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Don’t you feel sad and sorry because the fathers of your children are far away from you with the army? For I’ll undertake, there is not one of you whose husband is not abroad at this moment.

Mine has been the last five months in Thrace—looking after Eucrates.

’Tis seven long months since mine left me for Pylos.

As for mine, if he ever does return from service, he’s no sooner back than he takes down his shield again and flies back to the wars.

And not so much as the shadow of a lover! Since the day the Milesians betrayed us, I have never once seen an eight-inch-long godemiche even, to be a leathern consolation to us poor widows. Now tell me, if I have discovered a means of ending the war, will you all second me?

Yes verily, by all the goddesses, I swear I will, though I have to put my gown in pawn, and drink the money the same day.