Lysistrata   

and how these logs do bruise my shoulder! Still let us carry on, and


blow up our fire and see it does not go out just as we reach our


destination. Phew! phew! (Blowing the fire) Oh! dear! what a


dreadful smoke!


SECOND SEMI-CHORUS OF OLD MEN (singing)


It bites my eyes like a mad dog. It is Lemnian fire for sure, or


it would never devour my eyelids like this. Come on, Laches, let's


hurry, let's bring succour to the goddess; it's now or never! Phew!


phew! (Blowing the fire) Oh dear! what a confounded smoke!


LEADER OF CHORUS OF OLD MEN


There now, there's our fire all bright and burning, thank the


gods! Now, why not first put down our loads here, then take a


vine-branch, light it at the brazier and hurl it at the gate by way of


battering-ram? If they don't answer our summons by pulling back the


bolts, then we set fire to the woodwork, and the smoke will choke


them. Ye gods! what a smoke! Pfaugh! Is there never a Samian general


will help me unload my burden?-Ah! it shall not gall my shoulder any


more. (Setting down the wood) Come, brazier, do your duty, make


the embers flare, that I may kindle a brand; I want to be the first to


hurl one. Aid me, heavenly Victory; let us punish for their insolent


audacity the women who have seized our citadel, and may we raise a


trophy of triumph for success!