LYSISTRATA Then why not, Lampito, at once combine All in one oath, and clench the plot securely?
LAMPITO Weel, you propound the aith, an’ we’se a’ tak’ it.
LYSISTRATA Good; now then, Scythianess, don’t stand there gaping. Quick, set a great black shield here, hollow upwards, And bring the sacrificial bits.
CALONICE And how Are we to swear, Lysistrata?
LYSISTRATA We’ll slay
LYSISTRATA (Like those Seven Chiefs in Aeschylus) a lamb Over a shield.
CALONICE Nay, when our object’s Peace, Don’t use a shield, Lysistrata, my dear.
LYSISTRATA Then what shall be the oath?
CALONICE Could we not somehow Get a grey mare, and cut her up to bits?
LYSISTRATA Grey mare, indeed!
CALONICE Well, what’s the oath will suit Us women best?
MYRRHINA I’ll tell you what I think. Let’s set a great black cup here, hollow upwards: Then for a lamb we’ll slay a Thasian wine-jar, And firmly swear to—pour no water in.
LAMPITO Hech, the braw aith! my certie, hoo I like it.
LYSISTRATA O yes, bring out the wine-jar and the cup.
CALONICE La! here’s a splendid piece of ware, my dears. Now that’s a cup ’twill cheer one’s heart to take.
LYSISTRATA (to the servant) Set down the cup, and take the victim boar. O Queen Persuasion, and O Loving Cup, Accept our offerings, and maintain our cause!
CALONICE ’Tis jolly coloured blood, and spirts out bravely
LAMPITO Ay, an’ by Castor, vera fragrant too!
MYRRHINA Let me swear first, my sisters?
CALONICE Yes, if you Draw the first lot; not else, by Aphrodite.
LYSISTRATA All place your hands upon the wine-cup: One, speak the words, repeating after me. Then all the rest confirm it. Now begin. I will abstain from Love and Love’s delights.
CALONICE I will abstain from Love and Love’s delights.
LYSISTRATA And take no pleasure though my lord invites.
CALONICE And take no pleasure though my lord invites.
LYSISTRATA And sleep a vestal all alone at nights.
CALONICE And sleep a vestal all alone at nights.
LYSISTRATA And live a stranger to all nuptial rites.
CALONICE And live a stranger to all nuptial rites. I don’t half like it though, Lysistrata.
LYSISTRATA I will abjure the very name of Love.
CALONICE I will abjure the very name of Love.
LYSISTRATA So help me Zeus, and all the Powers above.
CALONICE So help me Zeus, and all the Powers above.
LYSISTRATA If I do this, my cup be filled with wine.
CALONICE If I do this, my cup be filled with wine.
LYSISTRATA But if I fail, a water draught be mine.
CALONICE But if I fail, a water draught be mine.
LYSISTRATA You all swear this?
MYRRHINA O yes, my dear, we do.
LYSISTRATA I’ll now consume these fragments.
CALONICE Shares, my friend, Now at first starting let us show we’re friends.
LAMPITO Hark! what’s yon skirlin’?
LYSISTRATA That’s the thing I said. They’ve seized the Acropolis, Athene’s castle, Our comrades have. Now, Lampito, be off: You, go to Sparta, and arrange things there, Leaving us here these girls as hostages. And We will pass inside the castle walls, And help the women there to close the bars.
CALONICE But don’t you think that very soon the Men Will come, in arms, against us?
LYSISTRATA Let them come! They will not bring or threats or fire enough To awe our woman hearts, and make us open These gates again, save on the terms we mentioned.
CALONICE By Aphrodite, no! else ’twere for nought That people call us bold, resistless jades.
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