Chorus: And for mortals, from us, the birds, the greatest things are.
Chorus: First we show the seasons of spring, winter, and summer.
Chorus: to sow, whenever a crane, croaking, moves into Libya.
710
Chorus: and then a rudder shows the shipowner, when he has hung it up, to sleep,
Chorus: Then let him weave a cloak for Orestes, so that he may not undress while shivering.
Chorus: And then after this, a snipe, appearing, declares another hour,
Chorus: When the time comes to shear the spring fleece of the sheep; then the swallow,
Chorus: When one must already sell a cloak and buy some leather.
715
Chorus: We are Ammon, Delphi, Dodona, Phoebus Apollo.
Chorus: for having come first to the birds, thus turn yourselves toward everything,
Chorus: both for trade, and for acquiring a livelihood, and for the marriage of a man.
Chorus: You believe that every bird is a seer and judge of all things concerning divination;
Chorus: Rumor is a bird for you, and you call the bird 'sneeze',
720
Chorus: a bird made of wood, a bird made of sound, a bird as a servant, a bird as a donkey.
Chorus: Are we not clearly oracles of Apollo to you?
Birds. Aristophanes. . 2026-09-08.