religious subjects was at its height, the Poet ventured to produce this play; in which it will be seen, that the burlesque of the national Mythology is carried higher and continued longer than in any of his other existing plays. The confident hopes expressed by the Chorus were not ralised; the first prize was assigned to a play the title of which, the Comastæ, or Drunken Rioters, seems to imply that its chief interest must have been derived from direct allusions to the outrage above mentioned, and to the individuals suspected to have been engaged in it.
But we must return to the Herald dismissing the troops.
Her. Hear, ye good people all! the troop are ordered,
To take their arms within doors; and consult
On the report and entry to be made
Upon our journal of this day's proceedings.450
Chorus.Since time began
The race of man
Has ever been deceitful, faithless ever.
Yet may our fears be vain!
Speak therefore and explain:
If in this realm of ours,
Your clearer intellect, searching and clever,
Has noticed means or powers,455
Unknown and undetected,
In unambitious indolence neglected.
Guide and assist our ignorant endeavour:
You for your willing aid, and ready wit,
Will share with us the common benefit.
Now speak to the business and be not afraid460
The birds will adhere to the truce that we made.
The long series of Anapæstic lines which follows, holds the place of the debates which occur in other comedies, and which are conducted in Anapæstic verse. Peisthetairus could not properly have been matched with an opponent or antagonist; the uniformity of his speech is, however, relieved by the interruptions and comments of Euelpides, who acts an under part to him, much in the same style as a Merry Andrew to a Mountebank. Observe that Peisthetairus never vouchsafes an answer or takes any kind of notice of his companion, but proceeds continuously, except once or twice in reply to the Chorus and the Hoopoe.
Peis. I'm filled with the subject and long to proceed,
