Lysistrata   

Oh! those confounded women! how they do cajole us! How true the


saying: " 'Tis impossible to live with the baggages, impossible to


live without 'em!" Come, let us agree for the future not to regard


each other any more as enemies; and to clinch the bargain, let us sing


a choric song.


COMBINED CHORUS OF WOMEN AND OLD MEN (singing)


We desire, Athenians, to speak ill of no man; but on the


contrary to say much good of everyone, and to do the like. We have had


enough of misfortunes and calamities. If there is any man or woman who


wants a bit of money-two or three minas or so; well, our purse is


full. If only peace is concluded, the borrower will not have to pay


back. Also I'm inviting to supper a few Carystian friends, who are


excellently well qualified. I have still a drop of good soup left, and


a young porker I'm going to kill, and the flesh will be sweet and


tender. I shall expect you at my house to-day; but first away to the


baths with you, you and your children; then come all of you, ask no


one's leave, but walk straight up, as if you were at home; never fear,


the door will be... shut in your faces!


LEADER OF CHORUS OF OLD MEN


Ah! here come the envoys from Sparta with their long flowing


beards; why, you would think they wore pigstyes between their thighs.