Lysistrata   

MAGISTRATE


And well done too, by Posidon! We men must share the blame of


their ill conduct; it is we who teach them to love riot and


dissoluteness and sow the seeds of wickedness in their hearts. You see


a husband go into a shop: "Look you, jeweller," says he, "you remember


the necklace you made for my wife. Well, the other evening, when she


was dancing, the catch came open. Now, I am bound to start for


Salamis; will you make it convenient to go up to-night to make her


fastening secure?" Another will go to the cobbler, a great, strong


fellow, with a great, long tool, and tell him: "The strap of one of my


wife's sandals presses her little toe, which is extremely sensitive;


come in about midday to supple the thing and stretch it." Now see


the results. Take my own case-as a Magistrate I have enlisted


rowers; I want money to pay them, and the women slam the door in my


face. But why do we stand here with arms crossed? Bring me a


crowbar; I'll chastise their insolence!-Ho! there, my fine fellow!


(to one of the Scythians) what are, you gaping at the crows for?


looking for a tavern, I suppose, eh? Come on, bring crowbars here, and


force open the gates. I will put a hand to the work myself.


LYSISTRATA (opening the gate and walking out)


No need to force the gates; I am coming out-here I am. And why


bolts and bars? What we want here is not bolts and bars and locks, but