in view have they seized the citadel of Cranaus,[1] the sacred shrine that is raised upon the inaccessible rock of the Acropolis? Question them; be cautious and not too credulous. ’Twould be culpable negligence not to pierce the mystery, if we may.
Magistrate (addressing the women).
I would ask you first why ye have barred our gates.
Lysistrata.
To seize the treasury; no more money, no more war.
Magistrate.
Then money is the cause of the War?
Lysistrata.
And of all our troubles. ’Twas to find occasion to steal that Pisander[2] and all the other agitators were for ever raising revolutions. Well and good! but they’ll never get another drachma here.
Magistrate.
What do you propose to do then, pray?
Lysistrata.
You ask me that! Why, we propose to administer the treasury ourselves.
Magistrate.
You do?
Lysistrata.
What is there in that to surprise you? Do we not administer the budget of household expenses?
