Page:Comedies of Aristophanes (Hickie 1853) vol2.djvu/246

622 beard of Pronomus, without being noticed. And yet, before this, he was a woman. But now, you see, be has the chief power in the state. On this account, by the coming day, let us venture on so great an enterprise, if by any means we be able to seize upon the administration of the state, so as to do the state some good. For now we neither sail nor row.

. Why, how can an effeminate conclave of women harangue the people?

. Nay, rather, by far the best, I ween. For they say, that as many of the youths also as most resemble women, are the most skilful in speaking. Now we have this by chance.

. I know not: the want of experience is a sad thing.

. Therefore we have assembled here on purpose, so that we might practise beforehand what we must say there. You cannot be too quick in tying on your beard; and the others, as many as have practised speaking.

. But who of us, my friend, does not know how to speak?