Chorus
Singing.
Ah! ah! we are betrayed; 'tis sacrilege! Our friend,
330
he who picked up corn-seeds in the same plains as ourselves, has violated our ancient laws; he has broken the oaths that bind all birds; he has laid a snare for me, he has handed us over to the attacks of that impious race which, throughout all time,
335
has never ceased to war against us.
Ah! ah! we are betrayed; 'tis sacrilege! Our friend,
330
he who picked up corn-seeds in the same plains as ourselves, has violated our ancient laws; he has broken the oaths that bind all birds; he has laid a snare for me, he has handed us over to the attacks of that impious race which, throughout all time,
335
has never ceased to war against us.
Birds. Aristophanes. ed. Eugene O'Neill, Jr.. New York. 1938.
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