CLEONICE
Yes! upon my word, ‚tis a levy en masse of all the female
population of Anagyra!
(MYRRHINE enters, followed by other women.)
MYRRHINE
Are we late, Lysistrata? Tell us, pray; what, not a word?
LYSISTRATA
I cannot say much for you, Myrrhine! you have not bestirred
yourself overmuch for an affair of such urgency.
MYRRHINE
I could not find my girdle in the dark. However, if the matter
is so pressing, here we are; so speak.
CLEONICE
No, let’s wait a moment more, till the women of Boeotia arrive and
those from the Peloponnese.
LYSISTRATA
Yes, that is best…. Ah! here comes Lampito. (LAMPITO, a husky
Spartan damsel, enters with three others, two from Boeotia and one
from Corinth.) Good day, Lampito, dear friend from Lacedaemon. How
well and handsome you look! what a rosy complexion! and how strong you
seem; why, you could strangle a bull surely!
LAMPITO
Yes, indeed, I really think I could. It’s because I do
gymnastics and practise the bottom-kicking dance.
CLEONICE (opening LAMPITO’S robe and baring her bosom)
And what superb breasts!
LAMPITO
La! you are feeling me as if I were a beast for sacrifice.
LYSISTRATA
And this young woman, where is she from?
LAMPITO
She is a noble lady from Boeotia.
LYSISTRATA
Ah! my pretty Boeotian friend, you are as blooming as a garden.
CLEONICE (making another inspection)
Yes, on my word! and her „garden“ is so thoroughly weeded too!
LYSISTRATA (pointing to the Corinthian)
And who is this?
LAMPITO
‚Tis an honest woman, by my faith! she comes from Corinth.
CLEONICE
Oh! honest, no doubt then-as honesty goes at Corinth.
LAMPITO
But who has called together this council of women, pray?
LYSISTRATA
I have.
LAMPITO
Well then, tell us what you want of us.
CLEONICE
Yes, please tell us! What is this very important business you wish
to inform us about?
LYSISTRATA
I will tell you. But first answer me one question.