Lysistrata   

of all those squadrons of Amazons Micon has painted for us engaged


in hand-to-hand combat with men. Come then, we must now fit collars to


all these willing necks.


CHORUS OF WOMEN (singing)


By the blessed goddesses, if you anger me, I will let loose the


beast of my evil passions, and a very hailstorm of blows will set


you yelling for help. Come, dames, off with your tunics, and quick's


the word; women must smell the smell of women in the throes of


passion.... Now just you dare to measure strength with me, old


greybeard, and I warrant you you'll never eat garlic or black beans


any more. No, not a word! my anger is at boiling point, and I'll do


with you what the beetle did with the eagle's eggs.


LEADER OF CHORUS OF WOMEN


I laugh at your threats, so long as I have on my side Lampito


here, and the noble Theban, my dear Ismenia.... Pass decree on decree,


you can do us no hurt, you wretch abhorred of all your fellows. Why,


only yesterday, on occasion of the feast of Hecate, I asked my


neighbours of Boeotia for one of their daughters for whom my girls


have a lively liking -a fine, fat eel to wit; and if they did not


refuse, all along of your silly decrees! We shall never cease to


suffer the like, till some one gives you a neat trip-up and breaks