144 ARISTOPHANES.

came ready to their hands, the lid of a pot fora
shield and a spit fora spear. The two parties were
about to come to blows, when King Hoopoe made
another effort to preserve the peace.

K. A. “Vilest of all creatures, do you intend to
kill, for no reason at all, two strangers who are my
wife’s countrymen and kinsmen ?”

Birds. “Why should we spare them? They are
the worst enemies we have.”

K. H. “Enemies, perhaps, by nature, but friends
in intention and come hither to teach us something
very useful.”

Birds. “How can they teach us anything useful?
They were our grandfathers’ enemies, and they are
ours.”

K. H. “Still, the wise learn even from their ene-
mies, caution, for instance; your friends don’t teach
you that. Isn’t it from their enemies that men learn
to build lofty walls, and ships of war, and so keep
themselves and their belongings safe?”

These arguments prevailed so far that a truce was
called. The birds gave up their hostile attitude,
and the men laid down their arms.

Plausible then proceeded to address them with
much solemnity, having first washed his hands and
put a chaplet on his head. ‘‘ My friends,” he began,
“IT am sorely troubled when I consider your present
condition, you who were kings in old time.”

Birds, “Wekings! Kings of what?”