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Interlude of dancing by the Chorus.
A Servant-Maid to Praxagora
She comes from the banquet.
What happiness is the people's! what joy is mine, and above all that of my mistress! Happy are ye, who form choruses before our house! Happy are ye, [1115] both neighbors and fellow-citizens! Happy am I myself! I am but a servant, and yet I have poured on my hair the most exquisite essences. Let thanks be rendered to thee, Oh, Zeus! But a still more delicious aroma is that of the wine of Thasos; [1120] its sweet bouquet delights the drinker for a long time, whereas the others lose their bloom and vanish quickly. Therefore, long life to the wine-jars of Thasos! Pour yourselves out unmixed wine, it will cheer you the whole night through, if you choose the liquor that possesses most fragrance.To the Chorus. [1125] But tell me, friends, where is my mistress's husband? Leader of the Chorus
Wait for him here; he will no doubt pass this way. Maid-Servant
Ah! there he is just going to dinner. Oh! master! what joy! what blessedness is yours! Blepyrus
[1130] Mine? Maid-Servant
None can compare his happiness to yours; you have reached its utmost height, you who, alone out of thirty thousand citizens have not yet dined. Leader of the Chorus
Aye, here is undoubtedly a happy man. Maid-Servant
[1135] Where are you off to? Blepyrus
I am going to dine. Maid-Servant
By Aphrodite, you will be the last of all, far and away the last. Yet my mistress has bidden me take you and take with you these three young girls. Some Chian wine is left and lots of [1140] other good things. Therefore hurry, and invite likewise all the spectators whom we have pleased, and such of the judges as are not against us, to follow us; we will offer them everything they can desire. Blepyrus
Generously invite everyone [1145] and omit no one, old or young. Dinner is ready for all; they need only go home. As for me, I shall go to the banquet [1150] with the customary torch in my hand. Chorus
But why do you tarry, Blepyrus? Take these young girls with you and, while you are away a while, I will whet my appetite with some dining-song. I have but a few words to say:
Aristophanes. Ecclesiazusae. The Complete Greek Drama, vol. 2. Eugene O'Neill, Jr. New York. Random House. 1938.
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