We know thine every charm by rote,
Philistia!



THE BARBAROUS BIRD-GODS: A SAVAGE PARABASIS



In the Aves of Aristophanes, the Bird Chorus declare that they are
older than the Gods, and greater benefactors of men. This idea
recurs in almost all savage mythologies, and I have made the
savage Bird-gods state their own case.

The Birds sing:

We would have you to wit, that on eggs though we sit, and are
spiked on the spit, and are baked in the pan,
Birds are older by far than your ancestors are, and made love and
made war ere the making of Man!
For when all things were dark, not a glimmer nor spark, and the
world like a barque without rudder or sail
Floated on through the night, 'twas a Bird struck a light, 'twas a
flash from the bright feather'd Tonatiu's {3} tail!
Then the Hawk {4} with some dry wood flew up in the sky, and afar,
safe and high, the Hawk lit Sun and Moon,
And the Birds of the air they rejoiced everywhere, and they recked
not of care that should come on them soon.
For the Hawk, so they tell, was then known as Pundjel, {5} and a-
musing he fell at the close of the day;