AGATHON. Here is my night-cap. EURIPIDES. Ah! that's capital. MNESILOCHUS. Does it suit me? AGATHON. It could not be better. EURIPIDES. And a short mantle? AGATHON. There's one on the couch; take it. EURIPIDES. He wants slippers. AGATHON. Here are mine. MNESILOCHUS. Will they fit me? You like a loose fit.[566] AGATHON. Try them on. Now that you have all you need, let me be taken inside.[567] EURIPIDES. You look for all the world like a woman. But when you talk, take good care to give your voice a woman's tone. MNESILOCHUS. I'll try my best. EURIPIDES. Come, get yourself to the temple. MNESILOCHUS. No, by Apollo, not unless you swear to me ... EURIPIDES. What? MNESILOCHUS. ... that, if anything untoward happen to me, you will leave nothing undone to save me. EURIPIDES Very well! I swear it by the Ether, the dwelling-place of the king of the gods.[568] MNESILOCHUS. Why not rather swear it by the disciples of Hippocrates?[569] EURIPIDES. Come, I swear it by all the gods, both great and small. MNESILOCHUS. Remember, 'tis the heart, and not the tongue, that has sworn;[570] for the oaths of the tongue concern me but little. EURIPIDES. Hurry yourself! The signal for the meeting has just been displayed on the Temple of Demeter. Farewell. [_Exit._ MNESILOCHUS. Here, Thratta, follow me.[571] Look, Thratta, at the cloud of smoke that arises from all these lighted torches. Ah! beautiful Thesmophorae![572] grant me your favours, protect me, both within the temple and on my way back! Come, Thratta, put down the basket and take out the cake, which I wish to offer to the two goddesses. Mighty divinity, oh, Demeter, and thou, Persephoné, grant that I may be able to offer you many sacrifices; above all things, grant that I may not be recognized. Would that my young daughter might marry a man as rich as he is foolish and silly, so that she may have nothing to do but amuse herself. But where can a place be found for hearing well? Be off, Thratta, be off; slaves have no right to be present at this gathering.[573] HERALD. Silence! Silence! Pray to the Thesmophorae, Demeter and Cora; pray to Plutus,[574] Calligenia,[575] Curotrophos,[576] the Earth, Hermes and the Graces, that all may happen for the best at this gathering, both for the greatest advantage of Athens and for our own personal happiness! May the award be given her, who, by both deeds and words, has most deserved it from the Athenian people and from the women! Address these prayers to heaven and demand happiness for yourselves. Io Paean! Io Paean! Let us rejoice!