EPOPS. The wise can often profit by the lessons of a foe, for caution is the mother of safety. 'Tis just such a thing as one will not learn from a friend and which an enemy compels you to know. To begin with, 'tis the foe and not the friend that taught cities to build high walls, to equip long vessels of war; and 'tis this knowledge that protects our children, our slaves and our wealth. CHORUS. Well then, I agree, let us first hear them, for 'tis best; one can even learn something in an enemy's school. PISTHETAERUS. Their wrath seems to cool. Draw back a little. EPOPS. 'Tis only justice, and you will thank me later. CHORUS. Never have we opposed your advice up to now. PISTHETAERUS. They are in a more peaceful mood; put down your stew-pot and your two dishes; spit in hand, doing duty for a spear, let us mount guard inside the camp close to the pot and watch in our arsenal closely; for we must not fly. EUELPIDES. You are right. But where shall we be buried, if we die? PISTHETAERUS. In the Ceramicus;[216] for, to get a public funeral, we shall tell the Strategi that we fell at Orneae,[217] fighting the country's foes. CHORUS. Return to your ranks and lay down your courage beside your wrath as the Hoplites do. Then let us ask these men who they are, whence they come, and with what intent. Here, Epops, answer me. EPOPS. Are you calling me? What do you want of me? CHORUS. Who are they? From what country? EPOPS. Strangers, who have come from Greece, the land of the wise. CHORUS. And what fate has led them hither to the land of the birds? EPOPS. Their love for you and their wish to share your kind of life; to dwell and remain with you always. CHORUS. Indeed, and what are their plans? EPOPS. They are wonderful, incredible, unheard of. CHORUS. Why, do they think to see some advantage that determines them to settle here? Are they hoping with our help to triumph over their foes or to be useful to their friends? EPOPS. They speak of benefits so great it is impossible either to describe or conceive them; all shall be yours, all that we see here, there, above and below us; this they vouch for. CHORUS. Are they mad? EPOPS. They are the sanest people in the world. CHORUS. Clever men? EPOPS. The slyest of foxes, cleverness its very self, men of the world, cunning, the cream of knowing folk. CHORUS. Tell them to speak and speak quickly; why, as I listen to you, I am beside myself with delight. EPOPS. Here, you there, take all these weapons and hang them up inside close to the fire, near the figure of the god who presides there and under his protection;[218] as for you, address the birds, tell them why I have gathered them together. PISTHETAERUS. Not I, by Apollo, unless they agree with me as the little ape of an armourer agreed with his wife, not to bite me, nor pull me by the testicles, nor shove things up my.... CHORUS. You mean the.... (_Puts finger to bottom._) Oh! be quite at ease. PISTHETAERUS. No, I mean my eyes.