THE BIRDS 263
Yoli that in a humbler station,
With an active occupation,
Haunt the lowly watery mead,
ΛVarΓing against the native breed, 275
The gnats and flies, your enemies ; In the level marshy plain Of Marathon, pursued and slain.
You that in a squadron driving
From the seas are seen arriving, »o
With the cormorants and mews
Haste to land and hear the news !
All the feathered airy nation.
Birds of every size and station.
Are convened in convocation. sas
For an envoy, queer and shrewd,
Means to address the multitude, And submit to their decision A surprising proposition, For the welfare of the State. 290
Come in a flurry.
With a hurry-scurry, Hurry to the meeting and attend to the debate.
Address of the Chorus to the Audience QThe so-called Parahasis).
Ye Children of Man ! whose life is a span.
Protracted with sorrow from day to day,
Naked and featherless, feeble and querulous.
Sickly, calamitous, creatures of clay !
Attend to the words of the Sovereign Birds 5
(Immortal, illustrious, lords of the air),
Who survey from on high, with a merciful eye.
