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Chorus
Let us honor Bacchus with the dance, let us raise a shout for what has befallen
Pentheus, descendant of the serpent, who assumed female attire and the wand, the beautiful thyrsos—certain death—and a bull was the leader of his calamity.
1155
Kadmean Bacchae, you have accomplished a glorious victory, but one that brings woe and tears. It is a noble contest to cover one’s dripping hands with the blood of one’s own son.
1160
1165
Let us honor Bacchus with the dance, let us raise a shout for what has befallen
Pentheus, descendant of the serpent, who assumed female attire and the wand, the beautiful thyrsos—certain death—and a bull was the leader of his calamity.
1155
Kadmean Bacchae, you have accomplished a glorious victory, but one that brings woe and tears. It is a noble contest to cover one’s dripping hands with the blood of one’s own son.
1160
Chorus Leader
But, for I see Pentheus’ mother Agave coming home, her eyes contorted, receive the revel of the god of joy!
1165
But, for I see Pentheus’ mother Agave coming home, her eyes contorted, receive the revel of the god of joy!
1165
Enter Agave
1184
Agave
Asian Bacchae—
Asian Bacchae—
Chorus
Why do you excite me, oh?
Why do you excite me, oh?
Agave
I am bringing home from the mountain a
freshly cut tendril to the house, blessed prey.
1170
I am bringing home from the mountain a
freshly cut tendril to the house, blessed prey.
1170
Chorus
I see it and will accept you as a fellow reveler.
I see it and will accept you as a fellow reveler.
Agave
I caught this young wild lion cub without snares,
as you can see.
1175
I caught this young wild lion cub without snares,
as you can see.
1175
Chorus
From what desert?
From what desert?
Agave
Kithairon—
Kithairon—
Chorus
Kithairon?
Kithairon?
Agave
Slew him.
Slew him.
Chorus
Who struck him?
Who struck him?
Agave
The honor is mine first.
I am called blessed Agave in the revels.
1180
The honor is mine first.
I am called blessed Agave in the revels.
1180
Chorus
Who else?
Who else?
Agave
Kadmos’—
Kadmos’—
Chorus
Kadmos’ what?
Kadmos’ what?
Agave
His other offspring took hold of this beast after me, after me. This is a lucky catch!
His other offspring took hold of this beast after me, after me. This is a lucky catch!
Chorus
Agave
Share in the feast then.
Share in the feast then.
Chorus
What? I share in the feast, wretched woman?
What? I share in the feast, wretched woman?
Agave
The bull is young; his cheek is just growing downy under his soft-haired crest.
1185
The bull is young; his cheek is just growing downy under his soft-haired crest.
1185
Chorus
Yes, his hair looks like a wild beast’s.
Yes, his hair looks like a wild beast’s.
Agave
Bacchus, a wise huntsman,
wisely set the Maenads against this beast.
1190
Bacchus, a wise huntsman,
wisely set the Maenads against this beast.
1190
Chorus
Our lord is a hunter.
Our lord is a hunter.
Agave
Do you praise me?
Do you praise me?
Chorus
I praise you.
I praise you.
Agave
Soon the Kadmeans—
Soon the Kadmeans—
Chorus
And your son Pentheus, too—
1195
And your son Pentheus, too—
1195
Agave
Will praise his mother who has caught this lion-like prey.
Will praise his mother who has caught this lion-like prey.
Chorus
Extraordinary.
Extraordinary.
Agave
And extraordinarily caught.
And extraordinarily caught.
Chorus
Are you proud?
Are you proud?
Agave
I am delighted, for I have performed great—yes, great—and notable deeds on this hunt.
I am delighted, for I have performed great—yes, great—and notable deeds on this hunt.
Bacchae. Euripides. T. A. Buckley (Translator). London. 1850.
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