Lysistrata   

Excuses and pretences every word! the thing's as clear as


daylight. Anyway, you must stay here now till the fifth day, your


day of purification.


THIRD WOMAN


I cannot sleep any more in the Acropolis, now I have seen the


snake that guards the temple.


FOURTH WOMAN


Ah! and those awful owls with their dismal hooting! I cannot get a


wink of rest, and I'm just dying of fatigue.


LYSISTRATA


You wicked women, have done with your falsehoods! You want your


husbands, that's plain enough. But don't you think they want you


just as badly? They are spending dreadful nights, oh! I know that well


enough. But hold out, my dears, hold out! A little more patience,


and the victory will be ours. An oracle promises us success, if only


we remain united. Shall I repeat the words?


THIRD WOMAN


Yes, tell us what the oracle declares.


LYSISTRATA


Silence then! Now-"Whenas the swallows, fleeing before the


hoopoes, shall have all flocked together in one place, and shall