Eu. Why, what does he mean? Are we banqueting sure?

Peis. A rhetorical banquet, I mean; and I wish
To serve them at first with a sumptuous dish,⁠465
To astound and delight them.^[2] "The grief and compassion
That oppresses my mind on beholding a nation
A people of sovereigns" . . .

Chorus. ⁠Sovereigns we!

Peis. Of all the creation! of this man and me,
And of Jupiter too; for observe that your birth
Was before the old Titans, and Saturn and Earth.

Chorus. And Earth!⁠470

Peis. ⁠I repeat it.

Chorus. ⁠That's wonderful news!

Peis. Your wonder implies a neglect to peruse,
And examine old Æsop; from whom you might gather,
That the lark was embarrassed to bury his father;
On account of the then non-existence of Earth;
And how to repair so distressing a dearth,
He adopted a method unheard of and new.⁠475

Chorus. If the story you quote, is authentic and true,
No doubt can exist of our clear seniority;
And the gods must acknowledge our right to authority.

Eu. Your beaks will be worn with distinction and pride;
The woodpecker's title will scarce be denied;
And Jove the pretender, will surely surrender.⁠480

Peis. . . . Moreover, most singular facts are combined
In proof, that the birds were adored by mankind:
For instance; the cock was a sovereign of yore
In the empire of Persia, and ruled it before
Darius's time; and you all may have heard,⁠485
That his title exists, as the "Persian bird." . . .

Eu. And hence you behold him stalk in pride,
Majestic and stout, with a royal stride,
With his turban upright, a privilege known
Reserved to kings and kings alone.