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Prometheus enters, masked to conceal his identify.
Prometheus
Ah! by the gods! if only Zeus does not see me! [1495] Where is Pisthetaerus? Pisthetaerus
Ha! what is this? A masked man! Prometheus
Can you see any god behind me? Pisthetaerus
No, none. But who are you, pray? Prometheus
What's the time, please? Pisthetaerus
The time? Why, it's past noon. [1500] Who are you? Prometheus
Is it the fall of day? Is it no later than that? Pisthetaerus
This is getting dull! Prometheus
What is Zeus doing? Is he dispersing the clouds or gathering them? Pisthetaerus
Watch out for yourself! Prometheus
Come, I will raise my mask. Pisthetaerus
Ah! my dear Prometheus! Prometheus
Sh! Sh! speak lower! Pisthetaerus
Why, what's the matter, Prometheus? Prometheus
[1505] Sh! sh! Don't call me by my name; you will be my ruin, if Zeus should see me here. But, if you want me to tell you how things are going in heaven, take this umbrella and shield me, so that the gods don't see me. Pisthetaerus
[1510] I can recognize Prometheus in this cunning trick. Come, quick then, and fear nothing; speak on. Prometheus
Then listen. Pisthetaerus
I am listening, proceed! Prometheus
Zeus is done for. Pisthetaerus
Ah! and since when, pray? Prometheus
[1515] Since you founded this city in the air. There is not a man who now sacrifices to the gods; the smoke of the victims no longer reaches us. Not the smallest offering comes! We fast as though it were the festival of Demeter. [1520] The barbarian gods, who are dying of hunger, are bawling like Illyrians and threaten to make an armed descent upon Zeus, if he does not open markets where joints of the victims are sold.
Aristophanes. Birds. The Complete Greek Drama, vol. 2. Eugene O'Neill, Jr. New York. Random House. 1938.
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