MNESILOCHUS. And how we give meats to our lovers at the feast of the Apaturia and then accuse the cat.... THIRD WOMAN. She's mad! MNESILOCHUS. ... Have I mentioned the woman who killed her husband with a hatchet? Of another, who caused hers to lose his reason with her potions? And of the Acharnian woman ... THIRD WOMAN. Die, you bitch! MNESILOCHUS. ... who buried her father beneath the bath?[594] THIRD WOMAN. And yet we listen to such things? MNESILOCHUS. Have I told how you attributed to yourself the male child your slave had just borne and gave her your little daughter? THIRD WOMAN. This insult calls for vengeance. Look out for your hair! MNESILOCHUS. By Zeus! don't touch me. THIRD WOMAN. There! MNESILOCHUS. There! tit for tat! (_They exchange blows._) THIRD WOMAN. Hold my cloak, Philista! MNESILOCHUS. Come on then, and by Demeter ... THIRD WOMAN. Well! what? MNESILOCHUS. ... I'll make you disgorge the sesame-cake you have eaten.[595] CHORUS. Cease wrangling! I see a woman[596] running here in hot haste. Keep silent, so that we may hear the better what she has to say. CLISTHENES. Friends, whom I copy in all things, my hairless chin sufficiently evidences how dear you are to me; I am women-mad and make myself their champion wherever I am. Just now on the market-place I heard mention of a thing that is of the greatest importance to you; I come to tell it you, to let you know it, so that you may watch carefully and be on your guard against the danger which threatens you. CHORUS. What is it, my child? I can well call you child, for you have so smooth a skin. CLISTHENES. 'Tis said that Euripides has sent an old man here to-day, one of his relations ... CHORUS. With what object? What is his purpose? CLISTHENES. ... so that he may hear your speeches and inform him of your deliberations and intentions. CHORUS. But how would a man fail to be recognized amongst women? CLISTHENES. Euripides singed and depilated him and disguised him as a woman. MNESILOCHUS. This is pure invention! What man is fool enough to let himself be depilated? As for myself, I don't believe a word of it. CLISTHENES. Are you mad? I should not have come here to tell you, if I did not know it on indisputable authority. CHORUS. Great gods! what is it you tell us! Come, women, let us not lose a moment; let us search and rummage everywhere! Where can this man have hidden himself escape our notice? Help us to look, Clisthenes; we shall thus owe you double thanks, dear friend. CLISTHENES (_to a fourth woman_). Well then! let us see. To begin with you; who are you? MNESILOCHUS (_aside_). Wherever am I to stow myself? CLISTHENES. Each and every one must pass the scrutiny. MNESILOCHUS (_aside_). Oh! great gods! FOURTH WOMAN. You ask me who I am? I am the wife of Cleonymus.[597] CLISTHENES. Do you know this woman? CHORUS. Yes, yes, pass on to the rest. CLISTHENES. And she who carries the child? MNESILOCHUS (_aside_). I'm a dead man. (_He runs off._)