Lysistrata | Page 4

tract, it would have
merely an historical interest, and it would have ceased spiritually at
4O4 B.C.
But Panurge is as fantastic and fascinating a character now as he was
3OO years ago, Lysistrata and her girls as freshly bodied as any girl
kissed to-day. Therefore the serious part of the play is that which deals
with them, the frivolous part that in which Rogers detects gravity and
earnestness.
Aristophanes is the lord of all who take life as a gay adventure, who
defy all efforts to turn life into a social, economic, or moral abstraction.
Is it therefore just that the critics who, by some dark instinct, unerringly

pick out the exact opposite of any creator's real virtues as his chief
characteristics, should praise him as an idealistic reformer? An "ideal"
state of society was the last thing Aristophanes desired. He wished,
certainly, to eliminate inhumanities and baseness; but only that there
might be free play for laughter, for individual happiness.
Consequently the critics lay the emphasis on the effort to cleanse
society, not the method of laughter. Aristophanes wished to destroy
Cleon because that demagogue failed to realize the poet's conception of
dignified government and tended to upset the stability of Hellas. But it
was the stability of life, the vindication of all individual freedoms, in
which he was ultimately interested.
JACK LINDSAY.
* * * * *
LYSISTRATA
The Persons of the drama.
LYSISTRATA CALONICE MYRRHINE LAMPITO Stratyllis, etc.
Chorus of Women. MAGISTRATE CINESIAS SPARTAN HERALD
ENVOYS ATHENIANS Porter, Market Idlers, etc. Chorus of old Men.
LYSISTRATA _stands alone with the Propylaea at her back._
LYSISTRATA
If they were trysting for a Bacchanal, A feast of Pan or Colias or
Genetyllis, The tambourines would block the rowdy streets, But now
there's not a woman to be seen Except--ah, yes--this neighbour of mine
yonder.
Enter CALONICE.
Good day Calonice.
CALONICE

Good day Lysistrata. But what has vexed you so? Tell me, child. What
are these black looks for? It doesn't suit you To knit your eyebrows up
glumly like that.
LYSISTRATA
Calonice, it's more than I can bear, I am hot all over with blushes for
our sex. Men say we're slippery rogues--
CALONICE
And aren't they right?
LYSISTRATA
Yet summoned on the most tremendous business For deliberation, still
they snuggle in bed.
CALONICE
My dear, they'll come. It's hard for women, you know, To get away.
There's so much to do; Husbands to be patted and put in good tempers:
Servants to be poked out: children washed Or soothed with lullays or
fed with mouthfuls of pap.
LYSISTRATA
But I tell you, here's a far more weighty object.
CALONICE
What is it all about, dear Lysistrata, That you've called the women
hither in a troop? What kind of an object is it?
LYSISTRATA
A tremendous thing!
CALONICE

And long?
LYSISTRATA
Indeed, it may be very lengthy.
CALONICE
Then why aren't they here?
LYSISTRATA
No man's connected with it; If that was the case, they'd soon come
fluttering along. No, no. It concerns an object I've felt over And turned
this way and that for sleepless nights.
CALONICE
It must be fine to stand such long attention.
LYSISTRATA
So fine it comes to this--Greece saved by Woman!
CALONICE
By Woman? Wretched thing, I'm sorry for it.
LYSISTRATA
Our country's fate is henceforth in our hands: To destroy the
Peloponnesians root and branch--
CALONICE
What could be nobler!
LYSISTRATA

Wipe out the Boeotians--
CALONICE
Not utterly. Have mercy on the eels! [Footnote: The Boeotian eels were
highly esteemed delicacies in Athens.]
LYSISTRATA
But with regard to Athens, note I'm careful Not to say any of these
nasty things; Still, thought is free.... But if the women join us From
Peloponnesus and Boeotia, then Hand in hand we'll rescue Greece.
CALONICE
How could we do Such a big wise deed? We women who dwell Quietly
adorning ourselves in a back-room With gowns of lucid gold and
gawdy toilets Of stately silk and dainty little slippers....
LYSISTRATA
These are the very armaments of the rescue. These crocus-gowns, this
outlay of the best myrrh, Slippers, cosmetics dusting beauty, and robes
With rippling creases of light.
CALONICE
Yes, but how?
LYSISTRATA
No man will lift a lance against another--
CALONICE
I'll run to have my tunic dyed crocus.
LYSISTRATA

Or take a shield--
CALONICE
I'll get a stately gown.
LYSISTRATA
Or unscabbard a sword--
CALONICE
Let me buy a pair of slipper.
LYSISTRATA
Now, tell me, are the women right to lag?
CALONICE
They should have turned birds, they should have grown wings and
flown.
LYSISTRATA
My friend, you'll see that they are true Athenians: Always too late.
Why, there's not a woman From the shoreward demes arrived, not one
from Salamis.
CALONICE
I know for certain they awoke at dawn, And got their husbands up if
not