Lysistrata quotes

There is no beast, no rush of fire, like woman so untamed. She calmly goes her way where even panthers would be shamed.

— Herald

By the two Goddesses, now can't you see All we have to do is idly sit indoors With smooth roses powdered on our cheeks, Our bodies burning naked through the folds Of shining Amorgos' silk, and meet the men With our dear Venus-plats plucked trim and neat.

— Lysistrata Calonice Myrrhine Lampito

By the Goddesses, you'll find that here await you Four companies of most pugnacious women Armed cap-a-pie from the topmost louring curl To the lowest angry dimple.

— Calonice

To take first the treasury out of your management, and so stop the war through the absence of gold.

— Calonice

For I'm taxed too, and as a toll provide men for the nation While, miserable greybeards, you, It is true, Contribute nothing of any importance whatever to our needs; But the treasure raised against the Medes You've squandered, and do nothing in return, save that you make Our lives and persons hazardous by some imbecile mistakes What can you answer? Now be careful, don't arouse my spite, Or with my slipper I'll take you napping, faces slapping Left and right.

— Women

And yet you are fool enough, it seems, to dare to war with me, When for your faithful ally you might win me easily.

— Herald

So fine it comes to this--Greece saved by Woman!

— Lysistrata Calonice Myrrhine Lampito

We must refrain from every depth of love.... Why do you turn your backs? Where are you going?

— Lysistrata Calonice Myrrhine Lampito

Lewd to the least drop in the tiniest vein, Our sex is fitly food for Tragic Poets, Our whole life's but a pile of kisses and babies. But, hardy Spartan, if you join with me All may be righted yet. O help me, help me.

— Lysistrata Calonice Myrrhine Lampito

And what if they do? No threat shall creak our hinges wide, no torch Shall light a fear in us; we will come out To Peace alone.

— Calonice

At which he would look at me sideways, exclaiming, "Keep for your web and your shuttle your care, Or for some hours hence your cheeks will be sore and hot; leave this alone, war is Man's sole affair!"

— Calonice

Why bars? It is not bars we need but common sense.

— Calonice

I love him O so much! but he won't have it. Don't call me down to him.

— Women

Earth is delighted now, peace is the voice of earth. Spartans, sort out your wives: Athenians, yours.

— Spartans

Yield then, but with a sluggish, cold indifference. There is no joy to them in sullen mating.

— Lysistrata Calonice Myrrhine Lampito

Here-- _Whenas the swallows flocking in one place from the hoopoes Deny themselves love's gambols any more, All woes shall then have ending and great Zeus the Thunderer Shall put above what was below before.

— Women

You know how to work. Play with him, lead him on, Seduce him to the cozening-point--kiss him, kiss him, Then slip your mouth aside just as he's sure of it, Ungirdle every caress his mouth feels at Save that the oath upon the bowl has locked.

— Women

But first, my friends and allies, let us lay these garments down, And all ye fellow-citizens, hark to me while I tell What will aid Athens well.

— Women