THE PARLIAMENT OF WOMEN. 207

sandals, just as you see the men do when they are
going out. When this is done, fasten on your beards ;
put your husbands’ cloaks, which I hope you have
stolen, over all; take your staves, and march to the
place of Assembly. You can sing, as you go, some
old-fashioned ditty, and people will take you for
voters from the country. And make haste. Mind,
we must be there before dawn. Now let us be off,
and sing a stave as we go.”

The women accordingly marched away singing : —

“Let us hasten away ;
There’s no time for delay,
For the Archon has sworn
That who wishes to-day
To be sure of his pay
Must be there before morn
With our vouchers! in hand,
An unanimous band.

We will lift up our voice,
Making excellent choice

Of the women — nay, nay,
Of the men, I should say;

1 The meaning of the song seems to be that the seats in the place
of Assembly would be soon filled up, as it was only the first comers
who received the ticket or voucher, which, when business was finished,
was exchanged for the three odo/i, or half-drachma. The greedy fel-
lows who thought of nothing but their pay would soon come trooping
in; therefore the women must be beforehand with them to fill up their
seats. From this it was a natural digression to regret the growth of
the mercenary spirit, and to look back to the time when citizens were
more disinterested and discharged their public duties without looking
for reward,