Lysistrata | Page 6

sluggish, cold indifference. There is no joy to them in sullen mating. Besides we have other ways to madden them; They cannot stand up long, and they've no delight Unless we fit their aim with merry succour.
CALONICE
Well if you must have it so, we'll all agree.
LAMPITO
For us I ha' no doubt. We can persuade Our men to strike a fair an' decent Peace, But how will ye pitch out the battle-frenzy O' the Athenian populace?
LYSISTRATA
I promise you We'll wither up that curse.
LAMPITO
I don't believe it. Not while they own ane trireme oared an' rigged, Or a' those stacks an' stacks an' stacks O' siller.
LYSISTRATA
I've thought the whole thing out till there's no flaw. We shall surprise the Acropolis today: That is the duty set the older dames. While we sit here talking, they are to go And under pretence of sacrificing, seize it.
LAMPITO
Certie, that's fine; all's warking for the best.
LYSISTRATA
Now quickly, Lampito, let us tie ourselves To this high purpose as tightly as the hemp of words Can knot together.
LAMPITO
Set out the terms in detail And we'll a' swear to them.
LYSISTRATA
Of course.... Well then Where is our Scythianess? Why are you staring? First lay the shield, boss downward, on the floor And bring the victim's inwards.
CAILONICE
But, Lysistrata, What is this oath that we're to swear?
LYSISTRATA
What oath! In Aeschylus they take a slaughtered sheep And swear upon a buckler. Why not we?
CALONICE
O Lysistrata, Peace sworn on a buckler!
LYSISTRATA
What oath would suit us then?
CALONICE
Something burden bearing Would be our best insignia.... A white horse! Let's swear upon its entrails.
LYSISTRATA
A horse indeed!
CALONICE
Then what will symbolise us?
LYSISTRATA
This, as I tell you-- First set a great dark bowl upon the ground And disembowel a skin of Thasian wine, Then swear that we'll not add a drop of water.
LAMPITO Ah, what aith could clink pleasanter than that!
LYSISTRATA Bring me a bowl then and a skin of wine.
CALONICE My dears, see what a splendid bowl it is; I'd not say No if asked to sip it off.
LYSISTRATA Put down the bowl. Lay hands, all, on the victim. Skiey Queen who givest the last word in arguments, And thee, O Bowl, dear comrade, we beseech: Accept our oblation and be propitious to us.
CALONICE What healthy blood, la, how it gushes out!
LAMPITO An' what a leesome fragrance through the air.
LYSISTRATA Now, dears, if you will let me, I'll speak first.
CALONICE Only if you draw the lot, by Aphrodite!
LYSISTRATA SO, grasp the brim, you, Lampito, and all. You, Calonice, repeat for the rest Each word I say. Then you must all take oath And pledge your arms to the same stern conditions--
LYSISTRATA To husband or lover I'll not open arms
CALONICE
_To husband or lover I'll not open arms_
LYSISTRATA
Though love and denial may enlarge his charms.
CALONICE
_Though love and denial may enlarge his charms._ O, O, my knees are failing me, Lysistrata!
LYSISTRATA
But still at home, ignoring him, I'll stay,
CALONICE
_But still at home, ignoring him, I'll stay,_
LYSISTRATA
Beautiful, clad in saffron silks all day.
CALONICE
_Beautiful, clad in saffron silks all day._
LYSISTRATA
If then he seizes me by dint of force,
CALONICE
_If then he seizes me by dint of force,_
LYSISTRATA
I'll give him reason for a long remorse.
CALONICE
_I'll give him reason for a long remorse._
LYSISTRATA
I'll never lie and stare up at the ceiling,
CALONICE
_I'll never lie and stare up at the ceiling,_
LYSISTRATA
Nor like a lion on all fours go kneeling.
CALONICE
_Nor like a lion on all fours go kneeling._
LYSISTRATA
If I keep faith, then bounteous cups be mine.
CALONICE
_If I keep faith, then bounteous cups be mine._
LYSISTRATA
If not, to nauseous water change this wine.
CALONICE _If not, to nauseous water change this wine._
LYSISTRATA
Do you all swear to this?
MYRRHINE
We do, we do.
LYSISTRATA
Then I shall immolate the victim thus. _She drinks._
CALONICE
Here now, share fair, haven't we made a pact? Let's all quaff down that friendship in our turn.
LAMPITO
Hark, what caterwauling hubbub's that?
LYSISTRATA
As I told you, The women have appropriated the citadel. So, Lampito, dash off to your own land And raise the rebels there. These will serve as hostages, While we ourselves take our places in the ranks And drive the bolts right home.
CALONICE
But won't the men March straight against us?
LYSISTRATA
And what if they do? No threat shall creak our hinges wide, no torch Shall light a fear in us; we will come out To Peace alone.
CALONICE
That's it, by Aphrodite! As of old let us seem hard and obdurate.
LAMPITO _and some go off; the others go up into the Acropolis._
Chorus of OLD MEN enter to attack the captured Acropolis.
Make room, Draces, move ahead; why your shoulder's chafed, I see, With lugging uphill these lopped branches of the olive-tree. How upside-down and wrong-way-round a long life sees things grow. Ah, Strymodorus, who'd have thought affairs could tangle so?
The women whom at home we fed, Like witless fools, with fostering bread, Have impiously come to this-- They've stolen the Acropolis, With bolts and bars our orders flout And shut