Lysistrata - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
LYSISTRATA
Yea, I must speak it though it hurt me so.
WOMEN
Speak; can we help? Don't stand there mute in need.
LYSISTRATA
I'll blurt it out then--our women's army's mutinied.
WOMEN
O Zeus!
LYSISTRATA
What use is Zeus to our anatomy?
Here is the gaping calamity I meant: I cannot shut their ravenous appet.i.tes A moment more now. They are all deserting.
The first I caught was sidling through the postern Close by the Cave of Pan: the next hoisting herself With rope and pulley down: a third on the point Of slipping past: while a fourth malcontent, seated For instant flight to visit Orsilochus On bird-back, I dragged off by the hair in time....
They are all s.n.a.t.c.hing excuses to sneak home.
Look, there goes one.... Hey, what's the hurry?
1ST WOMAN
I must get home. I've some Milesian wool Packed wasting away, and moths are pus.h.i.+ng through it.
LYSISTRATA
Fine moths indeed, I know. Get back within.
1ST WOMAN
By the G.o.ddesses, I'll return instantly.
I only want to stretch it on my bed.
LYSISTRATA
You shall stretch nothing and go nowhere either.
1ST WOMAN
Must I never use my wool then?
LYSISTRATA
If needs be.
2ND WOMAN
How unfortunate I am! O my poor flax!
It's left at home unstript.
LYSISTRATA
So here's another That wishes to go home and strip her flax.
Inside again!
2ND WOMAN
No, by the G.o.ddess of Light, I'll be back as soon as I have flayed it properly.
LYSISTRATA
You'll not flay anything. For if you begin There'll not be one here but has a patch to be flayed.
3RD WOMAN
O holy Eilithyia, stay this birth Till I have left the precincts of the place!
LYSISTRATA
What nonsense is this?
3RD WOMAN
I'll drop it any minute.
LYSISTRATA
Yesterday you weren't with child.
3RD WOMAN
But I am today.
O let me find a midwife, Lysistrata.
O quickly!
LYSISTRATA
Now what story is this you tell?
What is this hard lump here?
3RD WOMAN
It's a male child.
LYSISTRATA
