206 ARISTOPHANES.

doing things. And-an excellent thing it would be
for Athens if it did the same. They bake bread
sitting, as their mothers did; they bear loads on
their heads, as their mothers did; they make cheese-
‘cakes, as their mothers did; they beat their husbands,
as their mothers did; they keep titbits for them-
selves, as their mothers did; they like good liquor,
as their mothers did. I say, then, hand over the
state to them; ask no idle questions as to what line
of policy they will follow; think only of this: they
are the mothers of our soldiers and they won’t see
them killed or starved; they are admirable providers ;
they are themselves so good at deceiving that no one
will ever be able to deceive them. I need say no
more: take my advice, and you will live happily ever
after.” \

“But, my dear creature,” cried one of the women
who had been listening, “how did you learn to
speak so well?”

“Oh!” replied Praxagora, “once when we had to
leave the country! I lodged with my good man close
by the place of Assembly, and I learnt the trick of
speaking by listening to the politicians.”

Woman. “Very good! and you shall be our first
prime minister. But how shall we manage to elect
you? Tell us that.”

Praxagora. “Tt won't be an easy matter, but still
it can be done. Tuck up your tunics; tie on your

1 During the annual invasion by the Spartan army.