Lysistrata   

that they must reduce to ashes these horrible women. Suffer them


not, oh! goddess, but, of thy grace, may I see Athens and Greece cured


of their warlike folly. 'Tis to this end, oh! thou guardian deity of


our city, goddess of the golden crest, that they have seized thy


sanctuary. Be their friend and ally, Athene, and if any man hurl


against them lighted firebrands, aid us to carry water to extinguish


them.


LEADER OF CHORUS OF WOMEN


What is this I see, ye wretched old men? Honest and pious folk


ye cannot be who act so vilely.


LEADER OF CHORUS OF OLD MEN


Ah, ha! here's something new! a swarm of women stand posted


outside to defend the gates!


LEADER OF CHORUS OF WOMEN


Fart at us, would you? we seem a mighty host, yet you do not see


the ten-thousandth part of our sex.


LEADER OF CHORUS OF OLD MEN


Ho, Phaedrias! shall we stop their cackle? Suppose one of us


were to break a stick across their backs, eh?


LEADER OF CHORUS OF WOMEN


Let us set down our water-pots on the ground, to be out of the