FIRST WOMAN. There's nobody who does not know it.
PRAXAGORA. That he, as excellent a statesman as he is, is a clumsy tinker.[671]
FIRST WOMAN. And if the blear-eyed Neoclides[672] comes to insult you?
PRAXAGORA. To him I shall say, "Go and look at a dog's backside".[673]
FIRST WOMAN. And if they fly at you?
PRAXAGORA. Oh! I shall shake them off as best I can; never fear, I know how to use this tool.[674]
FIRST WOMAN. But there is one thing we don't think of. If the archers drag you away, what will you do?
PRAXAGORA. With my arms akimbo like this, I will never, never let myself be taken round the middle.
FIRST WOMAN. If they seize you, we will bid them let you go.
SECOND WOMAN. That's the best way. But how are we going to lift up our arm[675] in the Assembly, we, who only know how to lift our legs in the act of love?