SIXTH WOMAN. There's no doubt of that; but the worst of it is our inexperience. PRAXAGORA. That's the very reason we are gathered here, in order to prepare the speech we must make in the Assembly. Hasten, therefore, all you who know aught of speaking, to fix on your beards. SEVENTH WOMAN. Oh! you great fool! is there ever a one among us cannot use her tongue? PRAXAGORA. Come, look sharp, on with your beard and become a man. As for me, I will do the same in case I should have a fancy for getting on to the platform. Here are the chaplets. SECOND WOMAN. Oh! great gods! my dear Praxagora, do look here! Is it not laughable? PRAXAGORA. How laughable? SECOND WOMAN. Our beards look like broiled cuttle-fishes. PRAXAGORA. The priest is bringing in--the cat.[656] Make ready, make ready! Silence, Ariphrades![657] Go and take your seat. Now, who wishes to speak? SEVENTH WOMAN. I do. PRAXAGORA. Then put on this chaplet[658] and success be with you. SEVENTH WOMAN. There, 'tis done! PRAXAGORA. Well then! begin. SEVENTH WOMAN. Before drinking? PRAXAGORA. Hah! she wants to drink![659] SEVENTH WOMAN. Why, what else is the meaning of this chaplet? PRAXAGORA. Get you hence! you would probably have played us this trick also before the people. SEVENTH WOMAN. Well! don't the men drink then in the Assembly? PRAXAGORA. Now she's telling us the men drink! SEVENTH WOMAN. Aye, by Artemis, and neat wine too. That's why their decrees breathe of drunkenness and madness. And why libations, why so many ceremonies, if wine plays no part in them? Besides, they abuse each other like drunken men, and you can see the archers dragging more than one uproarious drunkard out of the Agora. PRAXAGORA. Go back to your seat, you are wandering. SEVENTH WOMAN. Ah! I should have done better not to have muffled myself in this beard; my throat's afire and I feel I shall die of thirst. PRAXAGORA. Who else wishes to speak? EIGHTH WOMAN. I do. PRAXAGORA. Quick then, take the chaplet, for time's running short. Try to speak worthily, let your language be truly manly, and lean on your staff with dignity. EIGHTH WOMAN. I had rather have seen one of your regular orators giving you wise advice; but, as that is not to be, it behoves me to break silence; I cannot, for my part indeed, allow the tavern-keepers to fill up their wine-pits with water.[660] No, by the two goddesses.... PRAXAGORA. What? by the two goddesses![661] Wretched woman, where are your senses? EIGHTH WOMAN. Eh! what?... I have not asked you for a drink! PRAXAGORA. No, but you want to pass for a man, and you swear by the two goddesses. Otherwise 'twas very well. EIGHTH WOMAN. Well then. By Apollo.... PRAXAGORA. Stop! All these details of language must be adjusted; else it is quite useless to go to the Assembly. SEVENTH WOMAN. Pass me the chaplet; I wish to speak again, for I think I have got hold of something good. You women who are listening to me....