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. 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! Someone give me a sling!
Chorus: War, a terrible war is breaking out between us and the gods! Come, let each one guard Air, the son of Erebus, 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.
Iris: I come from the abode of the Olympian gods.
Pisthetaerus: What’s your name, ship or cap?
Iris: I am swift Iris.
Pisthetaerus: Paralus or Salaminia?
Iris: What do you mean?
Pisthetaerus: Let a buzzard rush at her and seize her.
Iris: Seize me! But what do all these insults mean?
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?
Pisthetaerus: Did you get one?
Iris: Are you mad?
Pisthetaerus: No head-bird gave you a safe-conduct?
Iris: A safe-conduct to me, you poor fool!