CAL. (_re-arranging her dress_). I’ll don the broidered vest!
LYS. Nor wield a sword!
CAL. Sandals, aye, of the best!
LYS. For such an end should women not stand by?
CAL. Nay, by the gods, now ought they not to fly--
_Fly_ to us?
(_Dawn has begun._)
LYS. Ah! In every Grecian State
Women are doing as they ought--too late!
Not from the coast nor yet from Salamis
Comes countenance or aid;
(_Sounds of approaching voices from all sides._)
CAL. Yet I know this,--
Swift boats came o’er the strait at break of day.
LYS. And the Acharnian women still hold away,
Though first of all I reckoned upon these!
CAL. I heard of one--wife of Theogenes--
Swearing by Hecate _she_ meant to come.
(_Voices outside grow louder._)
But see, look yonder now! For there be some;
And here be others. Ha! ha! Whence come these?
LYS. From Anagyrus.
CAL. By the gods, one sees
Something has stirred them now, at any rate!
(_Enter_ MYRRHINA, _followed by_ STRATYLLIS _and others;
they are chattering and laughing, excited and half-dressed.
As they come they are finishing their toilets._)
MYRR. (_mincingly_). Lysistrata, I hope I am not too late.
Will you not speak then? Why so black a brow?
(_Goes to_ LYSISTRATA, _who turns away_.)
LYS. How can I praise you that you come but now--
So slow, Myrrhina, when Greece seeks our aid?
MYRR. ’Twas dark: I lost my girdle, and was afraid
To come alone.
1ST ATHEN. WOMAN. I could not find my shoes.
2ND ATHEN. WOMAN. Nor I my cap.
3RD ATHEN. WOMAN. Nay, truly?
STRAT. Well, what news?
What have we come for,--tell us!
MYRR. If the need
Be pressing, let us hear!
LYS. Not so, indeed!
Wait till those other women, who set forth
First to our summons, from the south and north,
From Peloponnese and from Bœotia come.
(_More voices are heard approaching._)
MYRR. Oh, when you please! But yonder I see some.
(_The women wave greetings. Enter from
the left_ LAMPITO _with other_ SPARTANS.)
LYS. O dear Laconia! Welcome, Lampito!
How shines your beauty, and how bright a glow
Of colour fills your face! O strong of limb!
Were Minotaur your match you’d throttle him.
LAMP. By the twin gods, I would try, any way!
I am a match for men, at fight or play.
(_Bends her arm and displays her biceps; a murmur of
admiration goes round; and other women feel theirs._)
LYS. Oh, what fair form is this?
LAMP. Nay, friend, let go!
Am I a victim that you hold me so?
LYS. A pledge of victory that shall soon be ours.
Ah, who be these?
(_The sun rises. Enter_ BŒOTIAN WOMEN.)
LAMP. Bœotians.
LYS. What bright flowers!
O fair Bœotia, with the full sweet breast
And locks wherein the sunlight seems to rest,
I give you greeting. Next?
(The BŒOTIAN WOMEN stand staring and giggling.
Enter CORINTHIAN WOMEN.)
LAMP. Corinthians these.
LYS. Oh, welcome Corinth, that between two seas
Lieth embraced, yet stayeth a virgin still.