Euripides Bacchae 912

Dionysus

You who are eager to see what you ought not and hasty in pursuit of what ought not to be pursued—I mean you, Pentheus, come forth before the house, be seen by me,

wearing the clothing of a woman, of an inspired maenad, a spy upon your mother and her company. Pentheus emerges. In appearance you are like one of Kadmos’ daughters.

915

Pentheus

Oh look! I think I see two suns, and twin Thebes , the seven-gated city.

And you seem to lead me, being like a bull and horns seem to grow on your head. But were you ever before a beast? For you have certainly now become a bull.

920

Dionysus

The god accompanies us, now at truce with us, though formerly not propitious. Now you see what you should see.

Pentheus

How do I look? Don’t I have the posture of Ino, or of my mother Agave?

925

Dionysus

Looking at you I think I see them. But this lock of your hair has come out of place, not the way I arranged it under your headband.

Pentheus

I displaced it indoors, shaking my head forwards and backwards and practising my Bacchic revelry.

930

Dionysus

But I who ought to wait on you will re-arrange it. Hold up your head.

Pentheus

Here, you arrange it; for I depend on you, indeed.

Dionysus

Your girdle has come loose, and the pleats of your gown do not extend regularly down around your ankles.

935

Pentheus

At least on my right leg, I believe they don’t. But on this side the robe sits well around the back of my leg.

Dionysus

You will surely consider me the best of your friends,

when contrary to your expectation you see the Bacchae acting modestly.

940

Pentheus

But shall I be more like a maenad holding the thyrsos in my right hand, or in my left?

Dionysus

You must hold it in your right hand and raise your right foot in unison with it. I praise you for having changed your mind.

Pentheus

Could I carry on my shoulders the glens of Kithairon, Bacchae and all?

945

Dionysus

You could if you were willing. The state of mind you had before was unsound, but now you think as you ought.

Pentheus

Shall we bring levers? Or shall I draw them up with my hands,

putting a shoulder or arm under the mountain-tops?

950

Dionysus

But don’t destroy the seats of the Nymphs and the places where Pan plays his pipes.

Pentheus

Well said. The women are not to be taken by force; I will hide in the pines.

Dionysus

You will hide yourself as you should be hidden, coming as a crafty spy on the Maenads.

955

Pentheus

Oh, yes! I imagine that like birds they are in the bushes held in the sweetest grips of love.

Dionysus

You have been sent as a guard against this very event.

Perhaps you will catch them, if you yourself are not caught before.

960

Pentheus

Bring me through the midst of the Theban land. I am the only man of them who dares to perform this deed.

Dionysus

You alone bear the burden for this city, you alone. Therefore the labors which are proper await you.

Follow me. I am your saving guide: another will lead you down from there.

965

Pentheus

Yes, my mother.

Dionysus

And you will be remarkable to all.

Pentheus

I am going for this reason.

Dionysus

You will return here being carried—

Pentheus

You talk of a delicacy for me.

Dionysus

In the arms of your mother.

Pentheus

You will force me to luxury.

Dionysus

Yes indeed, such luxury!

970

Pentheus

I will get what I deserve.

Dionysus

You are terrible, terrible, and you go to terrible sufferings, so that you will find a renown reaching to heaven. Reach out your hands, Agave, and you too, her sisters, daughters of Kadmos. I lead this young man

to a great contest, and Bromius and I will be the victors. The rest the matter itself will show.

975