Servant Pentheus, we are here, having caught this prey for which you sent us, nor have we set out in vain. This beast was docile in our hands and did not withdraw in flight, but yielded not unwillingly. He did not turn pale or change the wine-dark complexion of his cheek, but laughed and allowed us to bind him and lead him away. He remained still, making my work easy, and I in shame said: Stranger, I do not lead you away willingly, but by order of Pentheus, who sent me. And the Bacchae whom you shut up, whom you carried off and bound in the chains of the public prison, are set loose and gone, and are gamboling in the meadows, invoking Bromius as their god. Of their own accord, the chains were loosed from their feet and keys opened the doors without human hand. This man has come to Thebes full of many wonders. You must take care of the rest.
Pentheus Release his hands, for caught in the nets he is not so swift as to escape me. But your body is not ill-formed, stranger, for women’s purposes, for which reason you have come to Thebes. For your hair is long, not through wrestling, scattered over your cheeks, full of desire; and you have a white skin from careful preparation, hunting after Aphrodite by your beauty not exposed to strokes of the sun, but beneath the shade. First then tell me who your family is.
Dionysus I can tell you this easily, without boasting. I suppose you are familiar with flowery Tmolus.
Pentheus I know of it; it surrounds the city of Sardis.
Dionysus I am from there, and Lydia is my fatherland.
Pentheus Why do you bring these rites to Hellas?
Dionysus Dionysus, the child of Zeus, sent me.
Pentheus Is there a Zeus who breeds new gods there?
Dionysus No, but the one who married Semele here.
Pentheus Did he compel you at night, or in your sight?
Dionysus Seeing me just as I saw him, he gave me sacred rites.
Pentheus What appearance do your rites have?
Dionysus They can not be told to mortals uninitiated in Bacchic revelry.
Pentheus And do they have any profit to those who sacrifice?
Dionysus It is not lawful for you to hear, but they are worth knowing.
Pentheus You have counterfeited this well, so that I desire to hear.
Dionysus The rites are hostile to whoever practices impiety.
Pentheus Are you saying that you saw clearly what the god was like?
Dionysus He was as he chose; I did not order this.
Pentheus Again you diverted my question well, speaking mere nonsense.
Dionysus One will seem to be foolish if he speaks wisely to an ignorant man.
Pentheus Did you come here first, bringing the god?
Dionysus All the barbarians celebrate these rites.
Pentheus Yes, for they are far more foolish than Hellenes.
Dionysus In this at any rate they are wiser; but their laws are different.
Pentheus Do you perform the rites by night or by day?
Dionysus Mostly by night; darkness conveys awe.
Pentheus This is treacherous towards women, and unsound.
Dionysus Even during the day someone may devise what is shameful.
Pentheus You must pay the penalty for your evil contrivances.
Dionysus And you for your ignorance and impiety toward the god.
Pentheus How bold the Bacchant is, and not unpracticed in speaking!
Dionysus Tell me what I must suffer; what harm will you do to me?
Pentheus First I will cut off your delicate hair.
Dionysus My hair is sacred. I am growing it for the god.
Pentheus Next give me this thyrsos from your hands.
Dionysus Take it from me yourself. I bear it as the ensign of Dionysus.
Pentheus We will guard your body within, in prison.
Dionysus The god himself will release me, whenever I want.
Pentheus Yes, when you call him, standing among the Bacchae.
Dionysus Even now he see my sufferings from close by.
Pentheus Where is he? He is not visible to my eyes.
Dionysus Near me; but you, being impious, do not see him.
Pentheus Seize him; he insults me and Thebes!
Dionysus I warn you not to bind me, since I am in my senses and you are not.
Pentheus And I, more masterful than you, bid them to bind you.
Dionysus You do not know why you live, or what you are doing, or who you are.
Pentheus I am Pentheus, son of Echion and Agave.
Dionysus You are well-suited to be miserable in your name.
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