Part 9 (2/2)

MAGISTRATE

Tut tut, what's here? Deserted by my archers....

But surely women never can defeat us; Close up your ranks, my Scythians. Forward at them.

LYSISTRATA

By the G.o.ddesses, you'll find that here await you Four companies of most pugnacious women Armed cap-a-pie from the topmost louring curl To the lowest angry dimple.

MAGISTRATE

On, Scythians, bind them.

LYSISTRATA

On, gallant allies of our high design, Vendors of grain-eggs-pulse-and-vegetables, Ye garlic-tavern-keepers of bakeries, Strike, batter, knock, hit, slap, and scratch our foes, Be finely imprudent, say what you think of them....

Enough! retire and do not rob the dead.

MAGISTRATE

How basely did my archer-force come off.

LYSISTRATA

Ah, ha, you thought it was a herd of slaves You had to tackle, and you didn't guess The thirst for glory ardent in our blood.

MAGISTRATE

By Apollo, I know well the thirst that heats you-- Especially when a wine-skin's close.

MEN

You waste your breath, dear magistrate, I fear, in answering back.

What's the good of argument with such a rampageous pack?

Remember how they washed us down (these very clothes I wore) With water that looked nasty and that smelt so even more.

WOMEN

What else to do, since you advanced too dangerously nigh.

If you should do the same again, I'll punch you in the eye.

Though I'm a stay-at-home and most a quiet life enjoy, Polite to all and every (for I'm naturally coy), Still if you wake a wasps' nest then of wasps you must beware.

MEN

How may this ferocity be tamed? It grows too great to bear.

Let us question them and find if they'll perchance declare The reason why they strangely dare To seize on Cranaos' citadel, This eyrie inaccessible, This shrine above the precipice, The Acropolis.

Probe them and find what they mean with this idle talk; listen, but watch they don't try to deceive.

You'd be neglecting your duty most certainly if now this mystery unplumbed you leave.

MAGISTRATE

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