THE BIRDS. 155

the impostor kind. This was a hint that the astron-
omer could not but take. “I am off,’ he said. —
“Very good,” said Plausible ; “but you are scarcely
in time. The trouble is come,” he added, adminis-
tering a sound cuff. “ There,” he said, ‘you can
measure your way back, I suppose.”

Next came an inspector from Athens. “ Where
is the consul?” he asked, as he strutted in.

Plaus. “Who is this Sardanapalus?”?

Insp. “1 am the duly appointed inspector to the
city of Cloud Cuckoo Land.”

Plaus. “ An inspector, are you? Well, don’t you
think you might take your fees at once, and go back
without giving us any trouble?”

Insp. “A good idea that! I did want to stop at
home, and propose something in the Assembly. I
have some business in hand for the Persians.”

Plaus. (striking him). “Here is your pay; take it,
and off with you!”

Insp. “JT protest that I, an inspector from Athens,
am being assaulted.” :

Plaus. “Off with you, ballot-boxes and all. The
idea of sending an inspector before we have even
sacrificed!” ,

1 The word in the original may be translated “ Public Entertainer.”
In the Greek cities there were officials whose business it was to enter-
tain envoys and other visitors who came in a public capacity. Each
important state would have its own. Our consuls in foreign towns. are,
perhaps, the nearest approach that we can find.

2 The last king of Assyria, whose name had passed into a proverb
for luxury.