MESSENGER. Birds again, and clever carpenters too, the pelicans, for they squared up the gates with their beaks in such a fashion that one would have thought they were using axes; the noise was just like a dockyard. Now the whole wall is tight everywhere, securely bolted and well guarded; it is patrolled, bell in hand; the sentinels stand everywhere and beacons burn on the towers. But I must run off to clean myself; the rest is your business. CHORUS. Well! what do you say to it? Are you not astonished at the wall being completed so quickly? PISTHETAERUS. By the gods, yes, and with good reason. 'Tis really not to be believed. But here comes another messenger from the wall to bring us some further news! What a fighting look he has! SECOND MESSENGER. Oh! oh! oh! oh! oh! oh! PISTHETAERUS. What's the matter? SECOND MESSENGER. A horrible outrage has occurred; a god sent by Zeus has passed through our gates and has penetrated the realms of the air without the knowledge of the jays, who are on guard in the daytime. PISTHETAERUS. Tis an unworthy and criminal deed. What god was it? SECOND MESSENGER. We don't know that. All we know is, that he has got wings. PISTHETAERUS. Why were not guards sent against him at once? SECOND MESSENGER. We have despatched thirty thousand hawks of the legion of mounted archers.[315] All the hook-clawed birds are moving against him, the kestrel, the buzzard, the vulture, the great-horned owl; they cleave the air, so that it resounds with the flapping of their wings; they are looking everywhere for the god, who cannot be far away; indeed, if I mistake not, he is coming from yonder side. PISTHETAERUS. All arm themselves with slings and bows! This way, all our soldiers; shoot and strike! Some one give me a sling! CHORUS. War, a terrible war is breaking out between us and the gods! Come, let each one guard the Air, the son of Erebus,[316] in which the clouds float. Take care no immortal enters it without your knowledge. Scan all sides with your glance. Hark! methinks I can hear the rustle of the swift wings of a god from heaven. PISTHETAERUS. Hi! you woman! where are you flying to? Halt, don't stir! keep motionless! not a beat of your wing!--Who are you and from what country? You must say whence you come.[317] IRIS. I come from the abode of the Olympian gods. PISTHETAERUS. What's your name, ship or cap?[318] IRIS. I am swift Iris. PISTHETAERUS. Paralus or Salaminia?[319] IRIS. What do you mean? PISTHETAERUS. Let a buzzard rush at her and seize her.[320] IRIS. Seize me! But what do all these insults betoken? PISTHETAERUS. Woe to you! IRIS. 'Tis incomprehensible. PISTHETAERUS. By which gate did you pass through the wall, wretched woman? IRIS. By which gate? Why, great gods, I don't know. PISTHETAERUS. You hear how she holds us in derision. Did you present yourself to the officers in command of the jays? You don't answer. Have you a permit, bearing the seal of the storks? IRIS. Am I awake?