Part 12 (1/2)
O the daring, the gracious, the beautiful ones!
Their courage unswerving and witty Will rescue our city.
O sprung from the seed of most valiant-wombed grand-mothers, scions of savage and dangerous nettles!
Prepare for the battle, all. Gird up your angers. Our way the wind of sweet victory settles.
LYSISTRATA
O tender Eros and Lady of Cyprus, some flush of beauty I pray you devise To flash on our bosoms and, O Aphrodite, rosily gleam on our valorous thighs!
Joy will raise up its head through the legions warring and all of the far-serried ranks of mad-love Bristle the earth to the pillared horizon, pointing in vain to the heavens above.
I think that perhaps then they'll give us our t.i.tle-- Peace-makers.
MAGISTRATE
What do you mean? Please explain.
LYSISTRATA
First, we'll not see you now flouris.h.i.+ng arms about into the Marketing-place clang again.
WOMEN No, by the Paphian.
LYSISTRATA
Still I can conjure them as past were the herbs stand or crockery's sold Like Corybants jingling (poor sots) fully armoured, they noisily round on their promenade strolled.
MAGISTRATE
And rightly; that's discipline, they--
LYSISTRATA
But what's sillier than to go on an errand of buying a fish Carrying along an immense. Gorgon-buckler instead the usual platter or dish?
A phylarch I lately saw, mounted on horse-back, dressed for the part with long ringlets and all, Stow in his helmet the omelet bought steaming from an old woman who kept a food-stall.
Nearby a soldier, a Thracian, was shaking wildly his spear like Tereus in the play, To frighten a fig-girl while unseen the ruffian filched from her fruit-trays the ripest away.
MAGISTRATE
How, may I ask, will your rule re-establish order and justice in lands so tormented?
LYSISTRATA
Nothing is easier.
MAGISTRATE
Out with it speedily--what is this plan that you boast you've invented?
LYSISTRATA
If, when yarn we are winding, It chances to tangle, then, as perchance you may know, through the skein This way and that still the spool we keep pa.s.sing till it is finally clear all again: So to untangle the War and its errors, amba.s.sadors out on all sides we will send This way and that, here, there and round about--soon you will find that the War has an end.