204 ARISTOPHANES.

would be fatally certain to betray them; whereas, if
they would only sit in front, keep well muffled up,
and show their beards, no one but would think that
‘they were men. “A number of old-women,” said
Praxagora, “have passed themselves off as men in
the Assembly before now.” The conspirators now
proceeded to have a rehearsal of what they would
have to do in the Assembly. For a time there was
a doubt whether any one-would be able to make a
speech; but they comforted themselves by remem-
bering that speech was the special gift of woman.
One of the meeting began by proposing that vintners
who kept a tank of water on their premises for weak-
ening their wines should be severely punished. She
made, however, the sad blunder of swearing by the
two goddesses, an oath which women only were ac-
customed to use; and, when allowed to address the
audience again, actually styled them “Ladies.” Prax-
agora, hopeless of getting anything done by helpers
so inefficient, resolved to carry the affair through by
herself, and, having assumed the chaplet, addressed
the meeting :—

“Gentlemen,” she said, “the weal of this city is
dear to meas it is to all of you, and it grieves me
to see how ill. its affairs prosper. Why do they
prosper ill? Because you have no leaders. If a
man behaves honestly for one day, he will be a
scoundrel for ten. Make a change, some will say.
Well, your new man will only do more mischief.”