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Enter Cleisthenes, dressed as a woman.
Cleisthenes
Friends, whom I copy in all things, [575] my hairless chin sufficiently evidences how dear you are to me; I am women-mad and make myself their champion wherever I am. Just now on the market-place I heard mention of a thing that is of the greatest importance to you; I come to tell it to you, to let you know it, so that [580] you may watch carefully and be on your guard against the danger which threatens you. Leader of the Chorus
What is it, my child? I can well call you child, for you have so smooth a skin. Cleisthenes
They say that Euripides [585] has sent an old man here to-day, one of his relations ... Leader of the Chorus
With what object? What is his idea? Cleisthenes
... so that he may hear your speeches and inform him of your deliberations and intentions. Leader of the Chorus
But how would a man fail to be recognized amongst women? Cleisthenes
[590] Euripides singed and depilated him and disguised him as a woman. Mnesilochus
This is pure invention! What man is fool enough to let himself be depilated? As for myself, I don't believe a word of it. Cleisthenes
[595] Nonsense! I should not have come here to tell you, if I did not know it on indisputable authority. Leader of the Chorus
Great gods! what is it you tell us! Come, women, let us not lose a moment; let us search and rummage everywhere! Where [600] can this man have hidden himself to escape our notice? Help us to look, Cleisthenes; we shall thus owe you double thanks, dear friend. Cleisthenes
Well then! let us see. To begin with you; who are you? Mnesilochus
aside
Wherever am I to stow myself? Cleisthenes
Each and every one must pass the scrutiny. Mnesilochus
aside
Oh! great gods! First Woman
[605] You ask me who I am? I am the wife of Cleonymus. Cleisthenes
to the Leader of the Chorus
Do you know this woman? Leader of the Chorus
Yes, yes, pass on to the rest. Cleisthenes
And she who carries the child? First Woman
Surely; she's my nurse. Mnesilochus
aside
This is the end. He runs off.
Cleisthenes
[610] Hi! you there! where are you going? Stop. What are you running away for? Mnesilochus
dancing on one leg
I want to take a pee, you brazen thing. Cleisthenes
Well, be quick about it; I shall wait for you here. Leader of the Chorus
Wait for her and examine her closely; she's the only one we do not know. Cleisthenes
[615] That's a long leak you're taking. Mnesilochus
God, yes; I am constricted; I ate some cress yesterday. Cleisthenes
What are you chattering about cress? Come here and be quick. He starts to pull Mnesilochus back.
Mnesilochus
Oh! don't pull a poor sick woman about like that. Cleisthenes
looking Mnesilochus square in the eye
Tell me, who is your husband? Mnesilochus
embarrassed
[620] My husband? Do you know a certain individual at Cothocidae ...? Cleisthenes
Whom do you mean? Give his name. Mnesilochus
He's an individual to whom the son of a certain individual one day ... Cleisthenes
You are drivelling! Let's see, have you ever been here before? Mnesilochus
Why certainly, every year. Cleisthenes
Who is your tent companion? Mnesilochus
[625] A certain ... Oh! my god! Cleisthenes
That's not an answer!
Aristophanes. Women at the Thesmophoria. The Complete Greek Drama, vol. 2. Eugene O'Neill, Jr. New York. Random House. 1938.
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