Lysistrata Part 14

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