Lysistrata | Page 6

be thought of first.
LYSISTRATA
My friend, my friend! The only one amid this herd of weaklings.
CALONICE
But if--which heaven forbid--we should refrain As you would have us,
how is Peace induced?
LYSISTRATA
By the two Goddesses, now can't you see All we have to do is idly sit
indoors With smooth roses powdered on our cheeks, Our bodies
burning naked through the folds Of shining Amorgos' silk, and meet the
men With our dear Venus-plats plucked trim and neat. Their stirring

love will rise up furiously, They'll beg our arms to open. That's our
time! We'll disregard their knocking, beat them off-- And they will
soon be rabid for a Peace. I'm sure of it.
LAMPITO
Just as Menelaus, they say, Seeing the bosom of his naked Helen Flang
down the sword.
CALONICE
But we'll be tearful fools If our husbands take us at our word and leave
us.
LYSISTRATA
There's only left then, in Pherecrates' phrase, _To flay a skinned
dog_--flay more our flayed desires.
CALONICE
Bah, proverbs will never warm a celibate. But what avail will your
scheme be if the men Drag us for all our kicking on to the couch?
LYSISTRATA
Cling to the doorposts.
CALONICE
But if they should force us?
LYSISTRATA
Yield then, but with a 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._