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Pentheus
Could I carry on my shoulders the glens of Kithairon, Bacchae and all?
945
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
Yes, my mother.
Dionysus
And you will be remarkable to all.
And you will be remarkable to all.
Pentheus
I am going for this reason.
I am going for this reason.
Dionysus
You will return here being carried—
You will return here being carried—
Pentheus
You talk of a delicacy for me.
You talk of a delicacy for me.
Dionysus
In the arms of your mother.
In the arms of your mother.
Pentheus
You will force me to luxury.
You will force me to luxury.
Dionysus
Yes indeed, such luxury!
970
Yes indeed, such luxury!
970
Pentheus
I will get what I deserve.
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
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
Bacchae. Euripides. T. A. Buckley (Translator). London. 1850.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.