CALONICÉ. Theagenes wife[396] at any rate is sure to come; she has actually been to consult Hecaté.... But look! here are some arrivals--and there are more behind. Ah! ha! now what countrywomen may they be? LYSISTRATA. They are from Anagyra.[397] CALONICÉ. Yes! upon my word, 'tis a levy _en masse_ of all the female population of Anagyra! MYRRHINÉ. Are we late, Lysistrata? Tell us, pray; what, not a word? LYSISTRATA. I cannot say much for you, Myrrhiné! you have not bestirred yourself overmuch for an affair of such urgency. MYRRHINÉ I could not find my girdle in the dark. However, if the matter is so pressing, here we are; so speak. LYSISTRATA. No, but let us wait a moment more, till the women of Boeotia arrive and those from the Peloponnese. MYRRHINÉ Yes, that is best.... Ah! here comes Lampito. LYSISTRATA. Good day, Lampito, dear friend from Lacedaemon. How well and handsome you look! what a rosy complexion! and how strong you seem; why, you could strangle a bull surely! LAMPITO. Yes, indeed, I really think I could. 'Tis because I do gymnastics and practise the kick dance.[398] LYSISTRATA. And what superb bosoms! LAMPITO. La! you are feeling me as if I were a beast for sacrifice. LYSISTRATA. And this young woman, what countrywoman is she? LAMPITO. She is a noble lady from Boeotia. LYSISTRATA. Ah! my pretty Boeotian friend, you are as blooming as a garden. CALONICÉ. Yes, on my word! and the garden is so prettily weeded too![399] LYSISTRATA. And who is this? LAMPITO. 'Tis an honest woman, by my faith! she comes from Corinth. LYSISTRATA. Oh! honest, no doubt then--as honesty goes at Corinth.[400] LAMPITO. But who has called together this council of women, pray? LYSISTRATA. I have. LAMPITO. Well then, tell us what you want of us. LYSISTRATA. With pleasure, my dear. MYRRHINÉ. What is the most important business you wish to inform us about? LYSISTRATA. I will tell you. But first answer me one question. MYRRHINÉ. What is that? LYSISTRATA. 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. CALONICÉ. Mine has been the last five months in Thrace--looking after Eucrates.[401] LYSISTRATA. 'Tis seven long months since mine left me for Pylos.[402] LAMPITO. 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. LYSISTRATA. 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? MYRRHINÉ. 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.[403]