Chorus Leader I fear to speak freely to the king, but I will speak nevertheless: Dionysus is inferior to none of the gods.
Pentheus Already like fire does this insolence of the Bacchae blaze up, a great reproach for the Hellenes. 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.
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.
Pentheus Do not instruct me, but be content in your escape from prison. Or shall I bring punishment upon you again?
Dionysus I would sacrifice to the god rather than kick against his spurs in anger, a mortal against a god.
Pentheus I will sacrifice, making a great slaughter of the women, as they deserve, in the glens of Kithairon.
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.
Pentheus This stranger with whom I am locked together is impossible, and neither suffering nor doing will he be quiet.
Dionysus My friend, there is still opportunity to arrange these things well.
Pentheus Doing what? Being a slave to my slaves?
Dionysus Without weapons I will bring the women here.
Pentheus Alas! You are contriving this as a trick against me.
Dionysus What sort, if I wish to save you by my contrivances?
Pentheus You have devised this together, so that you may have your revelry forever.
Dionysus I certainly did—that is so—with the god.
Pentheus Bring me my armor. And you, stop speaking.
Dionysus Ah! Do you wish to see them sitting together in the mountains?
Pentheus Certainly. I’d give an enormous amount of gold for that.
Dionysus Why do you desire this so badly?
Pentheus I would be sorry to see them in their drunkenness.
Dionysus But would you see gladly what is grievous to you?
Pentheus To be sure, sitting quietly under the pines.
Dionysus But they will track you down, even if you go in secret.
Pentheus You are right: I will go openly.
Dionysus Shall I guide you? Will you attempt the journey?
Pentheus Lead me as quickly as possible. I grudge you the time.
Dionysus Put linen clothes on your body then.
Pentheus What is this? Shall I then, instead of a man, be reckoned among the women?
Dionysus Lest they kill you if you are seen there as a man.
Pentheus Again you speak correctly: how wise you have been all along!
Dionysus Dionysus taught me these things fully.
Pentheus How can your advice to me be well carried out?
Dionysus I will go inside and dress you.
Pentheus In what clothing? Female? But shame holds me back.
Dionysus Are you no longer eager to view the maenads?
Pentheus What clothing do you bid me to put on my body?
Dionysus I will spread out hair at length on your head.
Pentheus What is the second part of my outfit?
Dionysus A robe down to your feet. And you will wear a headband.
Pentheus And what else will you add to this for me?
Dionysus A thyrsos in your hand, and a dappled fawn-skin.
Pentheus I could not put on a woman’s dress.
Dionysus But you will shed blood if you join battle with the Bacchae.
Pentheus True. We must go first and spy.
Dionysus This is at any rate wiser than hunting trouble with trouble.
Pentheus And how will I go through the city without being seen by the Thebans?
Dionysus We will go on deserted roads. I will lead you.
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.
Dionysus It will be so; in any case I am ready.
Pentheus I will go in. For either I will go bearing arms, or I will obey your counsels.
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