Such a merry banquet I've never seen before! The Laconians were simply charming.After the drink is in, why, we're all wise men, every one of us.
MAGISTRATE
It's only natural, to be sure, for sober, we're all fools.Take my advice, my fellow-countrymen, our envoys should always be drunk.We go to Sparta; we enter the city sober; why, we must be picking a quarrel directly.We don't understand what they say to us, we imagine a lot they don't say at all, and we report home all wrong, all topsy-urvy.But, look you, to-day it's quite different; we're enchanted whatever happens; instead of Clitagora, they might sing us Telamon, and we should clap our hands just the same.A perjury or two into the bargain, why! What does that matter to merry companions in their cups? (The two CHORUSES return.) But here they are back again! Will you begone, you loafing scoundrels.
(The CHORUSES retire again.)
ATHENIAN
Ah ha! here's the company coming out already.
(Two choruses, one Laconian and one Athenian, enter, dancing to the music of flutes; they are followed by the women under the leadership of LYSISTRATA.)A LACONIAN
My dear, sweet friend, come, take your flute in hand; I would fain dance and sing my best in honour of the Athenians and our noble selves.
ATHENIAN
Yes, take your flute, in the gods'name.What a delight to see him dance!
LACONIAN (dancing and singing)