EURIPIDES. He would mingle with the women, and stand up for me, if needful.
MNESILOCHUS. Would he be openly present or secretly?
EURIPIDES. Secretly, dressed in woman's clothes.
MNESILOCHUS. That's a clever notion, thoroughly worthy of you. The prize for trickery is ours.
EURIPIDES. Silence!
MNESILOCHUS. What's the matter?
EURIPIDES. Here comes Agathon.
MNESILOCHUS. Where, where?
EURIPIDES. That's the man they are bringing out yonder on the machine.[548]
MNESILOCHUS. I am blind then! I see no man here, I only see Cyrene.[549]
[548] Refers presumably to the [Greek: ekkuklema], a piece of machinery by means of which interiors were represented on the Greek stage--room and occupant being in some way wheeled out into view of the spectators bodily.
[549] A celebrated 'lady of pleasure'; Agathon is like her by reason of his effeminate, wanton looks and dissolute habits.
Studies
