protests.”
“This might be uncomfortable for you, but it would be little or no satisfaction to him. Passive resistance will accomplish wonders.”
“That’s easy enough to say, but in the matter of accommodation I confess that I invariably have an irresistible urge to cooperate actively.”
“Consider the ultimate objective, Calonice. Would you rather eat a seed than grow an olive tree?”
“Well, I refuse to become involved with figures of speech. They are only confusing to me and cause me to see virtues where none exist.”
At that moment another woman entered the court and hurried across it toward Lysistrata and Calonice. She was tall and rather angular and walked with a flurry of elbows and knees. It was Nausica, wife of Cadmus, and she was obviously bursting with curiosity.
“It is clear,” said Lysistrata, “that Cadmus has also had a report on affairs in my bed chamber, which he has promptly passed on, no doubt with embellishment, to our friend Nausica.”
“As you say,” said Calonice, “it’s clear.”
It was equally clear that Nausica had been walking rapidly and was short of breath. Without greetings, she began to speak in short bursts of words with little breaks between for gasps of air.
“Can you imagine, Lysistrata, what that fool husband of mine, Cadmus, has told me? The most preposterous story, I assure you. He has told me that you have refused accommodation to Lycon.”
“It’s true,” said Lysistrata. “I may as well admit it immediately.”
“You are just in time,” said Calonice, “to be the first disciple of our friend Lysistrata, which is an honor I willingly relinquish. She is planning a world rebellion of wives.”
“What’s this? What’s this? Explain yourself, please.”
“I mean that she plans to organize all the wives of all the citizens of all the countries involved in the Peloponnesian War into a great rebellion. No husband shall be accommodated until peace is assured.”
“What an absolute stroke of genius, Lysistrata! How ever did you think of it?”
“Well, it began with my personal grievances and developed quite naturally from there.”
“I knew at once that there was something more significant in this than Cadmus was willing to tell. The fool stuttered and stammered and related it most reluctantly. As a matter of fact, he volunteered nothing, and I had literally to force the truth from him after detecting that he was exceedingly disturbed. He is absolutely incapable of hiding his feelings, you know. What frightens him is that I may be influenced by the example.”
“Why should you be influenced?” said Calonice. “It is well known that Cadmus does not go to war.”
“True. He is like a grandmother with his ailments, none of which seem to handicap him in the least bit after dark. On the other hand, I have reached a time when accommodation, except on special occasions, is more of a nuisance than a pleasure. I think I should find Lysistrata’s rebellion exciting and satisfying, to say nothing of a relief.”
“Really?” said Lysistrata. “Do you consent, then, Nausica, to become my first disciple?”
“I do. I declare this instant that I do.”
“Good. I welcome you to the cause, and I must say that I admire you more than certain other people I could mention.”
“Thank you. I believe, however, that this rebellion can never be sustained in the home. The wives could not hold out. We must fortify ourselves, Lysistrata.”
“I agree that we must remove ourselves from temptation, and also from accessibility.”
“What place do you suggest?”
“There is only one place adequate.”
“Not the Acropolis!”
“Nothing else.”
“Lysistrata, you are becoming more and more daring all the time. Could it be managed?”
“I’m convinced that it could. The Acropolis is in the custody of old men who should be easily expelled by sufficiently determined women.”
“Why, I am all over goose pimples in anticipation of it! We must work
“This might be uncomfortable for you, but it would be little or no satisfaction to him. Passive resistance will accomplish wonders.”
“That’s easy enough to say, but in the matter of accommodation I confess that I invariably have an irresistible urge to cooperate actively.”
“Consider the ultimate objective, Calonice. Would you rather eat a seed than grow an olive tree?”
“Well, I refuse to become involved with figures of speech. They are only confusing to me and cause me to see virtues where none exist.”
At that moment another woman entered the court and hurried across it toward Lysistrata and Calonice. She was tall and rather angular and walked with a flurry of elbows and knees. It was Nausica, wife of Cadmus, and she was obviously bursting with curiosity.
“It is clear,” said Lysistrata, “that Cadmus has also had a report on affairs in my bed chamber, which he has promptly passed on, no doubt with embellishment, to our friend Nausica.”
“As you say,” said Calonice, “it’s clear.”
It was equally clear that Nausica had been walking rapidly and was short of breath. Without greetings, she began to speak in short bursts of words with little breaks between for gasps of air.
“Can you imagine, Lysistrata, what that fool husband of mine, Cadmus, has told me? The most preposterous story, I assure you. He has told me that you have refused accommodation to Lycon.”
“It’s true,” said Lysistrata. “I may as well admit it immediately.”
“You are just in time,” said Calonice, “to be the first disciple of our friend Lysistrata, which is an honor I willingly relinquish. She is planning a world rebellion of wives.”
“What’s this? What’s this? Explain yourself, please.”
“I mean that she plans to organize all the wives of all the citizens of all the countries involved in the Peloponnesian War into a great rebellion. No husband shall be accommodated until peace is assured.”
“What an absolute stroke of genius, Lysistrata! How ever did you think of it?”
“Well, it began with my personal grievances and developed quite naturally from there.”
“I knew at once that there was something more significant in this than Cadmus was willing to tell. The fool stuttered and stammered and related it most reluctantly. As a matter of fact, he volunteered nothing, and I had literally to force the truth from him after detecting that he was exceedingly disturbed. He is absolutely incapable of hiding his feelings, you know. What frightens him is that I may be influenced by the example.”
“Why should you be influenced?” said Calonice. “It is well known that Cadmus does not go to war.”
“True. He is like a grandmother with his ailments, none of which seem to handicap him in the least bit after dark. On the other hand, I have reached a time when accommodation, except on special occasions, is more of a nuisance than a pleasure. I think I should find Lysistrata’s rebellion exciting and satisfying, to say nothing of a relief.”
“Really?” said Lysistrata. “Do you consent, then, Nausica, to become my first disciple?”
“I do. I declare this instant that I do.”
“Good. I welcome you to the cause, and I must say that I admire you more than certain other people I could mention.”
“Thank you. I believe, however, that this rebellion can never be sustained in the home. The wives could not hold out. We must fortify ourselves, Lysistrata.”
“I agree that we must remove ourselves from temptation, and also from accessibility.”
“What place do you suggest?”
“There is only one place adequate.”
“Not the Acropolis!”
“Nothing else.”
“Lysistrata, you are becoming more and more daring all the time. Could it be managed?”
“I’m convinced that it could. The Acropolis is in the custody of old men who should be easily expelled by sufficiently determined women.”
“Why, I am all over goose pimples in anticipation of it! We must work
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