Língua alvo: Inglês
H. and R. beg him to call his master, and the Wren, although hesitating, consents.
Awakened from his afternoon nap, the Hoopoe appears, ruffled in his winter plumage. He tells the two men that he himself was once a man and, after learning that they come from the big city, he sympathizes with them. H. and R. ask to be allowed to stay in that kingdom of his, so sweet and melodious, but the Hoopoe replies sadly that the birds do not have a kingdom of their own.
H. suggests an idea to the King: they should build a city in the clouds, surrounded by mighty walls and separating the earth from the sky, so that the smoke of sacrifices could not reach the gods anymore. They feel powerful and safe now, but, should they suffer from hunger, they would be forced to implore for their mercy: so the birds will be the masters and the gods will be their servants.
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