Young Man: But I am burdened by such great women,
1010
Young man: And I would never be persuaded.
Old Woman A: But by Zeus,
Old Woman A: This will force you.
Young Man: But what is this?
Old Woman A: a decree, in accordance with which you must walk as I do.
Young man: Say what it is.
Old Woman A: And indeed I tell you.
Old Woman A: It was resolved by the women, if [there is] a young man
1015
Old Woman A: She desires a young woman, not to give her up before
Old Woman A: Let him first test the old woman; if she is unwilling.
Old Woman A: first let her refuse, but let her desire the young woman,
Old Woman A: Let the older women have the new [husband].
Old Woman A: To drag them up, taking hold of the pot.
1020
Young man: Alas! Today I shall become Procrustes.
Old Woman A: For we must obey our own laws.
Young Man: But what will a man of the citizens take away from me?
Young Man: Or has someone from among the friends come?
Old Woman A: But she is not the lawful wife.
OLD WOMAN A: No man is left worth a medimnus.
1025
Young man: 'But is there not perjury?'
Gräus A: For there is no need of a turn.
Young Man: But I will pretend to be a merchant.
Old Woman A: You are weeping.
Young man: What then must we do?
Old Woman A: Come here and follow me.
Young Man: And must these things be done in secret from me?
Old Woman A: By Diomede, indeed.
Young Man: Now first, pull down your shirt a bit of the oregano.
1030
Young Man: And, having broken four vines, take them up.
Young man: Bind the ribbons and put the oil flasks alongside.
Young Man: Put the water-jar and the strainer in front of the door.
Old Woman A: Yes, indeed, you will still buy a wreath for me.
Young man: By Zeus, whoever he may be, he is certainly one of the bees.
1035
Young Man: I think you will fall down inside right away.
Young Man: Where are you dragging this man?
Old Woman A: I am bringing in her own.
Young Woman: She is not self-controlled; for she does not have the appropriate age.
Young man: to sleep beside you, being so old, since
Young Woman: You would be more of a mother to him than a wife.
1040
Young Woman: So, if you will establish this law,
Young woman: You will fill the whole earth with Oedipuses.
Old Woman A: O you most hateful, envious of this speech!
Old Woman A: You discovered it; but I will punish you.
Young man: By Zeus the Savior, you have granted me a favor.
1045
Young man: Oh, having most sweetly dismissed the old woman from me;
Young man: so instead of these good things, until evening
Young Man: I will render you a great and fat thanks.
Ecclesiazusae. Aristophanes. . 2026-09-08.