Chorus. Holloh!
Hoo. What's the matter?
Chorus. Go in with your party,
And give them a jolly collation and hearty.
But the Bird, to the Muses and Graces so dear,
The lovely sweet Nightingale, bid her appear,
And leave her amongst us, to sport with us here.660
Peis. (with a harried, nervous eagerness).
Ο yes, by Jove, indeed you must indulge them,[1]
Do, do me the favour, call her from the thicket!
For heaven's sake—let me entreat you—bring her here,
And let us have a sight of her ourselves.
Hoo. (with grave good breeding, implying a kind of rebuke to the
fussy importunity into which Peisthetairus had fallen).
Since it is your wish and pleasure it must be so;
Come here to the strangers, Procne! show yourself!665
Peis. Ο Jupiter, what a graceful, charming bird!
What a beautiful creature it is!
Eu. I'll tell ye what;
I could find in my heart to rumple her feathers.
Peis. And what an attire she wears, all bright with gold!670
Eu. Well, I should like to kiss her, for my part.
Peis. You blockhead, with that beak, she'd run you through.
Eu. By Jove, then, one must treat her like an egg;
Just clear away the shell and kiss her . . . thus.
Hoo. (gravely disapproving the liberties which are taken in his
presence). Let's go!
Peis. Go first then, and good luck go with us.675
The Actors having left the stage, the Parabasis ought to follow. It is here prefaced in a singular way by a complimentary song from the Chorus, addressed to the favourite female Musician.
Chorus.Ο lovely, sweet companion meet,
From morn to night my sole delight,
My little, happy, gentle mate,
You come, you come, Ο lucky fate,
Returning here with new delight,[1]
