CLEONICE
Anything you wish.
LYSISTRATA
Don’t you feel sad and sorry because the fathers of your
children are far away from you with the army? For I’ll wager there
is not one of you whose husband is not abroad at this moment.
CLEONICE
Mine has been the last five months in Thrace-looking after
Eucrates.
MYRRHINE
It’s seven long months since mine left for Pylos.
LAMPITO
As for mine, if he ever does return from service, he’s no sooner
home than he takes down his shield again and flies back to the wars.
LYSISTRATA
And not so much as the shadow of a lover! Since the day the
Milesians betrayed us, I have never once seen an eight-inch gadget
even, to be a leathern consolation to us poor widows…. Now tell
me, if I have discovered a means of ending the war, will you all
second me?
CLEONICE
Yes verily, by all the goddesses, I swear I will, though I have to
put my gown in pawn, and drink the money the same day.
MYRRHINE
And so will I, though I must be split in two like a flat-fish, and
have half myself removed.
LAMPITO
And I too; why to secure peace, I would climb to the top of
Mount Taygetus.
LYSISTRATA
Then I will out with it at last, my mighty secret! Oh! sister
women, if we would compel our husbands to make peace, we must
refrain…
CLEONICE
Refrain from what? tell us, tell us!
LYSISTRATA
But will you do it?
MYRRHINE
We will, we will, though we should die of it.
LYSISTRATA
We must refrain from the male altogether…. Nay, why do you
turn your backs on me? Where are you going? So, you bite your lips,
and shake your heads, eh? Why these pale, sad looks? why these
tears? Come, will you do it-yes or no? Do you hesitate?
CLEONICE
I will not do it, let the war go on.