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

ATTIC COMEDY

Youth: No, no, I am afraid of your lover.

Old Woman: Whom do you mean ?

Youth: That best of painters.

Old Woman: Who is he, I wonder ?

Youth: Who paints the vases for the dead [i.e., the undertaker]. Be off—he’ll see you at the door !

Old Woman: I know, I know your wishes.

Youth: And I yours.

Old Woman: I vow by Aphrodite, whose own I am, I'll never let you go.

Youth : You’re mad, old woman.

Old Woman: Nonsense! T’ll drag you to my bed!

Youth: Why then need we buy hooks to raise our buckets, when an old hag like this, let down by the heels, could draw up all the buckets from our wells with her nails ?

Old Woman : No more jokes, my dear, but follow me at once.

Youth: But I need not do so, unless you've paid the tax—one-fifth per cent on all your years !

Old Woman: O yes, you must, by Aphrodite, because I love to sleep with lads like you !

Youth: But I don’t love to sleep with hags like you, nor will I ever do so !

OW Woman: O yes, you will. This will compel you !

Youth: What in the world is “ this ” ?

Old Woman: “This” is a decree which bids you follow me.

Youth: Let’s hear what it says.

Old Woman: O yes, my dear, I will. Be it enacted, please to listen, you, by us the ladies: if & youth desire a maiden he shall not have to do with her before he has first lain with some old woman A if the youth refuse, then may the old women be allowed to use violence and drag him in, laying hold of him by the middle.

Youth: A crusty law! a Procrustean law ! Old Woman: Well, anyhow, you must obey the aw !

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