what every Judge amongst you most of all desires to win, Little Lauriotic owlets shall be always flocking in. Ye shall find them all about you, as the dainty brood increases, Building nests within your purses, hatching .little silver pieces.
Page 49 - Yet to clever folk a foeman very useful hints may show; Thus, that foresight brings us safety, from a friend we ne'er should know, But the truth is forced upon us, very quickly, by a foe. Hence it is that all the Cities, taught by foe, and not by friend, Learn to build them ships of battle, and their lofty walls extend; So by this, a foeman's, teaching children, home, and wealth defend.
Page 73 - tis indeed a most pitiful tale Thou hast brought to our ears; and I can but bewail Our fathers' demerit, Who born such an Empire as this to inherit Have lost it, have lost it, for me! But now thou art come, by good Fortune's decree, Our Saviour to be, And under thy charge, whatsoever befall, I will place my own self, and my nestlings, and all. Now therefore do you tell us what we must do; since life is not worth our retaining, Unless we be Lords of the world as before, our ancient dominion regaining.