Aristophanes, Ecclesiazusae
Eugene O'Neill, Jr., Ed.

First Woman
Oh! what a brilliant man!

Praxagora
To her.
That's better! that's fitting applause.Continuing her speech. [205] Citizens, you are the ones who are the cause of all this trouble. You vote yourselves salaries out of the public funds and care only for your own personal interests; hence the state limps along like Aesimus. But if you hearken to me, you will be saved. [210] I assert that the direction of affairs must be handed over to the women, for they are the ones who have charge and look after our households.

First Woman
Very good, very good, that's perfect!

Second Woman
Go on, go on.

Praxagora
Ignoring this interruption.
They are worth more than you are, [215] as I shall prove. First of all they wash all their wool in warm water, according to the ancient practice; you will never see them changing their method. Ah! if Athens only acted thus, [220] if it did not take delight in ceaseless innovations, would not its happiness be assured? Then the women sit down to cook, just as they always did; they carry things on their head just as they always did; they keep the Thesmophoria, just as they always did; they knead their cakes just as they always did; they make their husbands angry just as they always did; [225] they receive their lovers in their houses just as they always did; they buy dainties just as they always did; they love unmixed wine just as they always did; they delight in being loved just as they always did. Let us therefore hand Athens over to them [230] without endless discussions, without bothering ourselves about what they will do; let us simply hand them over the power, remembering that they are mothers and will therefore spare the blood of our soldiers; besides, [235] who will know better than a mother how to forward provisions to the front? Woman is adept at getting money for herself and will not easily let herself be deceived; she understands deceit too well herself. I omit a thousand other advantages. [240] Take my advice and you will live in perfect happiness.