Euripides, Bacchae, ed. Gilbert Murray, 1153-1199

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Χορός

ἀναχορεύσωμεν Βάκχιον,

ἀναβοάσωμεν ξυμφορὰν

τὰν τοῦ δράκοντος Πενθέος ἐκγενέτα·
1155

ὃς τὰν θηλυγενῆ στολὰν

νάρθηκά τε, πιστὸν Ἅιδαν,

ἔλαβεν εὔθυρσον,

ταῦρον προηγητῆρα συμφορᾶς ἔχων.

βάκχαι Καδμεῖαι,
1160

τὸν καλλίνικον κλεινὸν ἐξεπράξατε

ἐς στόνον, ἐς δάκρυα.

καλὸς ἀγών, χέρʼ αἵματι στάζουσαν

περιβαλεῖν τέκνου.

1165

Χορός

ἀλλʼ, εἰσορῶ γὰρ ἐς δόμους ὁρμωμένην
1165

Πενθέως Ἀγαύην μητέρʼ ἐν διαστρόφοις

ὄσσοις, δέχεσθε κῶμον εὐίου θεοῦ.

1168

Ἀγαύη

Ἀσιάδες βάκχαι —

Χορός

τί μʼ ὀροθύνεις, ὤ;

Ἀγαύη

φέρομεν ἐξ ὀρέων

ἕλικα νεότομον ἐπὶ μέλαθρα,
1170

μακάριον θήραν.

Χορός

ὁρῶ καί σε δέξομαι σύγκωμον.

Ἀγαύη

ἔμαρψα τόνδʼ ἄνευ βρόχων

λέοντος ἀγροτέρου νέον ἶνιν·

ὡς ὁρᾶν πάρα.
1175

Χορός

πόθεν ἐρημίας;

Ἀγαύη

Κιθαιρὼν

Χορός

Κιθαιρών;

Ἀγαύη

κατεφόνευσέ νιν.

Χορός

τίς ἁ βαλοῦσα;

Ἀγαύη

πρῶτον ἐμὸν τὸ γέρας.

μάκαιρʼ Ἀγαύη κλῃζόμεθʼ ἐν θιάσοις.
1180

Χορός

τίς ἄλλα;

Ἀγαύη

τὰ Κάδμου

Χορός

τί Κάδμου;

Ἀγαύη

γένεθλα

μετʼ ἐμὲ μετʼ ἐμὲ τοῦδʼ

ἔθιγε θηρός· εὐτυχής γʼ ἅδʼ ἄγρα.

Χορός

1184

Ἀγαύη

μέτεχέ νυν θοίνας.

Χορός

τί; μετέχω, τλᾶμον;

Ἀγαύη

νέος ὁ μόσχος ἄρ-
1185

τι γένυν ὑπὸ κόρυθʼ ἁπαλότριχα

κατάκομον θάλλει.

Χορός

πρέπει γʼ ὥστε θὴρ ἄγραυλος φόβῃ.

Ἀγαύη

ὁ Βάκχιος κυναγέτας

σοφὸς σοφῶς ἀνέπηλʼ ἐπὶ θῆρα
1190

τόνδε μαινάδας.

Χορός

ὁ γὰρ ἄναξ ἀγρεύς.

Ἀγαύη

ἐπαινεῖς;

Χορός

ἐπαινῶ.

Ἀγαύη

τάχα δὲ Καδμεῖοι

Χορός

καὶ παῖς γε Πενθεὺς
1195

Ἀγαύη

ματέρʼ ἐπαινέσεται,

λαβοῦσαν ἄγραν τάνδε λεοντοφυῆ.

Χορός

περισσάν.

Ἀγαύη

περισσῶς.

Χορός

ἀγάλλῃ;

Ἀγαύη

γέγηθα,

μεγάλα μεγάλα καὶ

φανερὰ τᾷδʼ ἄγρᾳ κατειργασμένα.

1200

Bacchae. Euripides. ed. Gilbert Murray. Oxford. 1913.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

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

Translations (3)

The Bacchae Perseus (Euripides. The Tragedies of Euripides. Vol. I. Buckley, Theodore Alois, translator. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1850. (Modernized by Perseus.)) — 1153-1198b focus

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

Chorus Leader

But, for I see Pentheus’ mother Agave coming home, her eyes contorted, receive the revel of the god of joy!
1165

1168

Enter Agave

Agave

Asian Bacchae—

Chorus

Why do you excite me, oh?

Agave

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.

Agave

I caught this young wild lion cub without snares,

as you can see.
1175

Chorus

From what desert?

Agave

Kithairon—

Chorus

Kithairon?

Agave

Slew him.

Chorus

Who struck him?

Agave

The honor is mine first.

I am called blessed Agave in the revels.
1180

Chorus

Who else?

Agave

Kadmos’—

Chorus

Kadmos’ what?

Agave

His other offspring took hold of this beast after me, after me. This is a lucky catch!

Chorus

1184

Agave

Share in the feast then.

Chorus

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

Chorus

Yes, his hair looks like a wild beast’s.

Agave

Bacchus, a wise huntsman,

wisely set the Maenads against this beast.
1190

Chorus

Our lord is a hunter.

Agave

Do you praise me?

Chorus

I praise you.

Agave

Soon the Kadmeans—

Chorus

And your son Pentheus, too—
1195

Agave

Will praise his mother who has caught this lion-like prey.

Chorus

Extraordinary.

Agave

And extraordinarily caught.

Chorus

Are you proud?

Agave

I am delighted, for I have performed great—yes, great—and notable deeds on this hunt.

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.) — 1153 focus

Hebt den Tanz an, feiert Bacchos,

Jubelt um Pentheus' Rachgeschick,

(ab.)

Der aus des Drachen Zähnen entsproß, der sich
1050

Hüllt' in Frauengewand, und den

Hohlstab zu gewiſſem Tode,

Den weinlaubigen, nahm,

Vom Stier, dem Gott, in seinen Untergang geführt.¹

Kadmos' bacchischer Chor,
1055

Der Siegeswonne hohes Lied vollendetet

Ihr in Thränen, in Leid!

Schön ist der Kampf, die Hand, in Blut

Triefend, zu legen an des eignen Sohnes Haupt!

Doch dort erblick ich, zum Palast her schreitet sie,
1060

Agave, Pentheus' Mutter, mit verdüstertem

Augstern: empfangt des Freudengottes Feierzug!

Agave tritt auf. Der Chor.

Agave.

Asische Bacchen, hårt!

Chor.

Was, ach! rufst du mir?

Agave.

Vom Berge bringen wir den jüngsterlegten Stier nach Haus,

Den gluckbekrönten Raub.
1065

Ich sehe: sei willkommen, Festgenossin! Heil!

Ihn fing ich ohne Schlingen, den, den jungen Löwen, wie du siehst.

Chor.

Wo in der Eindde?

Agave.

Kitharons Höhn -

Chor.

Kitharons?

Agave.

Gaben ihm den Tod.

Chor.

Wer traf zuerst ihn?
1070

Agave.

Mein ist der Ehre Verdienst:
1070

Selige Agave nennt mich der Chore Gesang.

Chor.

Wer nach dir?

Agave.

Des Kadmos -

Chor.

Des Kadmos?

Agave.

Des Kadmos Tochter trafen nach mir,

Nach mir dieses Wild.

Chor.

Glucklich durch diesen Fang!

Agave.

Nimm denn am Mahle Theil.
1075

Chor.

Theil ich Arme? Wie?
1075

Agave.

Der junge Stier hat jungst

Sein Kinn, von weichem Haar umwallt,

Geborgen unter'm Helm.

Chor.

Gleich eines Waldthiers Mähne sehn die Locken aus.

Agave.

Ein kluger Jäger, Bacchos, trieb auf dieses Wild die Må- naden los.
1080

Chor.

Ein Jagdkundiger!

Agave.

Du lobft mich?

Chor.

Wie? Dich loben?

Agave.

Doch bald loben mich

Die Theber, Pentheus spendet der Mutter sein Lob,

Die diesen Raub, den lowengebornen, erhascht,

Den muthigen muthig.
1085

Chor.

Du freust dich?
1085

Agave.

Ich freue mich, daß dieses Werk

Vollbracht ward von uns, groß in des Ruhmes Glanz.

Chor.

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Χορός ἀλλʼ, εἰσορῶ γὰρ ἐς δόμους ὁρμωμένην 1165 Πενθέως Ἀγαύην μητέρʼ ἐν διαστρόφοις ὄσσοις, δέχεσθε κῶμον εὐίου θεοῦ. 1168

Ἀγαύη Ἀσιάδες βάκχαι —

Χορός τί μʼ ὀροθύνεις, ὤ;

Ἀγαύη φέρομεν ἐξ ὀρέων ἕλικα νεότομον ἐπὶ μέλαθρα, 1170 μακάριον θήραν.

Χορός ὁρῶ καί σε δέξομαι σύγκωμον.

Ἀγαύη ἔμαρψα τόνδʼ ἄνευ βρόχων λέοντος ἀγροτέρου νέον ἶνιν· ὡς ὁρᾶν πάρα. 1175

Χορός πόθεν ἐρημίας;

Ἀγαύη Κιθαιρὼν

Χορός Κιθαιρών;

Ἀγαύη κατεφόνευσέ νιν.

Χορός τίς ἁ βαλοῦσα;

Ἀγαύη πρῶτον ἐμὸν τὸ γέρας. μάκαιρʼ Ἀγαύη κλῃζόμεθʼ ἐν θιάσοις. 1180

Χορός τίς ἄλλα;

Ἀγαύη τὰ Κάδμου

Χορός τί Κάδμου;

Ἀγαύη γένεθλα μετʼ ἐμὲ μετʼ ἐμὲ τοῦδʼ ἔθιγε θηρός· εὐτυχής γʼ ἅδʼ ἄγρα.

Χορός

Ἀγαύη μέτεχέ νυν θοίνας.

Χορός τί; μετέχω, τλᾶμον;

Ἀγαύη νέος ὁ μόσχος ἄρ- 1185 τι γένυν ὑπὸ κόρυθʼ ἁπαλότριχα κατάκομον θάλλει.

Χορός πρέπει γʼ ὥστε θὴρ ἄγραυλος φόβῃ.

Ἀγαύη ὁ Βάκχιος κυναγέτας σοφὸς σοφῶς ἀνέπηλʼ ἐπὶ θῆρα 1190 τόνδε μαινάδας.

Χορός ὁ γὰρ ἄναξ ἀγρεύς.

Ἀγαύη ἐπαινεῖς;

Χορός ἐπαινῶ.

Ἀγαύη τάχα δὲ Καδμεῖοι

Χορός καὶ παῖς γε Πενθεὺς 1195

Ἀγαύη ματέρʼ ἐπαινέσεται, λαβοῦσαν ἄγραν τάνδε λεοντοφυῆ.

Χορός περισσάν.

Ἀγαύη περισσῶς.

Χορός ἀγάλλῃ;

Ἀγαύη γέγηθα, μεγάλα μεγάλα καὶ φανερὰ τᾷδʼ ἄγρᾳ κατειργασμένα.

Current edition Perseus

Chorus Leader But, for I see Pentheus’ mother Agave coming home, her eyes contorted, receive the revel of the god of joy! 1165

Agave Asian Bacchae—

Chorus Why do you excite me, oh?

Agave 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.

Agave I caught this young wild lion cub without snares, as you can see. 1175

Chorus From what desert?

Agave Kithairon—

Chorus Kithairon?

Agave Slew him.

Chorus Who struck him?

Agave The honor is mine first. I am called blessed Agave in the revels. 1180

Chorus Who else?

Agave Kadmos’—

Chorus Kadmos’ what?

Agave His other offspring took hold of this beast after me, after me. This is a lucky catch!

Chorus

Agave Share in the feast then.

Chorus 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

Chorus Yes, his hair looks like a wild beast’s.

Agave Bacchus, a wise huntsman, wisely set the Maenads against this beast. 1190

Chorus Our lord is a hunter.

Agave Do you praise me?

Chorus I praise you.

Agave Soon the Kadmeans—

Chorus And your son Pentheus, too— 1195

Agave Will praise his mother who has caught this lion-like prey.

Chorus Extraordinary.

Agave And extraordinarily caught.

Chorus Are you proud?

Agave I am delighted, for I have performed great—yes, great—and notable deeds on this hunt.

Doch dort erblick ich, zum Palast her schreitet sie, 1060 Agave, Pentheus' Mutter, mit verdüstertem Augstern: empfangt des Freudengottes Feierzug! Agave tritt auf. Der Chor.

Agave.

Asische Bacchen, hårt!

Chor. Was, ach! rufst du mir?

Agave. Vom Berge bringen wir den jüngsterlegten Stier nach Haus, Den gluckbekrönten Raub. 1065 Ich sehe: sei willkommen, Festgenossin! Heil! Ihn fing ich ohne Schlingen, den, den jungen Löwen, wie du siehst.

Chor. Wo in der Eindde?

Agave. Kitharons Höhn -

Chor. Kitharons?

Agave. Gaben ihm den Tod.

Chor. Wer traf zuerst ihn? 1070

Agave. Mein ist der Ehre Verdienst: 1070 Selige Agave nennt mich der Chore Gesang.

Chor. Wer nach dir?

Agave. Des Kadmos -

Χορός

ἀλλʼ, εἰσορῶ γὰρ ἐς δόμους ὁρμωμένην
1165

Πενθέως Ἀγαύην μητέρʼ ἐν διαστρόφοις

ὄσσοις, δέχεσθε κῶμον εὐίου θεοῦ.

1168

Ἀγαύη

Ἀσιάδες βάκχαι —

Χορός

τί μʼ ὀροθύνεις, ὤ;

Ἀγαύη

φέρομεν ἐξ ὀρέων

ἕλικα νεότομον ἐπὶ μέλαθρα,
1170

μακάριον θήραν.

Χορός

ὁρῶ καί σε δέξομαι σύγκωμον.

Ἀγαύη

ἔμαρψα τόνδʼ ἄνευ βρόχων

λέοντος ἀγροτέρου νέον ἶνιν·

ὡς ὁρᾶν πάρα.
1175

Χορός

πόθεν ἐρημίας;

Ἀγαύη

Κιθαιρὼν

Χορός

Κιθαιρών;

Ἀγαύη

κατεφόνευσέ νιν.

Χορός

τίς ἁ βαλοῦσα;

Ἀγαύη

πρῶτον ἐμὸν τὸ γέρας.

μάκαιρʼ Ἀγαύη κλῃζόμεθʼ ἐν θιάσοις.
1180

Χορός

τίς ἄλλα;

Ἀγαύη

τὰ Κάδμου

Χορός

τί Κάδμου;

Ἀγαύη

γένεθλα

μετʼ ἐμὲ μετʼ ἐμὲ τοῦδʼ

ἔθιγε θηρός· εὐτυχής γʼ ἅδʼ ἄγρα.

Ἀγαύη

μέτεχέ νυν θοίνας.

Χορός

τί; μετέχω, τλᾶμον;

Ἀγαύη

νέος ὁ μόσχος ἄρ-
1185

τι γένυν ὑπὸ κόρυθʼ ἁπαλότριχα

κατάκομον θάλλει.

Χορός

πρέπει γʼ ὥστε θὴρ ἄγραυλος φόβῃ.

Ἀγαύη

ὁ Βάκχιος κυναγέτας

σοφὸς σοφῶς ἀνέπηλʼ ἐπὶ θῆρα
1190

τόνδε μαινάδας.

Χορός

ὁ γὰρ ἄναξ ἀγρεύς.

Ἀγαύη

ἐπαινεῖς;

Χορός

ἐπαινῶ.

Ἀγαύη

τάχα δὲ Καδμεῖοι

Χορός

καὶ παῖς γε Πενθεὺς
1195

Ἀγαύη

ματέρʼ ἐπαινέσεται,

λαβοῦσαν ἄγραν τάνδε λεοντοφυῆ.

Χορός

περισσάν.

Ἀγαύη

περισσῶς.

Χορός

ἀγάλλῃ;

Ἀγαύη

γέγηθα,

μεγάλα μεγάλα καὶ

φανερὰ τᾷδʼ ἄγρᾳ κατειργασμένα.

Chorus Leader

But, for I see Pentheus’ mother Agave coming home, her eyes contorted, receive the revel of the god of joy!
1165

Agave

Asian Bacchae—

Chorus

Why do you excite me, oh?

Agave

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.

Agave

I caught this young wild lion cub without snares,

as you can see.
1175

Chorus

From what desert?

Agave

Kithairon—

Chorus

Kithairon?

Agave

Slew him.

Chorus

Who struck him?

Agave

The honor is mine first.

I am called blessed Agave in the revels.
1180

Chorus

Who else?

Agave

Kadmos’—

Chorus

Kadmos’ what?

Agave

His other offspring took hold of this beast after me, after me. This is a lucky catch!

Agave

Share in the feast then.

Chorus

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

Chorus

Yes, his hair looks like a wild beast’s.

Agave

Bacchus, a wise huntsman,

wisely set the Maenads against this beast.
1190

Chorus

Our lord is a hunter.

Agave

Do you praise me?

Chorus

I praise you.

Agave

Soon the Kadmeans—

Chorus

And your son Pentheus, too—
1195

Agave

Will praise his mother who has caught this lion-like prey.

Chorus

Extraordinary.

Agave

And extraordinarily caught.

Chorus

Are you proud?

Agave

I am delighted, for I have performed great—yes, great—and notable deeds on this hunt.

Doch dort erblick ich, zum Palast her schreitet sie,
1060

Agave, Pentheus' Mutter, mit verdüstertem

Augstern: empfangt des Freudengottes Feierzug!

Agave tritt auf. Der Chor.

Chor.

Was, ach! rufst du mir?

Agave.

Vom Berge bringen wir den jüngsterlegten Stier nach Haus,

Den gluckbekrönten Raub.
1065

Ich sehe: sei willkommen, Festgenossin! Heil!

Ihn fing ich ohne Schlingen, den, den jungen Löwen, wie du siehst.

Chor.

Wo in der Eindde?

Agave.

Kitharons Höhn -

Chor.

Kitharons?

Agave.

Gaben ihm den Tod.

Chor.

Wer traf zuerst ihn?
1070

Agave.

Mein ist der Ehre Verdienst:
1070

Selige Agave nennt mich der Chore Gesang.

Chor.

Wer nach dir?

Agave.

Des Kadmos -

Chor.

Des Kadmos?

Agave.

Des Kadmos Tochter trafen nach mir,

Nach mir dieses Wild.

Chor.

Glucklich durch diesen Fang!

Nimm denn am Mahle Theil.
1075

Chor.

Theil ich Arme? Wie?
1075

Agave.

Der junge Stier hat jungst

Sein Kinn, von weichem Haar umwallt,

Geborgen unter'm Helm.

Chor.

Gleich eines Waldthiers Mähne sehn die Locken aus.