Oh! Pallas, who art fond of dances, hasten hither at my call. Oh! thou chaste virgin, the protectress of Athens, I call thee in accordance with the sacred rites, thee, whose evident protection we adore and who keepest the keys of our city in thy hands. Do thou appear, thou whose just hatred has overturned our tyrants. The womenfolk are calling thee; hasten hither at their bidding along with Peace, who shall restore the festivals. And ye, august goddesses,[645] display a smiling and propitious countenance to our gaze; come into your sacred grove, the entry to which is forbidden to men; 'tis there in the midst of sacred orgies that we contemplate your divine features. Come, appear, we pray it of you, oh, venerable Thesmophoriae! If you have ever answered our appeal, oh! come into our midst. EURIPIDES. Women, if you will be reconciled with me, I am willing, and I undertake never to say anything ill of you in future. Those are my proposals for peace. CHORUS. And what impels you to make these overtures? EURIPIDES. This unfortunate man, who is chained to the post, is my father-in-law; if you will restore him to me, you will have no more cause to complain of me; but if not, I shall reveal your pranks to your husbands when they return from the war. CHORUS. We accept peace, but there is this barbarian whom you must buy over. EURIPIDES. That's my business. (_He returns as an old woman and is accompanied by a dancing-girl and a flute-girl._) Come, my little wench, bear in mind what I told you on the road and do it well. Come, go past him and gird up your robe. And you, you little dear, play us the air of a Persian dance. SCYTHIAN. What is this music that makes me so blithe? EURIPIDES (_as an old woman_). Scythian, this young girl is going to practise some dances, which she has to perform at a feast presently. SCYTHIAN. Very well! let her dance and practise; I won't hinder her. How nimbly she bounds! one might think her a flea on a fleece. EURIPIDES. Come, my dear, off with your robe and seat yourself on the Scythian's knee; stretch forth your feet to me, that I may take off your slippers. SCYTHIAN. Ah! yes, seat yourself, my little girl, ah! yes, to be sure. What a firm little bosom! 'tis just like a turnip. EURIPIDES (_to the flute-girl_). An air on the flute, quick! (_To the dancing-girl._) Well! are you still afraid of the Scythian? SCYTHIAN. What beautiful thighs! EURIPIDES. Come! keep still, can't you? SCYTHIAN. 'Tis altogether a very fine morsel to make a man's cock stand. EURIPIDES. That's so! (_To the dancing-girl._) Resume your dress, it is time to be going. SCYTHIAN. Give me a kiss. EURIPIDES (_to the dancing-girl_). Come, give him a kiss. SCYTHIAN. Oh! oh! oh! my goodness, what soft lips! 'tis like Attic honey. But might she not stop with me? EURIPIDES. Impossible, archer; good evening. SCYTHIAN. Oh! oh! old woman, do me this pleasure. EURIPIDES. Will you give a drachma? SCYTHIAN. Aye, that I will.