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Very well, if you will have it so, we agree.

For ourselves, no doubt we shall persuade our husbands to conclude a fair and honest peace; but there is the Athenian populace, how are we to cure these folk of their warlike frenzy?

Have no fear; we undertake to make our own people hear reason.

Nay, impossible, so long as they have their trusty ships and the vast treasures stored in the temple of Athené.

Ah! but we have seen to that; this very day the Acropolis will be in our hands. That is the task assigned to the older women; while we are here in council, they are going, under pretence of offering sacrifice, to seize the citadel.

Well said indeed! so everything is going for the best.

Come, quick, Lampito, and let us bind ourselves by an inviolable oath.

Recite the terms; we will swear to them.

With pleasure. Where is our Usheress? Now, what are you staring at, pray? Lay this shield on the earth before us, its hollow upwards, and someone bring me the victim’s inwards.