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. In appearance you are like one of Kadmos’ daughters.
Pentheus Oh look! I think I see two suns, and twin Thebes, the seven-gated city. 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.
Dionysus The god accompanies us, now at truce with us, though formerly not propitious. Now you see what you should see.
Pentheus How do I look? Don’t I have the posture of Ino, or of my mother Agave?
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.
Pentheus I displaced it indoors, shaking my head forwards and backwards and practising my Bacchic revelry.
Dionysus But I who ought to wait on you will re-arrange it. Hold up your head.
Pentheus Here, you arrange it; for I depend on you, indeed.
Dionysus Your girdle has come loose, and the pleats of your gown do not extend regularly down around your ankles.
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.
Dionysus You will surely consider me the best of your friends, when contrary to your expectation you see the Bacchae acting modestly.
Pentheus But shall I be more like a maenad holding the thyrsos in my right hand, or in my left?
Dionysus You must hold it in your right hand and raise your right foot in unison with it. I praise you for having changed your mind.
Pentheus Could I carry on my shoulders the glens of Kithairon, Bacchae and all?
Dionysus You could if you were willing. The state of mind you had before was unsound, but now you think as you ought.
Pentheus Shall we bring levers? Or shall I draw them up with my hands, putting a shoulder or arm under the mountain-tops?
Dionysus But don’t destroy the seats of the Nymphs and the places where Pan plays his pipes.
Pentheus Well said. The women are not to be taken by force; I will hide in the pines.
Dionysus You will hide yourself as you should be hidden, coming as a crafty spy on the Maenads.
Pentheus Oh, yes! I imagine that like birds they are in the bushes held in the sweetest grips of love.
Dionysus You have been sent as a guard against this very event. Perhaps you will catch them, if you yourself are not caught before.
Pentheus Bring me through the midst of the Theban land. I am the only man of them who dares to perform this deed.
Dionysus You alone bear the burden for this city, you alone. Therefore the labors which are proper await you. Follow me. I am your saving guide: another will lead you down from there.
Pentheus Yes, my mother.
Dionysus And you will be remarkable to all.
Pentheus I am going for this reason.
Dionysus You will return here being carried—
Pentheus You talk of a delicacy for me.
Dionysus In the arms of your mother.
Pentheus You will force me to luxury.
Dionysus Yes indeed, such luxury!
Pentheus I will get what I deserve.
Dionysus You are terrible, terrible, and you go to terrible sufferings, so that you will find a renown reaching to heaven. Reach out your hands, Agave, and you too, her sisters, daughters of Kadmos. I lead this young man to a great contest, and Bromius and I will be the victors. The rest the matter itself will show.
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