Blepyrus: What is the matter? Where has the woman gone, I wonder?
Blepyrus: Since it is now towards dawn, but she is not appearing.
Blepyrus: As for me, I have been lying down for a long time trying to sleep,
Blepyrus: seeking to take off the sandals in the dark
Blepyrus: and even a small cloak; for when I was indeed feeling that one about
Blepyrus: I was not able to find [him], but he is already at the door.
Blepyrus: 'Hold on, the dung-beater is striking, I'm taking it.'
Blepyrus: This is the woman's half-woolen cloak,
Blepyrus: And I draw out her Persian cloak.
Blepyrus: But where, I wonder, would someone chance to urinate in a clean place?
Blepyrus: Is it everywhere at night in good condition?
Blepyrus: for no one will see me defecating now.
Blepyrus: Alas, wretched me, that being old I was led away.
Blepyrus: woman! How many blows I deserve to receive.
Blepyrus: for nothing has ever come out sound.
Blepyrus: She will do it. But still, one must trample it out.
Man: Who is it? Surely it is not Blepyrus, the neighbor?
Blepyrus: By Zeus, that man is certainly there.
Man: tell me,
MAN: What is this red thing to you? Not in the least.
Man: Where has Kinésias got your money?
Blepyrus: No, but I have come out of the woman's house.
Blepyrus: Having put on the saffron-colored undergarment, he is now diving.
Man: But where is your cloak?
Blepyrus: I cannot say it.
Blepyrus: for in searching for her I did not find her in the bedding.
Man: Then you didn't even order her to tell you?
Blepyrus: By Zeus, for she happens not to be inside,
Blepyrus: But it has been drilled through, stealthily, from the inside.
Blepyrus: That is precisely what I fear, that he may be doing something new.
Man: By Poseidon, then let us say it straight out.
Man: You have suffered from me. For indeed, in the way I live with you,
Man: I had a shawl when I was completely naked.
Man: And this does not grieve me, but also the slippers.
Man: So I could not get them anywhere.
BLEPYRUS: By Dionysus, not even I, for [I have] my own.
Blepyrus: Spartan-style, but as they happened to be made of bronze,
Blepyrus: I am leaping, having put my foot into the two cothurns,
Blepyrus: in order that I might not sneeze into the sieve; for she was visible.
Man: But what on earth could it be? Or is a woman coming to lunch?
Man: Has he called her among the friends?
Blepyrus: My opinion, then.
Man: Well, surely it is not a bad thing for me to know.
Man: But you are making some sort of a noise, but as for me...
Man: It is time to walk to the assembly,
Man: If I get the cloak, which was the only one I had.
Blepyrus: And I too, when I have finished my business; but now for me...
Blepyrus: Some woman has locked up the grain.
Man: Did Thrasibulus say this to the Lacedaemonians?
Blepyrus: By Dionysus, it is certainly very pleasing to me.
Blepyrus: But what shall I do? For not even this [thing] me
Blepyrus: It is only the grief, but when I eat,
Blepyrus: Wherever I go next, there is the dung.
Blepyrus: for now this man has bolted the door,
Blepyrus: whoever this man is, he is a fig-impregnated man.
Blepyrus: Who then would come to my aid as a doctor, and which one?
Blepyrus: Who among those skilled at anal sex is an expert in the art?
Blepyrus: But I know, Amyntas. But perhaps he will deny it.
Blepyrus: Let someone summon Antisthenes by every means.
Blepyrus: for this man, at least, because of his groans
Blepyrus: he knows what a bum wants from a flea.
Blepyrus: O Lady Eileithyia, do not look past me!
Blepyrus: 'Torn, not yet stained,'
Blepyrus: so that I may not become a comic butt.
Chremes: What are you doing? You're not defecating, are you?
Blepyrus: Me?
Blepyrus: No, by Zeus, not anymore, but I am getting up.
Chremes: But does the woman's tunic fit her?
Blepyrus: for I happened to have taken this inside in the dark.
Blepyrus: But where, tell me truly, do you come from?
Chremes: out of the assembly.
Blepyrus: Is it already loosed, then?
Chremes: By Zeus, then, it is early morning.
Chremes: And truly, by Zeus, dearest, the miltos is very great.
Chremes: he provided laughter, which they were splashing around.
Blepyrus: So you took the three-obol coin, did you?
Chremes: If only I had wished!
Chremes: but I came later, so I am ashamed.
Chremes: By Zeus, nothing other than the pouch.
Blepyrus: But what is the reason?
Chremes: the greatest crowd of people,
Chremes: Never before has such a crowd come to the thick assembly.
Chremes: and indeed we all resemble the shoemakers.
Chremes: Seeing them. For not otherwise, but exceedingly.
Chremes: how white-clad the assembly was to see.
Chremes: So I didn't get it, nor did many others.
Blepyrus: Nor would I take it now, having come?
Chremes: from where?
Chremes: Not even if, by Zeus, you had come at that time when [it was] the second time
Chremes: The rooster has crowed.
Blepyrus: Alas, wretched me.
Blepyrus: 'Antilochus, let me wail about the triobolus.'
Blepyrus: Rather the living one. For my things are going away.
Blepyrus: But what was the matter, that there was such a crowd?
Blepyrus: In this way was it assembled at the right time?
Chremes: And what else but
Chremes: It seemed good to the prytanes concerning safety.
Chremes: To bring down the city's policy? And then immediately?
Chremes: The first to sneak in was Neocleides the smooth-talker.
Chremes: And after that the people shout, how much do you think,
Chremes: He dares to do terrible things, to speak in public.
Chremes: And with this matter concerning safety being put forward,
Chremes: Who did not save his own eyelash for himself?
Chremes: But he, having cried out and looked around, said,
Chremes: And what was I supposed to do?
Blepyrus: "Rub the garlic together with the oil"
Blepyrus: having thrown in the thymallus of the Laconian
Blepyrus: 'Let him omit his eyelashes of the evening,'
Blepyrus: I would say so, if I happened to be present.
Chremes: after him Euaios, the most friendly.
Chremes: He passed by naked, as it seemed to most people;
Chremes: Well, he himself said that he had a cloak;
Chremes: and then he spoke most popular speeches;
Chremes: You see, I am in need of salvation,
Chremes: Four-staters, that too; nevertheless, I shall speak.
Chremes: How you will save the city and the citizens.
Chremes: for if the cobblers provide for those in need,
Chremes: cloaks, whenever the sun turns first,
Chremes: Our pleurisy would never receive anything.
Chremes: As for those who have neither a couch nor bedding,
Chremes: to go to sleep, having been rubbed with oil.
Chremes: to the dog-skinners; but if he should shut the door
Chremes: If it is winter, let there be three siscurs owed.
BLEPYRUS: By Dionysus, that's good! But if it's those...
Blepyrus: 'He added, no one voted against,'
Blepyrus: three choinikes of barley-meal for the needy, to the barley-exchangers.
Blepyrus: 'To provide a dinner for everyone or to weep at length,'
Blepyrus: in order that they might enjoy Nausicydes' good stuff.
Chremes: After this, then, a handsome young man.
Chremes: a white man has jumped up, like Nicias.
Chremes: wishing to speak, he began to speak.
Chremes: 'It is necessary to hand over the city to the women.'
Chremes: Then they made a disturbance and shouted as if he were speaking well,
Chremes: the shoemakers' mob, and those from the countryside.
Chremes: They climbed and roared.
Blepyrus: For I had sense, by Zeus.
Chremes: But they were fewer in number; but he was holding them back with his shouting,
Chremes: speaking many good things about the women, but about you
Chremes: Many evils.
Blepyrus: And what did he say?
Chremes: 'First, he said to you'
Chremes: to be a rogue.
Blepyrus: And you?
Chremes: Don't say that yet.
Chremes: and then a thief.
Blepyrus: "Only me?"
Chremes: and by Zeus
Chremes: and a sycophant.
Blepyrus: Only me?
Chremes: And by Zeus!
Chremes: the multitude of these.
Blepyrus: Who else says this?
Chorus: he said that a woman is a newfangled thing.
Chorus: And a money-maker. And he said that the mysteries were not to be disclosed.
Chorus: that from the Thesmophoria she should take them out each time,
Chorus: you and I, while plotting this, [will do it] always.
Blepyrus: And by Hermes, he did not lie about this.
Chremes: 'Then he said that they were coming together with each other.'
Chremes: clothes, gold, silver, drinking vessels.
Chremes: only with only women, not in the presence of witnesses,
Chremes: and to bring all these things and not to deprive them,
Chremes: He said that most of us were doing this.
Blepyrus: By Poseidon, witness to the truth!
Chremes: not to slander, not to prosecute, nor the
Chremes: to dissolve the people, but many good things,
Chremes: And he most strongly urged the women on other matters as well.
Blepyrus: So what was decided?
Chremes: let the city indeed be ruled.
Chremes: To these. For this seemed to be the only thing in the city
Chremes: Not yet have I become.
Blepyrus: "And it has been decreed?"
Chremes: I am he.
Blepyrus: All these things are ordered to them.
Blepyrus: What concerned the citizens?
Chremes: That is how things stand.
Blepyrus: So am I not going to the lawcourt, but to the woman?
Chremes: No longer will you feed those you have, but rather the woman.
Blepyrus: Is it not yet a matter for me to groan at dawn?
Chremes: By Zeus, but these things already concern the women;
Chremes: But you, farting with a moan, will stay at home.
Blepyrus: That is terrible for men of our age,
Blepyrus: Not having taken the reins of the city
Blepyrus: Then they will force them by violence—
Chremes: What [shall I] do?
Blepyrus: move yourselves.
Chremes: But what if we are not able?
Blepyrus: They will not give a good meal.
Chremes: But you, by Zeus,
Chremes: Do these things, so that you may dine and move at the same time.
Blepyrus: the most terrible thing by force.
Chremes: But if to the city
Chremes: This will happen; a man must do all these things.
Blepyrus: There is indeed a certain argument among the older men,
Blepyrus: You foolish man, whatever silly things we may plan,
Blepyrus: Everything is benefiting us for the better.
Chremes: And may Lady Pallas and the gods prosper it.
Chremes: But I am going. But you stay well.
Blepyrus: And you too, Chremes.
Chorus: Jump in and enter.
Chorus: Is there any man among us who will follow?
Chorus: Turn, look!
Chorus: Guard yourself safely, for there are many scoundrels.
Chorus: Lest someone standing behind should guard the figure.
Chorus: but walk, tapping as much as possible with your two feet.
Chorus: But it would bring shame to us.
Chorus: This matter has been exposed to all the women by the men.
Chorus: In response to this, gather yourself together.
Chorus: and observing closely
Chorus: from here and from there and
Chorus: what is on the right, may the matter not turn out to be a misfortune.
Chorus: But let us walk fast; for we are already near the place,
Chorus: from which time, whenever we were, we hastened to the assembly;
Chorus: And the house will be visible, from the very place where the general is.
Chorus: Is there she who found the thing that has now been decided by the citizens?
Chorus: So it is likely that we should not delay, since we are still waiting.
Chorus: beards hanging down,
Chorus: lest perhaps someone among us should perhaps criticize us.
Chorus: But come now, here to the shade.
Chorus: having come to the rampart.
Chorus: overlooking the other
Chorus: Again, change your appearance once more, just as you were,
Chorus: And do not delay! Even this and also our general.
Chorus: We see her going out of the assembly. But hurry!
Chorus: Let all have a fistful of hatred in their jaws;
Chorus: for these women have come long ago, holding this appearance.
Praxagora: These things have gone well for us, women.
Praxagora: The matter has gone beyond what we deliberated.
Praxagora: But as quickly as possible before anyone of men is seen,
Praxagora: Throw off your cloaks, and let him step out of the way.
Praxagora: Loosen the reins, woven together in the Spartan manner,
Praxagora: Put down your canes. And indeed, you, for your part
Praxagora: Arrange these, but I want to.
Praxagora: creeping inside before the man [sees] me.
Praxagora: To see, to take off his cloak again.
Praxagora: Just as I got the rest, I carried them for nine drachmas.
Chorus: That is so, and indeed all that you said; but it is your job to teach the rest.
Chorus: Whatever it is that we seem to be doing that is beneficial for you, we shall seem to obey it correctly.
Chorus: for I know of no woman more cunning with whom you have mingled.
Praxagora: Wait for a moment, so that I may finish the office which I have just been elected to,
Praxagora: I will use all of you as counselors. For that very reason, it is for me
Praxagora: In the tumult and the dangers you have become most courageous.
Blepyrus: Where have you come from, Praxagora?
Praxagora: But what, dear friends?
Praxagora: This to you?
Blepyrus: What is this to me? So foolishly.
Praxagora: You will not say it from the adulterer, then.
Blepyrus: Not perhaps
Blepyrus: At least one.
Praxagora: And I will indeed torture this for you.
Praxagora: It is permitted.
Blepyrus: How?
Praxagora: If I smell of perfume from my head.
Blepyrus: So what? Isn't a woman anointing herself even without perfume?
Praxagora: By no means, I certainly do not.
Blepyrus: so how [can it be] early?
Blepyrus: Go away quietly, having taken your cloak from me?
Praxagora: a woman, a certain courtesan and friend, at night
Praxagora: Send for me, as I am in labor.
Blepyrus: And then I wasn't there.
Blepyrus: 'To have her go, having given orders?'
Praxagora: nor should she worry about the bed.
Praxagora: So things are, then, O man?
Blepyrus: Tell me, having spoken.
Blepyrus: But there is something bad here.
Praxagora: by the two goddesses!
Praxagora: But just as I had it, I went; and she asked me
Praxagora: she who persuaded me to go out by every means.
Blepyrus: Then shouldn't you have your own cloak?
Blepyrus: But take off my clothes and, putting them on, throw the cloak around me.
Blepyrus: Go, leaving behind something as if it were in front,
Blepyrus: 'She has not even crowned herself nor placed a lekythos on her head.'
Praxagora: for it was cold, and I was thin and weak;
Praxagora: And so that I might not be deceived, this I promised;
Praxagora: you, while lying in the street and on beds
Praxagora: I left the money.
Blepyrus: but the Lacedaemonian women
Blepyrus: They went away with you, why is the staff missing too?
Praxagora: in order that I might save a cloak, I wore the wine-skin.
Praxagora: Imitating you and striking with both feet.
Praxagora: and striking the stones with the staff.
Blepyrus: So you know, then, that you have lost enough wheat,
Blepyrus: The one whom I ought to have taken from the assembly?
Praxagora: Do not worry, for a woman bore a male child.
Blepyrus: Has the assembly met?
Praxagora: By Zeus, but on which one was I grumbling.
Praxagora: But has it happened?
Blepyrus: Yes, by Zeus. You did not know me.
Blepyrus: [Did you say] to you yesterday?
Praxagora: I have just remembered.
Blepyrus: So you don't know what you thought?
Praxagora: By Zeus, I certainly will not.
Blepyrus: Then sit down, chewing on squid.
Blepyrus: But they say that the city has been handed over to you.
Praxagora: What should we do? Spin?
Blepyrus: No, by Zeus, but to rule.
Praxagora: Of whom?
Blepyrus: Finally, all the matters concerning the city.
Praxagora: By Aphrodite, the city is now truly blessed.
Praxagora: It will be, then.
Blepyrus: On what grounds?
Praxagora: For many reasons.
Praxagora: for no longer to those who dare [to do] shameful things
Praxagora: Then it will be so, and nowhere will she testify,
Praxagora: 'I am not bringing a false accusation—'
Blepyrus: by no means, by the gods!
Blepyrus: Do this, but do not take away my life.
Man: Oh, let the woman of the men speak.
Praxagora: do not steal, do not envy your neighbors,
Praxagora: 'Let no one be naked or poor.'
Praxagora: Stop insulting him, and don't bring him in as a pledge.
Man: By Poseidon, great things, if he does not lie.
Praxagora: But I will declare this, so that you will also testify for me
Praxagora: And let this man himself say nothing in reply to me.
Chorus: Now you must indeed rouse a dense and philosophical mind.
Chorus: knowing care
Chorus: to defend the friends.
Chorus: for a new one has come to good fortunes.
Chorus: A thought of the tongue comes to the citizen
Chorus: delighting the people
Chorus: with countless benefits of life; but the timing shows what you are able to do.
Chorus: For our city needs some clever invention.
Chorus: but only finish it.
Chorus: neither things done nor things spoken before now;
Chorus: for they hate the old things whenever they see them often.
Chorus: But we must not hesitate, but rather touch and indeed use our minds.
Chorus: as hastening has the greatest share of charm with the spectators.
Praxagora: And indeed, I believe that I will teach useful things; but the spectators,
Praxagora: if they wish to innovate and not merely follow the usual customs
Praxagora: To spend time with the old people, that is what I fear most.
Blepyrus: So then, do not be afraid about innovating; for this to us
Blepyrus: To act is better than some other rule, but to neglect the old ones.
Praxagora: Now, let no one of you speak against [it] beforehand, nor interrupt [it],
Praxagora: before knowing the idea and hearing the speaker.
Praxagora: For I shall say that everyone should partake of everything, since they all are partakers.
Praxagora: to live from the same [source], and not for one to be rich, but for the wretched to be.
Praxagora: not even to farm the land, but not even to be buried,
Praxagora: not that one should use many slaves, nor even a follower.
Praxagora: But I make one common life for all, and this one alike.
Blepyrus: How then will it be common to all?
Praxagora: The old man showed up before me.
Blepyrus: And do we also share in the lentils?
Praxagora: By Zeus, but you have anticipated me by cutting in.
Praxagora: For this is what I was about to say: I will first make the land
Praxagora: let all property and all the money and all other things that belong to each person be held in common.
Praxagora: then, since these things are common, we will feed you.
Praxagora: while being saved and being frugal and paying attention to the opinion.
Blepyrus: How, then, is he who does not own our land, but has silver?
Blepyrus: 'And the Persian's invisible wealth?'
Praxagora: She will deposit this in the middle.
Praxagora: And do not lie after swearing an oath.
Blepyrus: for he acquired it for this reason.
Praxagora: But nothing will ever be useful to him at all.
Blepyrus: And so, for what reason?
Praxagora: No one will do anything out of poverty; for all will have everything,
Praxagora: loaves, slices of bread, cloaks, wine, garlands, chickpeas.
Praxagora: So what gain is there in not putting it down? For you, having discovered [it], demonstrate it.
Blepyrus: Then surely these men are stealing even more now than before, aren't they, to whom these things are present?
Praxagora: For, friend, when we used the previous laws:
Praxagora: Now, then, life will be in common, so what is the profit not to contribute?
Blepyrus: If he sees a girl and desires her and wants to have sex with her,
Blepyrus: He will have taken some of these to give, but he will share in those that are common.
Blepyrus: 'Sleeping together with him.'
Praxagora: But she will be allowed to lie down with him as a dowry.
Praxagora: For I make these too share in sleeping with the men.
Praxagora: and to beget children for whoever wants to.
Blepyrus: How then is it that not all go?
Blepyrus: 'Will they come to the most beautiful of them and then try to prop them up?'
Praxagora: The lowest and flattest women sit beside the dignified ones;
Praxagora: And if he desires this, first he should knock down the ugly one.
Blepyrus: And how could we, the old men, if we lived with the ugly ones,
Blepyrus: Will the penis not cease before you arrive there, as you say?
Praxagora: They are not fighting; be assured about you; do not fear; they are not fighting.
Blepyrus: About what?
Praxagora: to not be trampled underfoot. And such a thing exists for you as well.
Blepyrus: Your opinion is that something has been decided, for it has been deliberated, in order that...
Blepyrus: let there be no empty hole in any woman; but what will the men do?
Blepyrus: For they will flee from the most ugly and will walk toward the beautiful.
Praxagora: But the worse ones will watch over the better ones as they depart.
Praxagora: from dinner and they will keep watch on the public buildings;
Praxagora: And it will not be permitted to beat down the beautiful and the great.
Praxagora: to the women, before they grant [favors] to the ugly and the small.
Blepyrus: Then Lyasicrates' nose will now be wise like the beautiful ones.
Praxagora: By Apollo, your opinion is not only democratic but also thoroughly democratic!
Praxagora: there will be many of the most serious and of those who have seals,
Praxagora: When he holds a tablet and speaks first, give way and then watch.
Praxagora: when I, having already arranged it, will hand over to you the right to speak second.
Blepyrus: How then, while we are still alive, does each man [treat] his own children?
Blepyrus: Will he be able to discern?
Praxagora: But what is necessary? For [we must kill] all the fathers.
Praxagora: they will consider their elders to be older in years.
Blepyrus: Then, having strangled her well and properly one after another, the whole old man.
Blepyrus: because of ignorance, since even now, recognizing that he is a father,
BLEPYRUS: They hang themselves. Why then, when they are unmarried, will they not also itch and scratch themselves?
Praxagora: But the one standing by will not permit it; then, however, they were not at all concerned.
Praxagora: Let anyone strike a stranger; but now, if he hears a blow struck,
Praxagora: Do not strike that man, fearing he will fight those who do this.
Blepyrus: You say the rest quite well; but if Epichorus were to come up...
Blepyrus: Either Lysidamus is calling me "grandpa," which is already dreadful to hear.
Praxagora: However, this matter is far more serious than this,
Blepyrus: Which one?
Praxagora: If Aristyllus should kiss you, saying that he is her father.
Blepyrus: 'Oh, he would groan and wail!'
Praxagora: But you would smell of calamint,
Praxagora: but this one came to be before the decree came to be,
Praxagora: So it is not that you are afraid he might kiss you.
Blepyrus: Terrible things I have suffered.
Blepyrus: But who will be the one to farm the land?
Praxagora: The slaves. But you will take care of them,
Praxagora: When the letter is ten-footed, it is good to go to dinner.
Blepyrus: And as for clothes, how will there be a way out? For this too is something to ask.
Praxagora: These things will first be yours, but the rest we will weave.
Blepyrus: I am still asking one thing: how anyone could have been fined by the magistrates.
Blepyrus: From where will he pay this? For it is not right from the common funds.
Praxagora: But there will not even be courts at first.
Blepyrus: This word will grind you down.
Praxagora: I too set this opinion; for on account of the talent, will they be there?
Blepyrus: For many reasons, by Apollo; but first for one reason, surely,
Blepyrus: If anyone who owes [money] denies [it].
Praxagora: So where did the lender lend from?
Praxagora: With all things in common? Then surely a thief is obvious.
Blepyrus: By Demeter, you are teaching well. Now let this be clear to me,
Blepyrus: from where will those who strike pay for the beating, when...
Blepyrus: 'After feasting, do they insult? For this, I think, you will be at a loss.'
Praxagora: from the barley-cake which she eats; for when someone takes away this,
Praxagora: Has the belly not been punished badly again in this way?
Blepyrus: 'And no thief will be there either?'
Praxagora: For how will she steal it from him?
Blepyrus: So they won't even strip off at night?
Praxagora: You were not at home, were you, sleeping?
Praxagora: Nor are there doors, as before; for life will be common to all.
Praxagora: If he takes it off, he himself will give it. For what reason would he have to fight?
Praxagora: for someone else, going from the common stock, will bring back something better than that.
Blepyrus: Will humans not even roll dice, then?
Praxagora: For about this, what will he do?
Blepyrus: What sort of regimen will you make?
Praxagora: common to all. For the city
Praxagora: I say that I will make a single dwelling by joining all things together into one,
Praxagora: so that [they] walk as [they do] one another.
Blepyrus: But where will you set out the dinner?
Praxagora: I will make the lawcourts and the porticoes entirely into men's quarters.
Blepyrus: But what use will the platform be to you?
Praxagora: I will put away the mixing-bowls.
Praxagora: And the water-jars, and there will be [someone] to sing rhapsodies for the little children.
Praxagora: those who were brave in the war, and even if someone has become a coward,
Praxagora: so that, while eating dinner, they might not feel ashamed.
Blepyrus: By Apollo, quite charming.
Blepyrus: But where will you cast the lots?
Praxagora: I will deposit it in the marketplace.
Praxagora: And then, having stationed [her] beside Harmodius, I will allot [votes] to all, until...
Praxagora: Let the one who drew lots go away happy, to dine in whatever letter.
Praxagora: and let him announce that those coming from the bema should follow to the stoa.
Praxagora: to dine royally; but the hirelings to the house next to hers,
Praxagora: But let the barley-seller go from the inn to the stoa.
Blepyrus: "In order that they may swallow?"
Praxagora: By Zeus, but so that they may dine there.
Blepyrus: But whoever [has] the letter
Blepyrus: lest they be dragged out during the dinner, let everyone dismiss them.
Praxagora: But this will not happen among us.
Praxagora: For we will provide everything abundantly to everyone,
Praxagora: so that, having become drunk with that garland,
Praxagora: Let each man go out, having taken the torch.
Praxagora: but the women according to the exits
Praxagora: falling at the feet of those from the dinner
Praxagora: These things they will say: 'Come to us.'
Praxagora: Here is a lovely young girl.
Praxagora: But there is another [way] with me.
Praxagora: Someone will say from above from the upper room,
Praxagora: "And most beautiful and most white."
Praxagora: But first you must go to sleep.
Praxagora: With her at my place.
Praxagora: and following those who are handsome,
Praxagora: and the most worthless [men] to the young men
Praxagora: They will say such things as this: 'Where is this man going?'
Praxagora: Certainly you will do nothing upon coming.
Praxagora: For to the flat-nosed and the ugly
Praxagora: The people have voted that they drink first,
Praxagora: But you, for the time being, having taken three seats,
Praxagora: of a two-wheeled fig cart
Praxagora: to be cut in the forecourt.
Praxagora: Come now, tell me, does this please you both?
Blepyrus: Very.
Praxagora: I must walk to the agora,
Praxagora: "So that I may accept the money that is coming,"
Praxagora: taking a somewhat clear-voiced herald's staff.
Praxagora: For I, having been chosen, must do these things.
Praxagora: to rule, and to establish the common meals,
Praxagora: so that you may feast first today.
Blepyrus: For we shall already feast?
Praxagora: I am the rumor.
Praxagora: Next, I want to stop the prostitutes.
Praxagora: 'All at once!'
Blepyrus: For what reason?
Praxagora: this is clear;
Praxagora: so that these women may have the prime of the young men.
Praxagora: And the female slaves certainly must not be dressed up.
Praxagora: to steal the Cyprian for the free people,
Praxagora: but only to sleep with the slaves
Praxagora: the pigs, which have been gutted, are in the pit.
Blepyrus: Come now, I will follow close beside you,
Blepyrus: "So that I may look at it and they may tell me these things,"
Blepyrus: 'Do you not admire this one, the one of the general?'
Man A: But as for me, so that I may indeed carry the vessels to the market,
Man A: I will take a closer look and examine the property.
Man A: Go here, you pretty little hen, very well.
MAN A: Get out of my money, first of all,
MAN A: so that I may be carried in a litter,
Man A: Many bags below, then, I have turned inside out.
MAN A: Where's the chair-bearer? The cooking-pot, come here!
MAN A: By Zeus, it's black, and not even if the medicine
Man A: You happened to be boiling something for which Lysicrates is being blackened.
MAN A: Let her know, come here, the hairdresser.
Man A: Come here with this water-jar, water-carrier.
MAN A: Here. And you, the cithara-player, come here and go out,
Man A: having often raised me up to the assembly,
Man A: at the hour of night, because of the morning law.
Man A: Let the one who took the boat go ahead; the wax tablets.
Man A: Bring the twigs close by,
MAN A: and bring out the two tripods and the oil-flask.
MAN A: Put away the pots and the crowd already.
MAN B: Shall I deposit my own things? Alas, then.
MAN B: I shall be a man, and possess a little sense.
Man B: By Poseidon, never, but I will torture him.
Man B: first I will consider these things often.
Man B: for [it is] not my sweat and stinginess
Man B: I will not throw out anything so foolishly in response to a word,
Man B: Before I find out the whole matter, how it stands.
Man B: What does this fellow want with these pots?
Man B: Have you moved your residence, or are you living abroad?
Man B: Or are you going to bring pledges?
Man A: Not at all.
Man B: But why is it standing in a line like that? It won't be!
MAN B: Do you send a procession to Hieron the herald?
MAN A: By Zeus, but I am about to carry these things away for the city.
MAN A: into the agora according to the decreed laws.
Man B: Are you about to bear?
Man A: Very much so.
MAN B: You are wretched, are you not?
MAN B: By Zeus the Savior.
MAN A: How?
MAN B: How? Easily.
Man A: Well then? Is it not necessary for me to obey the laws?
MAN B: By what [means], wretched man?
MAN A: The decrees.
MAN B: Are they decided? So you were foolish, then.
MAN A: A fool?
Man B: Didn't he? Well, he is certainly the most foolish.
Man B: Once and for all.
Man A: Why do I obey orders?
MAN B: "But must the moderate man do what is being assigned?"
Man A: "Most of all."
Man B: So, the useless one.
MAN A: And do you not intend to deposit?
Man B: I shall keep watch.
Man B: before I see the crowd what it is planning.
Man A: For what else, then, are we prepared except to carry?
Man A: Are the funds there?
MAN B: But having seen, I was persuaded.
MAN A: At least they say so in the streets.
Man B: For they will speak.
Man A: And they say that, having lifted it, they will carry it away.
MAN B: For they will say.
MAN A: You will lose everything by being untrustworthy.
MAN B: for they will not trust.
Man A: May Zeus grind you up.
MAN B: For they will rub them down.
Man B: Do you think you will carry off someone of them who has sense?
Man B: for this is not ancestral, but to receive.
MAN B: We alone must, by Zeus; for the gods too;
MAN B: You will know [them] from the hands of the statues, at least.
MAN B: for whenever we pray for good things to be given,
Man B: He stands stretching out his hand palm up.
MAN B: Not so that he will give something, but so that he will get something.
Man A: Oh divine one, let me do something useful.
MAN A: For these things must be bound together. Where are my straps?
Man B: For you will really carry it off?
MAN A: Yes, by Zeus, and indeed so then.
Man A: I am fitting this to the two tripods.
MAN B: of the madness,
Man B: not even waiting for the others, what
MAN B: They will do so, and at that very moment now—
MAN A: What shall we do?
MAN B: to wait again, then to spend time still.
MAN A: But in order to what?
Man B: If an earthquake were to occur often
Man B: Either [he will set] a fire that turns back [the enemy], or he will run away like a polecat,
Man B: Cease, thunderer, from bringing the rain!
MAN A: At least I would have some fun, if I didn't have where to go.
Man A: I would lay these things aside.
Man B: for you will not fail to take whatever.
MAN B: Take heart, you will deposit [it], even if you come in a frenzy.
MAN A: What?
Man B: I knew these men were voting quickly,
MAN B: Whatever these things may seem, I will deny them again.
Man A: They will carry them off, you wretches.
MAN B: But if they do not bring them back, what then?
Man A: Well, they will bring them.
Man B: But if they do not bring it, so what?
MAN A: Let us fight against them.
MAN B: And if they should be superior, so what?
MAN A: I am going, leaving her.
Man B: And if they sell them, what then?
MAN A: (It is) torn to shreds.
Man B: If I burst, so what?
MAN A: You will do well.
Man B: But will you desire to carry?
Man A: I certainly do; for I even [love] my own neighbors.
Man A: I see them carrying.
MAN B: By all means, then, Antisthenes
Man B: Let him bring it in; for it is much more graceful.
Man B: to pour out more than thirty days beforehand.
MAN A: Alas.
Man B: Callimachus, the chorus trainer.
Man B: Will he lead them in?
MAN A: More than Callias.
Man B: This man will lose his property.
MAN A: You are speaking terribly.
MAN B: What is terrible? As if you do not see.
MAN B: Resolutions of just this sort, always coming about.
MAN B: Don't you know that that was the decree about the salt?
Man A: As for me, yes.
Man B: but those bronze ones when
MAN B: We have voted, do you not know?
Man A: And I have an evil too.
MAN A: That is a hair! For a grape is being sold.
Man A: He lifted the full jaw, holding bronze.
Man A: And then we marched into the market for barley-cakes.
Man A: And so, while I was just now holding out my pouch,
Man A: The herald shouted, 'Do not admit anyone!'
MAN A: Then it is bronze; for we use silver.
MAN B: But we all did not swear recently.
MAN B: There will be five hundred talents for the city.
MAN B: Of the fortieth, which Euripides produced?
Man B: And then every man will gild Euripides.
Man B: but when it appeared to those looking around
MAN B: The Corinth of Zeus was not enough, and the matter...
Man B: Again, every man was ordering Euripides.
MAN A: Not the same, by the goddesses. Back then we were in command,
Man A: Now, however, the women.
Man B: Which ones I will guard
Man B: By Poseidon, may they not urinate on me.
Man A: I do not know what nonsense you are talking. Come, give the deposit to the boy.
Herald-woman: O all citizens, for now things stand thus,
Cryer-woman: Go, hurry straight on from the general's wife,
Heraldess: May it happen that fortune comes to you as you draw lots.
Cryer-woman: Tell each man where you will dine.
Herald: As the tables are indeed set out for a meal.
Cryke: [we are] prepared for all good things,
Herald-woman: beds of rushes and mats, well-stuffed,
Kerykaina: the myrrh-sellers are mixing the krater.
Herald-woman: Stand in a row, the pieces are being thrown,
Herald-woman: they are boiling a hare, a cake is baking,
Cry: garlands are being woven, the savory dishes are being cooked,
Herald-woman: the youngest women are boiling a pot of beans.
Herald: And Smoios, wearing cavalry attire, is among them.
Cryce: The women are washing out the cooking pots.
Cryce: But the old man is going, wearing a cloak and dust-covered shoes.
Cryer: Having, laughing with another young man;
Kerykaina: He has stepped in, and a cloak lies thrown.
Kerykaina: go toward these things, just as the one carrying the cake.
Crier: Stand still! But open your jaws.
Man B: Well then, I shall certainly walk. For what purpose am I standing here holding [this]?
MAN B: Here, since this seems right to the city?
Man A: And where are you going without having deposited your property?
Man B: for dinner.
MAN A: Certainly not, if they have any sense,
Man A: before you carry it off.
MAN B: But I shall go away.
MAN A: When?
MAN B: My own it will not be in the way, oh women!
Man A: Why, then?
Man B: I say that he will take others away later than me.
MAN A: But he is walking, even though, to dine?
MAN B: For what shall I suffer?
Man B: For the city must seize the possibilities.
MAN B: those who think well.
Man A: But if they should prevent it, so what?
Man B: By the gods, I will go bent over.
Man A: But if they whip them, so what?
MAN B: We are summoning them.
Man A: If they laugh at him, so what?
Man B: standing by the doors—
MAN A: What will you do? Tell me.
MAN B: I will snatch the grain from those who bring it.
Man A: Then walk behind; but you, oh Sikon, ...
MAN A: And Parmenon, choose the most beautiful woman.
MAN B: Come now, I will benefit you.
Man A: Not at all.
MAN A: For I fear lest even with the female general,
Man A: When I put it down, pretend that you do not want the money.
MAN B: By Zeus, at least one device is needed,
Man B: so that I will have the money that exists, at least
MAN B: I too shall somehow partake in the madness of the crowd.
MAN B: It seems right to me; we must walk.
Man B: It's a sworn oath to dine and not to delay.
OLD WOMAN A: Why aren't the men coming yet? It has been time long ago;
Old Woman A: But I am completely whitened with white lead.
OLD WOMAN A: I am standing and wearing a saffron robe.
Old Woman A: "Idle, humming some tune to myself,"
OLD WOMAN A: Playing. How could I catch one of them?
OLD WOMAN A: Passing by? Muses, come here to my mouth,
Old Woman A: having found some Ionian honeycomb.
Young woman: now indeed, as you leaned over, you got ahead of me, you rotten one.
Neainis: You thought that the girl was absent from here.
Young Woman: that I shall harvest and bring someone.
Young Woman: Singing: 'But if you do this, I will sing the same.'
Young Woman: For even if it is through a crowd, this is [visible] to the spectators,
Young Woman: Nevertheless, it has something pleasant and comic.
Old Woman A: Talk to this man and then withdraw; but you...
Old Woman A: Having taken the pipes, you pipe-player, play your tune.
Old Woman A: A song worthy of you and me, play it a little.
Old Woman A: if someone wishes to suffer something good.
OLD WOMAN A: What, must I sleep at my place?
Old Woman A: for wisdom is not in young people.
Grave A: But on the cliffs;
There is no one who would rather love than I.
The old woman A: the friend with whom I lived,
Old Woman A: But she would turn to another thing.
Young Woman: Do not be envious of the young women.
Young Woman: For tenderness has naturally grown in her.
Young woman: with the soft thighs
Young Man: And it blooms even among the apples. But you, old woman,
Young woman: you have talked nonsense and rubbed against me,
Young Woman: Death is a worry.
Old Woman A: May your pimple burst!
Old Woman A: May you lose the dining couch!
Old Woman A: wanting to wash,
Old Woman A: And you might find a snake on the couch.
Old Woman A: And draw it up!
Old Woman A: wishing to kiss.
Young Woman: Alas! What shall I suffer?
Young Woman: The wind has not yet arrived for me;
Young Woman: Alone I am left of him. The
For my mother is from another [city].
Young woman: She has gone; and after that nothing else needs to be said.
Young Woman: But oh, nurse, I beg you, call!
Young woman: Ortagoras, in order that
Young woman: be yourself, I beg you.
Old Woman A: Now the one from Ionia
Old Woman A: You wretched creature, how you itch!
Old Woman A: But you seem to me to have a lambda, too, like the Lesbians.
OLD WOMAN A: But you would never snatch it away.
Old Woman A: My toys! But my...
OLD WOMAN A: You will not lose your beauty, nor will you lose it.
Young woman: Sing whatever you like and look over your shoulder like a weasel;
Young Woman: For no one will deceive you before me instead of me.
Old Woman A: Not then, for a funeral, at least.
Young Man: That is something new, you scoundrel.
Old Woman A: By no means.
Young Woman: For what new thing would anyone say to an old woman?
Old Woman A: 'Will not old age hurt you, my own?'
Young Woman: But what?
Young Woman: I have been here longer, and also your whitewash?
Old Woman A: What is she arguing with me about?
Young Woman: And what are you peeping at?
Old Woman A: Me?
Old Woman A: I sing to myself, to Epigenes, my dear friend.
Young Man: For who is a friend of yours besides Geras?
She will show it to you as well. For she will soon be as [fond] of me.
Young Woman: for here he himself is.
Old Woman A: You did not perish, you wretch.
Old Woman A: I need nothing.
Young woman: By Zeus, oh withering one, you
Young Man: He will show it soon enough, as I am leaving.
Old Woman A: And I, too, so that you may know that I think much more highly of you.
Young Man: If only it were permitted to sleep beside the young woman,
Young Man: and let him not be ashamed to be rubbed down first.
Young man: a younger woman or an older one?
Young Man: for this is not endurable for a free man.
Old Woman A: You will certainly be weeping, by Zeus!
Old Woman A: For these things are not Charixena's.
Old Woman A: to do these things according to the law.
Old Woman A: It is just, if we are ruled by the people.
OLD WOMAN A: But I will go to keep watch on whatever they will do someday.
Young man: If only the gods would take the beautiful woman alone,
Young Man: I am coming towards her, towards whom I have long been drinking and longing.
Young Woman: I deceived that cursed old woman;
Young Woman: For she is mistaken, thinking that I remain inside.
Young Man: But this man is the very one we remember.
Young Woman: Come here, then, come here, then,
Young Woman: My friend, come here to me.
Young woman: come forward and be my bedfellow.
Young woman: how you will shake the flask.
Young Woman: For some kind of love is very much shaking me.
Young woman: of these your ringlets.
Young Woman: And there is something unusual for me to endure.
Young Woman: Desire, which having gnawed me, holds me.
Young woman: let me go, I beg you, Love,
Young Woman: And lead this one into the bedroom.
Young Woman: to come to my supplication.
Young man: 'Come here, come here, indeed.'
Young man: and you run down to me too
Young man: open the door.
Young Man: This one! But if not, I will lie prostrate.
Young man: a friend, but in your...
Young man: I want to be poked in the bosom.
Young man: with your buttocks.
Young man: Kypris, why are you driving me mad about this?
Young man: Let me go, I beg you, Love,
Young Man: And make this one go to bed.
Young Man: to come as a suppliant to my house.
Young Woman: And these things, however, are moderate with respect to my necessity.
Young Woman: It has been said. But you, dearest, oh, I beseech you,
Young Woman: Open [the door] and greet me;
Young Woman: For indeed I have pains for you.
Young man: O my golden-decorated care, sapling of Cypris,
Youth: bee of the Muse, offspring of the Graces, face of luxury,
Young man: open [the door] and greet me;
Young Man: For truly, I have you in pain.
Old Woman A: Why are you hitting this? Or are you looking for me?
Young man: From where?
Old Woman A: And you were scratching the door.
Young Man: Then let me die.
Old Woman A: But do you come having a torch, since you are in need?
Young Man: I am looking for a certain man from Anaphlystus.
OLD WOMAN A: whom?
Young Man: Not Sebinos, whom you perhaps expect.
Old Woman A: By Aphrodite, whether you wish it or not.
Young Man: But not now the sixty-one?
Young man: we are bringing him in, but we have put him off again.
Young man: for we judge those inside twenty.
OLD WOMAN A: At the time of the former magistracy, these things were so, you sweet ones;
Old Woman A: Now, however, it seems to me to lead us for the first time.
Young man: To whomever wishes, according to the law in the game of knucklebones.
Old Woman A: But you do not dine according to the law of the dice.
Young man: I do not know what you are saying; I must knock on this door.
Old Woman A: When you knock on my door first.
Young man: But we are not asking for a softer skin now.
OLD WOMAN A: I know that I am kissed; but now you wonder that
Old Woman A: You found me at the door; but bring your mouth here.
Young Man: But oh, I am very frightened of your lover.
Old Woman A: whom?
Young Man: The best of the scribes.
Old Woman A: Who is this man?
Young man: 'He who paints the lekythoi for the dead.'
Young Man: But go away, so that he may not see you at the door.
Old Woman A: I know, I know what you want.
Young Man: And I, by Zeus, [say the same] about you too.
Old Woman A: By Aphrodite, who drew the lot for me,
Old Woman A: I will not let you go.
Young man: You are out of your mind, old woman.
Old Woman A: You are talking nonsense; but I will take you to my beds.
Young Man: But then, why are we buying meat for the jars?
Young Man: It is possible for such an old woman to sit down.
Young Man: 'Shall we draw the buckets from the wells together?'
Old Woman A: Don't mock me, you poor wretch, but follow me here, just as I do.
Young man: But I am not compelled, unless by those of mine.
Young Man: You have deposited the five-hundredth [drachma] for the city.
Old Woman A: By Aphrodite, however, you must, just as I do.
Old Woman A: I take pleasure in sleeping with men of such age.
Young Man: But I am burdened by such great women,
Young man: And I would never be persuaded.
Old Woman A: But by Zeus,
Old Woman A: This will force you.
Young Man: But what is this?
Old Woman A: a decree, in accordance with which you must walk as I do.
Young man: Say what it is.
Old Woman A: And indeed I tell you.
Old Woman A: It was resolved by the women, if [there is] a young man
Old Woman A: She desires a young woman, not to give her up before
Old Woman A: Let him first test the old woman; if she is unwilling.
Old Woman A: first let her refuse, but let her desire the young woman,
Old Woman A: Let the older women have the new [husband].
Old Woman A: To drag them up, taking hold of the pot.
Young man: Alas! Today I shall become Procrustes.
Old Woman A: For we must obey our own laws.
Young Man: But what will a man of the citizens take away from me?
Young Man: Or has someone from among the friends come?
Old Woman A: But she is not the lawful wife.
OLD WOMAN A: No man is left worth a medimnus.
Young man: 'But is there not perjury?'
Gräus A: For there is no need of a turn.
Young Man: But I will pretend to be a merchant.
Old Woman A: You are weeping.
Young man: What then must we do?
Old Woman A: Come here and follow me.
Young Man: And must these things be done in secret from me?
Old Woman A: By Diomede, indeed.
Young Man: Now first, pull down your shirt a bit of the oregano.
Young Man: And, having broken four vines, take them up.
Young man: Bind the ribbons and put the oil flasks alongside.
Young Man: Put the water-jar and the strainer in front of the door.
Old Woman A: Yes, indeed, you will still buy a wreath for me.
Young man: By Zeus, whoever he may be, he is certainly one of the bees.
Young Man: I think you will fall down inside right away.
Young Man: Where are you dragging this man?
Old Woman A: I am bringing in her own.
Young Woman: She is not self-controlled; for she does not have the appropriate age.
Young man: to sleep beside you, being so old, since
Young Woman: You would be more of a mother to him than a wife.
Young Woman: So, if you will establish this law,
Young woman: You will fill the whole earth with Oedipuses.
Old Woman A: O you most hateful, envious of this speech!
Old Woman A: You discovered it; but I will punish you.
Young man: By Zeus the Savior, you have granted me a favor.
Young man: Oh, having most sweetly dismissed the old woman from me;
Young man: so instead of these good things, until evening
Young Man: I will render you a great and fat thanks.
Old Woman B: You, having crossed this law, where are you going?
OLD WOMAN B: You are dragging [it], [while] the letters have spoken on my behalf.
Old Woman B: Should he have been sleeping before?
Young Man: Alas, wretched me.
Young man: From where did you pop up, you most wretched washerwoman?
Young Man: For this is more ruinous than that evil.
Old Woman B: Walk here.
Young man: do not let me pass by unnoticed.
Young man: I beg you, being dragged by this woman.
OLD WOMAN B: But not I,
OLD WOMAN B: But the law drags you.
Young Man: Not me, but a drunk woman.
Young man: she is dressed in a blister of blood.
Old Woman B: Follow, you softies, over here, having completed [the task], and do not chatter.
Young Man: Come now, let me into the lavatory first.
Young man: come forward and be bold towards me; but if not,
Young man: You will see me immediately doing something red there.
Young man: By fear.
Old Woman B: Cheer up, walk! You will urinate inside.
Young Man: I too fear that it will happen more than I wish.
Young Man: But I will provide you with two guarantors.
Young Man: 'A man of credit.'
OLD WOMAN B: Do not make me stand down.
Old Woman G: Where are you going, where are you going?
Woman: Are you going with her?
Young Man: Not I, but I am being dragged.
Young Man: But whatever you may be, may many good things come to you,
Young Man: because you didn't notice me, having been rubbed down. O Heracles!
Young man: O Panes, O Corybantes, O Dioskoroi,
Young Man: This evil, again, is much more ruinous than that one.
Young Man: But what is this thing I am ever asking for?
Young Man: Whether a monkey is full of chickpeas,
Young man: 'Or a woman standing up among the majority?'
Old Woman: Do not mock me, but follow me here.
Old Woman B: Come then.
OLD WOMAN G: I will never let you go.
OLD WOMAN B: No indeed, I too.
Young man: You will tear me apart, you wretched women!
OLD WOMAN B: For I ought to have followed you according to the law.
There was no other old woman at all who appeared more shameless.
Young Man: If, therefore, I should perish first at your hands miserably,
Young Man: Come, how shall I arrive at that beautiful woman?
Old Woman G: Look at it yourself; but do these things.
Young man: So, having driven away the former fathers, do you now wish to be rid of the latter ones?
OLD WOMAN B: Don't you know? Come here.
Young Man: Let her be with me now.
OLD WOMAN: Well then, come here to me.
Young man: If only he would leave me alone.
Old Woman B: But I will not let you go, by Zeus.
Old Woman: Not at all, I too.
Young Man: You would have become difficult to ferry.
Old Woman B: What?
Young Man: You would have been able to drag the sailors away if you had been pulling.
OLD WOMAN B: walk here quietly.
Old Woman G: By Zeus, but just like me.
Young Man: This matter clearly according to the Cannonus.
Young Man: A decree, I must be drunk.
Young Man: So how will I be able to look at both of them?
Old Woman B: Well, after you have eaten a pot of bulbs.
Young Man: Alas, woe is me, she is already near the door.
Young man: I am being dragged.
OLD WOMAN B: But you will gain nothing from it.
Old Woman B: For I will go with you.
Young man: By the gods, no!
Young Man: For it is better to be united with one than with two evils.
Old Woman G: By Hecate, whether you wish it or not.
Young man: O wretched man, if a woman must be rotten.
Young man: to sleep the whole night and the day,
Young man: and then, when I have got rid of this woman, again
Young man: a young woman holding a lekythos by her cheeks.
Young Man: Am I not ill-fated? Well, I am certainly ill-fated.
Young Man: By Zeus the Savior, the man is both brave and wretched,
Young man: Whoever I shall bind to such beasts.
Young Man: Nevertheless, if I should suffer something many, many times
Young man: "Come here rowing under these two bald men"
Young Man: Bury me with that very mouth of the entrance,
Young Man: and this one, from above, lightly over the monument.
Young man: having smeared [her] alive and then the two feet
Young man: having poured lead around their ankles
Young Man: To put a pretext on top instead of a little oil-flask.
Servant: Oh, blessed indeed is the people, but happy am I,
Servant: You, my most blessed mistress,
Maid: you all, who stood by the doors.
Servant: all the neighbors and the tax-gatherers,
Maid: I, in addition to this, am the servant,
Maid: I who have anointed my head with perfumes,
Servant: For good men, O Zeus; and he has praised him much again.
Servant: of all these, the little jars from Thasos.
Maid: for she has been staying in her head for a long time;
Servant: But all the rest, once they had blossomed, flew away;
Servant: So it is very best, very indeed, O gods.
Therapaina: give unmixed wine, it will make the whole night cheerful.
Maid: [choose the ones] that smell the strongest.
Servant: But, women, tell me about my master,
Servant: the man, wherever he is, having acquired her.
Chorus: You seem to think that if they stay here, we would be able to find something.
Maid: Certainly, for she is coming right now for the dinner.
Maid: O mistress, O blessed and thrice blessed one.
Blepyrus: Me?
Attendant: But you, by Zeus, are like no man.
Maid: For who could be more blessed,
Servant: whoever of the citizens more than thirty thousand
Therapaina: Since the crowd is present, have you not dined alone?
Chorus: You have spoken a very fortunate thing about a man.
Servant: Where, where are you going?
Blepyrus: I am going to the dinner.
Servant: By Aphrodite, I am the very last of all.
Handmaiden: However, the woman ordered me to be seized.
Maid: I am to lead you and these girls along with you.
Servant: But Chian wine has been left over.
Servant: And all the rest well. Do not delay in response to these things,
Maidservant: and if any of the spectators happens to be well-disposed,
Attendant: 'And if none of the judges looks elsewhere,'
Servant: Let her go with us; for we will provide everything.
Blepyrus: So you will not speak nobly to everyone, then?
Blepyrus: And you will not leave out anything, but freely.
Blepyrus: You call an old man a youth and a girl? How...
Blepyrus: The dinner is prepared for them.
Blepyrus: They will go away entirely, if they go home.
Blepyrus: As for me, I will now start towards dinner.
Blepyrus: I also have a torch for you here, well.
Chorus: Why then do you delay, having come, but do not lead?
Chorus: Taking these things? While you are coming down, I
Chorus: I shall sing a pre-dinner song.
Chorus: And I want to propose a small matter to the judges.
Chorus: to the wise, indeed, of the wise who remember me, [to] judge,
Chorus: And I judge those who laugh gladly because of the laughter;
Chorus: Therefore, I essentially command almost everyone to judge me,
Chorus: nor let any lot be responsible to us,
Chorus: Because she has taken the lead; but all these things we must remember.
Chorus: Do not swear oaths, but judge the choruses correctly always,
Chorus: nor to be like the bad courtesans in their conduct,
Chorus: They alone always have a memory of the recent events.
Chorus: Oh, oh, what a time it is,
Chorus: O dear women, if indeed we are about to do the thing,
Chorus: to start for dinner. Therefore, with the Cretic rhythm, the two feet
Chorus: And you, move.
Blepyrus: I am doing this.
Chorus: And these women now
Chorus: With a light step, set the rhythm.
Chorus: for they are coming soon.
Chorus: Lopadotemachoselachogaleokranioleipsanodrimhypotrimmatosilphioparaomelitokatakechymmenokichlepikossyphophattoperisteralektryonoptekephallio-kigklopeleio-gonai-sylphio-parao-
Chorus: skull-cleaning, nose-cleaning, ear-cleaning, head-cleaning-
Chorus: silphium-cheese-honey-poured-
Chorus: a thief of starlings, jays, and pigeons-
Chorus: lectryonoptecephalio-kiglope-
Chorus: lio-lagō-o-si-rai-o-baphē-trag-
Chorus: Now fluttering. And you, having heard these things,
Chorus: quickly and swiftly take the bowl;
Chorus: then, having taken some ashes
Chorus: A lekythos, so that you may dine.
Chorus: But they are gorging somewhere.
Chorus: Lift up, and shout 'Eua!'
Chorus: We will dine, evvoe euai,
Chorus: Hurrah, as at a victory!
Chorus: Hurray, hurray, hurray, hurray.