[331] "On my light pinions I soar off to Olympus; in its
capricious flight my Muse flutters along the thousand paths of poetry in
turn .
capricious flight my Muse flutters along the thousand paths of poetry in
turn .
Aristophanes
But we have also an ancient law written in the code of the
storks, which runs thus, "When the stork father has reared his young and
has taught them to fly, the young must in their turn support the father. "
PARRICIDE. 'Tis hardly worth while coming all this distance to be
compelled to keep my father!
PISTHETAERUS. No, no, young friend, since you have come to us with such
willingness, I am going to give you these black wings, as though you were
an orphan bird; furthermore, some good advice, that I received myself in
infancy. Don't strike your father, but take these wings in one hand and
these spurs in the other; imagine you have a cock's crest on your head
and go and mount guard and fight; live on your pay and respect your
father's life. You're a gallant fellow! Very well, then! Fly to Thrace
and fight. [330]
PARRICIDE. By Bacchus! 'Tis well spoken; I will follow your counsel.
PISTHETAERUS. 'Tis acting wisely, by Zeus.
CINESIAS.
[331] "On my light pinions I soar off to Olympus; in its
capricious flight my Muse flutters along the thousand paths of poetry in
turn . . . "
PISTHETAERUS. This is a fellow will need a whole shipload of wings.
CINESIAS. . . . it is seeking fresh outlet. "
PISTHETAERUS. Welcome, Cinesias, you lime-wood man! [332] Why have you
come here a-twisting your game leg in circles?
CINESIAS. "I want to become a bird, a tuneful nightingale. "
PISTHETAERUS.
storks, which runs thus, "When the stork father has reared his young and
has taught them to fly, the young must in their turn support the father. "
PARRICIDE. 'Tis hardly worth while coming all this distance to be
compelled to keep my father!
PISTHETAERUS. No, no, young friend, since you have come to us with such
willingness, I am going to give you these black wings, as though you were
an orphan bird; furthermore, some good advice, that I received myself in
infancy. Don't strike your father, but take these wings in one hand and
these spurs in the other; imagine you have a cock's crest on your head
and go and mount guard and fight; live on your pay and respect your
father's life. You're a gallant fellow! Very well, then! Fly to Thrace
and fight. [330]
PARRICIDE. By Bacchus! 'Tis well spoken; I will follow your counsel.
PISTHETAERUS. 'Tis acting wisely, by Zeus.
CINESIAS.
[331] "On my light pinions I soar off to Olympus; in its
capricious flight my Muse flutters along the thousand paths of poetry in
turn . . . "
PISTHETAERUS. This is a fellow will need a whole shipload of wings.
CINESIAS. . . . it is seeking fresh outlet. "
PISTHETAERUS. Welcome, Cinesias, you lime-wood man! [332] Why have you
come here a-twisting your game leg in circles?
CINESIAS. "I want to become a bird, a tuneful nightingale. "
PISTHETAERUS.
