Boy, bring me a crown[1] and a basin and ewer.
Eu. Why, what does he mean? Are we banqueting sure?
Peis. A rhetorical banquet, I mean; and I wish
To serve them at first with a sumptuous dish,465
To astound and delight them.[2] "The grief and compassion
That oppresses my mind on beholding a nation
A people of sovereigns" . . .
Chorus. Sovereigns we!
Peis. Of all the creation! of this man and me,
And of Jupiter too; for observe that your birth
Was before the old Titans, and Saturn and Earth.
Chorus. And Earth!470
Peis. I repeat it.
Chorus. That's wonderful news!
Peis. Your wonder implies a neglect to peruse,
And examine old Æsop; from whom you might gather,
That the lark was embarrassed to bury his father;
On account of the then non-existence of Earth;
And how to repair so distressing a dearth,
He adopted a method unheard of and new.475
Chorus. If the story you quote, is authentic and true,
No doubt can exist of our clear seniority;
And the gods must acknowledge our right to authority.
Eu. Your beaks will be worn with distinction and pride;
The woodpecker's title will scarce be denied;
And Jove the pretender, will surely surrender.480
Peis. . . . Moreover, most singular facts are combined
In proof, that the birds were adored by mankind:
For instance; the cock was a sovereign of yore
In the empire of Persia, and ruled it before
Darius's time; and you all may have heard,485
That his title exists, as the "Persian bird." . . .
Eu. And hence you behold him stalk in pride,
Majestic and stout, with a royal stride,
With his turban upright, a privilege known
Reserved to kings and kings alone.
