Page:Comedies of Aristophanes (Hickie 1853) vol2.djvu/263

639 in his clamour, saying much good of the women, but much ill of you.

. Why, what did he say?

. First he said you were a knave.

. And of you?

. Don't ask this yet. And then a thief.

. I only?

. And, by Jove, an informer too.

. I only?

. And, by Jove, the greater part of these here. [Points to the audience.]

. Who denies this?

. A woman, on the other hand, he said was a clever and money-getting thing; and he said they did not constantly divulge the secrets of the Thesmophoria, while you and I always did so when we were senators.

. And, by Mercury, in this he did not lie!

. Then he said they lent to each other garments, gold, silver, drinking-cups, all alone, not in the presence of witnesses: and that they returned all these, and did not keep them back; while most of us, he said, did so.

. Yes, by Neptune, in the presence of witnesses!

. That they did not act the informer, did not bring actions, nor put down the democracy; but he praised the women for many good qualities, and for very many other reasons.

. What then was decreed?

. To commit the state to them. For this plan alone appeared not to have been tried as yet in the state.

. And has it been decreed?

. Certainly.