Aristophanes, Birds
Eugene O'Neill, Jr., Ed.

He hits Manes, who runs away. A young Parricide enters.

Parricide
Singing.
Oh! might I but become an eagle, who soars in the skies! Oh! might I fly above [1340] the azure waves of the barren sea!

Pisthetaerus
Ha! it would seem the news was true; I hear someone coming who talks of wings.

Parricide
Nothing is more charming than to fly; I am bird-mad and fly towards you, for I want [1345] to live with you and to obey your laws.

Pisthetaerus
Which laws? The birds have many laws.

Parricide
All of them; but the one that pleases me most is that among the birds it is considered a fine thing to peck and strangle one's father.

Pisthetaerus
Yes, by Zeus! according to us, [1350] he who dares to strike his father, while still a chick, is a brave fellow.

Parricide
And therefore I want to dwell here, for I want to strangle my father and inherit his wealth.

Pisthetaerus
But we have also an ancient law written in the code of the storks, which runs thus, [1355] “When the stork father has reared his young and has taught them to fly, the young must in their turn support the father.”

Parricide
Petulantly.
It's hardly worth while coming all this distance to be compelled to keep my father!

Pisthetaerus
[1360] No, no, young friend, since you have come to us with such willingness, I am going to give you these black wings, as though you were an orphan bird; furthermore, some good advice, that I received myself in infancy. Don't strike your father, but take [1365] these wings in one hand and these spurs in the other; imagine you have a cock's crest on your head and go and mount guard and fight; live on your pay and respect your father's life. You're a gallant fellow! Very well, then! Fly to Thrace and fight.

Parricide
[1370] By Bacchus! You're right; I will follow your counsel.

Pisthetaerus
It's acting wisely, by Zeus..