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Alexander Corbett, Orchard Street, W.</i></p> + <p class="center"><b>Miss Gertrude Kingston in the Title Rôle of Lysistrata.</b></p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1>LYSISTRATA</h1> + +<p class="f120 spb2">A MODERN PARAPHRASE<br>FROM<br>THE GREEK OF ARISTOPHANES</p> +</div> + +<p class="f120"><span class="fs_80">BY</span><br><b>LAURENCE HOUSMAN</b></p> + +<p class="f110 spa2">LONDON:<br>THE WOMAN'S PRESS</p> + +<p class="center">156, <span class="smcap">Charing Cross Road, w.c.</span><br>1911</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<p class="f120"><b>CHARACTERS</b></p> + +<table class="spb1"> + <tbody><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap">Lysistrata<span class="ws6"> </span></td> + <td class="tdc" rowspan="4"><img src="images/cbr-5.jpg" alt="" width="30" height="107" ></td> + <td class="tdl" rowspan="4">  <i>Athenians.</i></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap">Calonice</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap">Myrrhina</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap">Stratyllis</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="2">Lampito</td> + <td class="tdl_ws1"><i>A Spartan.</i></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">1st Leader of Chorus</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">2nd Leader of Chorus</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">3rd Leader of Chorus</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">Chorus of Women</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">1st Athenian Woman</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">2nd Athenian Woman</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">3rd Athenian Woman</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">4th Athenian Woman</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdc" colspan="2"><i>Athenian, Spartan, Bœotian,<br>and Corinthian Women.</i></td> + <td class="tdc"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">Peace</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="2">Cinesias</td> + <td class="tdl_ws1"><i>Myrrhina's Husband.</i></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="2">Manes</td> + <td class="tdl_ws1"><i>His Servant.</i></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="2">Child</td> + <td class="tdl_ws1"><i>Son to Cinesias.</i></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">A Committee-man</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">Spartan Herald</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">1st Spartan Ambassador</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">2nd Spartan Ambassador</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">1st Leader of Chorus</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">2nd Leader of Chorus</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">3rd Leader of Chorus</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">4th Leader of Chorus</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">Chorus of Old Men</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">Policemen</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">Athenians</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl smcap" colspan="3">Spartans</td> + </tr> + </tbody> +</table> + +<p class="center"><span class="fs_110 smcap">Scene</span>: <i>A street in Athens, +with steps leading to the Acropolis</i>.</p> + +<hr class="r10"> + +<p class="center">[<i>Dramatic Rights Reserved</i>].</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span></p> + <p class="f150"><b>Lysistrata</b></p> + + <h2 class="nobreak">SCENE I.</h2> + + <p class="center"><span class="smcap">Time</span>: <i>Before dawn.</i></p> +</div> + +<p class="center">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span>. <i>She walks to and fro<br> +and looks anxiously to right and left.</i>)</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> None here! The place is void, the streets are dumb:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Though I have called, the women have not come!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ah, had it been for Bacchus, or for Pan,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Or Her who casts her woman-wiles on man,—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">White foam-born Aphrodite—swift and loud</div> + <div class="verse indent5">With beat of drums had thronged the giddy crowd</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To do them honour! Now I stand alone</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Uncomraded; and these soft hearts are stone</div> + <div class="verse indent5">While stricken Greece goes stumbling to her death.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Yet here comes one!</div> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Calonice</span>, <i>very slowly, dragging</i></div> + <div class="verse indent12"><i>her feet, yawning and still dressing herself</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent20">What! Are you out of breath</div> + <div class="verse indent5">With running, Calonice? Good, indeed!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">O swift of foot, I praise you for your speed!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Nay, peace, Lysistrata! What trouble now?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Why look you sad, my child? That darkened brow</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Becomes you not.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>Tries to embrace her.</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span> <i>turns away</i>.) + <span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">Oh, Calonice, flame</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Eats at my heart, and wrath, and heavy shame</div> + <div class="verse indent5">That there be women whom men can rightly hold</div> + <div class="verse indent5">In base esteem.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> (<i>adjusting her dress.</i>) Aye, true!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">So when 'twas told</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">How here a voice should speak and bid them rouse</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For Athen's sake, naught did they care! They drowse</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lapt in fond dreams.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws6">Well, they must sleep sometimes!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Yes, and make sleep the cover of their crimes!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Not sleep alone—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> "Not sleep <i>alone</i>!"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">—but sloth and slavish lust</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Have made them tame!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws6">Ah, give them time! You trust</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">My word for it, they'll come! Often, no doubt,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">'Tis difficult for women to get out:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For those with husbands have enough to do;</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And servants need a looking after, too;</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And then the children—one to put to bed,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And one to wash, another to be fed;—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ah! there's no end to it!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">And yet, my friend,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">To all these things now there must be an end.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">There stands for us a stiffer load to bear.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Than woman's burden? Why, what is it? Where?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lysistrata, belongs it ... to our trade?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Touching alike the matron and the maid.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> (<i>with sudden comprehension</i>). Oh! Is that it?</div> + <div class="verse indent15">What? Is it so you mean?</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Nay, there's no man in it! Oh, had there been,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Out they'd have buzzed like flies to tainted flesh!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">That which I have in mind is something fresh—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Frost, and yet fire: a love which looks like hate,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Barren, yet breeding safety to the State.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Surely a subtle thing, past women's ken?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Nay, not so far; yet past the thoughts of men.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The hope of Greece depends on women now.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> What, on us women? A frail hope, I vow!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Oh, what a pass! (<i>Turns away.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws4">That wherein now we stand,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Surely is worse: for now on every hand,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">State against State, we waste ourselves in war.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Soon shall the breed of Sparta be no more</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Than a mere name; and Corinth by her seas</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Will lie in ruins!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws4">Well, and are not these</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">The foes of Athens?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> <span class="ws4">Foes! the race which slew</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">With us the Persian? Athens will go, too,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">When Sparta dies: for, Greece being drained of men</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And emptied of her strength, we perish then</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Beyond redemption!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws6">Aye, most miserably!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">For without men where should we women be?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Therefore I call on women to unite</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And win for us salvation.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws10">What? To fight?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> A woman's battle.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws10">Think you we can win?</span></div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Word has gone forth: and let them but come in</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To Athens from the North and Peloponnese,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The women in alliance shall save Greece.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Oh! they won't come! What, shall the Spartan wives</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Join hands with <i>us</i>, while Spartans risk their lives</div> + <div class="verse indent5">In war on Athens? Did I not hear of late</div> + <div class="verse indent5">My husband say never was there such hate</div> + <div class="verse indent5">As now 'twixt us and them?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">I have a plan</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of peace: each woman must subdue her man.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> What can a woman do, save to go dressed</div> + <div class="verse indent5">In saffron robe, with loose Cimmerian vest</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And sandalled feet? Can hands which ply their craft</div> + <div class="verse indent5">On curl and comb, and ointment, hold the haft</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of weaponed war? (<i>Seats herself.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">These are the very things</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Wherewith to fight; from them salvation springs,—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The saffron robe, the delicate sandalled feet,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The broidered vest, the curl, the ointment sweet!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> How? To what end shall these things help us here?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> (<i>rises</i>). So that henceforth no man shall lift a spear</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Against his neighbour.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws10">Nay, my wits are weak:</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Your words sound empty.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">So that Greek 'gainst Greek</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Shall take up arms no more,—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws11">Then joy betide!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Swiftly I'll get me a robe with saffron dyed!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Nor bear a shield,—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> (<i>re-arranging her dress</i>). I'll don the broidered vest!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Nor wield a sword!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws8">Sandals, aye, of the best!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> For such an end should women not stand by?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Nay, by the gods, now ought they not to fly—</div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>Fly</i> to us?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent12 fs_110">(<i>Dawn has begun.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws8">Ah! In every Grecian State</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Women are doing as they ought—too late!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Not from the coast nor yet from Salamis</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Comes countenance or aid;</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent4">(<i>Sounds of approaching voices from all sides.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws8">Yet I know this,—</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Swift boats came o'er the strait at break of day.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> And the Acharnian women still hold away,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Though first of all I reckoned upon these!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> I heard of one—wife of Theogenes—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Swearing by Hecate <i>she</i> meant to come.</div> + <div class="verse indent12 fs_110">(<i>Voices outside grow louder.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">But see, look yonder now! For there be some;</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And here be others. Ha! ha! Whence come these?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> From Anagyrus.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws8">By the gods, one sees</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Something has stirred them now, at any rate!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Myrrhina</span>, <i>followed by</i> + <span class="smcap">Stratyllis</span> <i>and others;</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>they are chattering and laughing, excited and half-dressed.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent10"><i>As they come they are finishing their toilets.</i>)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>mincingly</i>). Lysistrata, I hope I am not too late.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Will you not speak then? Why so black a brow?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>Goes to</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span>, <i>who turns away</i>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> How can I praise you that you come but now—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">So slow, Myrrhina, when Greece seeks our aid?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> 'Twas dark: I lost my girdle, and was afraid</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To come alone.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman.</span><span class="ws6">I could not find my shoes.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen. Woman.</span>  Nor I my cap.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Athen. Woman.</span><span class="ws6">Nay, truly?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span><span class="ws6">Well, what news?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">What have we come for,—tell us!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws9">If the need</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Be pressing, let us hear!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">Not so, indeed!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Wait till those other women, who set forth</div> + <div class="verse indent5">First to our summons, from the south and north,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">From Peloponnese and from Bœotia come.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>More voices are heard approaching.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> Oh, when you please! But yonder I see some.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>The women wave greetings. Enter from</i></div> + <div class="verse indent10"><i>the left</i> <span class="smcap">Lampito</span> <i>with other</i> <span class="smcap">Spartans</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> O dear Laconia! Welcome, Lampito!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">How shines your beauty, and how bright a glow</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of colour fills your face! O strong of limb!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Were Minotaur your match you'd throttle him.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> By the twin gods, I would try, any way!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I am a match for men, at fight or play.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Bends her arm and displays her biceps; a murmur of</i></div> + <div class="verse indent5"><i>admiration goes round; and other women feel theirs.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Oh, what fair form is this?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span><span class="ws8">Nay, friend, let go!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Am I a victim that you hold me so?</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> A pledge of victory that shall soon be ours.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ah, who be these?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The sun rises. Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Bœotian Women</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span><span class="ws7">Bœotians.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws9">What bright flowers!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">O fair Bœotia, with the full sweet breast</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And locks wherein the sunlight seems to rest,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I give you greeting. Next?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(The <span class="smcap">Bœotian Women</span> stand staring and</div> + <div class="verse indent10">giggling. Enter <span class="smcap">Corinthian Women</span>.)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span><span class="ws9">Corinthians these.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Oh, welcome Corinth, that between two seas</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lieth embraced, yet stayeth a virgin still.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman.</span> O double faced! (<i>Aside.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen. Woman.</span> Her looks belie it. (<i>Aside.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Athen. Woman.</span> Be still! (<i>Aside.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> Who called us hither?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws9">I.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span><span class="ws10">What was your will?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent18">(<i>A pause.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Nay, here we stand: therefore, I say, disclose</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Why hast thou brought to Athens friends and foes.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Corinth.</span> Tell us!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Women</span> (<i>excitedly</i>). Aye, speak!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>sarcastically</i>).<span class="ws3">This great, this pressing need.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws3">Yea, I will speak.</span> (<i>Slowly.</i>) But first, my friends,——</div> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>Exclamation of impatience from all.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent35">give heed</div> + <div class="verse indent15">To one small question.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Women.</span> Ask us what you please!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> O wives and mothers, to whom war decrees</div> + <div class="verse indent5">A life unhusbanded, do ye not yearn</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For those who gave you children to return?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent18">(<i>A pause.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Women.</span> Do we not yearn? Oh, me! do we not yearn?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">We yearn, we burn, to learn of their return!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Full well ye know how long they have been kept</div> + <div class="verse indent5">On foreign service.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws8">Aye, ten moons I've slept</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">A widow!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Bœot.</span><span class="ws3">And I!—No husband have I seen</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">For five long months or more.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws5">And mine has been</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Absent in Pylos seven.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Corinth.</span><span class="ws3">And mine the same.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> My lover, too. A week ago he came;</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Yet scarce had time to lay by sword and shield</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Ere back again they called him to the field.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> O womanhood, that waits with widowed breast</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Safe in the guarded home, yet finds no rest!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Chorus of Women.</span><span class="ws3">Ah!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent19">(<i>A long-drawn sigh.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> So men make war, and women bear the theft.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">There's scarcely a gallant or a lover left</div> + <div class="verse indent5">In Attica.</div> + <div class="verse indent13">(<i>The women burst into tears.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent19">And those who stay behind</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Still goad them to it. O women, would ye find</div> + <div class="verse indent5">A way to end this war—say at what price?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> I'd pawn my frock!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman.</span> <span class="ws3">I too!</span></div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen. Woman.</span> <span class="ws5">And I!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Athen. Woman.</span><span class="ws7">And I!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws8">I'd take a knife and slice</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">My body into fillets like fish for pence!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> And I would climb Taygetus, if thence</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I might get sight of peace!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent17">(<i>General consent.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Well, hear me then, for now I speak! Ye know</div> + <div class="verse indent5">How at each festival they make a show</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And a pretence of peace, calling a truce:—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And each man then comes home.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws9">Ah! for what use?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Just for one greedy bite—then off again.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">A snack of comfort. Oh, I know these men!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> And now, to-day, ye look for their return.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Women.</span> Yes, yes.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Brief is the truce, and brief the bliss ye earn</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For all your waiting.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women</span> (<i>sighing</i>).<span class="ws3"> Aye!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws7">For while men fight</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Never shall women's love retain its right</div> + <div class="verse indent5">In hearth and home.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span><span class="ws4">'Tis true!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">Well, hearken then,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">And be ye brave!... If ye would make these men</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Wishful for peace we women must ... abstain.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> From what?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws7">Oh, me! if now I plead in vain.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span> From what? From what?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws7">It is no easy thing.</span></div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> Let it be hard!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws7">Oh, cease this torturing!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> In this fresh truce, what ye must bear is more</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Than ye have borne through all the years of war.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span> What?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws4">Will ye do it?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws7">Yes, even though we die!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>A long pause.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Abstain ye, then ... from love.</div> + <div class="verse indent12">(<i>All draw back and turn sorrowfully away.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent25">Oh, sisters, why</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Do ye turn from me? Whither will ye go?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Why have ye shut your lips? Why shake ye so</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Your heads at me? Why pale and turned to tears?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Will ye, or will ye not?...</div> + <div class="verse indent8">(<i>Each one whom she challenges turns from her.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent28">O ye deaf ears!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">O women, where is your high purpose gone?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>in low, firm tone</i>). +   I cannot do it. Let the war go on!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Nor I. War must go on.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Comfortably accepting the inevitable.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">What you—you fish</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ready for filletting!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws8">Oh, let us wish</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">For any cure but that!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span><span class="ws6">Aye, any cure but that!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws10">At your desire</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">I would be willing even to walk through fire!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">But—take not love away!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span><span class="ws4">Not love!</span> Not love!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> (to <span class="smcap">Myrrhina</span>).<span class="ws7">And what say you?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>trippingly</i>). To walk through fire I would be</div> + <div class="verse indent5">willing too.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Corinth.</span> Fire? Oh, that's nothing! Fire?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Bœot.</span> I wouldn't care.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Athen.</span> Woman. I would do anything—go anywhere.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Corinth.</span> But to do <i>this</i>, I <i>couldn't</i>! Well, you see—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">'Twould be so useless—so <i>unwomanly</i>.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Oh, wretched race, which makes all Greece its grave!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Women be vessels driven by wind and wave—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">In nothing steadfast.... Ah, Laconia's bride,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Speak for me, Lampito; be on my side!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<span class="smcap">Lampito</span> <i>is quiet for a moment, she closes</i></div> + <div class="verse indent10"><i>her eyes and sways to and fro biting her lips,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent10"><i> then speaks with conviction and resolution.</i>)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> Now, by the gods, a woman's life is hard</div> + <div class="verse indent5">When of her lover's lips she stays debarred....</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Yet we must do it: the land hath need of peace.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> O bravest woman! One, out of all these!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> But if we do, what profit will it bring?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">How without love comes peace or anything?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Hark! I will show. Let each go to her home,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Put on fair raiment, ply the paint and comb</div> + <div class="verse indent5">With secret art,—over the tender breast</div> + <div class="verse indent5">With cords of gold unloop the scented vest:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Then wait, and when your warriors return</div> + <div class="verse indent5">After long absence, oh, shall they not burn</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To kiss the lips where welcome seems to wait</div> + <div class="verse indent5">So lovingly? And when a harder fate</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Meets their advances, and a voice cries "Go!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Not till ye bring us peace!" Full well I know</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Peace will come quickly then.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>during this speech have been gradually</i></div> + <div class="verse indent8"><i>won over: it appeals to their sex-vanity.</i>)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> (<i>rising to full height</i>).<span class="ws3"> O most true word!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Even so fierce Menelaus sheathed his sword</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For the bright breasts of Helen!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws10">You speak fair!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">But, friend, suppose our husbands ... went elsewhere?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Is yours like that? The covers will be bare.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> What if they come and take the kiss by force?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Bœotian Women</span> <i>shake their heads</i></div> + <div class="verse indent5"><i>continuously. The rest listen anxiously.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Cling to the door-post, then; or lock the doors!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> What if they beat us?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">Still ye can annoy,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Still fret and vex; for no man can have joy</div> + <div class="verse indent5">If ye afflict him.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> (<i>shaking her head</i>). Ah! Mine won't give in!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Let him hold out—what profit shall he win?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Surely ye know, each in your secret heart,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Smooth are a woman's ways to make men smart.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> There, there, I don't deny it. It's true indeed!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Well, since ye wish it, are the rest agreed?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Corinth.</span> Perhaps. I'll wait and see.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">Nay, answer now!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Oh come, ye women, and take up this vow!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> Each to persuade her lover or her mate?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Easy for us! But here you have a State</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Governed by party—babblers without brain.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Each must persuade her party.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span><span class="ws10">Nay, 'tis vain.</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Voteless ye cannot! The fleet stands equipped,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Supply is voted, and each party, whipped</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To its own ends, strives only to get hold</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of power, and office, and the public gold.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> And when no gold remains, then war will cease.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Is it till then that we must wait for peace?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Why! in yon Parthenon the State has stores</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of gold that would provide a dozen wars!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Make your mind easy: I have planned for this:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To-day we seize upon the Acropolis.</div> + <div class="verse indent19">(<i>General excitement.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Word has gone forth, and while we here debate</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The elders of our women have passed the gate:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Soon will the prize be ours.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws10">And all the gold?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> That, and the public peace is yours to hold.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span> Evoe! Evoe! Evoe!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>They run about waving their veils and shouting.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span><span class="ws10">You have planned well!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> So, that our cause may stand inviolable,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Now take the oath, then forward let us fare.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Are you content?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span><span class="ws6">We are!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws8">Nay, have a care!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">What are we doing?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> Speak, then, the word!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws6">In what form do we swear?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> In blood of bulls poured out upon a shield.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> It were ill-omened on so dark a field</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To sue for peace.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">How then?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws6">Take a white horse,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Slay it; then sit thereon!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws8">That has no force.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> Why not a goat?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws6">A dove?</span></div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Bœot.</span><span class="ws8">No; something big!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Corinth.</span> A cow?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman.</span> A fish, a filleted fish! (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Calonice</span>).</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> (<i>repulsing her</i>). A pig!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Nay, sisters, is not this a fairer sign?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Take a great goblet.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Shouts of "Yes!" and "No!"</i> </div> + <div class="verse indent10"><span class="smcap">Lampito</span> <i>threatens the dissentients</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent20">Slay a cask of wine:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Fill up the cup; then let the oath begin—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">"Not until peace will I pour water in!"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> O Mother Earth, to thee I make this oath!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Bring cup, and hulk of wine.</div> + <div class="verse indent8">(<span class="smcap">Servant</span> <i>carries away shield and brings</i></div> + <div class="verse indent13"><i>back cup and wine-skin</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent24">and set them both</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Here on this altar.</div> + <div class="verse indent8">(<span class="smcap">Calonice</span> <i>takes the cup and exhibits it</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent25">Thou fair girth and form,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Who clasps and drinks of thee, his blood grows warm;</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Who lacks of thee, lacks also of life's crown!</div> + <div class="verse indent16">(<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Calonice</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lift up the victim: set the goblet down.</div> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>The cup is set down. The wine-skin is</i></div> + <div class="verse indent20"><i>held ready above it.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Fair goddess of Persuasion, and sweet Cup</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of comfortable Love, take and drink up,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Friendly to us, this blood!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent8">(<i>She stabs the wine-skin: the wine flows out.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> (<i>smacking her lips</i>). It bubbles well!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Corinth.</span> Brightly it runs!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent12">(<span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>smack their lips</i>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman</span> (<i>sniffing with relish</i>). Aye, + and how sweet a smell!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> By the twin gods, how it awakes my thirst!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Permit me, O fair comrades, to drink first.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent18">(<i>She takes up the cup.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> No, by the gods! Wait till the lots be cast.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Come, Lampito, and let us all link fast</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Our hands around the bowl: then let my word</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lead for the rest: and after ye have heard</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Let one among you speak: so, having cried</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Our common cause, thereto shall ye abide.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>They all lay hands on the cup.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "I swear there is no man, lover or spouse"—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent19">(<i>A pause.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The other women beckon for</i> <span class="smcap">Calonice</span> <i>to speak:</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>she shakes her head and draws back</i>. <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>catches her by the shoulder and draws her forward.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>She still remains silent till</i> <span class="smcap">Lampito</span> <i>gives her a</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>hard push from behind</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> "I swear there is no man, lover or spouse"—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "Whom I will meet to mate with or yield vows"—</div> + <div class="verse indent14">(<i>A pause.</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span> <i>stamps her foot</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Say it!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> "Whom I will meet or mate with to yield vows"—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "Of love."</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> "Of love." (<i>Sobs.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "But I will lead a life chaste and austere"—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> (<i>struggling with her emotions</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent14">"But I will lead a life chaste and austere"—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "Decked in a saffron robe, and in such gear"—</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal</span> (<i>half laughing, half crying</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent13">"Decked in a saffron robe, and in such gear"—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "That he who loves me needs must love me more"—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">—Don't drop the bowl!—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The women show relief, the</i> <span class="smcap">Bœotians</span> <i>giggle</i>.</div> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Lampito</span> <i>nudges them</i>. <span class="smcap">Calonice's</span> spirits</div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>begin to revive</i>.)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> "That he who loves me needs must love me more"—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "And for the kiss denied feel hunger sore."</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> (<i>doubtful and apprehensive</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent14"> "And for the kiss denied feel hunger sore."</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "I will provide cold lips for him to taste,"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Ah, lies, all lies! (<i>Aside.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent14">"Cold lips for him to taste——"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "His arm shall not be wound about my waist!"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> (<i>reluctantly, her voice breaking</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent14">"His arm shall not be wound about my waist."</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "If I stand firm, the cup of joy be mine!"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span>"If I stand firm—(<i>sobs</i>)—the cup of + joy be mine!" (<i>Sobs.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "If I break faith, let water drown the wine."</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Yes ... I mean it!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent13">(<span class="smcap">Calonice</span> <i>sobs over the wine-cup</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> So swear we all. (<i>Lifts the cup.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span><span class="ws5">So, by high Zeus we swear!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Thus pledged I drink.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span>.<span class="ws5">Here! don't you take my share!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<span class="smcap">Calonice</span> <i>drinks deep. The other women</i></div> + <div class="verse indent8"><i>seize hold of the cup</i>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span> Nay, cease, I tell you! Let it pass about</div> + <div class="verse indent5">As between equals.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Drinks and passes it. The cup goes round.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Calonice</span> <i>follows it</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent15"> <br>(<i>A shout is heard within.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lamp.</span><span class="ws6">Ha! what was that shout?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> That which I planned and told. Know ye by this</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Our women warders hold the Acropolis.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>General excitement. Some run to look over the</i></div> + <div class="verse indent5"><i> gate, wave to those within, and run back again.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent1"> </div> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Enter an</i> <span class="smcap">Old Woman</span>, <i>bearing a key.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>She gives it to</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">Now farewell, comrades, farewell, Lampito.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Swiftly let each one to her city go,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">There to breed peace! Meanwhile we will hold these</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Fair pledges of your troth, as hostages.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Come, Corinth, to your foes be faithful now;</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And you in Athens keep your Spartan vow.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>She draws hostages from the Spartans, Corinthians, and</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>Bœotians, and passes them to the care of the Athenians.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">The Women Chorus.</span> Now for the Women's War!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span><span class="ws2">Evoe! Evoe!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> O Pallas, bring us peace!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span><span class="ws2">Nay, wait and see!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Look, who comes yonder!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> Ho, such poor old men,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Marching in rows, and bearing logs: eight, ten—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">A dozen or more!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Women.</span> Ugh! how they limp!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> And how they drag their tails!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> And how they crawl—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Like snails</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Up a long wall!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> Oh, me! what mighty warriors be these?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> O ye great surges, ye white-crested seas,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Come ye to overwhelm us in your flood</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of feeble waters that were once strong blood!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Women.</span> What must we do</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>laugh and flourish defiantly</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Ah! there'll be others soon in their alliance—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">They'll come and make short work of our defiance.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> I care not for them! For they shall not bring</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Enough of threat, or force, or fire to fling</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Open these gates, until our terms be won.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Not so, by Heaven!</div> + <div class="verse indent12">(<i>She raises her hand, the women rally round her.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent20">Our cause were then undone</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For ever—to have women first proclaimed</div> + <div class="verse indent5">So fierce and formidable, and then so tamed!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Be brave, quit you like men! So fare ye well.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Now to the gates! Bar up the citadel!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Exeunt</i> <span class="smcap">Lampito</span> <i>with the</i> <span class="smcap">Corinthians</span> + <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Bœotians</span>.</div> + <div class="verse indent5"><i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Athenian Women</span> <i>pass in through the gates</i>.</div> + <div class="verse indent6"> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span> <i>enters last</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Chorus</span> (<i>sung as the women pass out</i>). Pallas Athene, hear!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Bend from thy throne,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And make, with lifted spear,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Our cause thine own!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">O walls of Athens, homes of Greece,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The women's war shall bring you peace.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The gates are shut and bolted.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The stage remains empty and silent, the slow,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent5"><i>heavy tread of the men is heard approaching.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>From within the gates a woman calls</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>"Cuckoo!" three times.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Chorus of Old Men</span>. <i>Some carry a heavy log</i></div> + <div class="verse indent5"> <i>on their shoulders, others bundles of firewood.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent5"><i>Two of them bear upon a pole a brazier or firepan.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Advance, march firmly on; be not dejected!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Although like beasts of burden on our shoulder</div> + <div class="verse indent5">We bear this yoke of olive which we have hauled for</div> + <div class="verse indent5">So great a distance——</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Men.</span> So great a distance!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>They move a step forward.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> And which with sore abrasion</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Galleth the flesh:—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Men.</span> Ho-hopp! Galleth the flesh!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>Another step forward.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Although its weight is great</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And the occasion</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Most melancholy and most uncalled for——</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Men.</span> Ho-hopp! Uncalled for!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>Another step forward.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Still swiftly we advance toward the gate,</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Summoned by Fate——</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Men.</span> Ho-hopp!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>Another step forward.</i>)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> To the high gods' assistance.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Truly in a long life as one grows older,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">One learns that troubles still come unexpected!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> So here's a fresh example set before us!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Whoever would have thought, O Strymodorus,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">That woman——</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st, 2nd, and 3rd Leaders of Men.</span> Woman!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Whom, in her sphere, the home</div> + <div class="verse indent5">A manifest but necessary pest——</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Men.</span> Ho-hopp!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>Another step forward.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> We meekly have supported.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st, 2nd, and 3rd Leaders of Men.</span> Supported!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Men.</span> Ho-hopp!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>Another step forward.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Would ever have resorted——</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> To such a course as this!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st, 2nd, and 4th Leaders of Men.</span> As this!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Several Men.</span> Ho-hopp!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>Another step forward.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> And got possession of the Virgin shrine</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And of the Acropolis—<i>my</i> Acropolis.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st, 2nd, and 4th Leaders of Men.</span> <i>My</i> Acropolis!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> And blocked the Propylæa—yours and mine.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st, 2nd, and 4th Leaders of Men.</span> Yours and mine!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> With hostile bolts and bars.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Men.</span> Ho-hopp!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Those in front flag, the forepart of the log is let down.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent5"><i>The four</i> <span class="smcap">Leaders</span> <i>come forward, leaving the others</i></div> + <div class="verse indent5"><i>to do the carrying. All immediately strike work.</i>)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> So, ye propitious stars,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Now let us haste.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws3">And without waste of time</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Take up our task sublime:</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> And heaping up the pyre</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Round all whom in this plot we count the worst—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> With our own hands set fire</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To women so abominable, so accurst!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Let us take first</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lysistrata, the wife</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of Lycon:</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Never again</div> + <div class="verse indent5">While I have life</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Shall she be heard making her mock on men.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> But now the steepest part of all the track</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Toward those gates whereto I press with speed</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Remains to pass:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And I must lift, alas!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">This load.</div> + <div class="verse indent12">(<i>He indicates the log of olive.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And bear it up, alack, alack,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Unaided on my galled and jaded—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Back.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Tarry awhile: this fire needs looking to,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lest at our goal we find it perished quite,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And what, then, should we do?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>They gather round firepan.</i>)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Faugh! Faugh! Now by my soul</div> + <div class="verse indent5">This fire out of its pan</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Like a mad dog has leapt and tries to bite—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Flies at my eyes, depriving me of sight!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Oh, sorry joke!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men</span> (<i>rousing the carriers</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent5">But haste, and to the citadel press on!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The goddess needs your aid.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Quick, Laches, now or never!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Though I am stayed</div> + <div class="verse indent5">By this most stubborn fire, I come anon.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Leaders of Men.</span> Faugh! Faugh! Oh, what a smoke!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Yet, favoured of the gods, it lives, it wakes!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Therefore I say, abandon now this yoke.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And, kindling at the flame these vine-wood stakes,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Rush forward!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws3">And with a sudden stroke</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Beat in the doors!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span>  For if these rebel women—when we knock,</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span>  Or when we call,</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span>  Fail to unloose the lock—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3RD Leader of Men.</span>  Then let us fall</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Swiftly upon them—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws4"> With fell fire and shock</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of onset!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Rout them!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Smoke them from their hive—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> And burn them up alive!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent7">(<i>They fall to action with the unlit torches.</i>)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Ay, you say well!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">But first uplift this load</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And set it as a trophy on our road.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Proof of the victory which here befell!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent7">(<i>They set the log up on end.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> And now—for it is time that ye began—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Quick to your business, pan!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>They thrust their torches into the firepan.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Catch, kindle, burn, lend me a torch of fire.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent4">(<i>Four women's heads appear over the ramparts watching them.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> And light me to the goal of my desire,</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Where rampant women, daring to rebel,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">With impious hands have seized my citadel.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>They catch sight of the women, and crouch with their</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>lighted torches below the steps leading to the gates.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent1"> </div> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Chorus of Women</span> <i>from citadel. They pretend</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>to be unaware of the old men's presence.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> What fire is this?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">What smoke that mounts to Heaven?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Oh, women, hasten! Was the warning given</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Too late?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span><span class="ws3"> What if it be</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">One of our sisters, that too tardily</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Hath hither run; and even now, entrapped</div> + <div class="verse indent5">By evil men and unjust laws, stands lapt</div> + <div class="verse indent5">In flame of martyrdom!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> Come, quickly come!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">O women, bring</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Your pitchers from the spring!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent7">(<i>Enter the</i> <span class="smcap">Water Carriers</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> Oh, me! I am afraid</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lest we have come too late to offer aid.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> Not so! (<i>pointing to the</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span>).</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span><span class="ws3">Tarry, for I have heard</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">That certain gay old dogs,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Men past their prime,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">With brains and senses blurred,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Diseased by age,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Have come forth carrying logs</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And full of rage,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To burn us to a cinder.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women Chorus</span> (<i>fiercely</i>). Ah!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent7">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span> <i>grow uncomfortable</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span>  So dark a crime</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Shall we not hinder?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women Chorus.</span> Yes!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> Therefore, O maiden of the golden crest,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Guardian divine,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">We women hold thy shrine.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span>  So to our gain,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">O goddess, now unsheath</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Thy strength: and if these men set fire beneath</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Send thou down—Rain!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women Chorus</span> (<i>lifting their pitchers</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Send thou down—Rain!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> What's this I see below us?</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> O greybeards, old in sin,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Is it thus that ye begin</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To overthrow us?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span> <i>scatter and slink away into</i></div> + <div class="verse indent5"><i>shelter, hiding behind each other's backs</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> This is most unexpected!  Nay what form</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of war is this?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws2"> Get back!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">We are detected!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Get back, get back!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> See from the Acropolis women in a swarm</div> + <div class="verse indent5">All unprovoked come running to the attack!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Tut, tut! Go back, go back!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> Why do ye threaten us? Are we so few?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The women ye now see in front of you</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Are not one-thousandth part of them that wait</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Our call within the gate.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> O brothers—brothers, will ye let them prate?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">You want a whipping!<span class="ws2"> (<i>To the women.</i>)</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws4">Yes, a good thick stick</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Broken across your backs.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span><span class="ws5">Come, sisters, quick!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Set down your pitchers!</div> + <div class="verse indent7">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>set them down</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent20">There! now take your choice:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Which of us first?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws3">Ah, you had had no voice</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Left, had I dealt with you as I would like!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> Well, here I am then (<i>advances</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent6">What, will no one strike?</div> + <div class="verse indent13">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Men</span> <i>are silent</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Not one?</div> + <div class="verse indent13">(<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Leader of Men</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent11">Come, be a man, lift up your mace—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Smite: and thereafter never show your face.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Be silent!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Else I'll strip and beat you bare!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women Chorus.</span> Ah, do it! do it! do it!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Hurt but one hair,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Or with one finger dare to lay a scratch</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Upon her body!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws3">Well? And when I match</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">My fists to hers—where will the hurt be, then?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> Quick in the minds and consciences of men—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Deeper than fang can bite or gadfly sting!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws3">Well said the poet—"No more shameless thing</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Exists, than woman!"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span><span class="ws5">Oh, take up once more</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Your pitchers, women! Ye need not fear war</div> + <div class="verse indent5">With such faint hearts as these. Call them not men!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>take up their pitchers and begin to retire.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span> <i>grow bold again</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Call yourselves women! There, be off again!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men</span> (<i>with curiosity</i>). What was that water for?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span><span class="ws5">For what that fire?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Old foot-in-the-grave, was it your funeral pyre</div> + <div class="verse indent5">You came to light?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men</span> (<i>furiously</i>). No, yours!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> <span class="ws5">Sought ye to learn</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">How water puts out fire?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> How fire can burn!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Wait! You shall get a scorching!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> (<i>turning and advancing towards him</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Oh, you grub!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Have you brought soap then? Do you want a tub?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All Women Chorus.</span> D' you want a tub?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> A tub?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span><span class="ws4">A nuptial bath. Oh, to thy side</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Take me, Tithonus! Let me be thy bride!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent9">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>laugh</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Fire, fire on them!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Men</span> <i>advance with torches. The</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>lift and swing back their pitchers</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span><span class="ws5">Then, pitcher, to thy task!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>run down the steps and</i></div> + <div class="verse indent8"><i>empty their pitchers over the men</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All Men Chorus.</span>  Oh me!  Woe, woe!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span>  What, is it hot?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women Chorus</span> (<i>laughing</i>). Hot? Is it hot?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Men Chorus.</span> Hot? Hot? Why do you ask?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Oh stop, let be! let be!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> What are you doing? Oh women, let me go!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> We water you, being young, that ye may grow.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Men Chorus</span> (<i>trembling, and with chattering teeth</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent4">I'm old: I'm cold!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women Chorus</span> (<i>imitating them</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent4">I'm old: I'm cold!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span><span class="ws5">Get back into your pot!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Go to your fire, and warm yourself!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>pick up their pitchers, and run off laughing</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent1"> </div> + <div class="verse indent7">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span> <i>huddle miserably about the fire</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent1"> </div> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Committee-man</span>, <i>accompanied by his</i> <span class="smcap">Secretary</span>.)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws12">What? What?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">What means this noise of women? Have the jades</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Started their rackettings again—their raids,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Their drummings, and their voices from the roof</div> + <div class="verse indent5">At public meetings? Aye, had we not proof</div> + <div class="verse indent5">When Strellus in debate, only last week,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">On Naval policy, began to speak</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of unlaunched keels left rotting on the slips:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Says he—most wisely—"You must <i>man</i> your ships</div> + <div class="verse indent5">"As well as build them." Suddenly in burst</div> + <div class="verse indent5">A voice from nowhere—"Man your women first!"</div> + <div class="verse indent5">It was his daughter! Athens being drained</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of marriageable men, affairs grow strained</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Within the home. Then, on another occasion,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Brennus was holding forth about invasion,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Conscription, taxes, and the waste of war:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">When all at once a voice squeaks through the door—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">"What about women?"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Athen. Woman</span> (<i>opening and shutting door of Acropolis</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent5">"What about women?"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Well, then, what about 'em?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ugh! if I had my way I'd up and out 'em.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">In no time! <i>Women!</i></div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Yes, we quite agree:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">"Women!"  Nay wait, and you shall hear and see</div> + <div class="verse indent5">How we've been treated!</div> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>They all come out and display themselves</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">There! Behold what payment</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To us is meted!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> See how from our raiment</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The water drops</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Run down!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> See, see, what sops</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Thus</div> + <div class="verse indent5">They have made of us!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> We are like rain-flushed sewers!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Like bursting mains!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Women with ewers—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Have turned us into drains!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Oh, fitly are ye punished, for have not ye</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Yourselves trained women to this villainy?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Men Chorus.</span> <i>We</i> trained them?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Have ye not sped them in the game of sex?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Men Chorus.</span> Game of sex?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> And bled your pockets to adorn their necks?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> No, <i>I've</i> not!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span>  Taught them to twine and coil and paint their eyes,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And paid the price for all their amorous sighs</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Present and absent, faithful and foresworn?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span>  <i>We</i> pay the price?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Aye! round their necks full many a clasp is worn</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Not of <i>your</i> making.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Not of <i>our</i> making?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span> + <i>turn and consult each other accusingly</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span>.<span class="ws4">Where do such things lead?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Where but to this?—that when I come in need—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Aye, and with warrant—of money for the State,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I am shut out, and women hold the gate.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">There they combine, call themselves "comrades", "sisters"—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Rebels and law-breakers and tax-resisters!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st, 2nd, and 3rd Leaders of Men.</span> Comrades? Sisters? Rebels? Law—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>While he speaks the women have come out again,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent9"><i>and stand in rows listening silently</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Stand not to stare, ye fools! Search till ye find</div> + <div class="verse indent5">That woman, by whose word they stand combined!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Fetch me Lysistrata! Bring rams and lay</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Levers beneath the gates, and force your way!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span>. <i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>spread their cloaks</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>and make a carpet for her to walk upon</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Nay, use no force! Lay down your battering ram!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Seek ye conciliation? Here I am</div> + <div class="verse indent5">How can force help you here? Are levers meant</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To take the place of reason and consent?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Abominable creature! Hold your peace!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Seize her and bind her fast!</div> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>No one stirs.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent26">Police! Police!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Where are the police?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent7">(<i>Enter a</i> <span class="smcap">Policeman</span>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span><span class="ws8">Now, by Artemis!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Who first dares touch her, he shall weep for this,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">If he remain a man!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent7">(<span class="smcap">Policeman</span> <i>falls back</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws8">Are you afraid,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Fellow? Go, then, call others to your aid—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Bring reinforcements!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>He goes, and returns with a second</i> <span class="smcap">Policeman</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span><span class="ws8">Now look what you do?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">If you but touch her, we will jump on you!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> More reinforcements!</div> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>They go and return with a third</i> <span class="smcap">Policeman</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent29">Aye, bind this one first!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And gag her too! (<i>Points to</i> <span class="smcap">Stratyllis</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent22">These chatterers are the worst!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> For cowards who fear the truth!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent7">(<span class="smcap">Police</span> <i>advance up steps</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman.</span> See that you lay</div> + <div class="verse indent5">No hand on her!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Other</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>threaten—the</i> + <span class="smcap">Police</span> <i>retreat</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws8">Why do ye run away?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">What's this? What's this? Back boobies, to your task!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Police</span> <i>rally, and again advance</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen. Woman</span> (<i>pushing back the other and taking her place</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent5">By Pallas, I will make a Gorgon's mask</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of him who touches her!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Police</span> <i>hesitate. During the speech + of the</i> <span class="smcap">Committee-man</span></div> + <div class="verse indent1"><i>which follows the</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>cry "Quack, Quack!" at intervals</i>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> (<i>putting a pole into their hands</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent6">For shame, for shame!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Will ye be beaten? Are ye all so tame?</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Stricken of women, and of strength bereft!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Rally and march! Right left, right left, right left!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Police</span> <i>advance with the pole in a + compact body</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Now by the light of heaven, ye shall begin</div> + <div class="verse indent6">To know our strength! Ho, women! there within!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>crowd to the gates</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span> <i>backs up the steps. The</i> + <span class="smcap">Police</span> <i>mount after her</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>open to right and left, and hold their</i></div> + <div class="verse indent9"><i>scarves ready to noose the</i> <span class="smcap">Policemen</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>Some of the</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>seize hold of the poles</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Twist back their hands, policemen!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws12">Help! A stroke</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">For freedom! Come, ye women, ye market folk,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Ye buyers and sellers, ye keepers of the home,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Ye workers rich and poor, I bid you come!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent13">(<i>They all rush out.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman.</span> Will ye not drag? Will ye not beat and smite?</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Will ye not face the foe, and put to flight?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>throw their cloaks over the</i> + <span class="smcap">Police</span>,</div> + <div class="verse indent8"><i>tie them up, and drag them into the citadel</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>The others dance and scream with joy.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Stop! Do no harm to them. Return again!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Alas, how miserably have fared my men!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> What did ye look for? When ye crossed our path</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Thought ye that we were slaves? Is there no wrath</div> + <div class="verse indent6">In woman, and no hurt if she be stirred?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span>  Master Commissioner, waste not a word</div> + <div class="verse indent6">On such wild beasts as these.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws4">Did you not see</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">To what a drenching bath</div> + <div class="verse indent6">They treated me</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Who dared to cross their path—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Having done nothing!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws8">Nothing? In such wise</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">The swelled head has to learn through swollen eyes.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Oh, Zeus, what shall we make of fiends</div> + <div class="verse indent11">like these,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Monsters intolerable?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Nay, but inquire of them and bid them tell</div> + <div class="verse indent6">How came they, with what intent, to seize</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Our sacred citadel?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span>  Ask, ask, repeat,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And do not be persuaded</div> + <div class="verse indent6">By feminine deceit:</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Nor, I entreat,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Let the straightforward question be evaded.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Why, ask them why—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> And pause for a reply—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Why, on the untrodden rock</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Of our Acropolis,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">With bolt and bar and lock,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Have they done this?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> There, plain put, is the question. (<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Come then, tell—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Why have you seized upon our citadel?</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> To save the public fund from ends more fit,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And that ye should not fight because of it.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Think you it is for <i>money</i> that we fight?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Not that alone: for evil is the plight</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Of Athens now! Lo, sunk into the dust</div> + <div class="verse indent6">She lies a victim to man's pride and lust</div> + <div class="verse indent6">For power.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span> Aye! true enough! 'tis true, 'tis true!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Dear me! indeed! And pray what would <i>you</i> do</div> + <div class="verse indent6">To make things better?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">If fair words avail,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Patience, and you shall hear.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">Go, croak your tale!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Aye, for of former times now would I speak,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And former wars, when women all too meek</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Bore and endured; and then, when, sick at heart,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Yet with a smile, we sought to know what part</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Ye played for peace, in wrath the answer flew—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">"Be silent, woman! What is that to you?"</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And I was—silent.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> (<i>aside</i>). Not I!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">Aye, and you had best</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Be silent now!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">Silent I strove to rest</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">There in the home: till presently again</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Came news of further mischief; and when, fain</div> + <div class="verse indent6">To learn the cause of it, one dared to ask</div> + <div class="verse indent6">"How is it, husband, that ye do this task,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Ye men, so ill?"—quick, with a furtive eye,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Grudging one's right to question, he would cry,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">"Stick to your loom! Leave politics to men,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Lest ye fare worse!"</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">Aye, he spake rightly then!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> How was it right? Shall it not be our turn</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Ever to speak our thoughts, and yours to learn</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And profit?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws4">What! must I yield place and give</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Woman her way? Then may I cease to live!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Functions performed by one, two cannot share!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Try then the woman's part, and leave the care</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Of State henceforth to us!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<span class="smcap">Committee-man</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Chorus</span> <i>all laugh</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> (<i>contemptuously</i>). How will you do it?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">That we shall arrange.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> What? With my money?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">Why should that seem strange?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Are not your homes, your servants, and your whole</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Domestic property in our control?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> We want the money to carry on the war!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Why? To what end? What are you fighting for?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> How else shall we be saved, or Greece be freed?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> We'll save you.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6"><i>You</i>? A sorry plight indeed!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Trust us—you shall be saved against your will.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Pooh! The idea!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">That makes you angrier still?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> It is absurd! Women save men from war!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">We don't want to be saved!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">So much the more</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Ye need salvation.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">And pray, what concern</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Have you in the matter?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">Ah, that you must learn.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Speak, or you'll get a beating!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> (<i>sarcastically</i>).<span class="ws4">O restrain</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">That master-hand!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">See then, that you refrain</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">From vexing me!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws4">Vexing? Why, soon through Greece</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">We shall be known and named—Makers of Peace!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Pray, on what plan?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">First from the public street</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Remove those monuments of male conceit—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">The military loungers!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws6">Aye, good sooth!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Fools who go swaggering from booth to booth,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">In time of peace, rigged in full fighting kit!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Well, wherefore not?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws4">Oh, I am sick of it!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">What are they armed for?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">It becomes them well.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span> Becomes them? What?—to buy a mackerel</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Girt with a sword and brandishing a shield.</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Ugh!—one I saw last week, back from the field</div> + <div class="verse indent6">All plumed and combed—the captain of a troop,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And in his helmet he was carrying soup!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Another with a javelin dancing jigs</div> + <div class="verse indent6">To frighten an old woman who sold figs—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Picking out all the ripe ones.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws10">Well, of course,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">All government has to depend on force.</div> + <div class="verse indent6">How would you manage? Eh?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">Avoiding fuss.</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">As with a tangled thread: we take it thus,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Singly—one line of wool from all the skein;</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Then here and there we draw it without strain,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Finer and smoother. So would we end war</div> + <div class="verse indent6">By peaceful embassies, still sending more</div> + <div class="verse indent6">If the first failed, still weaving in and out—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Till men forgot the thing they fought about.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> And think you, then, that one could extricate</div> + <div class="verse indent6">With such wool-gatherings the affairs of State,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">You silly woman?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws8">Had you sense, you'd try!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Here in our city the same cure would apply.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> How, pray?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws4">Well, first of all you clean the fleece:</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">That's sanitation—you wash out the grease,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Pick out the briars: that means segregate</div> + <div class="verse indent6">The undesirable—relieve the State</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Of rogues and knaves. Then, too, you must untwist</div> + <div class="verse indent6">The clotted tufts—the cliques—whose grasping fist</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Keeps others out of office. Head from head</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Pluck them, and play them out, and let them spread;</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Then pile them in one ball as light as down</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Using no pressure. So shall every town</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Be as one whole. Next to your counsels call</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Your colonies as well; then out of all</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Shape your material: put no heavier yoke</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Or strain on any, and therefrom weave a cloak</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Of friendship for the people.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> (<i>obtuse and contemptuous</i>). Nay, what wit</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Is here? "Take wool, and make a ball of it:</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Weave it, and wind it, roll it round and round</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Till something come of it!" Now is that sound?</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And what on earth have women to do with war?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> O purblind fool! our part therein is more</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Than any man's! For women bring forth life</div> + <div class="verse indent6">In pain and anguish: then, when ye fall to strife,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And in the field conduct your long campaigns,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">The wife deserted in the home remains;</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And the maid, robbed of her most precious years,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Grows old before her time, while disappears</div> + <div class="verse indent6">The hope of motherhood: her day is brief.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> The man grows old as well.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">Oh, past belief</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">The folly of such words! For, be he grey</div> + <div class="verse indent6">When he returns, the man can have his way</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And wed a maid. But what man to his side</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Will take of his own choice a barren bride?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> No, not in wedlock: but a man may range</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Outside the bond. Surely a fair exchange—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">No robbery. (<i>Smirks.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Now, by the gods, if all exchange is fair,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Take this and crown yourself!</div> + <div class="verse indent11">(<i>Pulls cap over his head.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent24">Go! wear your hair</div> + <div class="verse indent6">In curls and fillets! Carry a market flail</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And learn to curb your tongue. Put on this veil,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">This girdle, bear a distaff and go clad</div> + <div class="verse indent6">In woman's weeds!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent8">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>set upon him and clothe him</i>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">Oh, woman, are ye mad?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Help, help, I say!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>Exeunt</i> <span class="smcap">Chorus of Old Men</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman.</span><span class="ws6">We'll help you!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen. Woman.</span><span class="ws7">There, take this!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Athen. Woman.</span> And this from me!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Athen. Woman.</span><span class="ws6">Now, go and ask a kiss.</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">From Clisthenes!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>They tie him up ridiculously in women's garments.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">Oh, woe is me! Oh, shame!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Thus to endure deeds that one dare not name!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Nay, I will go, even thus—oh, sorry sight!—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And bid all Athens look upon my plight.</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Oh, what a ravel is this!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> You twist in vain!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Be careful that you do not break my skein.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Committee-man</span>, + <i>followed by his</i> <span class="smcap">Secretary</span>.)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<h2 class="nobreak">INTERLUDE.</h2> + +<p class="center">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>are discovered seated upon the steps<br> +leading to the Acropolis. Some have pitchers beside<br>them, others plait and spin, one plays upon the lyre.</i>)</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Chorus</span> (<i>singing</i>). Pallas Athene, hear!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Bend from thy throne,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And make with lifted spear our cause thine own.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Leader of Chorus</span>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> O women, turn back from your labours,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And leave in their niche by the wall</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Your pitchers, and hark to the call</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of friends in their need, and of neighbours</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Who beg for a boon.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="center">(<i>Here, and at intervals throughout the speech, shouting<br> +of men is heard at a distance; occasionally the words<br> +"Down with the women, down!"<br> "Down with Lysistrata!" are heard.</i>)</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1">For surely ye tire not with dances,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Nor faint as ye foot to the tune</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Of minstrels: so now in the chances</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Of war let your speed be as then,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">And as daring your deed as the glances</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Ye cast upon men!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="center">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>are laying by their pitchers, filleting<br> +their hair and girding their robes. From the Acropolis<br> +come other women bearing shields, spears, and<br> +helmets, which they distribute as the</i> <span class="smcap">Chorus</span> <i>continues</i>.)</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1">For here is a Cause to your hand</div> + <div class="verse indent1">More holy than any before:</div> + <div class="verse indent1">And in it lies beauty, and wisdom,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">And courage, and love of your land.</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Nay, surely the mothers who bore you,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">The silent mothers of yore,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">They also were made of this metal,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">And out of the bed of the nettle,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Wherein they bred you of old,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">They, too, who spake not a word,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">They, too, brave hearts, could have told</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Their tale of the wrongs unheard.</div> + <div class="verse indent1">So forward I bid you, nor fail,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Nor yield what ye hold in your hand:</div> + <div class="verse indent1">For this wind which now blows in your sail</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Shall bear you to land!</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p> + <h2 class="nobreak">SCENE II.</h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"><i>The same scene, toward evening, a day later.</i></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent8">(<span class="smcap">Chorus of Old Men</span> <i>seated asleep below the steps.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent10"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Leader of Men's Chorus</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Now, let him sleep no more who would be free!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men</span> (<i>waking up</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Come, sirs, bestir yourselves! for to my mind</div> + <div class="verse indent5">There's more behind</div> + <div class="verse indent5">This matter than at first appeared.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men</span> (<i>nodding mysteriously</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Beneath this woman's business lurks a beard!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent8">(<i>Perturbation among the</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Hot, Hot, I scent the plot</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of Hippias. (<i>Panic among the</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Aye, me! Greatly I fear!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> I think our women have been led away</div> + <div class="verse indent5">By foes; and that the Spartans now are here,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Hiding within the house of Clisthenes,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ready to seize</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Our money and our pay! (<i>Increasing panic.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Oh, is't not peril to let women mix</div> + <div class="verse indent5">In State affairs, and talk on politics,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And prate of peace and war?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> No more, no more, will I endure it!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">'Tis not to be allowed.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men</span> (<i>shaking his fist</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lysistrata! Heaven be my aid,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ere yet my race is run,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To smite the chattering jaw of that old jade!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Meanwhile the</i> <span class="smcap">Women's Chorus</span> <i>have</i></div> + <div class="verse indent8"><i>come on, and stand behind listening</i>).</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> Surely when that is done</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Your Mother will be proud of such a son!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent8">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span> <i>start back in fear</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> She will be glad to recognise that face!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> But come, ye happier mothers of the race,</div> + <div class="verse indent13">(<i>To the</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And set your burdens down while I relate</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Why we, weak women, seek to serve the State</div> + <div class="verse indent5">As well as men—paying the debt we owe.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>lay down their shields, and</i></div> + <div class="verse indent9"><i>sit beside them in groups</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">Was not this land my nurse? Aye, long ago,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Even on the child her tender yoke was laid,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">When first to Artemis, a budding maid,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I vowed my virgin body. Did ye so—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ye men—take up such vows? Did ye forego</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Till ye were ripe the sweets of love in youth?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent8">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Men</span> <i>exchange conscious looks</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">Gladly I bound myself, although in sooth</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The fruit, I saw, was goodly to the taste;</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And since before these altars I dwelt chaste,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Do I not owe a debt? Is it amiss</div> + <div class="verse indent5">If I give counsel? Do ye grudge me this?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I, too, pay taxes: from my flesh there runs</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Rich tribute; ye bear arms, but I bear sons</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And daughters; ye bring death, but I raise life;</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I build the fruitful home, while ye breed strife,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Envy, and fear! O miserable men!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Old in your sins, take up that task again,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Which once your father bore, who freed this land</div> + <div class="verse indent5">From Persia's yoke! If not, then we will stand</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Instead of you:</div> + <div class="verse indent9">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>rise to their feet</i>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span></div> + <div class="verse indent21">Aye, fearing not your frown,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Light-sandalled though we be, will tread you down!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>She turns away and moves up steps.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent8"><i>The other women also retire.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men</span> (<i>scratching his head puzzled</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Now it appears to me</div> + <div class="verse indent5">This is all wrong!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> And it must be</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Put down.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws5">If left alone</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ere long it will have grown</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Beyond a joke!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Time, then, that we began!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Therefore with speed</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Let every manly man</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Strip off his cloak,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And for the word now substitute the deed!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>They throw off their long mantles, and reveal themselves</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>very scantily clad and girt as for wrestling. Their arms</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>and legs are very thin and scraggy.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Physical force,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Basis of government,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">True source of the consent</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Men yield to law;</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Come, come now to mine aid!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> And with thy shaggy paw</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Push me to victory o'er this barricade,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Raised by that wicked jade,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lysistrata,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Against the rod of man's authority!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Shall woman——</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st, 2nd, and 4th Leaders of Men.</span>  Woman!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws4">In a majority</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Govern the State?</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws4">Never, I will defeat it!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> No, no! a thousand times; and I repeat it—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">No, no!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Never!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> No agricultural labourer am I,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Yet I defy</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Woman to wield a spade</div> + <div class="verse indent5">As I can.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Can she summon to her aid</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The expletives and the explosives</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Needful for moving one's inferiors,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And modifying by their harsh corrosives</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The stubborn and recalcitrant exteriors</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of this hard-crusted world?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st and 4th Leaders of Men.</span> No, no!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws3">Shall I be hurled</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">From power by custom mine?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Shall I my place resign</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To woman——</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st, 2nd, and 3rd Leaders of Men.</span> Woman!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> To whose care we give</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Our homes, our wealth, our children, and who live</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Only by our consent?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Men Chorus.</span> No!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Shall we allow the sex war—this attack</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of infamous discontent</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Behind our back—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">On man's prerogative?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Men Chorus.</span> Never!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> For through man's heart there runs in flood</div> + <div class="verse indent5">(Nature's mysterious and imperious mandate)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">A noble and a natural thirst for blood:</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> To form a ring and fight!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> To cut off heads at sight!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> It is our right!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Women don't understand it.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Men Chorus.</span> No!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> But if we grant to these</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Facilities</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For doing what man does—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws4">And what man alone</span></div> + <div class="verse indent7">Has any right to do!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Aye, even one small handle for their own—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">They will go far!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> We shall be overthrown</div> + <div class="verse indent5">At our own game!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> And think what scandal then!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And think what shame,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">If that should happen!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Never, no never!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">No, I won't allow it!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men</span> (<i>with action</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent5">So, take we each a torch,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And, thrusting, let it scorch</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The gaping mouth, the giddy, gabbling tongue,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The—</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The other</i> <span class="smcap">Men</span> <i>follow him in dumb show.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>clang their weapons; the</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">Men</span> <i>retreat hastily; through the whole of</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>the ensuing speech they carry on a continuous</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>business of getting behind each other till they</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>are all off the stage, leaving their cloaks behind them.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> Now, by the gods,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">I'll give my wrath its rein!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">No more shall ye provoke and I refrain.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> Come, then, my comrades,</div> + <div class="verse indent12">and put off this yoke</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Of woman's weeds; let not the trailing cloak</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Cumber your limbs, nor the loose girdle hang!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">We too can strip,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And gird, and curl the lip,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And bare the fang,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And answer stroke for stroke</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And blow for blow!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> Call ye us rebels? Full soon shall ye know</div> + <div class="verse indent6">How Greece is with us! We have Lampito,—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">She lives for us, and Corinth by the seas,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And all Bœotia.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span><span class="ws3">Go! Make your decrees,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Pile up your punishments, ye that breed hate</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Through kindred cities, hurling state on state</div> + <div class="verse indent6">In wasteful bloodshed! But more strong are we,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">We women, bound in deathless fealty</div> + <div class="verse indent6">To break this war. Our hands shall hold in check</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Your armaments, and bow the stubborn neck</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Of all your pride!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>During this speech some of the</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>have</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>descended to the lower stage; they collect the</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>men's cloaks and return</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> O thou, the shaper of this fair event,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Why com'st thou now,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">So pale, and sad of brow,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And heavy with discontent?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> (<i>gloomily</i>). Woman's weak will and her lascivious way</div> + <div class="verse indent6">O'erload my heart!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> Oh! What means that to say?</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws3">The truth, the bitter truth!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span><span class="ws6">Bodes it so ill?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">May we not know?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws4">How shall my tongue be still?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Yet how, unshaméd, may I speak of it?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Women.</span> Nay, do not keep it from us!</div> + <div class="verse indent10">... It is fit</div> + <div class="verse indent10">That we should know—the worst.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st, 2nd, and 3rd Leaders of Women.</span> Nay, tell us then!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Brief is the truth; we hanker for the men!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women Chorus.</span> O Zeus!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">Why call on him? Is it not so?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">I cannot keep them here. Foresworn they go</div> + <div class="verse indent6">By stealth to join their husbands. One I caught</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Scraping a cleft of rock: and one had brought</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Rope from Poseidon's well, and down the wall</div> + <div class="verse indent6">So sought to creep! Another—chosen of all</div> + <div class="verse indent6">To guard the gate—deserted from her trust.</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And yet another of them, crazed with lust,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Feathered herself with wings, and light as air</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Feigned to go flying. I took her by the hair</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And hurled her back to sense! Yet still they come,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Coining excuses to be sent back home.</div> + <div class="verse indent14">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">2nd Athenian Woman</span> <i>furtively</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent6">There's one of them. Ho, you! Whither away?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen. Woman.</span> I was but going home—just for the day:—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">I fear the moth has got into my fleece.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> What moth? Get back!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen. Woman.</span><span class="ws4">By the two goddesses,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">I promise you I will return with speed:</div> + <div class="verse indent6">A spreading in the sun is all they need.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Don't spread them: do not go!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen. Woman</span> (<i>whimpering</i>). + <span class="ws3">Must all my toil</span></div> + <div class="verse indent9">Be wasted then?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws4">Aye, for it will not spoil</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">So swiftly as will this.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent12">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">3rd Athenian Woman</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Athen. Woman.</span><span class="ws4">My flax, my flax!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Which all unkempt I left at home.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> (<i>ironically</i>).<span class="ws6">There cracks</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">A careful heart! Here! Come you back again.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Athen. Woman.</span> Yes, after I have wound it on the skein.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Don't wind it; leave it! If one plays that game,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">A hundred more will want to do the same.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent11">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Corinthian Woman</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Corinth.</span> (<i>she bears something wrapped in her robe</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Help! A physician! Nay, I prithee, quick,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Quick, let me pass, I say! My child is sick.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> <i>Your</i> child; since when? Yesterday you had none.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Corinth.</span> 'Twas born last night! (<span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span> <i>holds her</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Oh, loose me! Let me run!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> What ails it? (<i>Reveals helmet.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Oh, this was indeed a birth</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Miraculous—a thing of wondrous worth.</div> + <div class="verse indent11">(<i>Tosses it away.</i> <span class="smcap">Calonice</span> <i>gets hold of</i></div> + <div class="verse indent20"><i>it and smacks it</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Go, get you in!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Corinth.</span><span class="ws6">Nay, here I cannot sleep—</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Shut in a shrine where sacred serpents creep.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Athen. Woman.</span> And I, unhappy, I am sleepless too!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">All night the owls go crying "Tuwhit! Tuwhoo!"</div> + <div class="verse indent6">"Tuwhit! Tuwhoo!"</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span> "Tuwhit! Tuwhoo!"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> O women, cease from juggling tricks and lies!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Is't love ye long for, that ye waste in sighs</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Your widowed hours? Stand firm, and all is well!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Was this not told us by the oracle?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> How was it told?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span><span class="ws3">Nay, tell me!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span><span class="ws5">Tell us, how!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent11">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>gather excitedly about her</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Hear, O ye women, and be silent now!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">"When the swallow</div> + <div class="verse indent6">From the hawk</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Flies, and when he seeks to follow,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Close in bower</div> + <div class="verse indent6">To one place</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Let them cower:</div> + <div class="verse indent6">And, for a space,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Let them then—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">From love abstain."</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Chorus of Women.</span> Ah!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> "But if from the shrine ye fly,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Borne apart by wind or word,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Soon shall every swallow die,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Mocked and marked—a victim bird!"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Chorus of Women.</span> Ah!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> By Heaven, the voice of the oracle is clear!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Let us not then,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Through any pain or fear</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Yield ourselves up into the hands of men!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent11">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Stratyllis</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> Ho, women, comrades! Ho! Come quickly all!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman.</span> What is the matter now? Why do you call?</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> I see a man approaching—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span> A man!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span><span class="ws6">Frantic, torn</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">By— (<i>She points.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws2">O bright Cyprian goddess, ocean-born,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">How straight a course you steer!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman.</span><span class="ws6">Where, where is he?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Strat.</span> Yonder by Ceres' shrine.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent3">(<i>A great scramble of the</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>to look at him</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen. Woman.</span><span class="ws6">Ah, now I see.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Knows any who he is?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent2"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws5">Oh, me! Alas!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">It is my husband, my Cinesias!</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Oh, my dear love! (<i>Kisses hands toward him.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cal.</span><span class="ws5">What are you looking at,—</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">Smacking your lips like that, you little cat?</div> + <div class="verse indent6">What right to a husband has she got, I say,</div> + <div class="verse indent6">While we must go without?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">Women, away!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent12">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>retire reluctantly</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent6">(<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Myrr</span>.) This is your business, then.</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Now to the test! Go, plant your choicest weapons in his breast:</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Love him, yet love him not. Show him the bliss</div> + <div class="verse indent6">That beauty offers; but withhold the kiss—</div> + <div class="verse indent6">The cup by which you swore.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws10">Mistrust me not.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Go, and make ready! I will have him hot</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Ere you return.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Myrrhina</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent1"> </div> + <div class="verse indent8">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Cinesias</span>, <i>followed presently by his</i></div> + <div class="verse indent9"><i>servant</i> <span class="smcap">Manes</span> <i>leading a small child</i>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">Ah, me! What pangs I feel!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">O Love, why hast thou racked me on this wheel?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Halt! Who comes here?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws8">'Tis I, a man.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">Then stay!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Man, get you gone!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws8">Whose bidding to obey?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> A watcher of the shrine.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws8">Oh, be a friend!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Call forth Myrrhina to me!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws7">To what end?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Tell her—oh, tell her, there's a house on fire!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Whose house?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> <span class="ws6"><i>Her</i> house: my house!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws8">What's your desire?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Bid her come quickly!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws8">Nay, but who art thou?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Cinesias, her husband!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws8">Surely, now,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent12">That cannot be!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">Why not?</span> (<span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span> <i>laughs</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent26">Answer me, then!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Cinesias is the handsomest of men,—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Limbs like Apollo, and a head like Jove,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And eyes whose glances are the fires of love!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Whence had you that?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws8">It is Myrrhina's word.</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Full often of Cinesias have we heard—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">A different man from you.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws9">Nay, but I swear</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">I <i>am</i> Cinesias!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">What! That mop of hair,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">That nose, those legs—the cause of all her sighs?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ye gods! how Love deceives a woman's eyes!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> But it is I!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws11">Oh, if it were, no name</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Could be more welcome or more known to fame.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For every day we hear his praises sung,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">With every meal his name is on her tongue.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Bites she an apple, breaks she an egg—she sighs</div> + <div class="verse indent5">"Oh, that Cinesias might share the prize!"</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Ye heavens, can this be true?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws10">I will be bound</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">On oath to it! Also when talk goes round</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Concerning—men, his wife is fain to swear</div> + <div class="verse indent5">There's none that with Cinesias can compare!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Oh, call her to me!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws8">Have you anything</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">That she may know you by?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws8">Aye, take this ring!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Once it was hers.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">I will go bid her come.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Quickly, I pray! For since she fled no crumb</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of comfort have I known:</div> + <div class="verse indent19">(<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent25">Robbed of my mate</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I find no rest, my house is desolate,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">My appetite is lost, and sleep has flown:</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Love tortures me because I live alone.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>within</i>). Love him? Of course I love him. Ah, but he</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Cares not, nor wishes to be loved by me.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> My little wife, my life, my peace, come hither!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Come to me, sweet!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<span class="smcap">Myrrhina</span> <i>enters and crosses the stage</i></div> + <div class="verse indent15"><i>averting her face</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws6">Nay, I may not go thither.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Come, come, Myrrhina! Oh, come down with speed.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>She stands with her back to him.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> I have an oath. It is not peace you need.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Not peace I need! Why, I am all undone</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For lack of you.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws6">Farewell. (<i>She moves away.</i>)</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws12">Your little son—</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Your child is here. Hark how he cries for you!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Child.</span> Mamma! Mamma! Mamma! (<i>She stops.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> (<i>taking the child in his arms</i>). Think what you do!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Have you no pity on a little child?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">See how the tangled curls have all run wild</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For lack of care; and, like the little head,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The tender body goes unwashed, unfed!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> Pity it is when fathers so neglect</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Their children!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws8">Nay, what else can you expect?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">How can a man learn to become a nurse?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> He can but try.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">'Twould but make matters worse.</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Come down, my girl, and let the soft arms cling</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Once more around your neck!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>turning round</i>).<span class="ws5">Oh! what a thing</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">It is to be a mother! Needs must I go.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">What other way remains, I do not know.</div> + <div class="verse indent7"> (<i>She begins to descend.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Oh, how much younger and more fair she seems,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And lovelier to behold than in my dreams!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>descending to the lower stage</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Child of a wicked father! Oh, run, run,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Quick to your mother's arms, my little son,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">My own, my sweet! Again, again, that kiss!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent6">(<span class="smcap">Cinesias</span> <i>tries to embrace her, she turns away with</i></div> + <div class="verse indent8"><i>her face in the child's neck. He tries to get the</i></div> + <div class="verse indent10"><i>child away, but it cries and clings to her.</i>)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> (<i>sternly</i>). O wretched woman, why have you done this—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Herding with other women, robbing me</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And your own nature of felicity?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> Take your hand from me!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws8">Since you left my doors,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ruin befalls my property and yours.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> I care not for it.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws8">Your toils are all undone;</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Your house is turned into a poultry run.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> The shame be yours, then!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws8">Board and chamber lack</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">The woman's presence. Will you not come back?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> No, by high Heaven! Not until you cease</div> + <div class="verse indent5">From waging useless war, and turn to peace!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Peace? How can <i>I</i> make peace? What mean you, pray?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> You voted for the war: you went away</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And left me all alone. (<i>Pretends to cry.</i>)  What did you care?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">You'd make peace if you loved me!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> (<i>soothingly</i>).<span class="ws6">Ah, there, there!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">It shall be thought on—since you wish it so.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> When you have well thought on it, let me know.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Till then, farewell. (<i>She moves away.</i>)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">Nay, sweetheart, stay awhile!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Myrrhina, oh, come nearer! Ah, that smile</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Says that you love me.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> <span class="ws8">Yes.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> (<i>opening his arms to her</i>). Come then!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> <span class="ws11">Nay, nay,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">My arms are full already! Take not away</div> + <div class="verse indent5">A mother from her child.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent8">(<span class="smcap">Cinesias</span> <i>endeavours to separate them</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> (<i>impatiently</i>).<span class="ws4">Come, brat, have done!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Here, Manes!... (<span class="smcap">Manes</span> <i>is slow in coming</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent21">Manes!... There, now off you run!</div> + <div class="verse indent13">(<span class="smcap">Manes</span> <i>takes the child, but waits as if to speak</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Well, and what now?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Manes.</span><span class="ws8">A messenger, my lord:</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Your ship in harbour, with the troops aboard,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lies waiting to cast off!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> (<i>impatiently</i>). <span class="ws6">Oh, let it wait!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Go, get my arms: then stay at yonder gate</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Until I come.</div> + <div class="verse indent8">(<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Manes</span> <i>leading the child</i>.</div> + <div class="verse indent10"> <span class="smcap">Cenesias</span> <i>approaches his wife. She repulses him.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent14">Well, and why now so loath?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> Nay, touch me not! for I have sworn an oath</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Which I must keep.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">An oath which has no sense.</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">On my head be it! A husband can dispense</div> + <div class="verse indent5">His wife from oaths. Rest you!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent9">(<i>They look at each other with meaning:</i></div> + <div class="verse indent16"><i>he intently, she bashfully.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>faltering</i>).<span class="ws4">There must be found</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Some place to rest on.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> (<i>opening his arms</i>). Nay, sweetheart, look round!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Rest here!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Now, kiss me!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws6">Nay, not in the public street!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> No one can see us here upon this seat.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Come, sit you down!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>He seats himself and tries to draw her to his knee.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws6">What? on this hard, cold stone?</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">I'll fetch you something!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> (<i>fondly</i>). <span class="ws6">Not for one alone!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> I'll be your footstool!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent19">(<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Myrrhina</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> (<i>gazing after her</i>).<span class="ws4">Does not this declare</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">How well she loves me? Oh, how sweet an air</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Breathes from her raiment; and how from her eyes</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Fond love and longing mock her brief disguise</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of seeming frowardness!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>Re-enter</i> <span class="smcap">Myrrhina</span>, <i>carrying a rolled mat.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent16"><i>She arranges the mat on bench.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws6">There! sit and rest!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Put up your feet. Now, will you not divest</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Yourself of that great cloak?</div> + <div class="verse indent20">(<i>Takes off his cloak.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent25">Why, on my life!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I have forgot the cushions.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">Nay, sweet wife,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Let cushions wait!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws4">But you can't sit on this:</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">I say you shall not!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">Give me first one kiss!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>kissing the tips of her fingers and touching</i></div> + <div class="verse indent10"><i>his lips with them</i>).</div> + <div class="verse indent4">There, keep it safe!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent14">(<i>She runs off up stage.</i>)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">Be swift, do not delay!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Surely she loves me well!</div> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>He goes and picks up a flower she has let fall,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent11"><i>and begins kissing it. Re-enter</i> <span class="smcap">Myrrhina</span>,</div> + <div class="verse indent11"><i>her arms full of cushions and coverings,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent11"><i>which trail after her as she goes</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent21">Now, well-a-day!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">What have we here?</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>arranging cushions</i>). There, that one is for you—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">This one for me: and this one?—this will do</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To put between us lest we fall to blows.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">This one is for your feet, and that one goes</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Behind you: then this covers you (<i>arranges draperies</i>); and this—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Where shall this go?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws9">O sweetest wife, a kiss!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>Attempts to embrace her, and clasps cushion.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Nay, but by Hercules, sweet friend, you hurt!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I am on fire! This is a very shirt</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of Nessus!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>He struggles with draperies.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws6">Dear, dear! Why are all you men</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6">So hasty in your joy! Here, loose it then!</div> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>Taking covering off him.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent6">Now you must have a fillet for your hair.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>She stoops and takes off a sandal string.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent12"><i>Kneels beside him and begins to tie on fillet.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Oh, how your fingers burn me! Ah, how fair,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">How fair thou art! O tender, gentle, sweet,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Soft hands of love!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>He jumps up to seize her.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws6">Now, then, put up your feet;</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">I'll loose your sandals.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> <span class="ws6">Nay!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws6">What then? Your sword.</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Shall I unbuckle it?</div> + <div class="verse indent13">(<i>She kneels and looses his girdle.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent26">Let not my lord</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Forget his promise that the war shall cease.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Else may I perish!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent13">(<i>She lays aside his sword.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws8">For when you bring peace</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Comfort comes back again. Now let me comb</div> + <div class="verse indent5">These shaggy locks. It's time I had you home!</div> + <div class="verse indent13">(<i>She sits on parapet above him, undoes fillet, and</i></div> + <div class="verse indent16"><i>starts combing; she pulls his hair, he winces.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Oh! what a tangle's here! This will need oil.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Nay, let it wait!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws6">What? Let your beauty spoil</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">For lack of ointment? Never!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent20">(<i>Runs off.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> (<i>starting up frantically</i>). + <span class="ws3">Oh, let that man</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Perish most miserably who first began</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The use of ointments!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>re-entering with oil-flask</i>). Spare the curse! Belike</div> + <div class="verse indent5">It was a woman.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">Then let Heaven strike</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">The head of her, or him, whose precious balm</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Now so afflicts me!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (<i>paying no attention</i>).  See, into my palm</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I pour it, thus:</div> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>She advances with hand full of oil.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent22">Don't touch me! Then I lave</div> + <div class="verse indent5">These tangled locks.</div> + <div class="verse indent14">(<i>He jerks away.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent22">Oh! why do you behave</div> + <div class="verse indent5">So frowardly?</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws4">You've poured it down my face!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> Why didn't you keep still? There, that's your place.</div> + <div class="verse indent17">(<i>Indicating her lap, she makes him sit down again.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Now let me wipe it.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">Sweetheart!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent17">(<i>She stoops as if to kiss him.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span><span class="ws8">Why! how strong</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">This ointment smells! Oh, me! I've brought the wrong!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">This was the cooking oil!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> <span class="ws8">Aye, so I fear!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">I'm baked and basted now! Oh, come more near!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lean on my breast, sit down upon my knee,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Clasp me in those dear arms!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> (eluding his embrace). Let be!  Let be!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Will you fulfil your promise? Did you say</div> + <div class="verse indent5">You'd vote for peace?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">Leave that—to another day!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>He endeavours to draw her down to him; she slips under</i></div> + <div class="verse indent13"><i>his arm, runs up the steps and through the gates.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Myrr.</span> Ah, ha! Ah, ha! Leave that to another day!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent26">(<i>Exit.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Oh, me! She's gone! She's gone! Look how my wife</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lured and then left me! Yes, she took a knife</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And flayed me all alive!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>While he speaks the</i> <span class="smcap">Chorus of Women</span><i> creep on from behind.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>Enter, below</i>, <span class="smcap">Manes</span>, <i>carrying helmet and shield</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent27">What shall I do?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">How can I bear it? How shall I live through</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Another hour? Oh, me! What flesh and blood</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Can bear the strain? I am borne upon a flood</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of rage and love and longing, and have none</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To help or comfort! Go, fool, get you gone!</div> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>Snatches his arms from</i> <span class="smcap">Manes</span>, <i>throws</i></div> + <div class="verse indent19"><i>them away, and drives him out</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Oh, me, I am undone!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent16">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men's Chorus</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> Alas, unhappy one, how sorely grieved,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">How much afflicted! Is it to be believed?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Are such things done? Dares she refuse a kiss</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To her own husband?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws8">Oh, me!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws8">Is all this</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Wrought by one rebel wife?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws10">Let woe befall</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Such women!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span><span class="ws6">Nay, she is more sweet than all!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">More now than ever!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws8">Ah! talk not of sweet!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Abominable!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Oh, take her, Zeus, like wheat!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Take her and toss her! As a sheaf of corn</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Borne by a whirlwind, so let her be borne</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Hither and thither: and then</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Back to the earth</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Fall to be trodden, a thing of little worth,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Under the feet of men.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Cin.</span> Oh, me! Alas! When shall I find release</div> + <div class="verse indent5">From all these torments?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span><span class="ws4">When you bring us peace.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Women.</span> Peace.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent16">(<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Cinesias</span> <i>in despair</i>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Now hark, and I'll tell you a story,</div> + <div class="verse indent7">I used to be told as a boy,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of Melanion, a youth, who before he</div> + <div class="verse indent7">Grew old found the secret of joy.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For this youth, with affections unhampered,</div> + <div class="verse indent7">Went forth to a wilderness bare,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And over the hill-tops he scampered,</div> + <div class="verse indent7">And blithely he hunted the hare.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">He fowled, and he fished, and he netted,</div> + <div class="verse indent7">With only a dog at his side;</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Yet for comforts of home never fretted,</div> + <div class="verse indent7">And never had need of a bride.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> And he never came back, he never came back,</div> + <div class="verse indent15">he never came back to them!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Was he not wise?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> And am I not wise too?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Melanion hated women; so I hate you!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1">(<i>During this scene the</i><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men</span> <i>had made</i></div> + <div class="verse indent3"><i>stealthy approaches to one of the women sitting</i></div> + <div class="verse indent3"><i>on the parapet above him</i>.)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Young woman, I wish to embrace you.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> Go, eater of onions, go!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<i>She pushes him down the steps.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> I'm a proper man, yet let me tell you, in case you</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Don't happen to know.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I'm sightly, and sprightly; and lightly</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Can leg it along with the best!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> Out, greybeard, get out!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws6">And am rightly</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Inclined when I'm rightly addressed.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> I also will tell you a story:—</div> + <div class="verse indent7">Melanion's brings it to mind—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">How Timon of Athens, before he</div> + <div class="verse indent7">Grew old had the wisdom to find</div> + <div class="verse indent5">That friendship of men is unstable,</div> + <div class="verse indent7">A favour reserved for the rich;</div> + <div class="verse indent5">They feasted and drank at his table,</div> + <div class="verse indent7">They left him to die in a ditch.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> So flattered and fooled for a season</div> + <div class="verse indent7">By those who had emptied his purse,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">He came to find wisdom and reason,</div> + <div class="verse indent7">And left them—his curse.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> With the fury and loathing that moved him</div> + <div class="verse indent7">Mankind he was fain to destroy;</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Women.</span> Yet still there were women who loved him:</div> + <div class="verse indent7">In them he found joy.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men</span> <i>renews his advances</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women</span> (<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Old Man</span>). +  You want the whip!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws6">I don't! I want the cat!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> I'll kick!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws6">You'll show your ankles!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women</span> (<i>striking him</i>). Ah, take that!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1">(<i>Enter the</i> <span class="smcap">Committee-man</span>, <i>followed by his</i> <span class="smcap">Secretary</span>.</div> + <div class="verse indent2"><i>He is in fresh attire, and newly oiled and curled. As he</i></div> + <div class="verse indent2"><i>struts pompously on, the Women look at him and laugh.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent1"> </div> + <div class="verse indent1">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Lacdæmonian Herald</span> <i>dressed in bright scarlet and</i></div> + <div class="verse indent2"><i>bearing a long staff and a scroll over which the end of his</i></div> + <div class="verse indent4"><i>robe is flung</i>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Herald.</span> Tell me, where does the Athenian Senate sit,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I pray you, sir, for I have news for it.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> (<i>turning round</i>). Are you a man or an advertisement?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Herald.</span> I am a herald come from Sparta, sent</div> + <div class="verse indent5">On embassy of peace.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">Is that a spear</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Hidden beneath your robe?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Herald</span> (<i>displaying scroll</i>). + <span class="ws2">Sir, have no fear,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">We are for peace, not war.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws8">How comes it, then,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">That Sparta is inclined for peace again?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Herald.</span> 'Tis the desire of every Spartan man</div> + <div class="verse indent5">That lacks his mate.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">Came this desire from Pan?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Herald.</span> Nay, Lampito began it; then the rest</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Throughout all Sparta. Each one from her breast</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Has shut out love.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span><span class="ws6">And how, then, do ye fare?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Herald.</span> Restless we turn, like flies that breed in air.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">One may not touch them, till throughout all Greece</div> + <div class="verse indent5">With one accord we mingle, and make peace.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> (<i>triumphantly</i>). So ye, being suitors to the Athenian State,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Own yourselves vanquished?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Herald.</span><span class="ws6">Nay, has not one fate</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">O'erwhelmed us both? Does not the selfsame fire</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Burn in each breast burdened with man's desire?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Have not your women driven you to despair?</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Not so? In Athens men are bred to bear</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Without complaint the petty bites and stings</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of all such volatile and venomous things</div> + <div class="verse indent5">As women. We yield not to such as these,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Nor at their bidding!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws4">For we make <i>decrees</i>!—</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> And <i>laws</i>—which they obey.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws6">We should be named</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Slaves rightly if by woman's wiles so tamed!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> <i>We</i> seek not peace!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Herald.</span><span class="ws6">Enough! Let me get hence!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">And if in Athens ye have men of sense,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Show where they be!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws4">Of sense?</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Herald.</span><span class="ws8">Oh, greybeard, cease!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Fight your own battles!—but we <i>men</i> need peace!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Herald</span>, <i>followed by</i> + <span class="smcap">Committee-man</span>, <i>who, as he goes,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent7"><i>turns contemptuously upon the</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span>. <i>They laugh.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Com.</span> Pah!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Committee-man</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Chorus of Old Men</span> <i>stand much depressed,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent10"><i>eyeing the</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>malevolently</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Oh, are not women, set to their desire,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Shameless as cats, unconquerable as fire!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Who, then, may hope to match or beat them down?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> If ye knew this, then wherefore did ye frown,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And wage vile war against us, when of late</div> + <div class="verse indent5">We sought to be your friends?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws6">Now will I hate</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Women for ever!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> + <span class="ws4">So be it, as you please.</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> But wherefore stand ye thus with naked knees,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">All bare of limb as for a wrestling bout?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">What means this folly that ye go without</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Your cloaks?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Women.</span> Come, put them on!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>descend bearing the</i> + <span class="smcap">Old Men's</span> <i>cloaks</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>in their hands. The</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span> + <i>submit to be dressed</i>.)</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws6">By Zeus, now, this,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Which you have done for me is not amiss!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Ah, when I stripped the fire was in the pan!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> Why! now, indeed, you look a proper man,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">A noble, and a handsome, and a brave!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Women.</span> Why did you vex us? Why did you behave</div> + <div class="verse indent5">So frowardly?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> Wait, now! Here in your eye,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Blurring the vision, is some kind of fly.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Does it not pain you?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws6">Oh! so that's the thing</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Was troubling me?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> No doubt.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men</span> (<i>irritably</i>). Well, take this ring.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Fetch it out for me! Aye, for many a day</div> + <div class="verse indent5">This has been stinging me. Get it away!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> Well, don't be cross, then!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Oh, just look at that!</div> + <div class="verse indent20">(<i>They all collect and look.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">There, don't you see it? Why, a monstrous gnat,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Big as a hornet.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws3">Aye, in truth, a pest!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">A plague! By Zeus, now you have given me rest.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent8">(<i>All the other</i> <span class="smcap">Old Men</span> + <i>go to the other</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span></div> + <div class="verse indent9"><i>and have flies taken out of their eyes</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> Wait till I wipe it clean lest it should swell.</div> + <div class="verse indent20">(<i>She wipes it.</i>)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">There! Now I'll kiss the place and make it well.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> No, no! Don't kiss me!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span><span class="ws3">I don't ask your leave.</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">That's how you pay.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span> Oh, woman, 'tis your nature thus to thieve</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And wheedle! Ah! it was well said, no doubt,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">"'Tis best not to be with—nor yet without—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Female seduction."</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent9">(<i>During this scene the</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>have collected</i></div> + <div class="verse indent12"><i>and carried away</i> <span class="smcap">Myrrhina's</span> <i>leavings</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Why, who be these?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws3">Spartans: and by their wands</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ambassadors.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Come they to us in bonds?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>Enter two</i> <span class="smcap">Spartan Ambassadors</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> O Spartans, welcome first, and tell us next</div> + <div class="verse indent8">For what cause are ye come?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span><span class="ws6"> Nay, read the text</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of your own hearts! Is not our plight the same?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">All Greece endures a need without a name.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span> Have you, too, got a fly</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Or hornet in your eye?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>Enter two</i> <span class="smcap">Athenians</span>.)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span> Where is Lysistrata? Nay, be not dumb!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Tell her that we be here:—Athenians, come</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of high degree, with powers upon us laid,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Sent by the Senate, to entreat her aid.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> However high ye be, all of one grief</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Suffer both day and night without relief!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span> O welcome, Spartans! These be shameful things</div> + <div class="verse indent5">We suffer!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span><span class="ws3">Of a truth compassion wrings</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">My heart. A common grief hath made us kind.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen.</span> Wherefore, then, have ye come?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span><span class="ws6">We are resigned</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">To plead for peace.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st. Athen.</span><span class="ws6">Now, truly, ye say well.</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">We also are agreed; and thus we fell</div> + <div class="verse indent8">To meeting.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Spartan.</span><span class="ws3">Good!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen.</span><span class="ws4">Call, then, for Heaven's sake,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Lysistrata; for she alone can make</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Peace for us.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span><span class="ws3">Nay! call—if a hope remains—</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">All the Lysistratas the world contains!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Men.</span> Nay, call not, for she comes!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws8">O wisest, best,</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Bravest of women—hail! To thee addressed</div> + <div class="verse indent8">We come!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Men.</span> Be good, and grave, and gracious,</div> + <div class="verse indent23">mild and shrewd!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For at thy feet, the Grecian chiefs subdued</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Now seek for aid.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Men.</span><span class="ws3">Surrendering to thy charms</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">With one consent all here lay down their arms.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span> Nay, nay! We treat: we do not yield our claim (<i>pugnaciously</i>).</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Surely it is not hard, when people aim</div> + <div class="verse indent5">With open mind for peace, to find a road.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">But if to strife ye goad each other still,—</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Forthwith ye lack the will.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Quickly I'll test you. Here comes Peace.</div> + <div class="verse indent8">(<i>Enter a young girl, olive-bearing, emblematic of</i> <span class="smcap">Peace</span>.</div> + <div class="verse indent14"><span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span> <i>turns to the</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent34">Now take</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Each by the hand these Spartan lords, and make</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Them come with you.</div> + <div class="verse indent14">(<i>The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>descend and lead the</i> <span class="smcap">Spartans</span></div> + <div class="verse indent15"><i>by the hand toward the centre</i>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent20">—not by self-will or force,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">As is the way of men, but from the source</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of sweet affection to all women dear.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Let the Athenians also be brought here.</div> + <div class="verse indent10">(<span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>descend and lead forward the</i> <span class="smcap">Athenians</span>.)</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And now let both sides hearken to the word</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Which I shall speak; and hold when ye have heard.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">I am a woman: yet of brain and sense</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Equal to yours; and often long years hence</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Back in the past, I heard my father speak</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of the blood-bond which once bound Greek to Greek</div> + <div class="verse indent5">'Gainst all the world. May I not blame you, then,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">That ye forget the words of older men</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Who made Greece strong? Do ye not sprinkle still</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The same gods' altars, and with worship fill</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Delphi, and Pylae, and Olympia's shrine,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And others of a fame ye hold divine?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Yet vain your worship when throughout the land</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Deserted homes and ruined cities stand,</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">And graves piled with the dead of slaughtered kin,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">While all around Barbarians press in,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">And waste your borders.... So one part is told.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span> O form desirable! O heart of gold!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Next upon you, O Spartans, I cry shame.</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Have ye forgot how once a Spartan came</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Suppliant to Athens, praying by all the gods</div> + <div class="verse indent5">For help of arms against o'erwhelming odds?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Since, then, we sent swift succour, why do ye</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Now waste the land which brought you liberty?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen.</span> By Zeus, well said! Sparta has done us wrong!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span> But might is right! And force good for the strong.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> And do you think I have no word to say</div> + <div class="verse indent5">To you Athenians? Ah, there was a day</div> + <div class="verse indent5">When Sparta, in her turn, came forth and slew</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Many Thessalians, and succoured you</div> + <div class="verse indent5">From Hippias and his horde. 'Twas she alone</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Came to your aid when ye lay overthrown.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span> Never saw I a woman to compare</div> + <div class="verse indent8">With this!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Spartan.</span><span class="ws3">Nor I a bosom half so fair!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent10">(<span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span> <i>takes a spray of olive from</i> <span class="smcap">Peace</span></div> + <div class="verse indent16"><i>and divides it in two</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Why will ye not make peace? What is the root</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of your contention?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span> <span class="ws5">We have no dispute</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Save upon this—restore what once was ours.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span> What, namely?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span><span class="ws3">Pylos: for were not her towers</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of Sparta's building?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen.</span><span class="ws5">By Poseidon, no!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Did we not save those towers from overthrow</div> + <div class="verse indent5">When ye stood worsted?</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Spartan.</span><span class="ws3">Aye! Because ye made</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">A compact which ye broke!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span><span class="ws5">Because ye laid</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">False hands on Cöos!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span><span class="ws3">'Twas ours; ye know it well!</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen.</span> Yours, as the herdman's flocks upon the fell</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Are to the wolf his own!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span><span class="ws6">Aye, even so</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Seized ye on Pylos!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent15">(<i>They are about to fall to blows.</i>)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Nay, let them have it!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span><span class="ws6">And where shall we go</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">To obtain recompense?</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">Demand instead</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Some other place.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span><span class="ws3">So be it: wisely said!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Do you give up to us all the waste land</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Beyond Echinus, and on either hand</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Of Megara, skirting the Melian bay!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span> Nay, by the gods! What?  Give all that away?</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Not I!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Why grudge it them? 'Tis barren ground.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen.</span> But we would cultivate and fence it round,</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Making it fertile.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Spartan.</span><span class="ws3">Ah! we have a scheme</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">For doing that ourselves.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws6">An idle dream!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Since without peace ye cannot.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span><span class="ws7">But if the prize</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Goes thus divided, what of our allies?</div> + <div class="verse indent8">They will need payment, having borne the cost.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span> Tell them the truth, and own that ye have lost!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span> Nay, what I have I hold! Cöos stays mine.</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen.</span> Starved and stuck fast, dry-footed in the brine,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Fearing the fleets of Athens!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Spartan.</span><span class="ws6"> —Who on land</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Now fears to show her face or lift a hand</div> + <div class="verse indent5">'Gainst Spartan spears!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span><span class="ws3">Guarding a barren shore</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Which we have spoiled for you!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span><span class="ws12">So with vile war.</span></div> + <div class="verse indent5">Ye waste each other's wealth! Go, then, and seek</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Consent of your allies: then come and speak</div> + <div class="verse indent5">More on the matter.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent4">(<i>She turns back to the Acropolis. The</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>follow her</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span><span class="ws5">Nay, by Heaven I vow</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">I cannot wait. Have the point settled now!</div> + <div class="verse indent8">And—oh, get the thing done! Pylos is yours!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Spartan.</span> Echinus, and the waste land by the shores</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Of Megara, we give you!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent11">(<i>All the</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>utter a cry of joy and wonder</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> (<i>presenting the olive branches</i>). Ye do well!</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Go, then, prepare; for in yon citadel</div> + <div class="verse indent5">We hold our feast: there will we make new vows</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Of friendship; then shall each man with his spouse</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Return to his own home.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span> <span class="ws9">Oh, word of peace!</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Come ye soft fires of night, and let war cease!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1">(<i>From the gates of the citadel come</i> <span class="smcap">Women</span> <i>carrying raiment of festival,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent2"><i>golden fillets, wreaths, and wine-cups. Night has fallen. Torch-bearers</i></div> + <div class="verse indent3"><i>enter and stand at the entrances on both sides of the stage.</i>)</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> Now will I offer my best</div> + <div class="verse indent8">For the good of each guest,</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Raiment, and linen, and jewel,</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> And shoes for the feet,</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> And fuel and meat.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">4th Leader of Women.</span> Let them enter and bear it away!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent11">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Dancers</span>, <i>strewing flowers</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> If any lack food in this city,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Let him come, I will offer him bread.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> If any lack comfort or pity,</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Lo, here is a roof and a bed.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">3rd Leader of Women.</span> For Peace hath her portion in plenty,</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span> And Discord is dead.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Athen.</span> Now let the dance begin! Give thanks and praise</div> + <div class="verse indent8">To Artemis, and Him who bears the bays,</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Sun-beamed Apollo—</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Athen.</span><span class="ws6">Bacchus, with bright eyes</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Among his Bacchanals, and in the skies</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Fire-bearing Zeus!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">1st Leader of Women.</span><span class="ws3">And Hera, that bright dame</span></div> + <div class="verse indent8">Who shares his throne, and Pallas of virgin fame!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">2nd Leader of Women.</span> Call we on these as witnesses in Heaven</div> + <div class="verse indent8">To that fair peace by Aphrodite given.</div> + <div class="verse indent8">Shout for the triumph of gentler powers!</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">All the Women.</span>  Evoe! Evoe! The victory is ours.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Chorus</span> (<i>leading procession of</i> <span class="smcap">Peace</span>).</div> + <div class="verse indent9">Take up your pipes of music sweet,</div> + <div class="verse indent9">And make a measure for my feet</div> + <div class="verse indent9">To dance to. Take your lute, and raise</div> + <div class="verse indent9">Your song in Aphrodite's praise.</div> + <div class="verse indent9">And while the praise of Heaven ye tell,</div> + <div class="verse indent9">Give praise to Mother Earth as well!</div> + <div><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span></div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Led by dancers, and with women strewing flowers before her</i>,</div> + <div class="verse indent15"><span class="smcap">Peace</span> <i>descends.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>She offers her hand to the</i> <span class="smcap">Spartan Ambassador</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent1"><span class="smcap">Lys.</span> Why do ye wait? Ye that have led hard lives</div> + <div class="verse indent5">In foreign service, are not these your wives?</div> + <div class="verse indent5">Since ye have made peace, do ye not deserve</div> + <div class="verse indent5">The fruits of peace? We conquer but to serve.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>The chorus is repeated as</i> <span class="smcap">Peace</span>, + <i>leading the</i> <span class="smcap">Ambassador</span>,</div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>preceded by the</i> <span class="smcap">Dancers</span>, + <i>and followed by her</i> <span class="smcap">Attendants</span>,</div> + <div class="verse indent10"><i>passes out</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Cinesias</span>. <span class="smcap">Myrrhina</span> + <i>comes down to meet him with</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>extended hands. He rushes up to her, catches her up in his</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>arms, and carries her away. Immediately the other</i> <span class="smcap">Athenians</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>seize their women and carry them off</i>. <span class="smcap">Dancers</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Torch-bearers</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6"> <i>follow. The stage is left empty of all but</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent5">(<span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span> <i>comes down slowly to the centre of the upper stage.</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>She stands and looks after the revellers. The light of the</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>torches fades away; only moonlight remains. A sound of</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>the cooing of doves is heard from the roof.</i> <span class="smcap">Lysistrata</span></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>turns and descends, going out in the opposite direction,</i></div> + <div class="verse indent6"><i>away from the sounds of revelry</i>.)</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent25 fs_120"><span class="smcap">Curtain.</span></div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="center">GARDEN CITY PRESS LIMITED,<br> LETCHWORTH, HERTS.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="blockquot no-wrap"> +<p class="fs_80">"We congratulate the Militants in having such a vigorous exponent of their views."</p> +<p class="fs_80 author">—<i>Daily Chronicle.</i></p> + +<p class="f120"><b>WHAT WOMEN ARE<br> DOING FOR WOMEN</b></p> + +<p class="f90">Is told every week in</p> +<p class="f150"><b>VOTES FOR WOMEN</b></p> +<p class="center spb2">The Newspaper of the Movement</p> +<p class="f80">Edited by</p> +<p class="center">MR. and MRS. PETHICK LAWRENCE,</p> +<p class="center">and published<br><b>EVERY FRIDAY <span class="ws4">ONE PENNY.</span></b></p> +<hr class="r10"> +<p class="f80">Articles by</p> +<p class="center"><b>THE EDITORS, MISS CHRISTABEL PANKHURST,</b></p> +<p class="f80">And by special contributors, among whom are:</p> + +<table class="spb1"> + <tbody><tr> + <td class="tdl">Mrs. Pankhurst,</td> + <td class="tdl_wsp bl">Israel Zangwill,</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl">John Masefield,</td> + <td class="tdl_wsp bl">Elizabeth Robins,</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl">Pett Ridge,</td> + <td class="tdl_wsp bl">Evelyn Sharp,</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl">Beatrice Harraden,</td> + <td class="tdl_wsp bl">Henry W. Nevinson,</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl">Lady Constance Lytton,  </td> + <td class="tdl_wsp bl">Lady Sybil Smith,</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl">Laurence Housman,</td> + <td class="tdl_wsp bl">H. N. Brailsford,</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl">Sylvia Pankhurst,</td> + <td class="tdl_wsp bl">Rev. Hugh Chapman,</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl">Mrs. Zangwill,</td> + <td class="tdl_wsp bl">Rev. J. M. Lloyd Thomas</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl">Mr. Joseph Clayton</td> + <td class="tdl_wsp bl">Mary Gawthorpe,</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdc" colspan="2">And Others</td> + </tr> + </tbody> +</table> + +<p class="f80">Of all Newsagents and Stationers, and of Local W.S.P.U.<br> +Secretaries, or by Post from the Publisher—</p> + +<p class="f150"><b><span class="smcap">Votes for Women</span>,</b></p> +<p class="center">4, CLEMENT'S INN, W.C.</p> + +<p class="f80"><i>The terms are 6s. 6d. annual subscription, 1s. 8d. for one quarter,<br> +inside the United Kingdom, 8s. 8d. and 2s. 2d. abroad, post free,<br> +payable in advance.</i></p> + +<p class="f80">Books, Pamphlets, Leaflets, Badges, Colours, etc., are on sale<br> +at the Woman's Press, 156, Charing Cross Road, London, W.C.</p> + +<p class="f80">"One of the cleverest political journals published in Europe."</p> +<p class="author fs_80">—<i>The Call</i> (San Francisco)</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="blockquot no-wrap"> +<table class="spb1"> + <tbody><tr> + <td class="tdl fs_200" rowspan="2">ON SALE</td> + <td class="tdl_ws1">at the Woman's Press, 156, Charing</td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl_ws1">Cross Road, W.C. (Tel.: City 3961.)</td> + </tr> + </tbody> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<table class="spb1"> + <tbody><tr> + <td class="tdc fs_120" colspan="2"><b>BOOKS.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Awakening of Women</b>, by Mrs. F. Swiney</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1s. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>British Free Women</b>, by C. C. Stopes</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>2s. 6d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>How the Vote was Won</b> (play), by Cicely Hamilton</td> + <td class="tdr"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl_ws2">and Christopher St. John</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>3d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl">"<b>No Votes for Women</b>," by Lady Constance Lytton</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>3d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Sphere of Man and Woman in the Constitution</b>,</td> + <td class="tdr"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl_ws2">by C. C. Stopes</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>6d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Subjection of Women</b>, by John Stuart Mill</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>6d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Votes for Women</b> (play), by Elizabeth Robins</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1s. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Woman: Her Position To-day</b>, by Constance Smedley</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>6d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Woman and Economics</b>, by Mrs. Perkins Gilman</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>6d., 1s. & 2s. 6d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Woman's Secret</b>, by Elizabeth Robins</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>6d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Woman Suffrage</b>, by Arnold Harris Mathew</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1s. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Women's Fight for the Vote</b>, by F. W. Pethick Lawrence.</td> + <td class="tdr"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl_ws2"> Paper, <b>6d. net</b>; Cloth</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1s. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Rebel Women</b>, by Evelyn Sharp</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1s. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Articles of Faith</b>, by Laurence Housman</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>6d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Why?</b> by Elizabeth Robins</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>3d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>For and Against</b>, by Lady Sybil Smith</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>6d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>The Reforming of Augustus</b>, by Irene R. MacLeod</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>2d. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Press Cuttings</b>, by Bernard Shaw</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1s. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Lysistrata</b>, by Laurence Housman</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>6d. & 1s. net.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdc fs_120" colspan="2"> <br><b>PAMPHLETS.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Women's Franchise</b>, by Mrs. Wolstenholme Elmy</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Woman's Vote and Men</b>, by Henry W. Nevinson</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Citizenship of Women</b>, by J. Keir Hardie</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Militant Methods</b>, by Christabel Pankhurst, LL.B.</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>The Faith that is in us</b>, by Mrs. Pethick Lawrence</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>The Meaning of the Woman's Movement</b>,</td> + <td class="tdr"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl_ws2">by Mrs. Pethick Lawrence</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>The Importance of the Vote</b>, by Mrs. Pankhurst</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>The Constitutional Basis of Woman's Suffrage</b>, by Mrs. Stopes</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>The Struggle for Political Liberty</b>,</td> + <td class="tdr"> </td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl_ws2">by Chrystal Macmillan, M.A., B. Sc.</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Appeal to Men</b>, by Victor Duval</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>The Bawling Brotherhood</b>, by Laurence Housman</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>My Faith in Woman's Suffrage</b>, by John Masefield</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Prison Faces</b>, by Annie Kenney</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Emancipation of Womanhood</b>, by Rev. J. M. Lloyd Thomas</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>The Earl of Lytton on Votes for Women</b></td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Physical Force Fallacy</b>, by Laurence Housman</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>The Sword and the Spirit</b>, by Israel Zangwill</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Women's Votes and Wages</b>, by F. W. Pethick Lawrence</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Australia's Advice</b></td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr><tr> + <td class="tdl"><b>Militant Methods in History</b>, by Joseph Clayton</td> + <td class="tdr"><b>1d.</b></td> + </tr> + </tbody> +</table> + +<hr class="r10"> + +<p class="center">A large number of Leaflets for distribution can be obtained<br> +at 9d. per 100, 6/- per 1,000, post free. Samples on application.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="blockquot no-wrap"> +<p class="f200"><b>By the Same Author</b></p> +<hr class="r10"> + + <ul class="index"> +<li class="isub2"><span class="fs_120"><b>PLAYS</b>:</span> (published by Messrs. Sidgwick & Jackson)</li> + +<li class="isub4">"<b>Prunella</b>" (with H. Granville Barker)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>The Chinese Lantern</b>"</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>Pains and Penalties</b>" (very shortly)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>Bethlehem</b>"; <b>A Nativity Play</b> (Macmillan & Co.)</li> + +<li class="isub2 indx"><span class="fs_120"><b>POEMS:</b></span></li> + +<li class="isub4">"<b>Green Arras</b>" (John Lane)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>Spikenard</b>" (out of print)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>The Little Land</b>" (out of print)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>Rue</b>" (out of print)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>Mendicant Rhymes</b>" (out of print)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>The Story and the Seven Young Goslings</b>" (Blackie & Son)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>Selected Poems</b>" (Sidgwick & Jackson)</li> + +<li class="isub2 indx"><span class="fs_120"><b>NOVELS:</b></span></li> + +<li class="isub4">"<b>Gods and their Makers</b>" (John Lane)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>An English woman's Love-Letters</b>" (John Murray)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>A Modern Antæus</b>" (John Murray)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>Sabrina Warham</b>" (John Murray)</li> + +<li class="isub2 indx"><span class="fs_120"><b>SHORT STORIES:</b></span></li> + +<li class="isub4">"<b>A Farm in Fairyland</b>" (Kegan Paul & Co.)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>The House of Joy</b>" (Kegan Paul & Co.)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>The Field of Clover</b>" (Kegan Paul & Co.)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>The Blue Moon</b>" (John Murray)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>All-Fellows</b>" (Kegan Paul & Co.)</li> +<li class="isub4">"<b>The Cloak of Friendship</b>" (John Murray)</li> + +<li class="isub2 indx"><span class="fs_120"><b>POLITICAL:</b></span></li> + +<li class="isub4">"<b>Articles of Faith in the Freedom of Women</b>" (Fifield)</li> +</ul> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="transnote bbox spa2"> +<p class="f120 spa1">Transcriber's Notes:</p> +<hr class="r10"> +<p>The cover image was created by the transcriber, and is in the public domain.</p> +<p>Deprecated spellings or ancient words were not corrected.</p> +<p>Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected.</p> +</div></div> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 77760 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/77760-h/images/cbr-5.jpg b/77760-h/images/cbr-5.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..50cf10f --- /dev/null +++ b/77760-h/images/cbr-5.jpg diff --git a/77760-h/images/cover.jpg b/77760-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..9d37be7 --- /dev/null +++ b/77760-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/77760-h/images/frontispiece.jpg b/77760-h/images/frontispiece.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..572e318 --- /dev/null +++ b/77760-h/images/frontispiece.jpg |
