Page:The Eleven Comedies (1912) Vol 1.djvu/245

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And so will I, though I must be split in two like a flat-fish, and have half myself removed.

And I too; why, to secure Peace, I would climb to the top of Mount Taygetus.

Then I will out with it at last, my mighty secret! Oh! sister women, if we would compel our husbands to make peace, we must refrain

Refrain from what? tell us, tell us!

But will you do it?

We will, we will, though we should die of it.

We must refrain from the male organ altogether. Nay, why do you turn your backs on me? Where are you going? So, you bite your lips, and shake your heads, eh? Why these pale, sad looks? why these tears? Come, will you do it—yes or no? Do you hesitate?

No, I will not do it; let the War go on.

And you, my pretty flat-fish, who declared just now they might split you in two?

Anything, anything but that! Bid me go through the fire, if you will; but to rob us of the sweetest thing in all the world, my dear, dear Lysistrata!