Page:Comedies of Aristophanes (Hickie 1853) vol2.djvu/250

626. It's on account of Epigonus yonder. For when I looked thither I thought I was speaking to women.

. Away with you also, and sit down there. Methinks I must take this chaplet myself and speak for you. I pray to the gods that I may bring our plans to a successful issue. "I have an equal share in this country as you; but I am vexed and annoyed at all the transactions of the state. For I see it always employing bad leaders: and if any be good for one day, he is bad for ten. Have you committed it to another; he will do still more mischief. Therefore it is difficult to advise men so hard to please as you, who are afraid of those who wish to love you, but those who are not willing you constantly supplicate. There was a time when we did not make use of Assemblies at all, but considered Agyrrhius a villain. But now, when we do make use of them, he who has received money praises the custom above measure; but he who has not received, says that those who seek to receive pay in the Assembly are worthy of death."

. By Venus, you say this well.

. You have mentioned Venus, you wretch. You would have done a pretty thing, if you had said this in the Assembly.

. But I would not have said it.

. (to the first woman). Neither accustom yourself now to say it. [Returning to her subject.] "Again, when we deliberated about this alliance, they said the state would