Euripides Bacchae 417

Servant

Pentheus, we are here, having caught this prey

for which you sent us, nor have we set out in vain. This beast was docile in our hands and did not withdraw in flight, but yielded not unwillingly. He did not turn pale or change the wine-dark complexion of his cheek, but laughed and allowed us to bind him and lead him away.

435

He remained still, making my work easy, and I in shame said: Stranger, I do not lead you away willingly, but by order of Pentheus, who sent me. And the Bacchae whom you shut up, whom you carried off and bound in the chains of the public prison,

440

are set loose and gone, and are gamboling in the meadows, invoking Bromius as their god. Of their own accord, the chains were loosed from their feet and keys opened the doors without human hand. This man has come to Thebes

445

full of many wonders. You must take care of the rest.

450

Pentheus

Release his hands, for caught in the nets he is not so swift as to escape me. But your body is not ill-formed, stranger, for women’s purposes, for which reason you have come to Thebes .

For your hair is long, not through wrestling, scattered over your cheeks, full of desire; and you have a white skin from careful preparation, hunting after Aphrodite by your beauty not exposed to strokes of the sun, but beneath the shade.

455

First then tell me who your family is.

460

Dionysus

I can tell you this easily, without boasting. I suppose you are familiar with flowery Tmolus.

Pentheus

I know of it; it surrounds the city of Sardis .

Dionysus

I am from there, and Lydia is my fatherland.

Pentheus

Why do you bring these rites to Hellas ?

465

Dionysus

Dionysus, the child of Zeus, sent me.

Pentheus

Is there a Zeus who breeds new gods there?

Dionysus

No, but the one who married Semele here.

Pentheus

Did he compel you at night, or in your sight?

Dionysus

Seeing me just as I saw him, he gave me sacred rites.

470

Pentheus

What appearance do your rites have?

Dionysus

They can not be told to mortals uninitiated in Bacchic revelry.

Pentheus

And do they have any profit to those who sacrifice?

Dionysus

It is not lawful for you to hear, but they are worth knowing.

Pentheus

You have counterfeited this well, so that I desire to hear.

475

Dionysus

The rites are hostile to whoever practices impiety.

Pentheus

Are you saying that you saw clearly what the god was like?

Dionysus

He was as he chose; I did not order this.

Pentheus

Again you diverted my question well, speaking mere nonsense.

Dionysus

One will seem to be foolish if he speaks wisely to an ignorant man.

480

Pentheus

Did you come here first, bringing the god?

Dionysus

All the barbarians celebrate these rites.

Pentheus

Yes, for they are far more foolish than Hellenes.

Dionysus

In this at any rate they are wiser; but their laws are different.

Pentheus

Do you perform the rites by night or by day?

485

Dionysus

Mostly by night; darkness conveys awe.

Pentheus

This is treacherous towards women, and unsound.

Dionysus

Even during the day someone may devise what is shameful.

Pentheus

You must pay the penalty for your evil contrivances.

Dionysus

And you for your ignorance and impiety toward the god.

490

Pentheus

How bold the Bacchant is, and not unpracticed in speaking!

Dionysus

Tell me what I must suffer; what harm will you do to me?

Pentheus

First I will cut off your delicate hair.

Dionysus

My hair is sacred. I am growing it for the god.

Pentheus

Next give me this thyrsos from your hands.

495

Dionysus

Take it from me yourself. I bear it as the ensign of Dionysus.

Pentheus

We will guard your body within, in prison.

Dionysus

The god himself will release me, whenever I want.

Pentheus

Yes, when you call him, standing among the Bacchae.

Dionysus

Even now he see my sufferings from close by.

500

Pentheus

Where is he? He is not visible to my eyes.

Dionysus

Near me; but you, being impious, do not see him.

Pentheus

To attendants Seize him; he insults me and Thebes !

Dionysus

I warn you not to bind me, since I am in my senses and you are not.

Pentheus

And I, more masterful than you, bid them to bind you.

505

Dionysus

You do not know why you live, or what you are doing, or who you are.

Pentheus

I am Pentheus, son of Echion and Agave.

Dionysus

You are well-suited to be miserable in your name. ¹

Pentheus

Go. To attendants Shut him up near the horse

stable, so that he may see only darkness. To Dionysus Dance there; and as for these women whom you have led here as accomplices to your crimes, we will either sell them or, stopping their hands from this noise and beating of skins, I will keep them as slaves at the loom.

510

Dionysus

I will go, for I need not suffer that which is not necessary. But Dionysus, who you claim does not exist, will pursue you for these insults. For in injuring us, you put him in bonds.

515