Part 29

A trying life it is to be a mother! I suppose I'd better go. She comes down.

CINESIAS

How much younger she looks, How fresher and how prettier! Myrrhine, Lift up your lovely face, your disdainful face; And your ankle ... let your scorn step out its worst; It only rubs me to more ardor here.

MYRRHINE (playing with the child)

You're as innocent as he's iniquitous. Let me kiss you, honey-petting, mother's darling.

CINESIAS

How wrong to follow other women's counsel And let loose all these throbbing voids in yourself As well as in me. Don't you go throb-throb?

MYRRHINE

Take away your hands.

CINESIAS

Everything in the house Is being ruined.

MYRRHINE

I don't care at all.

CINESIAS

The roosters are picking all your web to rags. Do you mind that?

MYRRHINE

Not I.

CINESIAS

What time we've wasted We might have drenched with Paphian laughter, flung On Aphrodite's Mysteries. O come here.

MYRRHINE

Not till a treaty finishes the war.

CINESIAS

If you must have it, then we'll get it done.

MYRRHINE

Do it and I'll come home. Till then I am bound.

CINESIAS

Well, can't your oath perhaps be got around?

MYRRHINE