CHORUS. Great gods! what is it you tell us! Come, women, let us not lose a moment; let us search and rummage everywhere! Where can this man have hidden himself escape our notice? Help us to look, Clisthenes; we shall thus owe you double thanks, dear friend.
CLISTHENES (to a fourth woman). Well then! let us see. To begin with you; who are you?
MNESILOCHUS (aside). Wherever am I to stow myself?
CLISTHENES. Each and every one must pass the scrutiny.
MNESILOCHUS (aside). Oh! great gods!
FOURTH WOMAN. You ask me who I am? I am the wife of Cleonymus.[597]
CLISTHENES. Do you know this woman?
CHORUS. Yes, yes, pass on to the rest.
CLISTHENES. And she who carries the child?
MNESILOCHUS (aside). I'm a dead man. (He runs off.)
[597] The coward, often mentioned with contempt by Aristophanes, had thrown away his shield.
Studies
