DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1004#0123
OO CLOUDS OF ARISTOPHANES.
Clouds, from the heights of Mount Parries, when, in compliance with the
invocation of Socrates, they descend to visit the earth. Quitting their aerial
station on this lofty mountain, they soar over the Athenian Plain, and float-
ing across the peaked hill of Lycabettus, at the north-east extremity of
the city, and above the town itself, and the rock of the Acropolis, they fly over
the Parthenon, and at last alight on the stage of the Theatre on the south
side of the citadel. Before they commence their flight, they join their voices
in a choral strain, replete with poetical beauty, which furnishes conclusive
evidence that the poet who composed it might have been as distinguished
for lyrical as he was for his dramatic excellence; that, in a word, he might
have been a Pindar, if he had not been an Aristophanes.
While listening to the beautiful language and melodious harmony of this
song, the audience might almost imagine itself to be placed in the same
elevated position as was occupied by those who united in giving it utterance;
and thence it might seem to contemplate all the noble and fair spectacles
which they there see and describe. Together with the Chorus of Clouds,
it might appear to look down upon the objects of which they speak as then
visible to themselves—to see the land of Pallas stretched out before them,
and the lofty Temples and Statues of Athens at their feet; to trace the
long trains of worshippers in festal array going over the hills to the Sacred
Mysteries of Eleusis; to follow the sacred processions winding through the
streets to the Acropolis of the Athenian city; to witness the banquets and
sacrifices on solemn holidays; to behold the crowds seated in the Theatre at
the beginning of spring, and viewing the dances and listening to the melodies
which there gave an additional charm to that season of festivity and joy.
Mount Paraes was the natural barrier which protected the Athenian ter-
ritory from foreign invasion on the north. But, as a military fortress, when
it falls into the hands of an enemy, becomes then the cause of danger to
those whom it was before accustomed to defend, so this mountain, when the
foes of Attica had obtained possession of a stronghold upon it, proved as
much fraught with peril to the Athenians, as it had before been productive
of advantage.
For, pursuing our course eastward along its heights, we arrive at a point,
about ten miles distant from the fortress of Phyle, above described, and dis-
cover the ruins of some ancient walls on a circular and isolated hill, near the
little village of Tatoi, and which projects from the mountain where we now
Clouds, from the heights of Mount Parries, when, in compliance with the
invocation of Socrates, they descend to visit the earth. Quitting their aerial
station on this lofty mountain, they soar over the Athenian Plain, and float-
ing across the peaked hill of Lycabettus, at the north-east extremity of
the city, and above the town itself, and the rock of the Acropolis, they fly over
the Parthenon, and at last alight on the stage of the Theatre on the south
side of the citadel. Before they commence their flight, they join their voices
in a choral strain, replete with poetical beauty, which furnishes conclusive
evidence that the poet who composed it might have been as distinguished
for lyrical as he was for his dramatic excellence; that, in a word, he might
have been a Pindar, if he had not been an Aristophanes.
While listening to the beautiful language and melodious harmony of this
song, the audience might almost imagine itself to be placed in the same
elevated position as was occupied by those who united in giving it utterance;
and thence it might seem to contemplate all the noble and fair spectacles
which they there see and describe. Together with the Chorus of Clouds,
it might appear to look down upon the objects of which they speak as then
visible to themselves—to see the land of Pallas stretched out before them,
and the lofty Temples and Statues of Athens at their feet; to trace the
long trains of worshippers in festal array going over the hills to the Sacred
Mysteries of Eleusis; to follow the sacred processions winding through the
streets to the Acropolis of the Athenian city; to witness the banquets and
sacrifices on solemn holidays; to behold the crowds seated in the Theatre at
the beginning of spring, and viewing the dances and listening to the melodies
which there gave an additional charm to that season of festivity and joy.
Mount Paraes was the natural barrier which protected the Athenian ter-
ritory from foreign invasion on the north. But, as a military fortress, when
it falls into the hands of an enemy, becomes then the cause of danger to
those whom it was before accustomed to defend, so this mountain, when the
foes of Attica had obtained possession of a stronghold upon it, proved as
much fraught with peril to the Athenians, as it had before been productive
of advantage.
For, pursuing our course eastward along its heights, we arrive at a point,
about ten miles distant from the fortress of Phyle, above described, and dis-
cover the ruins of some ancient walls on a circular and isolated hill, near the
little village of Tatoi, and which projects from the mountain where we now