Pumpkins, and pecks of salt, and ropes of onions,

Were voted to be merchandise from Megara,

Denounced, and seized, and sold upon the spot.

Well, these might pass, as petty local matters.

But now, behold, some doughty drunken youths

Kidnap, and carry away from Megara,

The courtesan, Simætha. Those of Megara,

In hot retaliation, seize a brace

Of equal strumpets, hurried forth perforce

From Dame Aspasia's house of recreation.