SECOND CITIZEN. But I am going to deposit them. FIRST CITIZEN. When? SECOND CITIZEN. I am not the man to make delays. FIRST CITIZEN. How do you mean? SECOND CITIZEN. There will be many less eager than I. FIRST CITIZEN. In the meantime you are going to dine. SECOND CITIZEN. What else should I do? Every sensible man must give his help to the State. FIRST CITIZEN. But if admission is forbidden you? SECOND CITIZEN. I shall duck my head and slip in. FIRST CITIZEN. And if the women have you beaten? SECOND CITIZEN. I shall summon them. FIRST CITIZEN. And if they laugh you in the face? SECOND CITIZEN. I shall stand near the door ... FIRST CITIZEN. And then? SECOND CITIZEN. ... and seize upon the dishes as they pass. FIRST CITIZEN. Then go there, but after me. Sicon and Parmeno,[715] pick up all the baggage. SECOND CITIZEN. Come, I will help you carry it. FIRST CITIZEN. No, no, I should be afraid of your pretending to the leader that what I am depositing belonged to you. SECOND CITIZEN. Let me see! let me think of some good trick by which I can keep my goods and yet take my share of the common feast. Ha! that's a good notion! Quick! I'll go and dine, ha, ha! [_Exit laughing_. FIRST OLD WOMAN. How is this? no men are coming? And yet it must be fully time! 'Tis then for naught that I have painted myself with white lead, dressed myself in my beautiful yellow robe, and that I am here, frolicking and humming between my teeth to attract some passer-by! Oh, Muses, alight upon my lips, inspire me with some soft Ionian love-song! A YOUNG GIRL. You rotten old thing, you have placed yourself at the window before me. You were expecting to strip my vines during my absence and to trap some man in your snares with your songs. If you sing, I shall follow suit; all this singing will weary the spectators, but is nevertheless very pleasant and very diverting. FIRST OLD WOMAN. Ha! here is an old man; take him and lead him away. As for you, you young flute-player, let us hear some airs that are worthy of you and me. Let him who wishes to taste pleasure come to my side. These young things know nothing about it; 'tis only the women of ripe age who understand the art of love, and no one could know how to fondle the lover who possessed me so well as myself; the young girls are all flightiness. YOUNG GIRL. Don't be jealous of the young girls; voluptuousness resides in the pure outline of their beautiful limbs and blossoms on their rounded bosoms; but you, old woman, you who are tricked out and perfumed as if for your own funeral, are an object of love only for grim Death himself. FIRST OLD WOMAN. May your hole be stopped; may you be unable to find your couch when you want to be fucked. And on your couch, when your lips seek a lover, may you embrace only a viper!