CLEONICE

But how should women perform so wise and glorious an achievement, we women who dwell in the retirement of the household, clad in diaphanous garments of yellow silk and long flowing gowns, decked out with flowers and shod with dainty little slippers? -

LYSISTRATA

Ah, but those are the very sheet-anchors of our salvation- those yellow tunics, those scents and slippers, those cosmetics and transparent robes. -

CLEONICE

How so, pray? -

LYSISTRATA

There is not a man will wield a lance against another... -

CLEONICE

Quick, I will get me a yellow tunic from the dyer's. -

LYSISTRATA

...or want a shield. -

CLEONICE

I'll run and put on a flowing gown. -

LYSISTRATA

...or draw a sword. -

CLEONICE

I'll haste and buy a pair of slippers this instant. -

LYSISTRATA

Now tell me, would not the women have done best to come? -

CLEONICE

Why, they should have flown here! -

LYSISTRATA

Ah! my dear, you'll see that like true Athenians, they will do everything too late.... Why, there's not a woman come from the shore, not one from Salamis. -

CLEONICE

But I know for certain they embarked at daybreak. -

LYSISTRATA

And the dames from Acharnae! why, I thought they would have been the very first to arrive. -

CLEONICE

Theagenes' wife at any rate is sure to come; she has actually been to consult Hecate.... But look! here are some arrivals- and there are more behind. Ah! ha! now what countrywomen may they be? -

LYSISTRATA

They are from Anagyra. -

CLEONICE

Yes! upon my word, 'tis a levy en masse of all the female population of Anagyra!

- (MYRRHINE enters, followed by other women.) -

MYRRHINE

Are we late, Lysistrata? Tell us, pray; what, not a word? -

LYSISTRATA

I cannot say much for you, Myrrhine! you have not bestirred yourself overmuch for an affair of such urgency. -

MYRRHINE

I could not find my girdle in the dark. However, if the matter is so pressing, here we are; so speak. -

CLEONICE

No, let's wait a moment more, till the women of Boeotia arrive and those from the Peloponnese. -

LYSISTRATA

Yes, that is best.... Ah! here comes Lampito. (LAMPITO, a husky Spartan damsel, enters with three others, two from Boeotia and one from Corinth.) Good day, Lampito, dear friend from Lacedaemon. How well and handsome you look! what a rosy complexion! and how strong you seem; why, you could strangle a bull surely! -

LAMPITO

Yes, indeed, I really think I could. It's because I do gymnastics and practise the bottom-kicking dance. -

CLEONICE (opening LAMPITO'S robe and baring her bosom)

And what superb breasts! -

LAMPITO

La! you are feeling me as if I were a beast for sacrifice. -

LYSISTRATA

And this young woman, where is she from? -

LAMPITO

She is a noble lady from Boeotia. -

LYSISTRATA

Ah! my pretty Boeotian friend, you are as blooming as a garden. -

CLEONICE (making another inspection)

Yes, on my word! and her "garden" is so thoroughly weeded too! -

LYSISTRATA (pointing to the Corinthian)

And who is this? -

LAMPITO

'Tis an honest woman, by my faith! she comes from Corinth. -

CLEONICE

Oh! honest, no doubt then- as honesty goes at Corinth. -

LAMPITO