---
title: "Bacchae · Βάκχαι"
author: "Euripides"
translator: "T. A. Buckley"
title_ru: "Вакханки"
author_ru: "Еврипид"
languages: [grc, en]
shelf: "Classical Greek"
section: 2 of 3
url: https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-bacchae/2/
cite: "Euripides, tr. T. A. Buckley, Bacchae · Βάκχαι, section 2. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-bacchae/2/"
---

# Bacchae · Βάκχαι

*Euripides, tr. T. A. Buckley*

Russian: Вакханки, Еврипид

Dionysus comes to Thebes, and King Pentheus refuses to know him.

> Greek: ed. Gilbert Murray, from the Perseus Digital Library (canonical-greekLit, tlg0006.tlg017, CC BY-SA 4.0).

> English: T. A. Buckley, from the Perseus Digital Library (tlg0006.tlg017.perseus-eng2). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the references the two texts share (line numbers), cut where both reach the end of a sentence.

## 2. Lines 491–942

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-bacchae/2/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/euripides-bacchae/2/#p-N

[¶0] Pentheus:
How bold the Bacchant is, and not unpracticed in speaking!

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ὡς θρασὺς ὁ βάκχος κοὐκ ἀγύμναστος λόγων.

[¶1] Dionysus:
Tell me what I must suffer; what harm will you do to me?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
εἴφʼ ὅ τι παθεῖν δεῖ· τί με τὸ δεινὸν ἐργάσῃ;

[¶2] Pentheus:
First I will cut off your delicate hair.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
πρῶτον μὲν ἁβρὸν βόστρυχον τεμῶ σέθεν.

[¶3] Dionysus:
My hair is sacred. I am growing it for the god.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἱερὸς ὁ πλόκαμος· τῷ θεῷ δʼ αὐτὸν τρέφω.

[¶4] Pentheus:
Next give me this thyrsos from your hands.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἔπειτα θύρσον τόνδε παράδος ἐκ χεροῖν.

[¶5] Dionysus:
Take it from me yourself. I bear it as the ensign of Dionysus.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
αὐτός μʼ ἀφαιροῦ· τόνδε Διονύσου φορῶ.

[¶6] Pentheus:
We will guard your body within, in prison.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
εἱρκταῖσί τʼ ἔνδον σῶμα σὸν φυλάξομεν.

[¶7] Dionysus:
The god himself will release me, whenever I want.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
λύσει μʼ ὁ δαίμων αὐτός, ὅταν ἐγὼ θέλω.

[¶8] Pentheus:
Yes, when you call him, standing among the Bacchae.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ὅταν γε καλέσῃς αὐτὸν ἐν βάκχαις σταθείς.

[¶9] Dionysus:
Even now he see my sufferings from close by.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
καὶ νῦν ἃ πάσχω πλησίον παρὼν ὁρᾷ.

[¶10] Pentheus:
Where is he? He is not visible to my eyes.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
καὶ ποῦ ʼστιν; οὐ γὰρ φανερὸς ὄμμασίν γʼ ἐμοῖς.

[¶11] Dionysus:
Near me; but you, being impious, do not see him.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
παρʼ ἐμοί· σὺ δʼ ἀσεβὴς αὐτὸς ὢν οὐκ εἰσορᾷς.

[¶12] Pentheus:
To attendants Seize him; he insults me and Thebes!

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
λάζυσθε· καταφρονεῖ με καὶ Θήβας ὅδε.

[¶13] Dionysus:
I warn you not to bind me, since I am in my senses and you are not.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
αὐδῶ με μὴ δεῖν σωφρονῶν οὐ σώφροσιν.

[¶14] Pentheus:
And I, more masterful than you, bid them to bind you.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἐγὼ δὲ δεῖν γε, κυριώτερος σέθεν.

[¶15] Dionysus:
You do not know why you live, or what you are doing, or who you are.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅ τι ζῇς, οὐδʼ ὃ δρᾷς, οὐδʼ ὅστις εἶ.

[¶16] Pentheus:
I am Pentheus, son of Echion and Agave.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
Πενθεύς, Ἀγαύης παῖς, πατρὸς δʼ Ἐχίονος.

[¶17] Dionysus:
You are well-suited to be miserable in your name.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἐνδυστυχῆσαι τοὔνομʼ ἐπιτήδειος εἶ.

[¶18] Pentheus:
Go. To attendants Shut him up near the horse
stable, so that he may see only darkness. To Dionysus Dance there; and as for these women whom you have led here as accomplices to your crimes, we will either sell them or, stopping their hands from this noise and beating of skins, I will keep them as slaves at the loom.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
χώρει· καθείρξατʼ αὐτὸν ἱππικαῖς πέλας
φάτναισιν, ὡς ἂν σκότιον εἰσορᾷ κνέφας.
ἐκεῖ χόρευε· τάσδε δʼ ἃς ἄγων πάρει
κακῶν συνεργοὺς ἢ διεμπολήσομεν
ἢ χεῖρα δούπου τοῦδε καὶ βύρσης κτύπου
παύσας, ἐφʼ ἱστοῖς δμωίδας κεκτήσομαι.

[¶19] Dionysus:
I will go, for I need not suffer that which is not necessary. But Dionysus, who you claim does not exist, will pursue you for these insults. For in injuring us, you put him in bonds.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
στείχοιμʼ ἄν· ὅ τι γὰρ μὴ χρεών, οὔτοι χρεὼν
παθεῖν. ἀτάρ τοι τῶνδʼ ἄποινʼ ὑβρισμάτων
μέτεισι Διόνυσός σʼ, ὃν οὐκ εἶναι λέγεις·
ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἀδικῶν κεῖνον εἰς δεσμοὺς ἄγεις.

[¶20] Chorus:
… Daughter of Acheloüs,
venerable Dirce, happy virgin, you once received the child of Zeus in your streams, when Zeus his father snatched him up from the immortal fire and saved him in his thigh,
crying out: “Go, Dithyrambus, enter this my male womb. I will make you illustrious, Bacchus, in Thebes, so that they will call you by this name.”

> Greek: Χορός:
…
Ἀχελῴου θύγατερ,
πότνιʼ εὐπάρθενε Δίρκα,
σὺ γὰρ ἐν σαῖς ποτε παγαῖς
τὸ Διὸς βρέφος ἔλαβες,
ὅτε μηρῷ πυρὸς ἐξ ἀ-
θανάτου Ζεὺς ὁ τεκὼν ἥρ-
πασέ νιν, τάδʼ ἀναβοάσας·
Ἴθι, Διθύραμβʼ, ἐμὰν ἄρ-
σενα τάνδε βᾶθι νηδύν·
ἀναφαίνω σε τόδʼ, ὦ Βάκ-
χιε, Θήβαις ὀνομάζειν.

[¶21] But you, blessed Dirce, reject me with my garland-bearing company about you. Why do you refuse me, why do you flee me? I swear by the cluster-bearing
delight of Dionysus’ vine that you will have a care for Bromius.

> Greek: σὺ δέ μʼ, ὦ μάκαιρα Δίρκα,
στεφανηφόρους ἀπωθῇ
θιάσους ἔχουσαν ἐν σοί.
τί μʼ ἀναίνῃ; τί με φεύγεις;
ἔτι ναὶ τὰν βοτρυώδη
Διονύσου χάριν οἴνας,
ἔτι σοι τοῦ Βρομίου μελήσει.

[¶22] Chorus:
What rage, what rage does the earth-born race show, and Pentheus,
once descended from a serpent—Pentheus, whom earth-born Echion bore, a fierce monster, not a mortal man, but like a bloody giant, hostile to the gods.

> Greek: Χορός:
οἵαν οἵαν ὀργὰν
ἀναφαίνει χθόνιον
γένος ἐκφύς τε δράκοντός
ποτε Πενθεύς, ὃν Ἐχίων
ἐφύτευσε χθόνιος,
ἀγριωπὸν τέρας, οὐ φῶ-
τα βρότειον, φόνιον δʼ ὥσ-
τε γίγαντʼ ἀντίπαλον θεοῖς·

[¶23] He will soon bind me, the hand-maid of Bromius, in chains, and he already holds my fellow-reveler within the house, hidden in a dark prison.

> Greek: ὃς ἔμʼ ἐν βρόχοισι τὰν τοῦ
Βρομίου τάχα ξυνάψει,
τὸν ἐμὸν δʼ ἐντὸς ἔχει δώ-
ματος ἤδη θιασώταν
σκοτίαις κρυπτὸν ἐν εἱρκταῖς.

[¶24] Do you see this, O Dionysus, son of Zeus, your priests in the dangers of restraint? Come, lord, down from Olympus, brandishing your golden thyrsos,
and restrain the insolence of the blood-thirsty man.

> Greek: ἐσορᾷς τάδʼ, ὦ Διὸς παῖ
Διόνυσε, σοὺς προφήτας
ἐν ἁμίλλαισιν ἀνάγκας;
μόλε, χρυσῶπα τινάσσων,
ἄνα, θύρσον κατʼ Ὄλυμπον,
φονίου δʼ ἀνδρὸς ὕβριν κατάσχες.

[¶25] Chorus:
Where on Nysa, which nourishes wild beasts, or on Corycian heights, do you lead with your thyrsos the bands of revelers?

> Greek: Χορός:
πόθι Νύσας ἄρα τᾶς θη-
ροτρόφου θυρσοφορεῖς
θιάσους, ὦ Διόνυσʼ, ἢ
κορυφαῖς Κωρυκίαις;

[¶26] Perhaps in the deep-wooded lairs of Olympus, where Orpheus once playing the lyre drew together trees by his songs, drew together the beasts of the fields.

> Greek: τάχα δʼ ἐν ταῖς πολυδένδρεσ-
σιν Ὀλύμπου θαλάμαις, ἔν-
θα ποτʼ Ὀρφεὺς κιθαρίζων
σύναγεν δένδρεα μούσαις,
σύναγεν θῆρας ἀγρώτας.

[¶27] Blessed Pieria, the Joyful one reveres you and will come to lead the dance in revelry; having crossed the swiftly flowing Axius he will bring the
whirling Maenads, leaving Lydias, giver of wealth to mortals, the father who they say fertilizes the land of beautiful horses with
fairest streams.

> Greek: μάκαρ ὦ Πιερία,
σέβεταί σʼ Εὔιος, ἥξει
τε χορεύσων ἅμα βακχεύ-
μασι, τόν τʼ ὠκυρόαν
διαβὰς Ἀξιὸν εἱλισ-
σομένας Μαινάδας ἄξει,
Λυδίαν πατέρα τε, τὸν
τᾶς εὐδαιμονίας βροτοῖς
ὀλβοδόταν, τὸν ἔκλυον
εὔιππον χώραν ὕδασιν
καλλίστοισι λιπαίνειν.

[¶28] Dionysus:
within Io! Hear my voice, hear it, Io Bacchae, Io Bacchae!

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἰώ,
κλύετʼ ἐμᾶς κλύετʼ αὐδᾶς,
ἰὼ βάκχαι, ἰὼ βάκχαι.

[¶29] Chorus:
Who is here, who? From what quarter did the voice of the Joyful one summon me?

> Greek: Χορός:
τίς ὅδε, τίς ⟨ὅδε⟩ πόθεν ὁ κέλαδος
ἀνά μʼ ἐκάλεσεν Εὐίου;

[¶30] Dionysus:
Io! Io! I say again; it is I, the child of Zeus and Semele.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἰὼ ἰώ, πάλιν αὐδῶ,
ὁ Σεμέλας, ὁ Διὸς παῖς.

[¶31] Chorus:
Io! Io! Master, master! Come now to our company, Bromius.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἰὼ ἰὼ δέσποτα δέσποτα,
μόλε νυν ἡμέτερον ἐς
θίασον, ὦ Βρόμιε Βρόμιε.

[¶32] Dionysus:
Shake the world’s plain, lady Earthquake!

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
⟨σεῖε⟩ πέδον χθονὸς Ἔννοσι πότνια.

[¶33] Chorus:
Oh! Oh! Soon the palace of Pentheus will be shaken in ruin. —Dionysus is in the halls.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἆ ἆ,
τάχα τὰ Πενθέως μέλαθρα διατι-
νάξεται πεσήμασιν.
— ὁ Διόνυσος ἀνὰ μέλαθρα·

[¶34] Revere him. —We revere him! —Did you see these stone lintels on the pillars falling apart? Bromius cries out in victory indoors.

> Greek: σέβετέ νιν. — σέβομεν ὤ.
— εἴδετε λάινα κίοσιν ἔμβολα
διάδρομα τάδε; Βρόμιος ⟨ὅδʼ⟩ ἀλα-
λάζεται στέγας ἔσω.

[¶35] Dionysus:
Light the fiery lamp of lightning!

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἅπτε κεραύνιον αἴθοπα λαμπάδα·

[¶36] Burn, burn Pentheus’ home!

> Greek: σύμφλεγε σύμφλεγε δώματα Πενθέος.

[¶37] Chorus:
Oh! Oh! Do you not see the the fire, do you not perceive, about the sacred tomb of Semele, the flame that Zeus’ thunderbolt left?

> Greek: Χορός:
ἆ ἆ,
πῦρ οὐ λεύσσεις, οὐδʼ αὐγάζῃ,
Σεμέλας ἱερὸν ἀμφὶ τάφον, ἅν
ποτε κεραυνόβολος ἔλιπε φλόγα
Δίου βροντᾶς;

[¶38] Cast on the ground your trembling bodies, Maenads, cast them down, for our lord, Zeus’ son, is coming against this palace, turning everything upside down.
Enter Dionysus
Dionysus:
Barbarian women, have you fallen on the ground
so stricken with fear? You have, so it seems, felt Bacchus shaking the house of Pentheus. But get up and take courage, putting a stop to your trembling.

> Greek: δίκετε πεδόσε τρομερὰ σώματα
δίκετε, Μαινάδες· ὁ γὰρ ἄναξ
ἄνω κάτω τιθεὶς ἔπεισι
μέλαθρα τάδε Διὸς γόνος.
Διόνυσος:
βάρβαροι γυναῖκες, οὕτως ἐκπεπληγμέναι φόβῳ
πρὸς πέδῳ πεπτώκατʼ; ᾔσθησθʼ, ὡς ἔοικε, Βακχίου
διατινάξαντος δῶμα Πενθέως· ἀλλʼ ἐξανίστατε
σῶμα καὶ θαρσεῖτε σαρκὸς ἐξαμείψασαι τρόμον.

[¶39] Chorus Leader:
Oh greatest light for us in our joyful revelry, how happy I am to see you—I who was alone and desolate before.

> Greek: Χορός:
ὦ φάος μέγιστον ἡμῖν εὐίου βακχεύματος,
ὡς ἐσεῖδον ἀσμένη σε, μονάδʼ ἔχουσʼ ἐρημίαν.

[¶40] Dionysus:
Did you despair when I was sent to fall into Pentheus’ dark dungeon?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
εἰς ἀθυμίαν ἀφίκεσθʼ, ἡνίκʼ εἰσεπεμπόμην,
Πενθέως ὡς ἐς σκοτεινὰς ὁρκάνας πεσούμενος;

[¶41] Chorus Leader:
How not? Who was my guardian, if you met with misfortune? But how were you freed, having met with an impious man?

> Greek: Χορός:
πῶς γὰρ οὔ; τίς μοι φύλαξ ἦν, εἰ σὺ συμφορᾶς τύχοις;
ἀλλὰ πῶς ἠλευθερώθης ἀνδρὸς ἀνοσίου τυχών;

[¶42] Dionysus:
By myself I saved myself easily, without trouble.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
αὐτὸς ἐξέσῳσʼ ἐμαυτὸν ῥᾳδίως ἄνευ πόνου.

[¶43] Chorus Leader:
Did he not tie your hands in binding knots?

> Greek: Χορός:
οὐδέ σου συνῆψε χεῖρε δεσμίοισιν ἐν βρόχοις;

[¶44] Dionysus:
In this too I mocked him, for, thinking to bind me, he neither touched nor handled me, but fed on hope. He found a bull by the stable where he took and shut me up, and threw shackles around its knees and hooves,
breathing out fury, dripping sweat from his body, gnashing his teeth in his lips. But I, being near, sitting quietly, looked on. Meanwhile, Bacchus came and shook the house and kindled a flame on his mother’s tomb. When Pentheus saw this, thinking that the house was burning,
he ran here and there, calling to the slaves to bring water, and every servant was at work, toiling in vain. Then he let this labor drop, as I had escaped, and snatching a dark sword rushed into the house. Then Bromius, so it seems to me—I speak my opinion—
created a phantom in the courtyard. Pentheus rushed at it headlong, stabbing at the shining air, as though slaughtering me. Besides this, Bacchus inflicted other damage on him: he knocked his house to the ground, and everything was shattered into pieces, while he saw my bitter chains. From fatigue,
dropping his sword, he is exhausted. For he, a man, dared to join battle with a god. Now I have quietly left the house and come to you, with no thought of Pentheus. But I think—at any rate I hear the tramping of feet inside—he will soon come to the front of the house. What will he say after this?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ταῦτα καὶ καθύβρισʼ αὐτόν, ὅτι με δεσμεύειν δοκῶν
οὔτʼ ἔθιγεν οὔθʼ ἥψαθʼ ἡμῶν, ἐλπίσιν δʼ ἐβόσκετο.
πρὸς φάτναις δὲ ταῦρον εὑρών, οὗ καθεῖρξʼ ἡμᾶς ἄγων,
τῷδε περὶ βρόχους ἔβαλλε γόνασι καὶ χηλαῖς ποδῶν,
θυμὸν ἐκπνέων, ἱδρῶτα σώματος στάζων ἄπο,
χείλεσιν διδοὺς ὀδόντας· πλησίον δʼ ἐγὼ παρὼν
ἥσυχος θάσσων ἔλευσσον. ἐν δὲ τῷδε τῷ χρόνῳ
ἀνετίναξʼ ἐλθὼν ὁ Βάκχος δῶμα καὶ μητρὸς τάφῳ
πῦρ ἀνῆψʼ· ὃ δʼ ὡς ἐσεῖδε, δώματʼ αἴθεσθαι δοκῶν,
ᾖσσʼ ἐκεῖσε κᾆτʼ ἐκεῖσε, δμωσὶν Ἀχελῷον φέρειν
ἐννέπων, ἅπας δʼ ἐν ἔργῳ δοῦλος ἦν, μάτην πονῶν.
διαμεθεὶς δὲ τόνδε μόχθον, ὡς ἐμοῦ πεφευγότος,
ἵεται ξίφος κελαινὸν ἁρπάσας δόμων ἔσω.
κᾆθʼ ὁ Βρόμιος, ὡς ἔμοιγε φαίνεται, δόξαν λέγω,
φάσμʼ ἐποίησεν κατʼ αὐλήν· ὃ δʼ ἐπὶ τοῦθʼ ὡρμημένος
ᾖσσε κἀκέντει φαεννὸν ⟨αἰθέρʼ⟩, ὡς σφάζων ἐμέ.
πρὸς δὲ τοῖσδʼ αὐτῷ τάδʼ ἄλλα Βάκχιος λυμαίνεται·
δώματʼ ἔρρηξεν χαμᾶζε· συντεθράνωται δʼ ἅπαν
πικροτάτους ἰδόντι δεσμοὺς τοὺς ἐμούς· κόπου δʼ ὕπο
διαμεθεὶς ξίφος παρεῖται· πρὸς θεὸν γὰρ ὢν ἀνὴρ
ἐς μάχην ἐλθεῖν ἐτόλμησε. ἥσυχος δʼ ἐκβὰς ἐγὼ
δωμάτων ἥκω πρὸς ὑμᾶς, Πενθέως οὐ φροντίσας.
ὡς δέ μοι δοκεῖ — ψοφεῖ γοῦν ἀρβύλη δόμων ἔσω —
ἐς προνώπιʼ αὐτίχʼ ἥξει. τί ποτʼ ἄρʼ ἐκ τούτων ἐρεῖ;

[¶45] I shall easily bear him, even if he comes boasting greatly. For it is the part of a wise man to practice restrained good temper.
Enter Pentheus
Pentheus:
I have suffered terrible things; the stranger, who was recently constrained in bonds, has escaped me. Ah!

> Greek: ῥᾳδίως γὰρ αὐτὸν οἴσω, κἂν πνέων ἔλθῃ μέγα.
πρὸς σοφοῦ γὰρ ἀνδρὸς ἀσκεῖν σώφρονʼ εὐοργησίαν.
Πενθεύς:
πέπονθα δεινά· διαπέφευγέ μʼ ὁ ξένος,
ὃς ἄρτι δεσμοῖς ἦν κατηναγκασμένος.
ἔα ἔα·

[¶46] Here is the man. What is this? How do you appear in front of my house, having come out?

> Greek: ὅδʼ ἐστὶν ἁνήρ· τί τάδε; πῶς προνώπιος
φαίνῃ πρὸς οἴκοις τοῖς ἐμοῖς, ἔξω βεβώς;

[¶47] Dionysus:
Stop, and put a stop to your anger.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
στῆσον πόδʼ, ὀργῇ δʼ ὑπόθες ἥσυχον πόδα.

[¶48] Pentheus:
How have you escaped your chains and come outside?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
πόθεν σὺ δεσμὰ διαφυγὼν ἔξω περᾷς;

[¶49] Dionysus:
Did I not say—or did you not hear—that some one would deliver me?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
οὐκ εἶπον—ἢ οὐκ ἤκουσασ—ὅτι λύσει μέ τις;

[¶50] Pentheus:
Who? You are always introducing strange explanations.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
τίς; τοὺς λόγους γὰρ ἐσφέρεις καινοὺς ἀεί.

[¶51] Dionysus:
He who produces the rich-clustering vine for mortals.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ὃς τὴν πολύβοτρυν ἄμπελον φύει βροτοῖς.

[¶52] Pentheus:
…

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
…

[¶53] Dionysus:
You reproach Dionysus for what is his glory.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ὠνείδισας δὴ τοῦτο Διονύσῳ καλόν.

[¶54] Pentheus:
I order you to close up all the towers around.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
κλῄειν κελεύω πάντα πύργον ἐν κύκλῳ.

[¶55] Dionysus:
Why? Do gods not pass over walls too?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
τί δʼ; οὐχ ὑπερβαίνουσι καὶ τείχη θεοί;

[¶56] Pentheus:
You are wise, wise at least in all save what you should be wise in.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
σοφὸς σοφὸς σύ, πλὴν ἃ δεῖ σʼ εἶναι σοφόν.

[¶57] Dionysus:
I was born wise in all that I should be. Enter a messenger Listen first to the words of this man, who has come from the mountain to bring you some message. I will await you, I will not try to escape.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἃ δεῖ μάλιστα, ταῦτʼ ἔγωγʼ ἔφυν σοφός.
κείνου δʼ ἀκούσας πρῶτα τοὺς λόγους μάθε,
ὃς ἐξ ὄρους πάρεστιν ἀγγελῶν τί σοι·
ἡμεῖς δέ σοι μενοῦμεν, οὐ φευξούμεθα.

[¶58] Messenger:
Pentheus, ruler of this land of Thebes, I have come from Kithairon, where the bright flakes of white snow never melt.

> Greek: Ἄγγελος:
Πενθεῦ κρατύνων τῆσδε Θηβαίας χθονός,
ἥκω Κιθαιρῶνʼ ἐκλιπών, ἵνʼ οὔποτε
λευκῆς χιόνος ἀνεῖσαν εὐαγεῖς βολαί.

[¶59] Pentheus:
What important news do you come to bring?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἥκεις δὲ ποίαν προστιθεὶς σπουδὴν λόγου;

[¶60] Messenger:
Having seen the holy Bacchae, who
goaded to madness have darted from this land with their fair feet, I have come to tell you and the city, lord, that they are doing terrible things, beyond marvel. I wish to hear whether I should tell you in free speech the situation there or whether I should repress my report,
for I fear, lord, the quickness of your mood, your keen temper and your too imperious disposition.

> Greek: Ἄγγελος:
βάκχας ποτνιάδας εἰσιδών, αἳ τῆσδε γῆς
οἴστροισι λευκὸν κῶλον ἐξηκόντισαν,
ἥκω φράσαι σοὶ καὶ πόλει χρῄζων, ἄναξ,
ὡς δεινὰ δρῶσι θαυμάτων τε κρείσσονα.
θέλω δʼ ἀκοῦσαι, πότερά σοι παρρησίᾳ
φράσω τὰ κεῖθεν ἢ λόγον στειλώμεθα·
τὸ γὰρ τάχος σου τῶν φρενῶν δέδοικʼ, ἄναξ,
καὶ τοὐξύθυμον καὶ τὸ βασιλικὸν λίαν.

[¶61] Pentheus:
Speak, as you will have immunity from me in any case. For it is not right to be angry with the just. The more you tell me terrible things about the Bacchae,
the more I will punish this one here who taught the women these tricks.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
λέγʼ, ὡς ἀθῷος ἐξ ἐμοῦ πάντως ἔσῃ.
τοῖς γὰρ δικαίοις οὐχὶ θυμοῦσθαι χρεών.
ὅσῳ δʼ ἂν εἴπῃς δεινότερα βακχῶν πέρι,
τοσῷδε μᾶλλον τὸν ὑποθέντα τὰς τέχνας
γυναιξὶ τόνδε τῇ δίκῃ προσθήσομεν.

[¶62] Messenger:
The herds of grazing cattle were just climbing up the hill, at the time when the sun sends forth its rays, warming the earth.

> Greek: Ἄγγελος:
ἀγελαῖα μὲν βοσκήματʼ ἄρτι πρὸς λέπας
μόσχων ὑπεξήκριζον, ἡνίχʼ ἥλιος
ἀκτῖνας ἐξίησι θερμαίνων χθόνα.

[¶63] I saw three companies of dancing women, one of which Autonoe led, the second your mother Agave, and the third Ino. All were asleep, their bodies relaxed, some resting their backs against pine foliage,
others laying their heads at random on the oak leaves, modestly, not as you say drunk with the goblet and the sound of the flute, hunting out Aphrodite through the woods in solitude. Your mother raised a cry,
standing up in the midst of the Bacchae, to wake their bodies from sleep, when she heard the lowing of the horned cattle. And they, casting off refreshing sleep from their eyes, sprang upright, a marvel of orderliness to behold, old, young, and still unmarried virgins.

> Greek: ὁρῶ δὲ θιάσους τρεῖς γυναικείων χορῶν,
ὧν ἦρχʼ ἑνὸς μὲν Αὐτονόη, τοῦ δευτέρου
μήτηρ Ἀγαύη σή, τρίτου δʼ Ἰνὼ χοροῦ.
ηὗδον δὲ πᾶσαι σώμασιν παρειμέναι,
αἳ μὲν πρὸς ἐλάτης νῶτʼ ἐρείσασαι φόβην,
αἳ δʼ ἐν δρυὸς φύλλοισι πρὸς πέδῳ κάρα
εἰκῇ βαλοῦσαι σωφρόνως, οὐχ ὡς σὺ φῂς
ᾠνωμένας κρατῆρι καὶ λωτοῦ ψόφῳ
θηρᾶν καθʼ ὕλην Κύπριν ἠρημωμένας.
ἡ σὴ δὲ μήτηρ ὠλόλυξεν ἐν μέσαις
σταθεῖσα βάκχαις, ἐξ ὕπνου κινεῖν δέμας,
μυκήμαθʼ ὡς ἤκουσε κεροφόρων βοῶν.
αἳ δʼ ἀποβαλοῦσαι θαλερὸν ὀμμάτων ὕπνον
ἀνῇξαν ὀρθαί, θαῦμʼ ἰδεῖν εὐκοσμίας,
νέαι παλαιαὶ παρθένοι τʼ ἔτʼ ἄζυγες.

[¶64] First they let their hair loose over their shoulders, and secured their fawn-skins, as many of them as had released the fastenings of their knots, girding the dappled hides with serpents licking their jaws. And some, holding in their arms a gazelle or wild
wolf-pup, gave them white milk, as many as had abandoned their new-born infants and had their breasts still swollen. They put on garlands of ivy, and oak, and flowering yew. One took her thyrsos and struck it against a rock,
from which a dewy stream of water sprang forth. Another let her thyrsos strike the ground, and there the god sent forth a fountain of wine. All who desired the white drink scratched the earth with the tips of their fingers and obtained streams of milk;
and a sweet flow of honey dripped from their ivy thyrsoi; so that, had you been present and seen this, you would have approached with prayers the god whom you now blame. We herdsmen and shepherds gathered in order to
debate with one another concerning what strange and amazing things they were doing. Some one, a wanderer about the city and practised in speaking, said to us all: “You who inhabit the holy plains of the mountains, do you wish to hunt ”
“Pentheus’ mother Agave out from the Bacchic revelry and do the king a favor?” We thought he spoke well, and lay down in ambush, hiding ourselves in the foliage of bushes. They, at the appointed hour, began to wave the thyrsos in their revelries,
calling on Iacchus, the son of Zeus, Bromius, with united voice. The whole mountain revelled along with them and the beasts, and nothing was unmoved by their running. Agave happened to be leaping near me, and I sprang forth, wanting to snatch her,
abandoning the ambush where I had hidden myself. But she cried out: “O my fleet hounds, we are hunted by these men; but follow me! follow armed with your thyrsoi in your hands!” We fled and escaped
from being torn apart by the Bacchae, but they, with unarmed hands, sprang on the heifers browsing the grass. and you might see one rending asunder a fatted lowing calf, while others tore apart cows.

> Greek: καὶ πρῶτα μὲν καθεῖσαν εἰς ὤμους κόμας
νεβρίδας τʼ ἀνεστείλανθʼ ὅσαισιν ἁμμάτων
σύνδεσμʼ ἐλέλυτο, καὶ καταστίκτους δορὰς
ὄφεσι κατεζώσαντο λιχμῶσιν γένυν.
αἳ δʼ ἀγκάλαισι δορκάδʼ ἢ σκύμνους λύκων
ἀγρίους ἔχουσαι λευκὸν ἐδίδοσαν γάλα,
ὅσαις νεοτόκοις μαστὸς ἦν σπαργῶν ἔτι
βρέφη λιπούσαις· ἐπὶ δʼ ἔθεντο κισσίνους
στεφάνους δρυός τε μίλακός τʼ ἀνθεσφόρου.
θύρσον δέ τις λαβοῦσʼ ἔπαισεν ἐς πέτραν,
ὅθεν δροσώδης ὕδατος ἐκπηδᾷ νοτίς·
ἄλλη δὲ νάρθηκʼ ἐς πέδον καθῆκε γῆς,
καὶ τῇδε κρήνην ἐξανῆκʼ οἴνου θεός·
ὅσαις δὲ λευκοῦ πώματος πόθος παρῆν,
ἄκροισι δακτύλοισι διαμῶσαι χθόνα
γάλακτος ἑσμοὺς εἶχον· ἐκ δὲ κισσίνων
θύρσων γλυκεῖαι μέλιτος ἔσταζον ῥοαί.
ὥστʼ, εἰ παρῆσθα, τὸν θεὸν τὸν νῦν ψέγεις
εὐχαῖσιν ἂν μετῆλθες εἰσιδὼν τάδε.
ξυνήλθομεν δὲ βουκόλοι καὶ ποιμένες,
κοινῶν λόγων δώσοντες ἀλλήλοις ἔριν
ὡς δεινὰ δρῶσι θαυμάτων τʼ ἐπάξια·
καί τις πλάνης κατʼ ἄστυ καὶ τρίβων λόγων
ἔλεξεν εἰς ἅπαντας· Ὦ σεμνὰς πλάκας
ναίοντες ὀρέων, θέλετε θηρασώμεθα
Πενθέως Ἀγαύην μητέρʼ ἐκ βακχευμάτων
χάριν τʼ ἄνακτι θώμεθα; εὖ δʼ ἡμῖν λέγειν
ἔδοξε, θάμνων δʼ ἐλλοχίζομεν φόβαις
κρύψαντες αὑτούς· αἳ δὲ τὴν τεταγμένην
ὥραν ἐκίνουν θύρσον ἐς βακχεύματα,
Ἴακχον ἀθρόῳ στόματι τὸν Διὸς γόνον
Βρόμιον καλοῦσαι· πᾶν δὲ συνεβάκχευʼ ὄρος
καὶ θῆρες, οὐδὲν δʼ ἦν ἀκίνητον δρόμῳ.
κυρεῖ δʼ Ἀγαύη πλησίον θρῴσκουσά μου·
κἀγὼ ʼξεπήδησʼ ὡς συναρπάσαι θέλων,
λόχμην κενώσας ἔνθʼ ἐκρυπτόμην δέμας.
ἣ δʼ ἀνεβόησεν· Ὦ δρομάδες ἐμαὶ κύνες,
θηρώμεθʼ ἀνδρῶν τῶνδʼ ὕπʼ· ἀλλʼ ἕπεσθέ μοι,
ἕπεσθε θύρσοις διὰ χερῶν ὡπλισμέναι.
ἡμεῖς μὲν οὖν φεύγοντες ἐξηλύξαμεν
βακχῶν σπαραγμόν, αἳ δὲ νεμομέναις χλόην
μόσχοις ἐπῆλθον χειρὸς ἀσιδήρου μέτα.
καὶ τὴν μὲν ἂν προσεῖδες εὔθηλον πόριν
μυκωμένην ἔχουσαν ἐν χεροῖν δίχα,
ἄλλαι δὲ δαμάλας διεφόρουν σπαράγμασιν.

[¶65] You might see ribs or cloven hooves tossed here and there; caught in the trees they dripped, dabbled in gore. Bulls who before were fierce, and showed their fury with their horns, stumbled to the ground,
dragged down by countless young hands. The garment of flesh was torn apart faster then you could blink your royal eyes. And like birds raised in their course, they proceeded along the level plains, which by the streams of the Asopus
produce the bountiful Theban crop. And falling like soldiers upon Hysiae and Erythrae, towns situated below the rock of Kithairon, they turned everything upside down. They were snatching children from their homes;

> Greek: εἶδες δʼ ἂν ἢ πλεύρʼ ἢ δίχηλον ἔμβασιν
ῥιπτόμενʼ ἄνω τε καὶ κάτω· κρεμαστὰ δὲ
ἔσταζʼ ὑπʼ ἐλάταις ἀναπεφυρμένʼ αἵματι.
ταῦροι δʼ ὑβρισταὶ κἀς κέρας θυμούμενοι
τὸ πρόσθεν ἐσφάλλοντο πρὸς γαῖαν δέμας,
μυριάσι χειρῶν ἀγόμενοι νεανίδων.
θᾶσσον δὲ διεφοροῦντο σαρκὸς ἐνδυτὰ
ἢ σὲ ξυνάψαι βλέφαρα βασιλείοις κόραις.
χωροῦσι δʼ ὥστʼ ὄρνιθες ἀρθεῖσαι δρόμῳ
πεδίων ὑποτάσεις, αἳ παρʼ Ἀσωποῦ ῥοαῖς
εὔκαρπον ἐκβάλλουσι Θηβαίων στάχυν·
Ὑσιάς τʼ Ἐρυθράς θʼ, αἳ Κιθαιρῶνος λέπας
νέρθεν κατῳκήκασιν, ὥστε πολέμιοι,
ἐπεσπεσοῦσαι πάντʼ ἄνω τε καὶ κάτω
διέφερον· ἥρπαζον μὲν ἐκ δόμων τέκνα·

[¶66] and whatever they put on their shoulders, whether bronze or iron, was not held on by bonds, nor did it fall to the ground. They carried fire on their locks, but it did not burn them. Some people in rage took up arms, being plundered by the Bacchae,
and the sight of this was terrible to behold, lord. For their pointed spears drew no blood, but the women, hurling the thyrsoi from their hands, kept wounding them and turned them to flight—women did this to men, not without the help of some god.

> Greek: ὁπόσα δʼ ἐπʼ ὤμοις ἔθεσαν, οὐ δεσμῶν ὕπο
προσείχετʼ οὐδʼ ἔπιπτεν ἐς μέλαν πέδον,
οὐ χαλκός, οὐ σίδηρος· ἐπὶ δὲ βοστρύχοις
πῦρ ἔφερον, οὐδʼ ἔκαιεν. οἳ δʼ ὀργῆς ὕπο
ἐς ὅπλʼ ἐχώρουν φερόμενοι βακχῶν ὕπο·
οὗπερ τὸ δεινὸν ἦν θέαμʼ ἰδεῖν, ἄναξ.
τοῖς μὲν γὰρ οὐχ ᾕμασσε λογχωτὸν βέλος,
κεῖναι δὲ θύρσους ἐξανιεῖσαι χερῶν
ἐτραυμάτιζον κἀπενώτιζον φυγῇ
γυναῖκες ἄνδρας, οὐκ ἄνευ θεῶν τινος.

[¶67] And they returned where they had come from, to the very fountains which the god had sent forth for them, and washed off the blood, and snakes cleaned the drops from the women’s cheeks with their tongues. Receive this god then, whoever he is,
into this city, master. For he is great in other respects, and they say this too of him, as I hear, that he gives to mortals the vine that puts an end to grief. Without wine there is no longer Aphrodite or any other pleasant thing for men.

> Greek: πάλιν δʼ ἐχώρουν ὅθεν ἐκίνησαν πόδα,
κρήνας ἐπʼ αὐτὰς ἃς ἀνῆκʼ αὐταῖς θεός.
νίψαντο δʼ αἷμα, σταγόνα δʼ ἐκ παρηίδων
γλώσσῃ δράκοντες ἐξεφαίδρυνον χροός.
τὸν δαίμονʼ οὖν τόνδʼ ὅστις ἔστʼ, ὦ δέσποτα,
δέχου πόλει τῇδʼ· ὡς τά τʼ ἄλλʼ ἐστὶν μέγας,
κἀκεῖνό φασιν αὐτόν, ὡς ἐγὼ κλύω,
τὴν παυσίλυπον ἄμπελον δοῦναι βροτοῖς.
οἴνου δὲ μηκέτʼ ὄντος οὐκ ἔστιν Κύπρις
οὐδʼ ἄλλο τερπνὸν οὐδὲν ἀνθρώποις ἔτι.

[¶68] Chorus Leader:
I fear to speak freely to the king, but I will speak nevertheless: Dionysus is inferior to none of the gods.

> Greek: Χορός:
ταρβῶ μὲν εἰπεῖν τοὺς λόγους ἐλευθέρους
πρὸς τὸν τύραννον, ἀλλʼ ὅμως εἰρήσεται·
Διόνυσος ἥσσων οὐδενὸς θεῶν ἔφυ.

[¶69] Pentheus:
Already like fire does this insolence of the Bacchae blaze up, a great reproach for the Hellenes.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἤδη τόδʼ ἐγγὺς ὥστε πῦρ ὑφάπτεται
ὕβρισμα βακχῶν, ψόγος ἐς Ἕλληνας μέγας.

[¶70] But we must not hesitate. Go to the Electran gates, bid all the shield-bearers and riders of swift-footed horses to assemble, as well as all who brandish the light shield and pluck bowstrings with their hands, so that we can make an assault against
the Bacchae. For it is indeed too much if we suffer what we are suffering at the hands of women.

> Greek: ἀλλʼ οὐκ ὀκνεῖν δεῖ· στεῖχʼ ἐπʼ Ἠλέκτρας ἰὼν
πύλας· κέλευε πάντας ἀσπιδηφόρους
ἵππων τʼ ἀπαντᾶν ταχυπόδων ἐπεμβάτας
πέλτας θʼ ὅσοι πάλλουσι καὶ τόξων χερὶ
ψάλλουσι νευράς, ὡς ἐπιστρατεύσομεν
βάκχαισιν· οὐ γὰρ ἀλλʼ ὑπερβάλλει τάδε,
εἰ πρὸς γυναικῶν πεισόμεσθʼ ἃ πάσχομεν.

[¶71] Dionysus:
Pentheus, though you hear my words, you obey not at all. Though I suffer ill at your hands, still I say that it is not right for you to raise arms against a god,
but to remain calm. Bromius will not allow you to remove the Bacchae from the joyful mountains.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
πείθῃ μὲν οὐδέν, τῶν ἐμῶν λόγων κλύων,
Πενθεῦ· κακῶς δὲ πρὸς σέθεν πάσχων ὅμως
οὔ φημι χρῆναί σʼ ὅπλʼ ἐπαίρεσθαι θεῷ,
ἀλλʼ ἡσυχάζειν· Βρόμιος οὐκ ἀνέξεται
κινοῦντα βάκχας ⟨σʼ⟩ εὐίων ὀρῶν ἄπο.

[¶72] Pentheus:
Do not instruct me, but be content in your escape from prison. Or shall I bring punishment upon you again?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
οὐ μὴ φρενώσεις μʼ, ἀλλὰ δέσμιος φυγὼν
σῴσῃ τόδʼ; ἢ σοὶ πάλιν ἀναστρέψω δίκην;

[¶73] Dionysus:
I would sacrifice to the god rather
than kick against his spurs in anger, a mortal against a god.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
θύοιμʼ ἂν αὐτῷ μᾶλλον ἢ θυμούμενος
πρὸς κέντρα λακτίζοιμι θνητὸς ὢν θεῷ.

[¶74] Pentheus:
I will sacrifice, making a great slaughter of the women, as they deserve, in the glens of Kithairon.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
θύσω, φόνον γε θῆλυν, ὥσπερ ἄξιαι,
πολὺν ταράξας ἐν Κιθαιρῶνος πτυχαῖς.

[¶75] Dionysus:
You will all flee. And it will be a source of shame that you turn your bronze shields away from the thyrsoi of the Bacchae.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
φεύξεσθε πάντες· καὶ τόδʼ αἰσχρόν, ἀσπίδας
θύρσοισι βακχῶν ἐκτρέπειν χαλκηλάτους

[¶76] Pentheus:
This stranger with whom I am locked together is impossible, and neither suffering nor doing will he be quiet.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἀπόρῳ γε τῷδε συμπεπλέγμεθα ξένῳ,
ὃς οὔτε πάσχων οὔτε δρῶν σιγήσεται.

[¶77] Dionysus:
My friend, there is still opportunity to arrange these things well.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ὦ τᾶν, ἔτʼ ἔστιν εὖ καταστῆσαι τάδε.

[¶78] Pentheus:
Doing what? Being a slave to my slaves?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
τί δρῶντα; δουλεύοντα δουλείαις ἐμαῖς;

[¶79] Dionysus:
Without weapons I will bring the women here.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἐγὼ γυναῖκας δεῦρʼ ὅπλων ἄξω δίχα.

[¶80] Pentheus:
Alas! You are contriving this as a trick against me.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
οἴμοι· τόδʼ ἤδη δόλιον ἔς με μηχανᾷ.

[¶81] Dionysus:
What sort, if I wish to save you by my contrivances?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ποῖόν τι, σῷσαί σʼ εἰ θέλω τέχναις ἐμαῖς;

[¶82] Pentheus:
You have devised this together, so that you may have your revelry forever.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ξυνέθεσθε κοινῇ τάδʼ, ἵνα βακχεύητʼ ἀεί.

[¶83] Dionysus:
I certainly did—that is so—with the god.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
καὶ μὴν ξυνεθέμην—τοῦτό γʼ ἔστι—τῷ θεῷ.

[¶84] Pentheus:
To a servant Bring me my armor. To Dionysus And you, stop speaking.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἐκφέρετέ μοι δεῦρʼ ὅπλα, σὺ δὲ παῦσαι λέγων.

[¶85] Dionysus:
Ah! Do you wish to see them sitting together in the mountains?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἆ.
βούλῃ σφʼ ἐν ὄρεσι συγκαθημένας ἰδεῖν;

[¶86] Pentheus:
Certainly. I’d give an enormous amount of gold for that.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
μάλιστα, μυρίον γε δοὺς χρυσοῦ σταθμόν.

[¶87] Dionysus:
Why do you desire this so badly?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
τί δʼ εἰς ἔρωτα τοῦδε πέπτωκας μέγαν;

[¶88] Pentheus:
I would be sorry to see them in their drunkenness.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
λυπρῶς νιν εἰσίδοιμʼ ἂν ἐξῳνωμένας.

[¶89] Dionysus:
But would you see gladly what is grievous to you?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ὅμως δʼ ἴδοις ἂν ἡδέως ἅ σοι πικρά;

[¶90] Pentheus:
To be sure, sitting quietly under the pines.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
σάφʼ ἴσθι, σιγῇ γʼ ὑπʼ ἐλάταις καθήμενος.

[¶91] Dionysus:
But they will track you down, even if you go in secret.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἀλλʼ ἐξιχνεύσουσίν σε, κἂν ἔλθῃς λάθρᾳ.

[¶92] Pentheus:
You are right: I will go openly.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἀλλʼ ἐμφανῶς· καλῶς γὰρ ἐξεῖπας τάδε.

[¶93] Dionysus:
Shall I guide you? Will you attempt the journey?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἄγωμεν οὖν σε κἀπιχειρήσεις ὁδῷ;

[¶94] Pentheus:
Lead me as quickly as possible. I grudge you the time.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἄγʼ ὡς τάχιστα, τοῦ χρόνου δέ σοι φθονῶ.

[¶95] Dionysus:
Put linen clothes on your body then.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
στεῖλαί νυν ἀμφὶ χρωτὶ βυσσίνους πέπλους.

[¶96] Pentheus:
What is this? Shall I then, instead of a man, be reckoned among the women?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
τί δὴ τόδʼ; ἐς γυναῖκας ἐξ ἀνδρὸς τελῶ;

[¶97] Dionysus:
Lest they kill you if you are seen there as a man.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
μή σε κτάνωσιν, ἢν ἀνὴρ ὀφθῇς ἐκεῖ.

[¶98] Pentheus:
Again you speak correctly: how wise you have been all along!

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

[¶99] Dionysus:
Dionysus taught me these things fully.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
Διόνυσος ἡμᾶς ἐξεμούσωσεν τάδε.

[¶100] Pentheus:
How can your advice to me be well carried out?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
πῶς οὖν γένοιτʼ ἂν ἃ σύ με νουθετεῖς καλῶς;

[¶101] Dionysus:
I will go inside and dress you.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἐγὼ στελῶ σε δωμάτων ἔσω μολών.

[¶102] Pentheus:
In what clothing? Female? But shame holds me back.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
τίνα στολήν; ἦ θῆλυν; ἀλλʼ αἰδώς μʼ ἔχει.

[¶103] Dionysus:
Are you no longer eager to view the maenads?

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
οὐκέτι θεατὴς μαινάδων πρόθυμος εἶ.

[¶104] Pentheus:
What clothing do you bid me to put on my body?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
στολὴν δὲ τίνα φῂς ἀμφὶ χρῶτʼ ἐμὸν βαλεῖν;

[¶105] Dionysus:
I will spread out hair at length on your head.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
κόμην μὲν ἐπὶ σῷ κρατὶ ταναὸν ἐκτενῶ.

[¶106] Pentheus:
What is the second part of my outfit?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
τὸ δεύτερον δὲ σχῆμα τοῦ κόσμου τί μοι;

[¶107] Dionysus:
A robe down to your feet. And you will wear a headband.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
πέπλοι ποδήρεις· ἐπὶ κάρᾳ δʼ ἔσται μίτρα.

[¶108] Pentheus:
And what else will you add to this for me?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἦ καί τι πρὸς τοῖσδʼ ἄλλο προσθήσεις ἐμοί;

[¶109] Dionysus:
A thyrsos in your hand, and a dappled fawn-skin.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
θύρσον γε χειρὶ καὶ νεβροῦ στικτὸν δέρας.

[¶110] Pentheus:
I could not put on a woman’s dress.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
οὐκ ἂν δυναίμην θῆλυν ἐνδῦναι στολήν.

[¶111] Dionysus:
But you will shed blood if you join battle with the Bacchae.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἀλλʼ αἷμα θήσεις συμβαλὼν βάκχαις μάχην.

[¶112] Pentheus:
True. We must go first and spy.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ὀρθῶς· μολεῖν χρὴ πρῶτον εἰς κατασκοπήν.

[¶113] Dionysus:
This is at any rate wiser than hunting trouble with trouble.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
σοφώτερον γοῦν ἢ κακοῖς θηρᾶν κακά.

[¶114] Pentheus:
And how will I go through the city without being seen by the Thebans?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
καὶ πῶς διʼ ἄστεως εἶμι Καδμείους λαθών;

[¶115] Dionysus:
We will go on deserted roads. I will lead you.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ὁδοὺς ἐρήμους ἴμεν· ἐγὼ δʼ ἡγήσομαι.

[¶116] 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.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
πᾶν κρεῖσσον ὥστε μὴ ʼγγελᾶν βάκχας ἐμοί.
ἐλθόντʼ ἐς οἴκους … ἃν δοκῇ βουλεύσομαι.

[¶117] Dionysus:
It will be so; in any case I am ready.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἔξεστι· πάντῃ τό γʼ ἐμὸν εὐτρεπὲς πάρα.

[¶118] Pentheus:
I will go in. For either I will go bearing arms, or I will obey your counsels.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
στείχοιμʼ ἄν· ἢ γὰρ ὅπλʼ ἔχων πορεύσομαι
ἢ τοῖσι σοῖσι πείσομαι βουλεύμασιν.

[¶119] 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.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
γυναῖκες, ἁνὴρ ἐς βόλον καθίσταται,
ἥξει δὲ βάκχας, οὗ θανὼν δώσει δίκην.
Διόνυσε, νῦν σὸν ἔργον· οὐ γὰρ εἶ πρόσω·

[¶120] 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
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,
Dionysus, who is in fact a god, the most terrible and yet most mild to men.

> Greek: τεισώμεθʼ αὐτόν. πρῶτα δʼ ἔκστησον φρενῶν,
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
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,
δεινότατος, ἀνθρώποισι δʼ ἠπιώτατος.

[¶121] Chorus:
Shall I move my white foot in the night-long dance, aroused to a frenzy,
throwing my head to the dewy air, like a fawn sporting in the green pleasures of the meadow, when it has escaped a fearful chase beyond the watchers
over the well-woven nets, and the hunter hastens his dogs on their course with his call, while she, with great exertion and a storm-swift running, rushes along the plain by the river, rejoicing
in the solitude apart from men and in the thickets of the shady-foliaged woods. What is wisdom? Or what greater honor do the gods give to mortals than to hold one’s hand
in strength over the head of enemies? What is good is always dear.

> Greek: Χορός:
ἆρʼ ἐν παννυχίοις χοροῖς
θήσω ποτὲ λευκὸν
πόδʼ ἀναβακχεύουσα, δέραν
εἰς αἰθέρα δροσερὸν ῥίπτουσʼ,
ὡς νεβρὸς χλοεραῖς ἐμπαί-
ζουσα λείμακος ἡδοναῖς,
ἡνίκʼ ἂν φοβερὰν φύγῃ
θήραν ἔξω φυλακᾶς
εὐπλέκτων ὑπὲρ ἀρκύων,
θωΰσσων δὲ κυναγέτας
συντείνῃ δράμημα κυνῶν·
μόχθοις τʼ ὠκυδρόμοις τʼ ἀέλ-
λαις θρῴσκει πεδίον
παραποτάμιον, ἡδομένα
βροτῶν ἐρημίαις σκιαρο-
κόμοιό τʼ ἔρνεσιν ὕλας.
τί τὸ σοφόν; ἢ τί τὸ κάλλιον
παρὰ θεῶν γέρας ἐν βροτοῖς
ἢ χεῖρʼ ὑπὲρ κορυφᾶς
τῶν ἐχθρῶν κρείσσω κατέχειν;
ὅ τι καλὸν φίλον ἀεί.

[¶122] Chorus:
Divine strength is roused with difficulty, but still is sure. It chastises those mortals
who honor folly and those who in their insanity do not extol the gods. The gods cunningly conceal the long pace of time and
hunt the impious. For it is not right to determine or plan anything beyond the laws. For it is a light expense to hold that whatever is divine has power,
and that which has been law for a long time is eternal and has its origin in nature. What is wisdom? Or what greater honor do the gods give to mortals than to hold one’s hand
in strength over the head of enemies? What is good is always dear.

> Greek: Χορός:
ὁρμᾶται μόλις, ἀλλʼ ὅμως
πιστόν ⟨τι⟩ τὸ θεῖον
σθένος· ἀπευθύνει δὲ βροτῶν
τούς τʼ ἀγνωμοσύναν τιμῶν-
τας καὶ μὴ τὰ θεῶν αὔξον-
τας σὺν μαινομένᾳ δόξᾳ.
κρυπτεύουσι δὲ ποικίλως
δαρὸν χρόνου πόδα καὶ
θηρῶσιν τὸν ἄσεπτον. οὐ
γὰρ κρεῖσσόν ποτε τῶν νόμων
γιγνώσκειν χρὴ καὶ μελετᾶν.
κούφα γὰρ δαπάνα νομί-
ζειν ἰσχὺν τόδʼ ἔχειν,
ὅ τι ποτʼ ἄρα τὸ δαιμόνιον,
τό τʼ ἐν χρόνῳ μακρῷ νόμιμον
ἀεὶ φύσει τε πεφυκός.
τί τὸ σοφόν; ἢ τί τὸ κάλλιον
παρὰ θεῶν γέρας ἐν βροτοῖς
ἢ χεῖρʼ ὑπὲρ κορυφᾶς
τῶν ἐχθρῶν κρείσσω κατέχειν;
ὅ τι καλὸν φίλον ἀεί.

[¶123] Chorus:
Happy is he who has fled a storm on the sea, and reached harbor. Happy too is he who has overcome his hardships.
One surpass another in different ways, in wealth or power. There are innumerable hopes to innumerable men, and some result in wealth to mortals, while others fail.

> Greek: Χορός:
εὐδαίμων μὲν ὃς ἐκ θαλάσσας
ἔφυγε χεῖμα, λιμένα δʼ ἔκιχεν·
εὐδαίμων δʼ ὃς ὕπερθε μόχθων
ἐγένεθʼ· ἑτέρᾳ δʼ ἕτερος ἕτερον
ὄλβῳ καὶ δυνάμει παρῆλθεν.
μυρίαι δʼ ἔτι μυρίοις
εἰσὶν ἐλπίδες· αἳ μὲν
τελευτῶσιν ἐν ὄλβῳ
βροτοῖς, αἳ δʼ ἀπέβησαν·

[¶124] But I call him blessed whose life is happy day to day.

> Greek: τὸ δὲ κατʼ ἦμαρ ὅτῳ βίοτος
εὐδαίμων, μακαρίζω.

[¶125] 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.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
σὲ τὸν πρόθυμον ὄνθʼ ἃ μὴ χρεὼν ὁρᾶν
σπεύδοντά τʼ ἀσπούδαστα, Πενθέα λέγω,
ἔξιθι πάροιθε δωμάτων, ὄφθητί μοι,
σκευὴν γυναικὸς μαινάδος βάκχης ἔχων,
μητρός τε τῆς σῆς καὶ λόχου κατάσκοπος·
πρέπεις δὲ Κάδμου θυγατέρων μορφὴν μιᾷ.

[¶126] Pentheus:
Oh look! I think I see two suns, and twin Thebes, the seven-gated city.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
καὶ μὴν ὁρᾶν μοι δύο μὲν ἡλίους δοκῶ,
δισσὰς δὲ Θήβας καὶ πόλισμʼ ἑπτάστομον·

[¶127] 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.

> Greek: καὶ ταῦρος ἡμῖν πρόσθεν ἡγεῖσθαι δοκεῖς
καὶ σῷ κέρατα κρατὶ προσπεφυκέναι.
ἀλλʼ ἦ ποτʼ ἦσθα θήρ; τεταύρωσαι γὰρ οὖν.

[¶128] Dionysus:
The god accompanies us, now at truce with us, though formerly not propitious. Now you see what you should see.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ὁ θεὸς ὁμαρτεῖ, πρόσθεν ὢν οὐκ εὐμενής,
ἔνσπονδος ἡμῖν· νῦν δʼ ὁρᾷς ἃ χρή σʼ ὁρᾶν.

[¶129] Pentheus:
How do I look? Don’t I have the posture of Ino, or of my mother Agave?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
τί φαίνομαι δῆτʼ; οὐχὶ τὴν Ἰνοῦς στάσιν
ἢ τὴν Ἀγαύης ἑστάναι, μητρός γʼ ἐμῆς;

[¶130] 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.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
αὐτὰς ἐκείνας εἰσορᾶν δοκῶ σʼ ὁρῶν.
ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἕδρας σοι πλόκαμος ἐξέστηχʼ ὅδε,
οὐχ ὡς ἐγώ νιν ὑπὸ μίτρᾳ καθήρμοσα.

[¶131] Pentheus:
I displaced it indoors, shaking my head forwards and backwards and practising my Bacchic revelry.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἔνδον προσείων αὐτὸν ἀνασείων τʼ ἐγὼ
καὶ βακχιάζων ἐξ ἕδρας μεθώρμισα.

[¶132] Dionysus:
But I who ought to wait on you will re-arrange it. Hold up your head.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν ἡμεῖς, οἷς σε θεραπεύειν μέλει,
πάλιν καταστελοῦμεν· ἀλλʼ ὄρθου κάρα.

[¶133] Pentheus:
Here, you arrange it; for I depend on you, indeed.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
ἰδού, σὺ κόσμει· σοὶ γὰρ ἀνακείμεσθα δή.

[¶134] Dionysus:
Your girdle has come loose, and the pleats of your gown do not extend regularly down around your ankles.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ζῶναί τέ σοι χαλῶσι κοὐχ ἑξῆς πέπλων
στολίδες ὑπὸ σφυροῖσι τείνουσιν σέθεν.

[¶135] 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.

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
κἀμοὶ δοκοῦσι παρά γε δεξιὸν πόδα·
τἀνθένδε δʼ ὀρθῶς παρὰ τένοντʼ ἔχει πέπλος.

[¶136] Dionysus:
You will surely consider me the best of your friends,
when contrary to your expectation you see the Bacchae acting modestly.

> Greek: Διόνυσος:
ἦ πού με τῶν σῶν πρῶτον ἡγήσῃ φίλων,
ὅταν παρὰ λόγον σώφρονας βάκχας ἴδῃς.

[¶137] Pentheus:
But shall I be more like a maenad holding the thyrsos in my right hand, or in my left?

> Greek: Πενθεύς:
πότερα δὲ θύρσον δεξιᾷ λαβὼν χερὶ
ἢ τῇδε, βάκχῃ μᾶλλον εἰκασθήσομαι;