Euripides, Bacchae, T. A. Buckley (Translator), 810

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Dionysus

Ah! Do you wish to see them sitting together in the mountains?
810

Pentheus

Certainly. I’d give an enormous amount of gold for that.

Dionysus

Why do you desire this so badly?

Pentheus

I would be sorry to see them in their drunkenness.

Dionysus

But would you see gladly what is grievous to you?
815

Pentheus

To be sure, sitting quietly under the pines.

Dionysus

But they will track you down, even if you go in secret.

Pentheus

You are right: I will go openly.

Dionysus

Shall I guide you? Will you attempt the journey?

Pentheus

Lead me as quickly as possible. I grudge you the time.
820

Dionysus

Put linen clothes on your body then.

Pentheus

What is this? Shall I then, instead of a man, be reckoned among the women?

Dionysus

Lest they kill you if you are seen there as a man.

Pentheus

Again you speak correctly: how wise you have been all along!

Dionysus

Dionysus taught me these things fully.
825

Pentheus

How can your advice to me be well carried out?

Dionysus

I will go inside and dress you.

Pentheus

In what clothing? Female? But shame holds me back.

Dionysus

Are you no longer eager to view the maenads?

Pentheus

What clothing do you bid me to put on my body?
830

Dionysus

I will spread out hair at length on your head.

Pentheus

What is the second part of my outfit?

Dionysus

A robe down to your feet. And you will wear a headband.

Pentheus

And what else will you add to this for me?

Dionysus

A thyrsos in your hand, and a dappled fawn-skin.
835

Pentheus

I could not put on a woman’s dress.

Dionysus

But you will shed blood if you join battle with the Bacchae.

Pentheus

True. We must go first and spy.

Dionysus

This is at any rate wiser than hunting trouble with trouble.

Pentheus

And how will I go through the city without being seen by the Thebans?
840

Dionysus

We will go on deserted roads. I will lead you.

Pentheus

Anything is better than to be mocked by the Bacchae. We two will go into the house . . . and I will consider what seems best.

Dionysus

It will be so; in any case I am ready.

Pentheus

I will go in. For either I will go bearing arms, or I will obey your counsels.
845

Dionysus

Women, the man is caught in our net. He will go to the Bacchae, where he will pay the penalty with his death. Dionysus, now it is your job; for you are not far off.

Let us punish him. First drive him out of his wits, send upon him a dizzying madness, since if he is of sound mind he will not consent to wear women’s clothing, but driven out of his senses he will put it on. I want him to be a source of laughter to the Thebans, led through the city in
850

women’s guise after making such terrible threats in the past. But now I will go to fit on Pentheus the dress he will wear to the house of Hades, slaughtered by his mother’s hands. He will recognize the son of Zeus,
855

Dionysus, who is in fact a god, the most terrible and yet most mild to men.
860

Bacchae. Euripides. T. A. Buckley (Translator). London. 1850.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

The Bacchae (English) (Euripides. The Tragedies of Euripides. Vol. I. Buckley, Theodore Alois, translator. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1850. (Modernized by Perseus.))

Editions (1)

Βάκχαι Perseus (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. III. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. (Reprinted 1920-1978)) — 810 focus

Διόνυσος

ἆ.
810

βούλῃ σφʼ ἐν ὄρεσι συγκαθημένας ἰδεῖν;

Πενθεύς

μάλιστα, μυρίον γε δοὺς χρυσοῦ σταθμόν.

Διόνυσος

τί δʼ εἰς ἔρωτα τοῦδε πέπτωκας μέγαν;

Πενθεύς

λυπρῶς νιν εἰσίδοιμʼ ἂν ἐξῳνωμένας.

Διόνυσος

ὅμως δʼ ἴδοις ἂν ἡδέως ἅ σοι πικρά;
815

Πενθεύς

σάφʼ ἴσθι, σιγῇ γʼ ὑπʼ ἐλάταις καθήμενος.

Διόνυσος

ἀλλʼ ἐξιχνεύσουσίν σε, κἂν ἔλθῃς λάθρᾳ.

Πενθεύς

ἀλλʼ ἐμφανῶς· καλῶς γὰρ ἐξεῖπας τάδε.

Διόνυσος

ἄγωμεν οὖν σε κἀπιχειρήσεις ὁδῷ;

Πενθεύς

ἄγʼ ὡς τάχιστα, τοῦ χρόνου δέ σοι φθονῶ.
820

Διόνυσος

στεῖλαί νυν ἀμφὶ χρωτὶ βυσσίνους πέπλους.

Πενθεύς

τί δὴ τόδʼ; ἐς γυναῖκας ἐξ ἀνδρὸς τελῶ;

Διόνυσος

μή σε κτάνωσιν, ἢν ἀνὴρ ὀφθῇς ἐκεῖ.

Πενθεύς

εὖ γʼ εἶπας αὖ τόδʼ· ὥς τις εἶ πάλαι σοφός.

Διόνυσος

Διόνυσος ἡμᾶς ἐξεμούσωσεν τάδε.
825

Πενθεύς

πῶς οὖν γένοιτʼ ἂν ἃ σύ με νουθετεῖς καλῶς;

Διόνυσος

ἐγὼ στελῶ σε δωμάτων ἔσω μολών.

Πενθεύς

τίνα στολήν; ἦ θῆλυν; ἀλλʼ αἰδώς μʼ ἔχει.

Διόνυσος

οὐκέτι θεατὴς μαινάδων πρόθυμος εἶ.

Πενθεύς

στολὴν δὲ τίνα φῂς ἀμφὶ χρῶτʼ ἐμὸν βαλεῖν;
830

Διόνυσος

κόμην μὲν ἐπὶ σῷ κρατὶ ταναὸν ἐκτενῶ.

Πενθεύς

τὸ δεύτερον δὲ σχῆμα τοῦ κόσμου τί μοι;

Διόνυσος

πέπλοι ποδήρεις· ἐπὶ κάρᾳ δʼ ἔσται μίτρα.

Πενθεύς

ἦ καί τι πρὸς τοῖσδʼ ἄλλο προσθήσεις ἐμοί;

Διόνυσος

θύρσον γε χειρὶ καὶ νεβροῦ στικτὸν δέρας.
835

Πενθεύς

οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην θῆλυν ἐνδῦναι στολήν.

Διόνυσος

ἀλλʼ αἷμα θήσεις συμβαλὼν βάκχαις μάχην.

Πενθεύς

ὀρθῶς· μολεῖν χρὴ πρῶτον εἰς κατασκοπήν.

Διόνυσος

σοφώτερον γοῦν ἢ κακοῖς θηρᾶν κακά.

Πενθεύς

καὶ πῶς διʼ ἄστεως εἶμι Καδμείους λαθών;
840

Διόνυσος

ὁδοὺς ἐρήμους ἴμεν· ἐγὼ δʼ ἡγήσομαι.

Πενθεύς

πᾶν κρεῖσσον ὥστε μὴ ʼγγελᾶν βάκχας ἐμοί.

ἐλθόντʼ ἐς οἴκους ἃν δοκῇ βουλεύσομαι.

Διόνυσος

ἔξεστι· πάντῃ τό γʼ ἐμὸν εὐτρεπὲς πάρα.

Πενθεύς

στείχοιμʼ ἄν· ἢ γὰρ ὅπλʼ ἔχων πορεύσομαι
845

ἢ τοῖσι σοῖσι πείσομαι βουλεύμασιν.

Διόνυσος

γυναῖκες, ἁνὴρ ἐς βόλον καθίσταται,

ἥξει δὲ βάκχας, οὗ θανὼν δώσει δίκην.

Διόνυσε, νῦν σὸν ἔργον· οὐ γὰρ εἶ πρόσω·

τεισώμεθʼ αὐτόν. πρῶτα δʼ ἔκστησον φρενῶν,
850

ἐνεὶς ἐλαφρὰν λύσσαν· ὡς φρονῶν μὲν εὖ

οὐ μὴ θελήσῃ θῆλυν ἐνδῦναι στολήν,

ἔξω δʼ ἐλαύνων τοῦ φρονεῖν ἐνδύσεται.

χρῄζω δέ νιν γέλωτα Θηβαίοις ὀφλεῖν

γυναικόμορφον ἀγόμενον διʼ ἄστεως
855

ἐκ τῶν ἀπειλῶν τῶν πρίν, αἷσι δεινὸς ἦν.

ἀλλʼ εἶμι κόσμον ὅνπερ εἰς Ἅιδου λαβὼν

ἄπεισι μητρὸς ἐκ χεροῖν κατασφαγείς,

Πενθεῖ προσάψων· γνώσεται δὲ τὸν Διὸς

Διόνυσον, ὃς πέφυκεν ἐν τέλει θεός,
860

δεινότατος, ἀνθρώποισι δʼ ἠπιώτατος.

Translations (2)

The Bacchae (OCR draft) Experimental (The Bacchae. Robert Potter's English verse translation, first published in 1781–1783; text from the 1808 Oxford printing.)

No corresponding passage available

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1845; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 2, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1845. Harvard OCR compared with an independent BSB copy. Native Donner verse citations, Murray reference cards, explicitly located notes and page facsimiles. Unresolved OCR, verse divisions, unlocated notes and printed errata are documented in the source review.) — 810 focus

Du willst die Frauen auf den Berghohn ſizen sehn?

Pentheus.

Wohl mocht' ich das, und gåbe schweres Gold darum.

Dionysos.

Wie kommt es, daß du, das zu sehn, so lüstern bist?

Pentheus.

Schlimm ging' es ihnen, fånd' ich sie von Wein beschwert.
725

Dionysos.

So willst du doch gern sehen, was dir bitter ist?

Pentheus.

Gewiß, ich size schweigend unter dem Tannenbaum.

Dionysos.

Sie werden dich ausspåhn, auch wenn du heimlich kommst.

Pentheus.

Gescheh' es offen! Wohlgesprochen hast du dies.

Dionysos.

So will ich führen, du betrittst mit uns den Pfad.
730

Pentheus.

Thu's ohne Shumen; gerne gonn' ich dir die Zeit.

Dionysos.

So hûll' in Byssosmantel dir die Glieder ein.

Pentheus.

Was soll das? Wandl' ich aus dem Mann zum Weib mich um?

Dionysos.

Du wirst ermordet, wenn du dort als Mann erscheinst.

Pentheus.

Da sprichst du recht; ein alter Weiser bist du wohl.
735

Dionysos.

Dionysos war's, der uns in Alles eingeweiht.

Pentheus.

Wie nun vollend' ich, was du mir gerathen hast?

Dionysos.

Ich will dich dort verkleiden, komm in's Haus hinein.

Pentheus.

In welches Kleid? In ein Fraungewand? Ich schame mich.

Dionysos.

zu schaun die Bacchen, trågst du kein Verlangen mehr?
740

Pentheus.

Welch eine Tracht denn, meinst du, daß ich wählen soll?

Dionysos.

Herab vom Haupte walle frei das Lockenhaar.

Pentheus.

Dann welches andern Schmuckes Art bestimmst du mir?

Dionysos.

Ein langes Festkleid, um das Haupt ein Diadem.

Pentheus.

Und fügst du dem noch etwas Andres bei für mich?
745

Dionysos.

In die Hand den Thyrsos, und des Rehs gefleckte Haut.

Pentheus.

In Fraungewand mich hållen kann ich nimmermehr.

Dionysos.

Doch morden willst du, wider Fraun zum Kampfe gehn,

Pentheus.

Ganz recht; vor Alem muß ich hingehn, um zu spåhn.

Dionysos.

Wohl klüger, als wenn Boses du zum Bösen håusst.
750

Pentheus.

Und wie gelang' ich unbemerkt durch Kadmos' Stadt?

Dionysos.

Auf den Pfaden wandeln wir; ich führe dich,

Pentheus.

Mir Alles lieber, als der Bacchen Spott zu sein.

Dionysos.

Gehen wir in's Haus, zu berathen, was uns heilsam dunkt?

Pentheus.

Es sei! In Allem bin ich dir zu Dienst bereit.
755

Ich geh' hinein: entweder komm' ich in Wehr gehüllt,

Freund, oder ich befolge deinen Rath sofort.

(geht in den Palast.)

Dionysos.

Der Mann, o Frauen, geht in's Nez, ein sichrer Fang,

Zur Schaar der Bacchen; sterbend wird er büßen dort.

Dionysos, nun vollende (denn du bist nicht fern)
760

Dein Werk; er soll uns büßen! Erst verrucke du

Durch leichten Wahnsinn sein Gemuth; denn, ist er sein

Bewußt, so legt er's nimmer an, das Frauenkleid ;

Doch, ist er sein nicht machtig, thut er's uns gewiß.

Ein Spottgelichter soll er mir vor Thebe sein,
765

Im Weiberanzug führ' ich ihn die Stadt hindurch,

Nachdem er vorhin drohend uns so kühn getrozt!

Doch nun enteil' ich; jenen Schmuck, mit dem er bald,

Von Mutterhand gemordet, fährt in Hades' Haus,

Empfange Pentheus! Wohl erkennt er dann zulezt,
770

Wer Bacchos sei, des Kroniden Sohn, der Sterblichen

Furchtbarste Gottheit und zugleich die mildeste.

Strophe. (ab.)

Chor.

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Dionysus Ah! Do you wish to see them sitting together in the mountains? 810

Pentheus Certainly. I’d give an enormous amount of gold for that.

Dionysus Why do you desire this so badly?

Pentheus I would be sorry to see them in their drunkenness.

Dionysus But would you see gladly what is grievous to you? 815

Pentheus To be sure, sitting quietly under the pines.

Dionysus But they will track you down, even if you go in secret.

Pentheus You are right: I will go openly.

Dionysus Shall I guide you? Will you attempt the journey?

Pentheus Lead me as quickly as possible. I grudge you the time. 820

Dionysus Put linen clothes on your body then.

Pentheus What is this? Shall I then, instead of a man, be reckoned among the women?

Dionysus Lest they kill you if you are seen there as a man.

Pentheus Again you speak correctly: how wise you have been all along!

Dionysus Dionysus taught me these things fully. 825

Pentheus How can your advice to me be well carried out?

Dionysus I will go inside and dress you.

Pentheus In what clothing? Female? But shame holds me back.

Dionysus Are you no longer eager to view the maenads?

Pentheus What clothing do you bid me to put on my body? 830

Dionysus I will spread out hair at length on your head.

Pentheus What is the second part of my outfit?

Dionysus A robe down to your feet. And you will wear a headband.

Pentheus And what else will you add to this for me?

Dionysus A thyrsos in your hand, and a dappled fawn-skin. 835

Pentheus I could not put on a woman’s dress.

Dionysus But you will shed blood if you join battle with the Bacchae.

Pentheus True. We must go first and spy.

Dionysus This is at any rate wiser than hunting trouble with trouble.

Pentheus And how will I go through the city without being seen by the Thebans? 840

Dionysus We will go on deserted roads. I will lead you.

Pentheus Anything is better than to be mocked by the Bacchae. We two will go into the house . . . and I will consider what seems best.

Dionysus It will be so; in any case I am ready.

Pentheus I will go in. For either I will go bearing arms, or I will obey your counsels. 845

Current edition Perseus

Διόνυσος ἆ. 810 βούλῃ σφʼ ἐν ὄρεσι συγκαθημένας ἰδεῖν;

Πενθεύς μάλιστα, μυρίον γε δοὺς χρυσοῦ σταθμόν.

Διόνυσος τί δʼ εἰς ἔρωτα τοῦδε πέπτωκας μέγαν;

Πενθεύς λυπρῶς νιν εἰσίδοιμʼ ἂν ἐξῳνωμένας.

Διόνυσος ὅμως δʼ ἴδοις ἂν ἡδέως ἅ σοι πικρά; 815

Πενθεύς σάφʼ ἴσθι, σιγῇ γʼ ὑπʼ ἐλάταις καθήμενος.

Διόνυσος ἀλλʼ ἐξιχνεύσουσίν σε, κἂν ἔλθῃς λάθρᾳ.

Πενθεύς ἀλλʼ ἐμφανῶς· καλῶς γὰρ ἐξεῖπας τάδε.

Διόνυσος ἄγωμεν οὖν σε κἀπιχειρήσεις ὁδῷ;

Πενθεύς ἄγʼ ὡς τάχιστα, τοῦ χρόνου δέ σοι φθονῶ. 820

Διόνυσος στεῖλαί νυν ἀμφὶ χρωτὶ βυσσίνους πέπλους.

Πενθεύς τί δὴ τόδʼ; ἐς γυναῖκας ἐξ ἀνδρὸς τελῶ;

Διόνυσος μή σε κτάνωσιν, ἢν ἀνὴρ ὀφθῇς ἐκεῖ.

Πενθεύς εὖ γʼ εἶπας αὖ τόδʼ· ὥς τις εἶ πάλαι σοφός.

Διόνυσος Διόνυσος ἡμᾶς ἐξεμούσωσεν τάδε. 825

Πενθεύς πῶς οὖν γένοιτʼ ἂν ἃ σύ με νουθετεῖς καλῶς;

Διόνυσος ἐγὼ στελῶ σε δωμάτων ἔσω μολών.

Πενθεύς τίνα στολήν; ἦ θῆλυν; ἀλλʼ αἰδώς μʼ ἔχει.

Διόνυσος οὐκέτι θεατὴς μαινάδων πρόθυμος εἶ.

Πενθεύς στολὴν δὲ τίνα φῂς ἀμφὶ χρῶτʼ ἐμὸν βαλεῖν; 830

Διόνυσος κόμην μὲν ἐπὶ σῷ κρατὶ ταναὸν ἐκτενῶ.

Πενθεύς τὸ δεύτερον δὲ σχῆμα τοῦ κόσμου τί μοι;

Διόνυσος πέπλοι ποδήρεις· ἐπὶ κάρᾳ δʼ ἔσται μίτρα.

Πενθεύς ἦ καί τι πρὸς τοῖσδʼ ἄλλο προσθήσεις ἐμοί;

Διόνυσος θύρσον γε χειρὶ καὶ νεβροῦ στικτὸν δέρας. 835

Πενθεύς οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην θῆλυν ἐνδῦναι στολήν.

Διόνυσος ἀλλʼ αἷμα θήσεις συμβαλὼν βάκχαις μάχην.

Πενθεύς ὀρθῶς· μολεῖν χρὴ πρῶτον εἰς κατασκοπήν.

Διόνυσος σοφώτερον γοῦν ἢ κακοῖς θηρᾶν κακά.

Πενθεύς καὶ πῶς διʼ ἄστεως εἶμι Καδμείους λαθών; 840

Διόνυσος ὁδοὺς ἐρήμους ἴμεν· ἐγὼ δʼ ἡγήσομαι.

Πενθεύς πᾶν κρεῖσσον ὥστε μὴ ʼγγελᾶν βάκχας ἐμοί. ἐλθόντʼ ἐς οἴκους ἃν δοκῇ βουλεύσομαι.

Διόνυσος ἔξεστι· πάντῃ τό γʼ ἐμὸν εὐτρεπὲς πάρα.

Πενθεύς στείχοιμʼ ἄν· ἢ γὰρ ὅπλʼ ἔχων πορεύσομαι 845 ἢ τοῖσι σοῖσι πείσομαι βουλεύμασιν.

Du willst die Frauen auf den Berghohn ſizen sehn?

Pentheus. Wohl mocht' ich das, und gåbe schweres Gold darum.

Dionysos. Wie kommt es, daß du, das zu sehn, so lüstern bist?

Pentheus. Schlimm ging' es ihnen, fånd' ich sie von Wein beschwert. 725

Dionysos. So willst du doch gern sehen, was dir bitter ist?

Pentheus. Gewiß, ich size schweigend unter dem Tannenbaum.

Dionysos. Sie werden dich ausspåhn, auch wenn du heimlich kommst.

Pentheus. Gescheh' es offen! Wohlgesprochen hast du dies.

Dionysos. So will ich führen, du betrittst mit uns den Pfad. 730

Dionysus

Ah! Do you wish to see them sitting together in the mountains?
810

Pentheus

Certainly. I’d give an enormous amount of gold for that.

Dionysus

Why do you desire this so badly?

Pentheus

I would be sorry to see them in their drunkenness.

Dionysus

But would you see gladly what is grievous to you?
815

Pentheus

To be sure, sitting quietly under the pines.

Dionysus

But they will track you down, even if you go in secret.

Pentheus

You are right: I will go openly.

Dionysus

Shall I guide you? Will you attempt the journey?

Pentheus

Lead me as quickly as possible. I grudge you the time.
820

Dionysus

Put linen clothes on your body then.

Pentheus

What is this? Shall I then, instead of a man, be reckoned among the women?

Dionysus

Lest they kill you if you are seen there as a man.

Pentheus

Again you speak correctly: how wise you have been all along!

Dionysus

Dionysus taught me these things fully.
825

Pentheus

How can your advice to me be well carried out?

Dionysus

I will go inside and dress you.

Pentheus

In what clothing? Female? But shame holds me back.

Dionysus

Are you no longer eager to view the maenads?

Pentheus

What clothing do you bid me to put on my body?
830

Dionysus

I will spread out hair at length on your head.

Pentheus

What is the second part of my outfit?

Dionysus

A robe down to your feet. And you will wear a headband.

Pentheus

And what else will you add to this for me?

Dionysus

A thyrsos in your hand, and a dappled fawn-skin.
835

Pentheus

I could not put on a woman’s dress.

Dionysus

But you will shed blood if you join battle with the Bacchae.

Pentheus

True. We must go first and spy.

Dionysus

This is at any rate wiser than hunting trouble with trouble.

Pentheus

And how will I go through the city without being seen by the Thebans?
840

Dionysus

We will go on deserted roads. I will lead you.

Pentheus

Anything is better than to be mocked by the Bacchae. We two will go into the house . . . and I will consider what seems best.

Dionysus

It will be so; in any case I am ready.

Pentheus

I will go in. For either I will go bearing arms, or I will obey your counsels.
845

Διόνυσος

ἆ.
810

βούλῃ σφʼ ἐν ὄρεσι συγκαθημένας ἰδεῖν;

Πενθεύς

μάλιστα, μυρίον γε δοὺς χρυσοῦ σταθμόν.

Διόνυσος

τί δʼ εἰς ἔρωτα τοῦδε πέπτωκας μέγαν;

Πενθεύς

λυπρῶς νιν εἰσίδοιμʼ ἂν ἐξῳνωμένας.

Διόνυσος

ὅμως δʼ ἴδοις ἂν ἡδέως ἅ σοι πικρά;
815

Πενθεύς

σάφʼ ἴσθι, σιγῇ γʼ ὑπʼ ἐλάταις καθήμενος.

Διόνυσος

ἀλλʼ ἐξιχνεύσουσίν σε, κἂν ἔλθῃς λάθρᾳ.

Πενθεύς

ἀλλʼ ἐμφανῶς· καλῶς γὰρ ἐξεῖπας τάδε.

Διόνυσος

ἄγωμεν οὖν σε κἀπιχειρήσεις ὁδῷ;

Πενθεύς

ἄγʼ ὡς τάχιστα, τοῦ χρόνου δέ σοι φθονῶ.
820

Διόνυσος

στεῖλαί νυν ἀμφὶ χρωτὶ βυσσίνους πέπλους.

Πενθεύς

τί δὴ τόδʼ; ἐς γυναῖκας ἐξ ἀνδρὸς τελῶ;

Διόνυσος

μή σε κτάνωσιν, ἢν ἀνὴρ ὀφθῇς ἐκεῖ.

Πενθεύς

εὖ γʼ εἶπας αὖ τόδʼ· ὥς τις εἶ πάλαι σοφός.

Διόνυσος

Διόνυσος ἡμᾶς ἐξεμούσωσεν τάδε.
825

Πενθεύς

πῶς οὖν γένοιτʼ ἂν ἃ σύ με νουθετεῖς καλῶς;

Διόνυσος

ἐγὼ στελῶ σε δωμάτων ἔσω μολών.

Πενθεύς

τίνα στολήν; ἦ θῆλυν; ἀλλʼ αἰδώς μʼ ἔχει.

Διόνυσος

οὐκέτι θεατὴς μαινάδων πρόθυμος εἶ.

Πενθεύς

στολὴν δὲ τίνα φῂς ἀμφὶ χρῶτʼ ἐμὸν βαλεῖν;
830

Διόνυσος

κόμην μὲν ἐπὶ σῷ κρατὶ ταναὸν ἐκτενῶ.

Πενθεύς

τὸ δεύτερον δὲ σχῆμα τοῦ κόσμου τί μοι;

Διόνυσος

πέπλοι ποδήρεις· ἐπὶ κάρᾳ δʼ ἔσται μίτρα.

Πενθεύς

ἦ καί τι πρὸς τοῖσδʼ ἄλλο προσθήσεις ἐμοί;

Διόνυσος

θύρσον γε χειρὶ καὶ νεβροῦ στικτὸν δέρας.
835

Πενθεύς

οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην θῆλυν ἐνδῦναι στολήν.

Διόνυσος

ἀλλʼ αἷμα θήσεις συμβαλὼν βάκχαις μάχην.

Πενθεύς

ὀρθῶς· μολεῖν χρὴ πρῶτον εἰς κατασκοπήν.

Διόνυσος

σοφώτερον γοῦν ἢ κακοῖς θηρᾶν κακά.

Πενθεύς

καὶ πῶς διʼ ἄστεως εἶμι Καδμείους λαθών;
840

Διόνυσος

ὁδοὺς ἐρήμους ἴμεν· ἐγὼ δʼ ἡγήσομαι.

Πενθεύς

πᾶν κρεῖσσον ὥστε μὴ ʼγγελᾶν βάκχας ἐμοί.

ἐλθόντʼ ἐς οἴκους ἃν δοκῇ βουλεύσομαι.

Διόνυσος

ἔξεστι· πάντῃ τό γʼ ἐμὸν εὐτρεπὲς πάρα.

Πενθεύς

στείχοιμʼ ἄν· ἢ γὰρ ὅπλʼ ἔχων πορεύσομαι
845

ἢ τοῖσι σοῖσι πείσομαι βουλεύμασιν.

Pentheus.

Wohl mocht' ich das, und gåbe schweres Gold darum.

Dionysos.

Wie kommt es, daß du, das zu sehn, so lüstern bist?

Pentheus.

Schlimm ging' es ihnen, fånd' ich sie von Wein beschwert.
725

Dionysos.

So willst du doch gern sehen, was dir bitter ist?

Pentheus.

Gewiß, ich size schweigend unter dem Tannenbaum.

Dionysos.

Sie werden dich ausspåhn, auch wenn du heimlich kommst.

Pentheus.

Gescheh' es offen! Wohlgesprochen hast du dies.

Dionysos.

So will ich führen, du betrittst mit uns den Pfad.
730

Pentheus.

Thu's ohne Shumen; gerne gonn' ich dir die Zeit.

Dionysos.

So hûll' in Byssosmantel dir die Glieder ein.

Pentheus.

Was soll das? Wandl' ich aus dem Mann zum Weib mich um?

Dionysos.

Du wirst ermordet, wenn du dort als Mann erscheinst.