Lysistrata   

LEADER OF CHORUS OF OLD MEN


Come, Philurgus, man, let's hurry there; let's lay our faggots all


about the citadel, and on the blazing pile burn with our hands these


vile conspiratresses, one and all-and Lycon's wife first and foremost!


SECOND SEMI-CHORUS OF OLD MEN (singing)


Nay, by Demeter, never will I let them laugh at me, whiles I


have a breath left in my body. Cleomenes himself, the first who ever


seized our citadel, had to quit it to his sore dishonour; spite his


Lacedaemonian pride, he had to deliver me up his arms and slink off


with a single garment to his back. My word! but he was filthy and


ragged! and what an unkempt beard, to be sure! He had not had a bath


for six long years!


LEADER OF CHORUS OF OLD MEN


Oh! but that was a mighty siege! Our men were ranged seventeen


deep before the gate, and never left their posts, even to sleep. These


women, these enemies of Euripides and all the gods, shall I do nothing


to hinder their inordinate insolence? else let them tear down my


trophies of Marathon.


FIRST SEMI-CHORUS OF OLD MEN (singing)


But look, to finish this toilsome climb only this last steep bit


is left to mount. Truly, it's no easy job without beasts of burden,