By Apollo, no!

MYRRHINE

By Aphrodite, I'll do it anyway.

CINESIAS

Lord Zeus, may she soon use up all the myrrh.

MYRRHINE

Stretch out your hand. Take it and rub it in.

CINESIAS

Hmm, it's not as fragrant as might be; that is, Not before it's smeared. It doesn't smell of kisses.

MYRRHINE

How silly I am: I've brought you Rhodian scents.

CINESIAS

It's good enough, leave it, love.

MYRRHINE

You must be jesting.

CINESIAS

Plague rack the man who first compounded scent!

MYRRHINE

Here, take this flask.

CINESIAS

I've a far better one.

Don't tease me, come here, and get nothing more.

MYRRHINE

I'm coming.... I'm just drawing off my shoes....

You're sure you will vote for Peace?

CINESIAS

I'll think about it.

_She runs off._ I'm dead: the woman's worn me all away.

She's gone and left me with an anguished pulse.

MEN

Baulked in your amorous delight How melancholy is your plight.

With sympathy your case I view; For I am sure it's hard on you.

What human being could sustain This unforeseen domestic strain, And not a single trace Of willing women in the place!

CINESIAS

O Zeus, what throbbing suffering!

MEN

She did it all, the harlot, she With her atrocious harlotry.

WOMEN

Nay, rather call her darling-sweet.

MEN

What, sweet? She's a rude, wicked thing.

CINESIAS

A wicked thing, as I repeat.

O Zeus, O Zeus, Canst Thou not suddenly let loose Some twirling hurricane to tear Her flapping up along the air And drop her, when she's whirled around, Here to the ground Neatly impaled upon the stake That's ready upright for her sake.

_He goes out._

_Enter_ SPARTAN HERALD.

_The_ MAGISTRATE _comes forward_.

HERALD

What here gabs the Senate an' the Prytanes?

I've fetcht despatches for them.

MAGISTRATE

Are you a man Or a monstrosity?

HERALD

My scrimp-brained lad, I'm a herald, as ye see, who hae come frae Sparta Anent a Peace.

MAGISTRATE