Page:Comedies of Aristophanes (Hickie 1853) vol2.djvu/264

640. And have all matters been committed to them, which used to be a care to the citizens?

. So it is.

. Then shall I not go to Court, but my wife?

. No, nor any longer shall you rear the children you have, but your wife.

. Nor any longer is it my business to groan at day-break?

. No; by Jove! but this now is the women's care; while you shall remain at home without groans.

. That thing is alarming for such as us; lest, when they have received the government of the state, they then compel us by force

. What to do?

. to lie with them.

. But what if we be not able?

. They will not give us our breakfast.

. Do you, by Jove, manage this, that you may breakfast and amuse yourself at the same time.

. Compulsion is most dreadful.

. But if this shall be profitable for the state, every man ought to do so. Certainly indeed there is a saying of our elders, "Whatever senseless or silly measures we determine on, that they all turn out for our advantage." And