YOUNG MAN. Nothing compels me to do so, unless you have paid the levy of five hundredths for me.[722] FIRST OLD WOMAN. Look, by Aphrodité, there is nothing that delights me as much as sleeping with a lad of your years. YOUNG MAN. And I abhor such as you, and I will never, never consent. FIRST OLD WOMAN. But, by Zeus, here is something will force you to it. YOUNG MAN. What's that? FIRST OLD WOMAN. A decree, which orders you to enter my house. YOUNG MAN. Read it out then, and let's hear. FIRST OLD WOMAN. Listen. "The women have decreed, that if a young man desires a young girl, he can only possess her after having satisfied an old woman; and if he refuses and goes to seek the maiden, the old women are authorized to seize him by his privates and so drag him in." YOUNG MAN. Alas! I shall become a Procrustes.[723] FIRST OLD WOMAN. Obey the law. YOUNG MAN. But if a fellow-citizen, a friend, came to pay my ransom? FIRST OLD WOMAN. No man may dispose of anything above a medimnus.[724] YOUNG MAN. But may I not enter an excuse? FIRST OLD WOMAN. There's no evasion. YOUNG MAN. I shall declare myself a merchant and so escape service.[725] FIRST OLD WOMAN. Beware what you do! YOUNG MAN. Well! what is to be done? FIRST OLD WOMAN. Follow me. YOUNG MAN. Is it absolutely necessary? FIRST OLD WOMAN. Yes, as surely as if Diomedes had commanded it.[726] YOUNG MAN. Well then, first spread out a layer of origanum[727] upon four pieces of wood; bind fillets round your head, bring phials of scent and place a bowl filled with lustral water before your door.[728] FIRST OLD WOMAN. Will you buy a chaplet for me too? YOUNG MAN. Aye, if you outlast the tapers; for I expect to see you fall down dead as you go in. YOUNG GIRL. Where are you dragging this unfortunate man to? FIRST OLD WOMAN. 'Tis my very own property that I am leading in. YOUNG GIRL. You do ill. A young fellow like him is not of the age to suit you. You ought to be his mother rather than his wife. With these laws in force, the earth will be filled with Oedipuses.[729] FIRST OLD WOMAN. Oh! you cursed pest! 'tis envy that makes you say this; but I will be revenged. YOUNG MAN. By Zeus the Deliverer, what a service you have done me, by freeing me of this old wretch! with what ardour I will show you my gratitude in a form both long and thick! SECOND OLD WOMAN. Hi! you there! where are you taking that young man to, in spite of the law? The decree ordains that he must first sleep with me. YOUNG MAN. Oh! what a misfortune! Where does _this_ hag come from? 'Tis a more frightful monster than the other even. SECOND OLD WOMAN. Come here. YOUNG MAN (_to the young girl_). Oh! I adjure you, don't let me be led off by her! SECOND OLD WOMAN. 'Tis not I; 'tis the law that leads you off. YOUNG MAN. No, 'tis not the law, but an Empusa[730] with a body covered with blemishes and blotches. SECOND OLD WOMAN. Follow me, my handsome little friend, come along quick without any more ado.