THIRD WOMAN. Hold my cloak, Philista!
MNESILOCHUS. Come on then, and by Demeter ...
THIRD WOMAN. Well! what?
MNESILOCHUS. ... I'll make you disgorge the sesame-cake you have
eaten.[595]
CHORUS. Cease wrangling! I see a woman[596] running here in hot haste.
Keep silent, so that we may hear the better what she has to say.
CLISTHENES. Friends, whom I copy in all things, my hairless chin
sufficiently evidences how dear you are to me; I am women-mad and make
myself their champion wherever I am. Just now on the market-place I heard
mention of a thing that is of the greatest importance to you; I come to
tell it you, to let you know it, so that you may watch carefully and be
on your guard against the danger which threatens you.
CHORUS. What is it, my child? I can well call you child, for you have so
smooth a skin.
CLISTHENES. 'Tis said that Euripides has sent an old man here to-day, one
of his relations ...
CHORUS. With what object? What is his purpose?
CLISTHENES. ... so that he may hear your speeches and inform him of your
deliberations and intentions.
CHORUS. But how would a man fail to be recognized amongst women?
CLISTHENES. Euripides singed and depilated him and disguised him as a
woman.
MNESILOCHUS. This is pure invention! What man is fool enough to let
himself be depilated? As for myself, I don't believe a word of it.
CLISTHENES. Are you mad? I should not have come here to tell you, if I
did not know it on indisputable authority.
CHORUS. Great gods! what is it you tell us! Come, women, let us not lose
a moment; let us search and rummage everywhere! Where can this man have
hidden himself escape our notice? Help us to look, Clisthenes; we shall
thus owe you double thanks, dear friend.
CLISTHENES (_to a fourth woman_). Well then! let us see. To begin with
you; who are you?
MNESILOCHUS (_aside_). Wherever am I to stow myself?
CLISTHENES. Each and every one must pass the scrutiny.
MNESILOCHUS (_aside_). Oh! great gods!