Agave
Father, you may make a great boast, that you have born daughters the best by far of all mortals. I mean all of us, but myself especially, who have left my shuttle at the loom and gone on to greater things, to catch wild animals with my two hands. And having taken him, I carry these spoils of honor in my arms, as you see, so that they may hang from your house. You father, receive them in your hands. Preening yourself in my catch, call your friends to a feast. For you are blessed, blessed, now that we have performed these deeds.
Kadmos O grief beyond measuring, one which I cannot stand to see, that you have performed murder with miserable hands. Having cast down a fine sacrificial victim to the gods, you invite Thebes and me to a banquet. Alas, first for your troubles, then for my own. How justly, yet too severely, lord Bromius the god has destroyed us, though he is a member of our own family.
Agave How morose and sullen in its countenance is man’s old age! I hope that my son is a good hunter, taking after his mother’s ways, when he goes after wild beasts together with the young men of Thebes. But all he can do is fight with the gods. You must admonish him, father. Who will call him here to my sight, so that he may see how lucky I am?
Kadmos Alas, alas! When you realize what you have done you will suffer a terrible pain. But if you remain forever in the state you are in now, though hardly fortunate, you will not imagine that you are unfortunate.
Agave But what of these matters is not right, or what is painful?
Kadmos First cast your eye up to this sky.
Agave All right; why do you tell me to look at it?
Kadmos Is it still the same, or does it appear to have changed?
Agave It is brighter than before and more translucent.
Kadmos Is your soul still quivering?
Agave I don’t understand your words. I have become somehow sobered, changing from my former state of mind.
Kadmos Can you hear and respond clearly?
Agave Yes, for I forget what we said before, father.
Kadmos To whose house did you come in marriage?
Agave You gave me, as they say, to Echion, the sown man.
Kadmos What son did you bear to your husband in the house?
Agave Pentheus, from my union with his father.
Kadmos Whose head do you hold in your hands?
Agave A lion’s, as they who hunted him down said.
Kadmos Examine it correctly then; it takes but little effort to see.
Agave Ah! What do I see? What is this that I carry in my hands?
Kadmos Look at it and learn more clearly.
Agave I see the greatest grief, wretched that I am.
Kadmos Does it seem to you to be like a lion?
Agave No, but I, wretched, hold the head of Pentheus.
Kadmos Yes, much lamented before you recognized him.
Agave Who killed him? How did he come into my hands?
Kadmos Miserable truth, how inopportunely you arrive!
Agave Tell me. My heart leaps at what is to come.
Kadmos You and your sisters killed him.
Agave Where did he die? Was it here at home, or in what place?
Kadmos Where formerly dogs divided Actaeon among themselves.
Agave And why did this ill-fated man go to Kithairon?
Kadmos He went to mock the god and your revelry.
Agave But in what way did we go there?
Kadmos You were mad, and the whole city was frantic with Bacchus.
Agave Dionysus destroyed us—now I understand.
Kadmos Being insulted with insolence, for you did not consider him a god.
Agave And where is the body of my dearest child, father?
Kadmos I have traced it with difficulty and brought it back.
Agave Are its joints laid properly together?
Kadmos […]
Agave What part did Pentheus have in my folly?
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