Page:Comedies of Aristophanes (Hickie 1853) vol2.djvu/242

618 on by my friends at the Scira. But none of them is present, who ought to have come. And yet it is close upon day-break; and the Assembly will take place immediately; and we must take possession of different seats from those which Phyromachus formerly ordered, if you still remember, and sit down without being detected. What then can be the matter? Have they their beards not sewed on, which they were ordered to have? or has it been difficult for them to steal and take their husbands' clothes? But I see a lamp there approaching. Come, now let me retire back, lest the person who approaches should chance to be a man. [Retires to one side.]

(entering with a lamp). It is time to go; for the herald just now crowed the second time, as we were setting out.

. (coming forward out of her hiding-place). I was lying awake the whole night expecting you. But come, let me summon our neighbour here by tapping at her door: for I must escape the notice of her husband. [Taps at the door.]

(coming out of the house). I heard the tapping of your fingers, as I was putting on my shoes, since I was not asleep: for my husband, my dearest, (for he whom I live with is a Salaminian,) was occupying me the whole night