Part 24

I'll drop it any minute.

LYSISTRATA

Yesterday you weren't with child.

3RD WOMAN

But I am today. O let me find a midwife, Lysistrata. O quickly!

LYSISTRATA

Now what story is this you tell? What is this hard lump here?

3RD WOMAN

It's a male child.

LYSISTRATA

By Aphrodite, it isn't. Your belly's hollow, And it has the feel of metal.... Well, I soon can see. You hussy, it's Athene's sacred helm, And you said you were with child.

3RD WOMAN

And so I am.

LYSISTRATA

Then why the helm?

3RD WOMAN

So if the throes should take me Still in these grounds I could use it like a dove As a laying-nest in which to drop the child.

LYSISTRATA

More pretexts! You can't hide your clear intent, And anyway why not wait till the tenth day Meditating a brazen name for your brass brat?

WOMAN

And I can't sleep a wink. My nerve is gone Since I saw that snake-sentinel of the shrine.

WOMAN

And all those dreadful owls with their weird hooting! Though I'm wearied out, I can't close an eye.

LYSISTRATA

You wicked women, cease from juggling lies. You want your men. But what of them as well? They toss as sleepless in the lonely night, I'm sure of it. Hold out awhile, hold out, But persevere a teeny-weeny longer. An oracle has promised Victory If we don't wrangle. Would you hear the words?

WOMEN

Yes, yes, what is it?

LYSISTRATA