The second scene introduces the Chorus of the play, consisting of Philocleon’s fellow-jurymen. The time is early daybreak, and they are already on their way to the courts, preceded by two or three boys with torches. Their appearance is of the strangest,--they are the “Wasps” who give the name to the piece. A mask resembling a wasp’s head, a black and yellow body, and some comic appendage in their rear to represent a sting,--were, we may presume, the costume provided by the stage manager. The poet probably intended to represent the acrimonious temper which delighted in the prosecution of individuals without much reference to their actual guilt, and the malevolence which often instigated the accusation. But he allows them to give, on their own behalf, another and more honourable explanation of their name, which, though it occurs later in the play, may find its place here. It is the old story, which the dramatist knew his audience were never tired of hearing:-- If any of this good company should note our strange array-- The wasp-like waists and cross-barred suits that we have donned to-day-- And if he asks what means this sting we brandish, as you see, Him will we undertake to teach, dull scholar though he be All we who wear this tail-piece claim true Athenian birth The rightful Aborigines, sole sons of Mother earth;[41] A lusty race, who struck good blows for Athens in the fight, What time as the Barbarian came on us like the night. With torch and brand the Persian horde swept on from east to west, To storm the hives that we had stored, and smoke us from our nest: Then we laid our hand to spear and targe, and met him on his path; Shoulder to shoulder, close we stood, and bit our lips for wrath. So fast and thick the arrows flew, that none might see the heaven, But the gods were on our side that day, and we bore them back at even. High o’er our heads, an omen good, we saw the owlet wheel, And the Persian trousers in their backs felt the good Attic steel. Still as they fled we followed close, a swarm of vengeful foes, And stung them where we chanced to light, on cheek, and lip, and nose. So to this day, barbarians say, when whispered far or near, More than all else the Attic WASP is still a name of fear.