LAMPITO
A Boeotian lady.
A Boeotian lady.
LYSISTRATA
There never was much undergrowth in
Boeotia
,
Such a smooth place, and this girl takes after it.
There never was much undergrowth in
Boeotia
,
Such a smooth place, and this girl takes after it.
CALONICE
Yes, I never saw a skin so primly kept.
105
Yes, I never saw a skin so primly kept.
105
LYSISTRATA
This girl?
This girl?
LAMPITO
A sonsie open-looking jinker!
She's a Corinthian.
A sonsie open-looking jinker!
She's a Corinthian.
LYSISTRATA
Yes, isn't she
Very open, in some ways particularly.
110
Yes, isn't she
Very open, in some ways particularly.
110
LAMPITO
But who's garred this Council o' Women to meet here?
But who's garred this Council o' Women to meet here?
LYSISTRATA
I have.
I have.
LAMPITO
Propound then what you want o' us.
Propound then what you want o' us.
MYRRHINE
What is the amazing news you have to tell?
What is the amazing news you have to tell?
LYSISTRATA
I'll tell you, but first answer one small question.
115
I'll tell you, but first answer one small question.
115
MYRRHINE
As you like.
As you like.
LYSISTRATA
Are you not sad your children's fathers
Go endlessly off soldiering afar
In this plodding war? I am willing to wager
There's not one here whose husband is at home.
120
Are you not sad your children's fathers
Go endlessly off soldiering afar
In this plodding war? I am willing to wager
There's not one here whose husband is at home.
120
CALONICE
Mine's been in
Thrace
, keeping an eye on Eucrates
For five months past.
Mine's been in
Thrace
, keeping an eye on Eucrates
For five months past.
MYRRHINE
And mine left me for
Pylos
Seven months ago at least.
And mine left me for
Pylos
Seven months ago at least.
LAMPITO
And as for mine
125
No sooner has he slipped out frae the line
He straps his shield and he's snickt off again.
And as for mine
125
No sooner has he slipped out frae the line
He straps his shield and he's snickt off again.
LYSISTRATA
And not the slightest glitter of a lover!
And since the Milesians betrayed us, I've not seen
The image of a single upright man
130
To be a marble consolation to us.
Now will you help me, if I find a means
To stamp the war out.
And not the slightest glitter of a lover!
And since the Milesians betrayed us, I've not seen
The image of a single upright man
130
To be a marble consolation to us.
Now will you help me, if I find a means
To stamp the war out.
MYRRHINE
By the two Goddesses, Yes!
I will though I've to pawn this very dress
135
And drink the barter-money the same day.
By the two Goddesses, Yes!
I will though I've to pawn this very dress
135
And drink the barter-money the same day.
CALONICE
And I too though I'm split up like a turbot
And half is hackt off as the price of peace.
And I too though I'm split up like a turbot
And half is hackt off as the price of peace.
LAMPITO
And I too! Why, to get a peep at the shy thing
I'd clamber up to the tip-top o' Taygetus.
140
And I too! Why, to get a peep at the shy thing
I'd clamber up to the tip-top o' Taygetus.
140
LYSISTRATA
Then I'll expose my mighty mystery.
O women, if we would compel the men
To bow to Peace, we must refrain—
Then I'll expose my mighty mystery.
O women, if we would compel the men
To bow to Peace, we must refrain—
MYRRHINE
From what?
O tell us!
145
From what?
O tell us!
145
LYSISTRATA
Will you truly do it then?
Will you truly do it then?
MYRRHINE
We will, we will, if we must die for it.
We will, we will, if we must die for it.
LYSISTRATA
We must refrain from every depth of love....
Why do you turn your backs? Where are you going?
Why do you bite your lips and shake your heads?
150
Why are your faces blanched? Why do you weep?
Will you or won't you, or what do you mean?
We must refrain from every depth of love....
Why do you turn your backs? Where are you going?
Why do you bite your lips and shake your heads?
150
Why are your faces blanched? Why do you weep?
Will you or won't you, or what do you mean?
Lysistrata. Aristophanes. . Publication date not supplied in legacy source.
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