CHORUS. March along, go forward. Is there some man following us? Turn round, examine everywhere and keep a good look-out; be on your guard against every trick, for they might spy on us from behind. Let us make as much noise as possible as we tramp. It would be a disgrace for all of us if we allowed ourselves to be caught in this deed by the men. Come, wrap yourselves up well, and search both right and left, so that no mischance may happen to us. Let us hasten our steps; here we are close to the meeting-place, whence we started for the Assembly, and here is the house of our leader, the author of this bold scheme, which is now decreed by all the citizens. Let us not lose a moment in taking off our false beards, for we might be recognized and denounced. Let us stand under the shadow of this wall; let us glance round sharply with our eye to beware of surprises, while we quickly resume our ordinary dress. Ah! here is our leader, returning from the Assembly. Hasten to relieve your chins of these flowing manes. Look at your comrades yonder; they have already made themselves women again some while ago. PRAXAGORA. Friends, success has crowned our plans. But off with these cloaks and these boots quick, before any man sees you; unbuckle the Laconian straps and get rid of your staffs; and do you help them with their toilet. As for myself, I am going to slip quietly into the house and replace my husband's cloak and other gear where I took them from, before he can suspect anything. CHORUS. There! 'tis done according to your bidding. Now tell us how we can be of service to you, so that we may show you our obedience, for we have never seen a cleverer woman than you. PRAXAGORA. Wait! I only wish to use the power given me in accordance with your wishes; for, in the market-place, in the midst of the shouts and danger, I appreciated your indomitable courage. BLEPYRUS. Eh, Praxagora! where do you come from? PRAXAGORA. How does that concern you, friend? BLEPYRUS. Why, greatly! what a silly question! PRAXAGORA. You don't think I have come from a lover's? BLEPYRUS. No, perhaps not from only one. PRAXAGORA. You can make yourself sure of that. BLEPYRUS. And how? PRAXAGORA. You can see whether my hair smells of perfume. BLEPYRUS. What? cannot a woman possibly be loved without perfume, eh! PRAXAGORA. The gods forfend, as far as I am concerned. BLEPYRUS. Why did you go off at early dawn with my cloak? PRAXAGORA. A companion, a friend who was in labour, had sent to fetch me. BLEPYRUS. Could you not have told me? PRAXAGORA. Oh, my dear, would you have me caring nothing for a poor woman in that plight? BLEPYRUS. A word would have been enough. There's something behind all this. PRAXAGORA. No, I call the goddesses to witness! I went running off; the poor woman who summoned me begged me to come, whatever might betide.