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?
[656] Young pigs were sacrificed at the beginning of the sittings; here the comic writer substitutes a cat for the pig, perhaps because of its lasciviousness.
[657] A pathic; Aristophanes classes him with the women, because of his effeminacy.
[658] The orators wore green chaplets, generally of olive leaves; guests also wore them at feasts, but then flowers were mingled with the leaves.
Studies
