Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae (ed. Eugene O'Neill, Jr.)

Mnesilochus

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--is going to construct the framework of a drama. He is rounding fresh poetical forms, [55] he is polishing them in the lathe and is welding them; he is hammering out sentences and metaphors; he is working up his subject like soft wax. First he models it and then he casts it in bronze--

--and sways his buttocks amorously.

Who is the rustic that approaches this sacred enclosure?

Take care of yourself and of your [60] sweet-voiced poet! I have a strong tool here both well rounded and well polished, which will pierce your enclosure and penetrate you.

Old man, you must have been a very insolent fellow in your youth!

Let him be, friend, and, [65] quick, go and call Agathon to me.

It's not worth the trouble, for he will soon be here himself. He has started to compose, and in winter it is never possible to round off strophes without coming to the sun to excite the imagination.

[70] And what am I to do?

Wait till he gets here.

Oh, Zeus! what hast thou in store for me to-day?

Great gods, what is the matter now? What are you grumbling and groaning for? Tell me; you must not conceal anything from your father-in-law.

[75] Some great misfortune is brewing against me.

What is it?

This day will decide whether it is all over with Euripides or not.

But how? Neither the tribunals nor the Senate are sitting, [80] for it is the third day of the Thesmophoria.

That is precisely what makes me tremble; the women have plotted my ruin, and to-day they are to gather in the Temple of Demeter to execute their decision.

What have they against you?

[85] Because I mishandle them in my tragedies.

By Poseidon, you would seem to have thoroughly deserved your fate. But how are you going to get out of the mess?

I am going to beg Agathon, the tragic poet, to go to the Thesmophoria.

And what is he to do there?

[90] He would mingle with the women, and stand up for me, if needful.

Would he be openly present or secretly?

Secretly, dressed in woman's clothes.

That's a clever notion, thoroughly worthy of you. The prize for trickery is ours.

[95] Silence!

What's the matter?

Here comes Agathon.

Where, where?

That's the man they are bringing out yonder on the eccyclema.

I am blind then! I see no man here, I only see Cyrene.

Be still! He is getting ready to sing.

[100] What subtle trill, I wonder, is he going to warble to us?

This text is based on the following book(s):
Aristophanes. Women at the Thesmophoria. The Complete Greek Drama, vol. 2. Eugene O'Neill, Jr. New York. Random House. 1938.
OCLC: 32280428