3RD LEADER OF MEN. To such a course as this!
1ST, 2ND, AND 4TH LEADERS OF MEN. As this!
SEVERAL MEN. Ho-hopp!
(_Another step forward._)
3RD LEADER OF MEN. And got possession of the Virgin shrine
And of the Acropolis--_my_ Acropolis.
1ST, 2ND, AND 4TH LEADERS OF MEN. _My_ Acropolis!
3RD LEADER OF MEN. And blocked the Propylæa--yours and mine.
1ST, 2ND, AND 4TH LEADERS OF MEN. Yours and mine!
3RD LEADER OF MEN. With hostile bolts and bars.
ALL THE MEN. Ho-hopp!
(_Those in front flag, the forepart of the log is let down.
The four_ LEADERS _come forward, leaving the others to do
the carrying. All immediately strike work._)
1ST LEADER OF MEN. So, ye propitious stars,
Now let us haste.
2ND LEADER OF MEN. And without waste of time
Take up our task sublime:
3RD LEADER OF MEN. And heaping up the pyre
Round all whom in this plot we count the worst--
4TH LEADER OF MEN. With our own hands set fire
To women so abominable, so accurst!
1ST LEADER OF MEN. Let us take first
Lysistrata, the wife
Of Lycon:
2ND LEADER OF MEN. Never again
While I have life
Shall she be heard making her mock on men.
3RD LEADER OF MEN. But now the steepest part of all the track
Toward those gates whereto I press with speed
Remains to pass:
And I must lift, alas!
This load.
(_He indicates the log of olive._)
And bear it up, alack, alack,
Unaided on my galled and jaded--
Back.
1ST LEADER OF MEN. Tarry awhile: this fire needs looking to,
Lest at our goal we find it perished quite,
And what, then, should we do?
(_They gather round firepan._)
2ND LEADER OF MEN. Faugh! Faugh! Now by my soul
This fire out of its pan
Like a mad dog has leapt and tries to bite--
Flies at my eyes, depriving me of sight!
4TH LEADER OF MEN. Oh, sorry joke!
3RD LEADER OF MEN (_rousing the carriers_).
But haste, and to the citadel press on!
The goddess needs your aid.
1ST LEADER OF MEN. Quick, Laches, now or never!
Though I am stayed
By this most stubborn fire, I come anon.
1ST, 2ND, 3RD, AND 4TH LEADERS OF MEN. Faugh! Faugh!
Oh, what a smoke!
2ND LEADER OF MEN. Yet, favoured of the gods, it lives, it wakes!
3RD LEADER OF MEN. Therefore I say, abandon now this yoke.
And, kindling at the flame these vine-wood stakes,
Rush forward!
4TH LEADER OF MEN. And with a sudden stroke
Beat in the doors!
1ST LEADER OF MEN. For if these rebel women--when we knock,
2ND LEADER OF MEN. Or when we call,