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

Exit laughing.
Interlude of dancing by the Chorus.
The scene shifts to a different section of Athens and the two houses are now to be thought of as those of two prostitutes.

First Old Woman
Leaning out of the window of one house.
How is this? no men are coming? And yet it must be fully time! Then it is for naught that I have painted myself with white lead, dressed myself in my beautiful yellow robe, [880] and that I am here, frolicking and humming between my teeth to attract some passer-by! Oh, Muses, alight upon my lips, inspire me with some soft Ionian love-song!

Young Girl
In the window of the other house.
You putrid old thing, you have placed yourself at the window before me. [885] You were expecting to strip my vines during my absence and to trap some man in your snares with your songs. If you sing, I shall follow suit; all this singing will weary the spectators, but is nevertheless very pleasant and very diverting.

First Old Woman
Thumbing her nose at the Young Girl.
[890] Ha! here is an old man; take him and lead him away.To the flute-player. As for you, you young flute-player, let us hear some airs that are worthy of you and me.

She sings.
Let him who wishes to taste pleasure come to my side. [895] These young things know nothing about it; it's only the women of ripe age who understand the art of love, and no one could know how to fondle the lover who possessed me so well as myself; the young girls are all flightiness.