They remove the beards as Praxagora and the other women enter from the right through the Orchestra.
Praxagora
Friends, success
505
has crowned our plans. But off with these cloaks and these boots quick, before any man sees you; unbuckle the Laconian straps and get rid of your staffs;
To the Leader.
510
and you help them with their toilet. As for myself, I am going to slip quietly into the house and replace my husband's cloak and other gear where I took them from, before he can suspect anything.
Friends, success
505
has crowned our plans. But off with these cloaks and these boots quick, before any man sees you; unbuckle the Laconian straps and get rid of your staffs;
To the Leader.
510
and you help them with their toilet. As for myself, I am going to slip quietly into the house and replace my husband's cloak and other gear where I took them from, before he can suspect anything.
Leader of the Chorus
There! it's done according to your bidding.
515
Now tell us how we can be of service to you, so that we may show you our obedience, for we have never seen a cleverer woman than you.
There! it's done according to your bidding.
515
Now tell us how we can be of service to you, so that we may show you our obedience, for we have never seen a cleverer woman than you.
Praxagora
Wait! I only wish to use the power given me in accordance with your wishes; for, in the market-place, in the midst of the shouts and danger, I appreciated your indomitable courage.
Just as she is about to enter the house Blepyrus appears in the doorway.
Wait! I only wish to use the power given me in accordance with your wishes; for, in the market-place, in the midst of the shouts and danger, I appreciated your indomitable courage.
Just as she is about to enter the house Blepyrus appears in the doorway.
Blepyrus
520
Eh, Praxagora! where are you coming from?
520
Eh, Praxagora! where are you coming from?
Praxagora
How does that concern you, dear?
How does that concern you, dear?
Blepyrus
Why, greatly! what a silly question!
Why, greatly! what a silly question!
Praxagora
You don't think I have come from a lover's?
You don't think I have come from a lover's?
Blepyrus
No, perhaps not from only one.
No, perhaps not from only one.
Praxagora
You can make yourself sure of that.
You can make yourself sure of that.
Blepyrus
And how?
And how?
Praxagora
You can see whether my hair smells of perfume.
You can see whether my hair smells of perfume.
Blepyrus
525
What? cannot a woman possibly be laid without perfume, eh!
525
What? cannot a woman possibly be laid without perfume, eh!
Praxagora
The gods forfend, as far as I am concerned.
The gods forfend, as far as I am concerned.
Blepyrus
Why did you go off at early dawn with my cloak?
Why did you go off at early dawn with my cloak?
Praxagora
A companion, a friend who was in labour, had sent to fetch me.
A companion, a friend who was in labour, had sent to fetch me.
Blepyrus
530
Could you not have told me?
530
Could you not have told me?
Praxagora
Oh, my dear, would you have me caring nothing for a poor woman in that plight?
Oh, my dear, would you have me caring nothing for a poor woman in that plight?
Blepyrus
A word would have been enough. There's something behind all this.
A word would have been enough. There's something behind all this.
Praxagora
No, I call the goddesses to witness! I went running off; the poor woman who summoned me begged me to come, whatever might betide.
No, I call the goddesses to witness! I went running off; the poor woman who summoned me begged me to come, whatever might betide.
Ecclesiazusae. Aristophanes. ed. Eugene O'Neill, Jr.. New York. 1938.
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