Cleisthenes: dear women, relatives of my character;
Cleisthenes: that I am indeed a friend to you is made plain by my jaws;
575
Cleisthenes: For I always engage in matchmaking, being in love with women.
Cleisthenes: and now having heard a great matter concerning you
Cleisthenes: "just a little while ago, being chattered in the market,
Cleisthenes: I have come to report and announce this to you, so that
Cleisthenes: look out and beware lest he also fall upon you.
580
Cleisthenes: For you, without means of defense, a terrible and great matter.
Chorus: What is it, child? For you are rightly called a child,
Chorus: Until you have your jaws bare in this way.
Cleisthenes: Tell Euripides that he is a certain relative.
Cleisthenes: to send an old man here today.
585
Chorus: for what work or for the sake of whose opinion?
Cleisthenes: so that whatever you may be planning and intend to do,
Cleisthenes: May that man be the spy of those words.
Chorus: And how did he, being a man, escape notice among women?
Cleisthenes: Euripides set him free and sent him off.
590
Cleisthenes: And the rest of it, everything, he prepared just like a woman.
Mnesilochus: Do you obey this man in these matters? Who is such a man?
Mnesilochus: 'Is he a fool, whoever endured being plucked?'
Mnesilochus: I don't think so, most honoured goddess.
Cleisthenes: You are talking nonsense; for I would not have come as a messenger,
595
Cleisthenes: If I had not learned these things from those who know them clearly.
Chorus: This matter is bringing a serious accusation.
Chorus: But, oh women, it was not right to waver,
Chorus: but let us look at the man and search for where
Chorus: A secret intruder has hidden himself among us.
600
Chorus: And you also invented it, so that you might gain the favor
Chorus: You shall have this one as well as that one, O xenos.
Cleisthenes: Come, let me see: who is the first you?
Mnesilochus: Where will someone turn?
Cleisthenes: for you are to be sought.
Mnesilochus: Woe is me.
Woman A: Do you ask who I am? The wife of Kleonymos.
605
Cleisthenes: Do you know what sort of woman this is?
Chorus: We certainly understand. But look at the others.
Cleisthenes: But who is the one now who is the child's?
Cleisthenes: [Do you have] it?
Woman A: By Zeus, it is my nurse!
Mnesilochus: I am gone.
Cleisthenes: Where are you turning, you? Stay right there. What is the harm?
610
Mnesilochus: Let me urinate.
Cleisthenes: You are some shameless person.
Cleisthenes: But you, then, do this. For I shall wait here.
Chorus: Wait, then, and look at her very closely.
Chorus: for we know only her, as it were.
Cleisthenes: You've been pissing for a long time, then.
615
Mnesilochus: By Zeus, oh friends;
Mnesilochus: I am passing a kidney stone, for yesterday I ate watercress.
Cleisthenes: What are you grumbling about? Are you not coming here to me?
Mnesilochus: Why on earth are you dragging me, being weak?
Cleisthenes: tell me,
Cleisthenes: Who is the man to you?
Mnesilochus: Do you ask about my husband?
Mnesilochus: You know that infamous man, the one from Kothokidai?
620
Cleisthenes: the notorious one? Which one?
Mnesilochus: There is one who is truly terrible, who even once
Mnesilochus: 'The so-and-so, the son of so-and-so—'
Cleisthenes: You seem to me to be talking nonsense.
Cleisthenes: Have you already come up here before?
Mnesilochus: by Zeus
Mnesilochus: A true man indeed.
Cleisthenes: And who is your co-actor?
Mnesilochus: It is terribly hard for me.
625
Cleisthenes: Alas, wretch, you are saying nothing.
Thesmophoriazusae. Aristophanes. . 2026-09-08.