THE LYSISTRATA, Gl 4-034

M. CH. Tills is nut a time for slumber ;

now lei. all the bold and free,
Strip to meefc the great occasion,

vindicate our rights with me.
I can smell a dee}), surprising
Tide of Revolution rising,
Odour as of folk devising

Uippias's tyranny.'1
And I feel a dire misgiving,
Lest some false Laconians, meeting

in the house of Cleisthenesj
Have inspired these wretched women

all our wealth and pay to seize,
Pay from whence I get my living.
Gods ! to hear these shallow wenehes

taking citizens to task,
Prattling of a brassy buckler,

jabbering of a martial casque !
Gods ! to think that they have ventured

with Laeoniari men to deal,
Men of just the faith and honour

that a ravening wolf might feel!
Plots they're hutching, plots contriving,

plots of rampant Tyranny ;
But o'er us they shan't be Tyrants,

no, for on my guard I'll be,
And 111 dress my sword in myrtle,6

and with firm and dauntless hand*
JLLiriiJb^side Aristogeiton

resolutely take my stand,
Marketing in arms beside him.

This the time and this the place

VOL. Ill V fiK