to Sicily with Alcibiades and Nicias.

TRYGAEUS
Silence! if War should hear your shouts of joy he would bound
forth from his retreat in fury.

CHORUS
Such a decree overwhelms us with joy; how different to the
edict, which bade us muster with provisions for three days.[1]

f[1] Meaning, to start a military expedition.

TRYGAEUS
Let us beware lest the cursed Cerberus[1] prevent us even from
the nethermost hell from delivering the goddess by his furious howling,
just as he did when on earth.

f[1] Cleon.

CHORUS
Once we have hold of her, none in the world will be able to take her
from us. Huzza! huzza![1]

f[1] The Chorus insist on the conventional choric dance.

TRYGAEUS
You will work my death if you don't subdue your shouts. War will
come running out and trample everything beneath his feet.

CHORUS