Sexual life in ancient Greece : with thirty-two full-page plates

ATTIC COMEDY

Old Woman: You will soon see; he'll be here presently ; he’ll come to me! See, here he comes himself !

[A youth 1s seen in the distance.]

Girl: He doesn’t want anything of you, you pest.

Old Woman: O yes, you skinny jade |!

Girl: His acts will show. TI’ll get away unseen.

[Leaves the Window.]

Old Woman: And so will I, that you may know that I’m right and you wrong!

Youth [entering crowned with flowers and carrying a torch]: Would that I might sleep with the young girl, nor first be doomed to have to do with an old, snub-nosed hag! This is unbearable for a free-born lad.

Old Woman [aside, peeping out]: ‘Then, by Zeus, you'll wench to your cost, for these are not the times of Charixena! Under a democratic government you must obey the laws! I'll run and watch what next you’re going to do. [Withdraws again.]

Youth: O might I find, dear gods, my fair one alone, to whom I might hasten, flushed with wine and overcome with longing for her !

Girl [looking out above]: That vile old hag, I neatly deceived her. She thinks I’m remaining within, so off she’s gone. But here’s the very lad of whom we were speaking. (Singing) This way, this way, come hither, my beloved! O come to my arms, my love, my own, see that you be my bedfellow this night. For the sight of your curls excites me exceedingly, and the wondrous desire which assails me has worn me away! O God of Love, I cry to thee ; in mercy and in pity for me! grant that he may come to my bed.

Youth [singing under the Girl’s window]: Hither, O hither, my love, I pray. Run down from above and open the gate, I pray: else I shall surely fall down and swoon in the dust | My beloved, come, I would rest in thy bosom. O Cypris, why dost thou make me so madly rage for her ? O God of Love,

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