(_The_ WOMEN _laugh and flourish defiantly_.)
CAL. Ah! there’ll be others soon in their alliance--
They’ll come and make short work of our defiance.
LYS. I care not for them! For they shall not bring
Enough of threat, or force, or fire to fling
Open these gates, until our terms be won.
Not so, by Heaven!
(_She raises her hand, the women rally round her._)
Our cause were then undone
For ever--to have women first proclaimed
So fierce and formidable, and then so tamed!
Be brave, quit you like men! So fare ye well.
Now to the gates! Bar up the citadel!
(_Exeunt_ LAMPITO _with the_ CORINTHIANS and BŒOTIANS.
_The_ ATHENIAN WOMEN _pass in through the gates_.
LYSISTRATA _enters last_.)
CHORUS (_sung as the women pass out_). Pallas Athene, hear!
Bend from thy throne,
And make, with lifted spear,
Our cause thine own!
O walls of Athens, homes of Greece,
The women’s war shall bring you peace.
(_The gates are shut and bolted._)
(_The stage remains empty and silent, the
slow, heavy tread of the men is heard
approaching._)
(_From within the gates a woman calls
“Cuckoo!” three times._)
(_Enter_ CHORUS OF OLD MEN. _Some carry
a heavy log on their shoulders, others
bundles of firewood. Two of them bear
upon a pole a brazier or firepan._)
1ST LEADER OF MEN. Advance, march firmly on; be not dejected!
Although like beasts of burden on our shoulder
We bear this yoke of olive which we have hauled for
So great a distance----
SEVERAL MEN. So great a distance!
(_They move a step forward._)
2ND LEADER OF MEN. And which with sore abrasion
Galleth the flesh:--
SEVERAL MEN. Ho-hopp! Galleth the flesh!
(_Another step forward._)
1ST LEADER OF MEN. Although its weight is great
And the occasion
Most melancholy and most uncalled for----
SEVERAL MEN. Ho-hopp! Uncalled for!
(_Another step forward._)
2ND LEADER OF MEN. Still swiftly we advance toward the gate,