Anna Muh / Transphobia in Bacchae
Furman University, University of Washington
Bacchae 912-976 (Murray)
Anna Muh / Transphobia in Bacchae
- Created on 2023-07-08 01:49:02
- Modified on 2023-07-23 20:02:11
- Translated by George Gilbert Aimé Murray
- Aligned by Anna Muh
Ἑλληνική Transliterate
English
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 .
Πενθεύς
καὶ μὴν ὁρᾶν μοι δύο μὲν ἡλίους δοκῶ ,
δισσὰς δὲ Θήβας καὶ πόλισμʼ ἑπτάστομον ·
καὶ ταῦρος ἡμῖν πρόσθεν ἡγεῖσθαι δοκεῖς
καὶ σῷ κέρατα κρατὶ προσπεφυκέναι .
ἀλλʼ ἦ ποτʼ ἦσθα θήρ ; τεταύρωσαι γὰρ οὖν .
Διόνυσος
ὁ θεὸς ὁμαρτεῖ , πρόσθεν ὢν οὐκ εὐμενής ,
ἔνσπονδος ἡμῖν · νῦν δʼ ὁρᾷς ἃ χρή σʼ ὁρᾶν .
Πενθεύς
τί φαίνομαι δῆτʼ ; οὐχὶ τὴν Ἰνοῦς στάσιν
ἢ τὴν Ἀγαύης ἑστάναι , μητρός γʼ ἐμῆς ;
Διόνυσος
αὐτὰς ἐκείνας εἰσορᾶν δοκῶ σʼ ὁρῶν .
ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἕδρας σοι πλόκαμος ἐξέστηχʼ ὅδε ,
οὐχ ὡς ἐγώ νιν ὑπὸ μίτρᾳ καθήρμοσα .
Πενθεύς
ἔνδον προσείων αὐτὸν ἀνασείων τʼ ἐγὼ
καὶ βακχιάζων ἐξ ἕδρας μεθώρμισα .
Διόνυσος
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν ἡμεῖς , οἷς σε θεραπεύειν μέλει ,
πάλιν καταστελοῦμεν · ἀλλʼ ὄρθου κάρα .
Πενθεύς
ἰδού , σὺ κόσμει · σοὶ γὰρ ἀνακείμεσθα δή .
Διόνυσος
ζῶναί τέ σοι χαλῶσι κοὐχ ἑξῆς πέπλων
στολίδες ὑπὸ σφυροῖσι τείνουσιν σέθεν .
Πενθεύς
κἀμοὶ δοκοῦσι παρά γε δεξιὸν πόδα ·
τἀνθένδε δʼ ὀρθῶς παρὰ τένοντʼ ἔχει πέπλος .
Διόνυσος
ἦ πού με τῶν σῶν πρῶτον ἡγήσῃ φίλων ,
ὅταν παρὰ λόγον σώφρονας βάκχας ἴδῃς .
Πενθεύς
πότερα δὲ θύρσον δεξιᾷ λαβὼν χερὶ
ἢ τῇδε , βάκχῃ μᾶλλον εἰκασθήσομαι ;
Διόνυσος
ἐν δεξιᾷ χρὴ χἅμα δεξιῷ ποδὶ
αἴρειν νιν · αἰνῶ δʼ ὅτι μεθέστηκας φρενῶν .
Πενθεύς
ἆρʼ ἂν δυναίμην τὰς Κιθαιρῶνος πτυχὰς
αὐταῖσι βάκχαις τοῖς ἐμοῖς ὤμοις φέρειν ;
Διόνυσος
δύναιʼ ἄν , εἰ βούλοιο · τὰς δὲ πρὶν φρένας
οὐκ εἶχες ὑγιεῖς , νῦν δʼ ἔχεις οἵας σε δεῖ .
Πενθεύς
μοχλοὺς φέρωμεν ; ἢ χεροῖν ἀνασπάσω
κορυφαῖς ὑποβαλὼν ὦμον ἢ βραχίονα ;
Διόνυσος
μὴ σύ γε τὰ Νυμφῶν διολέσῃς ἱδρύματα
καὶ Πανὸς ἕδρας ἔνθʼ ἔχει συρίγματα .
Πενθεύς
καλῶς ἔλεξας · οὐ σθένει νικητέον
γυναῖκας · ἐλάταισιν δʼ ἐμὸν κρύψω δέμας .
Διόνυσος
κρύψῃ σὺ κρύψιν ἥν σε κρυφθῆναι χρεών ,
ἐλθόντα δόλιον μαινάδων κατάσκοπον .
Πενθεύς
καὶ μὴν δοκῶ σφᾶς ἐν λόχμαις ὄρνιθας ὣς
λέκτρων ἔχεσθαι φιλτάτοις ἐν ἕρκεσιν .
Διόνυσος
οὐκοῦν ἐπʼ αὐτὸ τοῦτʼ ἀποστέλλῃ φύλαξ ·
λήψῃ δʼ ἴσως σφᾶς , ἢν σὺ μὴ ληφθῇς πάρος .
Πενθεύς
κόμιζε διὰ μέσης με Θηβαίας χθονός ·
μόνος γὰρ αὐτῶν εἰμʼ ἀνὴρ τολμῶν τόδε .
Διόνυσος
μόνος σὺ πόλεως τῆσδʼ ὑπερκάμνεις , μόνος ·
τοιγάρ σʼ ἀγῶνες ἀναμένουσιν οὓς ἐχρῆν .
ἕπου δέ · πομπὸς δʼ εἶμʼ ἐγὼ σωτήριος ,
κεῖθεν δʼ ἀπάξει σʼ ἄλλος .
Πενθεύς
ἡ τεκοῦσά γε .
Διόνυσος
ἐπίσημον ὄντα πᾶσιν .
Πενθεύς
ἐπὶ τόδʼ ἔρχομαι .
Διόνυσος
φερόμενος ἥξεις ⋯
Πενθεύς
ἁβρότητʼ ἐμὴν λέγεις .
Διόνυσος
ἐν χερσὶ μητρός .
Πενθεύς
καὶ τρυφᾶν μʼ ἀναγκάσεις .
Διόνυσος
τρυφάς γε τοιάσδε .
Πενθεύς
ἀξίων μὲν ἅπτομαι .
Διόνυσος
δεινὸς σὺ δεινὸς κἀπὶ δείνʼ ἔρχῃ πάθη ,
ὥστʼ οὐρανῷ στηρίζον εὑρήσεις κλέος .
ἔκτεινʼ , Ἀγαύη , χεῖρας αἵ θʼ ὁμόσποροι
Κάδμου θυγατέρες · τὸν νεανίαν ἄγω
τόνδʼ εἰς ἀγῶνα μέγαν , ὁ νικήσων δʼ ἐγὼ
καὶ Βρόμιος ἔσται . τἄλλα δʼ αὐτὸ σημανεῖ .
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 .
Πενθεύς
καὶ μὴν ὁρᾶν μοι δύο μὲν ἡλίους δοκῶ ,
δισσὰς δὲ Θήβας καὶ πόλισμʼ ἑπτάστομον ·
καὶ ταῦρος ἡμῖν πρόσθεν ἡγεῖσθαι δοκεῖς
καὶ σῷ κέρατα κρατὶ προσπεφυκέναι .
ἀλλʼ ἦ ποτʼ ἦσθα θήρ ; τεταύρωσαι γὰρ οὖν .
Διόνυσος
ὁ θεὸς ὁμαρτεῖ , πρόσθεν ὢν οὐκ εὐμενής ,
ἔνσπονδος ἡμῖν · νῦν δʼ ὁρᾷς ἃ χρή σʼ ὁρᾶν .
Πενθεύς
τί φαίνομαι δῆτʼ ; οὐχὶ τὴν Ἰνοῦς στάσιν
ἢ τὴν Ἀγαύης ἑστάναι , μητρός γʼ ἐμῆς ;
Διόνυσος
αὐτὰς ἐκείνας εἰσορᾶν δοκῶ σʼ ὁρῶν .
ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἕδρας σοι πλόκαμος ἐξέστηχʼ ὅδε ,
οὐχ ὡς ἐγώ νιν ὑπὸ μίτρᾳ καθήρμοσα .
Πενθεύς
ἔνδον προσείων αὐτὸν ἀνασείων τʼ ἐγὼ
καὶ βακχιάζων ἐξ ἕδρας μεθώρμισα .
Διόνυσος
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν ἡμεῖς , οἷς σε θεραπεύειν μέλει ,
πάλιν καταστελοῦμεν · ἀλλʼ ὄρθου κάρα .
Πενθεύς
ἰδού , σὺ κόσμει · σοὶ γὰρ ἀνακείμεσθα δή .
Διόνυσος
ζῶναί τέ σοι χαλῶσι κοὐχ ἑξῆς πέπλων
στολίδες ὑπὸ σφυροῖσι τείνουσιν σέθεν .
Πενθεύς
κἀμοὶ δοκοῦσι παρά γε δεξιὸν πόδα ·
τἀνθένδε δʼ ὀρθῶς παρὰ τένοντʼ ἔχει πέπλος .
Διόνυσος
ἦ πού με τῶν σῶν πρῶτον ἡγήσῃ φίλων ,
ὅταν παρὰ λόγον σώφρονας βάκχας ἴδῃς .
Πενθεύς
πότερα δὲ θύρσον δεξιᾷ λαβὼν χερὶ
ἢ τῇδε , βάκχῃ μᾶλλον εἰκασθήσομαι ;
Διόνυσος
ἐν δεξιᾷ χρὴ χἅμα δεξιῷ ποδὶ
αἴρειν νιν · αἰνῶ δʼ ὅτι μεθέστηκας φρενῶν .
Πενθεύς
ἆρʼ ἂν δυναίμην τὰς Κιθαιρῶνος πτυχὰς
αὐταῖσι βάκχαις τοῖς ἐμοῖς ὤμοις φέρειν ;
Διόνυσος
δύναιʼ ἄν , εἰ βούλοιο · τὰς δὲ πρὶν φρένας
οὐκ εἶχες ὑγιεῖς , νῦν δʼ ἔχεις οἵας σε δεῖ .
Πενθεύς
μοχλοὺς φέρωμεν ; ἢ χεροῖν ἀνασπάσω
κορυφαῖς ὑποβαλὼν ὦμον ἢ βραχίονα ;
Διόνυσος
μὴ σύ γε τὰ Νυμφῶν διολέσῃς ἱδρύματα
καὶ Πανὸς ἕδρας ἔνθʼ ἔχει συρίγματα .
Πενθεύς
καλῶς ἔλεξας · οὐ σθένει νικητέον
γυναῖκας · ἐλάταισιν δʼ ἐμὸν κρύψω δέμας .
Διόνυσος
κρύψῃ σὺ κρύψιν ἥν σε κρυφθῆναι χρεών ,
ἐλθόντα δόλιον μαινάδων κατάσκοπον .
Πενθεύς
καὶ μὴν δοκῶ σφᾶς ἐν λόχμαις ὄρνιθας ὣς
λέκτρων ἔχεσθαι φιλτάτοις ἐν ἕρκεσιν .
Διόνυσος
οὐκοῦν ἐπʼ αὐτὸ τοῦτʼ ἀποστέλλῃ φύλαξ ·
λήψῃ δʼ ἴσως σφᾶς , ἢν σὺ μὴ ληφθῇς πάρος .
Πενθεύς
κόμιζε διὰ μέσης με Θηβαίας χθονός ·
μόνος γὰρ αὐτῶν εἰμʼ ἀνὴρ τολμῶν τόδε .
Διόνυσος
μόνος σὺ πόλεως τῆσδʼ ὑπερκάμνεις , μόνος ·
τοιγάρ σʼ ἀγῶνες ἀναμένουσιν οὓς ἐχρῆν .
ἕπου δέ · πομπὸς δʼ εἶμʼ ἐγὼ σωτήριος ,
κεῖθεν δʼ ἀπάξει σʼ ἄλλος .
Πενθεύς
ἡ τεκοῦσά γε .
Διόνυσος
ἐπίσημον ὄντα πᾶσιν .
Πενθεύς
ἐπὶ τόδʼ ἔρχομαι .
Διόνυσος
φερόμενος ἥξεις ⋯
Πενθεύς
ἁβρότητʼ ἐμὴν λέγεις .
Διόνυσος
ἐν χερσὶ μητρός .
Πενθεύς
καὶ τρυφᾶν μʼ ἀναγκάσεις .
Διόνυσος
τρυφάς γε τοιάσδε .
Πενθεύς
ἀξίων μὲν ἅπτομαι .
Διόνυσος
δεινὸς σὺ δεινὸς κἀπὶ δείνʼ ἔρχῃ πάθη ,
ὥστʼ οὐρανῷ στηρίζον εὑρήσεις κλέος .
ἔκτεινʼ , Ἀγαύη , χεῖρας αἵ θʼ ὁμόσποροι
Κάδμου θυγατέρες · τὸν νεανίαν ἄγω
τόνδʼ εἰς ἀγῶνα μέγαν , ὁ νικήσων δʼ ἐγὼ
καὶ Βρόμιος ἔσται . τἄλλα δʼ αὐτὸ σημανεῖ .
Dionysus
.
O eye that cravest sights thou must not see ,
O heart athirst for that which slakes not ! Thee ,
Pentheus , I call ; forth and be seen , in guise
Of woman , Maenad , saint of Dionyse ,
To spy upon His Chosen and thine own
Mother !
Thy shape , methinks , is like to one
Of Cadmus ' royal maids !
Pentheus .
Yea ; and mine eye
Is bright ! Yon sun shines twofold in the sky ,
Thebes twofold and the Wall of Seven Gates . . . .
And is it a Wild Bull this , that walks and waits
Before me ? There are horns upon thy brow !
What art thou , man or beast ? For surely now
The Bull is on thee !
Dionysus .
He who erst was wrath ,
Goes with us now in gentleness . He hath
Unsealed thine eyes to see what thou shouldst see .
Pentheus .
Say ; stand I not as Ino stands , or she
Who bore me ?
Dionysus .
When I look on thee , it seems
I see their very selves ! — But stay ; why streams
That lock abroad , not where I laid it , crossed
Under the coif ?
Pentheus .
I did it , as I tossed
My head in dancing , to and fro , and cried
His holy music !
Dionysus .
It shall soon be tied
Aright . ' Tis mine to tend thee . . . . Nay , but stand
With head straight .
Pentheus .
In the hollow of thy hand
I lay me . Deck me as thou wilt .
Dionysus .
Thy zone
Is loosened likewise ; and the folded gown
Not evenly falling to the feet .
Pentheus .
' Tis so ,
By the right foot . But here , methinks , they flow
In one straight line to the heel .
Dionysus .
And if thou prove
Their madness true , aye , more than true , what love
And thanks hast thou for me ?
Pentheus .
In my right hand
Is it , or thus , that I should bear the wand ,
To be most like to them ?
Dionysus .
Up let it swing
In the right hand , timed with the right foot ' s spring . . . .
' Tis well thy heart is changed !
Pentheus .
What strength is this !
Kithaeron ' s steeps and all that in them is —
How say ' st thou ? — Could my shoulders lift the whole ?
Dionysus .
Surely thou canst , and if thou wilt ! Thy soul ,
Being once so sick , now stands as it should stand .
Pentheus .
Shall it be bars of iron ? Or this bare hand
And shoulder to the crags , to wrench them down ?
Dionysus .
Wouldst wreck the Nymphs ' wild temples , and the brown
Rocks , where Pan pipes at noonday ?
Pentheus
Nay ; not I !
Force is not well with women . I will lie
Hid in the pine-brake .
Dionysus .
Even as fits a spy
On holy and fearful things , so shalt thou lie !
Pentheus .
They lie there now , methinks — the wild birds , caught
By love among the leaves , and fluttering not !
Dionysus .
It may be . That is what thou goest to see ,
Aye , and to trap them — so they trap not thee !
Pentheus .
Forth through the Thebans ' town ! I am their king ,
Aye , their one Man , seeing I dare this thing !
Dionysus .
Yea , thou shalt bear their burden , thou alone ;
Therefore thy trial awaiteth thee ! — But on ;
With me into thine ambush shalt thou come
Unscathed ; then let another bear thee home !
Pentheus .
The Queen , my mother .
Dionysus .
Marked of every eye .
Pentheus .
For that I go !
Dionysus .
Thou shalt be borne on high !
Pentheus .
That were like pride !
Dionysus .
Thy mother ' s hands shall share
Thy carrying .
Pentheus .
Nay ; I need not such soft care !
Dionysus .
So soft ?
Pentheus .
Whate ' er it be , I have earned it well !
Dionysus .
Fell , fell art thou ; and to a doom so fell
Thou walkest , that thy name from South to North
Shall shine , a sign for ever ! — Reach thou forth
Thine arms , Agâvê , now , and ye dark-browed
Cadmeian sisters ! Greet this prince so proud
To the high ordeal , where save God and me ,
None walks unscathed ! — The rest this day shall see .
O eye that cravest sights thou must not see ,
O heart athirst for that which slakes not ! Thee ,
Pentheus , I call ; forth and be seen , in guise
Of woman , Maenad , saint of Dionyse ,
To spy upon His Chosen and thine own
Mother !
Thy shape , methinks , is like to one
Of Cadmus ' royal maids !
Pentheus .
Yea ; and mine eye
Is bright ! Yon sun shines twofold in the sky ,
Thebes twofold and the Wall of Seven Gates . . . .
And is it a Wild Bull this , that walks and waits
Before me ? There are horns upon thy brow !
What art thou , man or beast ? For surely now
The Bull is on thee !
Dionysus .
He who erst was wrath ,
Goes with us now in gentleness . He hath
Unsealed thine eyes to see what thou shouldst see .
Pentheus .
Say ; stand I not as Ino stands , or she
Who bore me ?
Dionysus .
When I look on thee , it seems
I see their very selves ! — But stay ; why streams
That lock abroad , not where I laid it , crossed
Under the coif ?
Pentheus .
I did it , as I tossed
My head in dancing , to and fro , and cried
His holy music !
Dionysus .
It shall soon be tied
Aright . ' Tis mine to tend thee . . . . Nay , but stand
With head straight .
Pentheus .
In the hollow of thy hand
I lay me . Deck me as thou wilt .
Dionysus .
Thy zone
Is loosened likewise ; and the folded gown
Not evenly falling to the feet .
Pentheus .
' Tis so ,
By the right foot . But here , methinks , they flow
In one straight line to the heel .
Dionysus .
And if thou prove
Their madness true , aye , more than true , what love
And thanks hast thou for me ?
Pentheus .
In my right hand
Is it , or thus , that I should bear the wand ,
To be most like to them ?
Dionysus .
Up let it swing
In the right hand , timed with the right foot ' s spring . . . .
' Tis well thy heart is changed !
Pentheus .
What strength is this !
Kithaeron ' s steeps and all that in them is —
How say ' st thou ? — Could my shoulders lift the whole ?
Dionysus .
Surely thou canst , and if thou wilt ! Thy soul ,
Being once so sick , now stands as it should stand .
Pentheus .
Shall it be bars of iron ? Or this bare hand
And shoulder to the crags , to wrench them down ?
Dionysus .
Wouldst wreck the Nymphs ' wild temples , and the brown
Rocks , where Pan pipes at noonday ?
Pentheus
Nay ; not I !
Force is not well with women . I will lie
Hid in the pine-brake .
Dionysus .
Even as fits a spy
On holy and fearful things , so shalt thou lie !
Pentheus .
They lie there now , methinks — the wild birds , caught
By love among the leaves , and fluttering not !
Dionysus .
It may be . That is what thou goest to see ,
Aye , and to trap them — so they trap not thee !
Pentheus .
Forth through the Thebans ' town ! I am their king ,
Aye , their one Man , seeing I dare this thing !
Dionysus .
Yea , thou shalt bear their burden , thou alone ;
Therefore thy trial awaiteth thee ! — But on ;
With me into thine ambush shalt thou come
Unscathed ; then let another bear thee home !
Pentheus .
The Queen , my mother .
Dionysus .
Marked of every eye .
Pentheus .
For that I go !
Dionysus .
Thou shalt be borne on high !
Pentheus .
That were like pride !
Dionysus .
Thy mother ' s hands shall share
Thy carrying .
Pentheus .
Nay ; I need not such soft care !
Dionysus .
So soft ?
Pentheus .
Whate ' er it be , I have earned it well !
Dionysus .
Fell , fell art thou ; and to a doom so fell
Thou walkest , that thy name from South to North
Shall shine , a sign for ever ! — Reach thou forth
Thine arms , Agâvê , now , and ye dark-browed
Cadmeian sisters ! Greet this prince so proud
To the high ordeal , where save God and me ,
None walks unscathed ! — The rest this day shall see .
Bacchae 912-976 (Theodoridis)
Anna Muh / Transphobia in Bacchae
- Created on 2023-07-23 20:08:15
- Modified on 2023-07-26 03:03:39
- Translated by George Theodoridis
- Aligned by Anna Muh
Ἑλληνική Transliterate
English
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 .
Πενθεύς
καὶ μὴν ὁρᾶν μοι δύο μὲν ἡλίους δοκῶ ,
δισσὰς δὲ Θήβας καὶ πόλισμʼ ἑπτάστομον ·
καὶ ταῦρος ἡμῖν πρόσθεν ἡγεῖσθαι δοκεῖς
καὶ σῷ κέρατα κρατὶ προσπεφυκέναι .
ἀλλʼ ἦ ποτʼ ἦσθα θήρ ; τεταύρωσαι γὰρ οὖν .
Διόνυσος
ὁ θεὸς ὁμαρτεῖ , πρόσθεν ὢν οὐκ εὐμενής ,
ἔνσπονδος ἡμῖν · νῦν δʼ ὁρᾷς ἃ χρή σʼ ὁρᾶν .
Πενθεύς
τί φαίνομαι δῆτʼ ; οὐχὶ τὴν Ἰνοῦς στάσιν
ἢ τὴν Ἀγαύης ἑστάναι , μητρός γʼ ἐμῆς ;
Διόνυσος
αὐτὰς ἐκείνας εἰσορᾶν δοκῶ σʼ ὁρῶν .
ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἕδρας σοι πλόκαμος ἐξέστηχʼ ὅδε ,
οὐχ ὡς ἐγώ νιν ὑπὸ μίτρᾳ καθήρμοσα .
Πενθεύς
ἔνδον προσείων αὐτὸν ἀνασείων τʼ ἐγὼ
καὶ βακχιάζων ἐξ ἕδρας μεθώρμισα .
Διόνυσος
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν ἡμεῖς , οἷς σε θεραπεύειν μέλει ,
πάλιν καταστελοῦμεν · ἀλλʼ ὄρθου κάρα .
Πενθεύς
ἰδού , σὺ κόσμει · σοὶ γὰρ ἀνακείμεσθα δή .
Διόνυσος
ζῶναί τέ σοι χαλῶσι κοὐχ ἑξῆς πέπλων
στολίδες ὑπὸ σφυροῖσι τείνουσιν σέθεν .
Πενθεύς
κἀμοὶ δοκοῦσι παρά γε δεξιὸν πόδα ·
τἀνθένδε δʼ ὀρθῶς παρὰ τένοντʼ ἔχει πέπλος .
Διόνυσος
ἦ πού με τῶν σῶν πρῶτον ἡγήσῃ φίλων ,
ὅταν παρὰ λόγον σώφρονας βάκχας ἴδῃς .
Πενθεύς
πότερα δὲ θύρσον δεξιᾷ λαβὼν χερὶ
ἢ τῇδε , βάκχῃ μᾶλλον εἰκασθήσομαι ;
Διόνυσος
ἐν δεξιᾷ χρὴ χἅμα δεξιῷ ποδὶ
αἴρειν νιν · αἰνῶ δʼ ὅτι μεθέστηκας φρενῶν .
Πενθεύς
ἆρʼ ἂν δυναίμην τὰς Κιθαιρῶνος πτυχὰς
αὐταῖσι βάκχαις τοῖς ἐμοῖς ὤμοις φέρειν ;
Διόνυσος
δύναιʼ ἄν , εἰ βούλοιο · τὰς δὲ πρὶν φρένας
οὐκ εἶχες ὑγιεῖς , νῦν δʼ ἔχεις οἵας σε δεῖ .
Πενθεύς
μοχλοὺς φέρωμεν ; ἢ χεροῖν ἀνασπάσω
κορυφαῖς ὑποβαλὼν ὦμον ἢ βραχίονα ;
Διόνυσος
μὴ σύ γε τὰ Νυμφῶν διολέσῃς ἱδρύματα
καὶ Πανὸς ἕδρας ἔνθʼ ἔχει συρίγματα .
Πενθεύς
καλῶς ἔλεξας · οὐ σθένει νικητέον
γυναῖκας · ἐλάταισιν δʼ ἐμὸν κρύψω δέμας .
Διόνυσος
κρύψῃ σὺ κρύψιν ἥν σε κρυφθῆναι χρεών ,
ἐλθόντα δόλιον μαινάδων κατάσκοπον .
Πενθεύς
καὶ μὴν δοκῶ σφᾶς ἐν λόχμαις ὄρνιθας ὣς
λέκτρων ἔχεσθαι φιλτάτοις ἐν ἕρκεσιν .
Διόνυσος
οὐκοῦν ἐπʼ αὐτὸ τοῦτʼ ἀποστέλλῃ φύλαξ ·
λήψῃ δʼ ἴσως σφᾶς , ἢν σὺ μὴ ληφθῇς πάρος .
Πενθεύς
κόμιζε διὰ μέσης με Θηβαίας χθονός ·
μόνος γὰρ αὐτῶν εἰμʼ ἀνὴρ τολμῶν τόδε .
Διόνυσος
μόνος σὺ πόλεως τῆσδʼ ὑπερκάμνεις , μόνος ·
τοιγάρ σʼ ἀγῶνες ἀναμένουσιν οὓς ἐχρῆν .
ἕπου δέ · πομπὸς δʼ εἶμʼ ἐγὼ σωτήριος ,
κεῖθεν δʼ ἀπάξει σʼ ἄλλος .
Πενθεύς
ἡ τεκοῦσά γε .
Διόνυσος
ἐπίσημον ὄντα πᾶσιν .
Πενθεύς
ἐπὶ τόδʼ ἔρχομαι .
Διόνυσος
φερόμενος ἥξεις ⋯
Πενθεύς
ἁβρότητʼ ἐμὴν λέγεις .
Διόνυσος
ἐν χερσὶ μητρός .
Πενθεύς
καὶ τρυφᾶν μʼ ἀναγκάσεις .
Διόνυσος
τρυφάς γε τοιάσδε .
Πενθεύς
ἀξίων μὲν ἅπτομαι .
Διόνυσος
δεινὸς σὺ δεινὸς κἀπὶ δείνʼ ἔρχῃ πάθη ,
ὥστʼ οὐρανῷ στηρίζον εὑρήσεις κλέος .
ἔκτεινʼ , Ἀγαύη , χεῖρας αἵ θʼ ὁμόσποροι
Κάδμου θυγατέρες · τὸν νεανίαν ἄγω
τόνδʼ εἰς ἀγῶνα μέγαν , ὁ νικήσων δʼ ἐγὼ
καὶ Βρόμιος ἔσται . τἄλλα δʼ αὐτὸ σημανεῖ .
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 .
Πενθεύς
καὶ μὴν ὁρᾶν μοι δύο μὲν ἡλίους δοκῶ ,
δισσὰς δὲ Θήβας καὶ πόλισμʼ ἑπτάστομον ·
καὶ ταῦρος ἡμῖν πρόσθεν ἡγεῖσθαι δοκεῖς
καὶ σῷ κέρατα κρατὶ προσπεφυκέναι .
ἀλλʼ ἦ ποτʼ ἦσθα θήρ ; τεταύρωσαι γὰρ οὖν .
Διόνυσος
ὁ θεὸς ὁμαρτεῖ , πρόσθεν ὢν οὐκ εὐμενής ,
ἔνσπονδος ἡμῖν · νῦν δʼ ὁρᾷς ἃ χρή σʼ ὁρᾶν .
Πενθεύς
τί φαίνομαι δῆτʼ ; οὐχὶ τὴν Ἰνοῦς στάσιν
ἢ τὴν Ἀγαύης ἑστάναι , μητρός γʼ ἐμῆς ;
Διόνυσος
αὐτὰς ἐκείνας εἰσορᾶν δοκῶ σʼ ὁρῶν .
ἀλλʼ ἐξ ἕδρας σοι πλόκαμος ἐξέστηχʼ ὅδε ,
οὐχ ὡς ἐγώ νιν ὑπὸ μίτρᾳ καθήρμοσα .
Πενθεύς
ἔνδον προσείων αὐτὸν ἀνασείων τʼ ἐγὼ
καὶ βακχιάζων ἐξ ἕδρας μεθώρμισα .
Διόνυσος
ἀλλʼ αὐτὸν ἡμεῖς , οἷς σε θεραπεύειν μέλει ,
πάλιν καταστελοῦμεν · ἀλλʼ ὄρθου κάρα .
Πενθεύς
ἰδού , σὺ κόσμει · σοὶ γὰρ ἀνακείμεσθα δή .
Διόνυσος
ζῶναί τέ σοι χαλῶσι κοὐχ ἑξῆς πέπλων
στολίδες ὑπὸ σφυροῖσι τείνουσιν σέθεν .
Πενθεύς
κἀμοὶ δοκοῦσι παρά γε δεξιὸν πόδα ·
τἀνθένδε δʼ ὀρθῶς παρὰ τένοντʼ ἔχει πέπλος .
Διόνυσος
ἦ πού με τῶν σῶν πρῶτον ἡγήσῃ φίλων ,
ὅταν παρὰ λόγον σώφρονας βάκχας ἴδῃς .
Πενθεύς
πότερα δὲ θύρσον δεξιᾷ λαβὼν χερὶ
ἢ τῇδε , βάκχῃ μᾶλλον εἰκασθήσομαι ;
Διόνυσος
ἐν δεξιᾷ χρὴ χἅμα δεξιῷ ποδὶ
αἴρειν νιν · αἰνῶ δʼ ὅτι μεθέστηκας φρενῶν .
Πενθεύς
ἆρʼ ἂν δυναίμην τὰς Κιθαιρῶνος πτυχὰς
αὐταῖσι βάκχαις τοῖς ἐμοῖς ὤμοις φέρειν ;
Διόνυσος
δύναιʼ ἄν , εἰ βούλοιο · τὰς δὲ πρὶν φρένας
οὐκ εἶχες ὑγιεῖς , νῦν δʼ ἔχεις οἵας σε δεῖ .
Πενθεύς
μοχλοὺς φέρωμεν ; ἢ χεροῖν ἀνασπάσω
κορυφαῖς ὑποβαλὼν ὦμον ἢ βραχίονα ;
Διόνυσος
μὴ σύ γε τὰ Νυμφῶν διολέσῃς ἱδρύματα
καὶ Πανὸς ἕδρας ἔνθʼ ἔχει συρίγματα .
Πενθεύς
καλῶς ἔλεξας · οὐ σθένει νικητέον
γυναῖκας · ἐλάταισιν δʼ ἐμὸν κρύψω δέμας .
Διόνυσος
κρύψῃ σὺ κρύψιν ἥν σε κρυφθῆναι χρεών ,
ἐλθόντα δόλιον μαινάδων κατάσκοπον .
Πενθεύς
καὶ μὴν δοκῶ σφᾶς ἐν λόχμαις ὄρνιθας ὣς
λέκτρων ἔχεσθαι φιλτάτοις ἐν ἕρκεσιν .
Διόνυσος
οὐκοῦν ἐπʼ αὐτὸ τοῦτʼ ἀποστέλλῃ φύλαξ ·
λήψῃ δʼ ἴσως σφᾶς , ἢν σὺ μὴ ληφθῇς πάρος .
Πενθεύς
κόμιζε διὰ μέσης με Θηβαίας χθονός ·
μόνος γὰρ αὐτῶν εἰμʼ ἀνὴρ τολμῶν τόδε .
Διόνυσος
μόνος σὺ πόλεως τῆσδʼ ὑπερκάμνεις , μόνος ·
τοιγάρ σʼ ἀγῶνες ἀναμένουσιν οὓς ἐχρῆν .
ἕπου δέ · πομπὸς δʼ εἶμʼ ἐγὼ σωτήριος ,
κεῖθεν δʼ ἀπάξει σʼ ἄλλος .
Πενθεύς
ἡ τεκοῦσά γε .
Διόνυσος
ἐπίσημον ὄντα πᾶσιν .
Πενθεύς
ἐπὶ τόδʼ ἔρχομαι .
Διόνυσος
φερόμενος ἥξεις ⋯
Πενθεύς
ἁβρότητʼ ἐμὴν λέγεις .
Διόνυσος
ἐν χερσὶ μητρός .
Πενθεύς
καὶ τρυφᾶν μʼ ἀναγκάσεις .
Διόνυσος
τρυφάς γε τοιάσδε .
Πενθεύς
ἀξίων μὲν ἅπτομαι .
Διόνυσος
δεινὸς σὺ δεινὸς κἀπὶ δείνʼ ἔρχῃ πάθη ,
ὥστʼ οὐρανῷ στηρίζον εὑρήσεις κλέος .
ἔκτεινʼ , Ἀγαύη , χεῖρας αἵ θʼ ὁμόσποροι
Κάδμου θυγατέρες · τὸν νεανίαν ἄγω
τόνδʼ εἰς ἀγῶνα μέγαν , ὁ νικήσων δʼ ἐγὼ
καὶ Βρόμιος ἔσται . τἄλλα δʼ αὐτὸ σημανεῖ .
Chorus
You , Pentheus ! It is you , I mean . You who’s anxious to see things you really don’t need to see , it is enough for you to look to find what can be found . Pentheus ! Come out of the palace . Let me see you dressed in your new clothes as a Maenad , a Bacchant . You who’s anxious to spy on your mother and on the Bacchic rituals .
Pentheus
I … I think I can see two suns … and our city of seven gates , Thebes … there are two of them also . And you , stranger , you act as my guide , I see you’ve turned into a great bull and two huge horns have sprouted out of your head ! Were you ever before a beast ?
Dionysos
Ah , yes ! Your eyes have been restored now , Pentheus . Now you can see properly . You see ? God is with us now , not like before when he fought us .
Pentheus
So , how do I look ? Look at my face . Is it more similar to my mother’s Agave’s or to Ino’s ?
Dionysos
Hmm … to tell you the truth , when I look at you carefully … I think I can see both of them in you . O , look at this curl , you’ve messed it up . Not at all like I did it inside .
Pentheus
Yes , I had a bit of a dance inside and as I whirled my head around a bit , like the Bacchants , I threw it out of its place .
Dionysos
Here , let me fix it for you . Lift your head a bit .
Pentheus
Come , I’m in your hands . Tidy me up a bit .
Dionysos
Look here ! Your girdle is very loose and the folds of your robe don’t fall straight , all the way to your ankles .
Pentheus
Yes , I thought so ! It’s all right with the left leg though , isn’t it ?
Dionysos
You’ll see , Pentheus . I’ll be your best friend once you see how wise and properly behaved the Bacchants are .
Pentheus
How do I hold the thyrsus so that I can look more like a Bacchant ? Right hand or left ?
Dionysos
You hold it with your right hand and move your right foot forward at the same time . I’m glad you’ve changed your mind about all this .
Pentheus
Do you think I’d be able to lift the whole mountain , its valleys and all the Bacchants on my back ?
Dionysos
Of course you will ! Now that you have your mind back , you can do whatever you like . Not like before .
Pentheus
Well , should I bring great levers and pulleys for the job or could I do it with my bare hands , arms and shoulders ? I mean tear up the whole mountain .
Dionysos
You’d have to be careful not to destroy the Bacchants’ haunts and the dens of Pan ! You know how Pan loves to play his pipes around there .
Pentheus
Quite right , quite right . It’s not proper to use my strength to defeat mere women . I’ll hide among the fir trees .
Dionysos
Absolutely ! You must hide yourself well , since you’re going there secretly , to spy upon them .
Pentheus
He , he ! I think I’ll be catching these women as one catches the little birds : inside their little love nests .
Dionysos
Well , that’s what you’re going there for , to spy on them and catch them … that is … if they don’t catch you first !
Pentheus
Take me right through the centre of Thebes , stranger ! Because I want to show them that I’m the only one among them who dares do such a thing .
Dionysos
You are the only one who cares for your city , enough to undergo such trials , Pentheus . The trails are worthy of just such a brave man as you . Follow me . I’ll be your guide and your saviour . Once we’re there , others will take over from me …
Pentheus
My mother , yes .
Dionysos
You’re a revered symbol to them all , Pentheus .
Pentheus
That’s why I’m coming .
Dionysos
… take you from me and deliver you to …
Pentheus
Take me from you … like a spoilt child , you mean ?
Dionysos
… your mother .
Pentheus
You are giving me such a big head with all your compliments .
Dionysos
And what a big head !
Pentheus
I do deserve it , of course !
Dionysos
You’re a mighty man , Pentheus ! Mightier than the mighty and there are mighty battles waiting for you , mighty enough for your glory to reach the heavens ! Oh , Agave and all of you , daughters of Kadmos , open your arms , get ready for the man I’m bringing you . Receive him and offer him this mighty battle – a battle of which I’ll be the winner . I and Dionysos . The battle will disclose whatever else is necessary .
You , Pentheus ! It is you , I mean . You who’s anxious to see things you really don’t need to see , it is enough for you to look to find what can be found . Pentheus ! Come out of the palace . Let me see you dressed in your new clothes as a Maenad , a Bacchant . You who’s anxious to spy on your mother and on the Bacchic rituals .
Pentheus
I … I think I can see two suns … and our city of seven gates , Thebes … there are two of them also . And you , stranger , you act as my guide , I see you’ve turned into a great bull and two huge horns have sprouted out of your head ! Were you ever before a beast ?
Dionysos
Ah , yes ! Your eyes have been restored now , Pentheus . Now you can see properly . You see ? God is with us now , not like before when he fought us .
Pentheus
So , how do I look ? Look at my face . Is it more similar to my mother’s Agave’s or to Ino’s ?
Dionysos
Hmm … to tell you the truth , when I look at you carefully … I think I can see both of them in you . O , look at this curl , you’ve messed it up . Not at all like I did it inside .
Pentheus
Yes , I had a bit of a dance inside and as I whirled my head around a bit , like the Bacchants , I threw it out of its place .
Dionysos
Here , let me fix it for you . Lift your head a bit .
Pentheus
Come , I’m in your hands . Tidy me up a bit .
Dionysos
Look here ! Your girdle is very loose and the folds of your robe don’t fall straight , all the way to your ankles .
Pentheus
Yes , I thought so ! It’s all right with the left leg though , isn’t it ?
Dionysos
You’ll see , Pentheus . I’ll be your best friend once you see how wise and properly behaved the Bacchants are .
Pentheus
How do I hold the thyrsus so that I can look more like a Bacchant ? Right hand or left ?
Dionysos
You hold it with your right hand and move your right foot forward at the same time . I’m glad you’ve changed your mind about all this .
Pentheus
Do you think I’d be able to lift the whole mountain , its valleys and all the Bacchants on my back ?
Dionysos
Of course you will ! Now that you have your mind back , you can do whatever you like . Not like before .
Pentheus
Well , should I bring great levers and pulleys for the job or could I do it with my bare hands , arms and shoulders ? I mean tear up the whole mountain .
Dionysos
You’d have to be careful not to destroy the Bacchants’ haunts and the dens of Pan ! You know how Pan loves to play his pipes around there .
Pentheus
Quite right , quite right . It’s not proper to use my strength to defeat mere women . I’ll hide among the fir trees .
Dionysos
Absolutely ! You must hide yourself well , since you’re going there secretly , to spy upon them .
Pentheus
He , he ! I think I’ll be catching these women as one catches the little birds : inside their little love nests .
Dionysos
Well , that’s what you’re going there for , to spy on them and catch them … that is … if they don’t catch you first !
Pentheus
Take me right through the centre of Thebes , stranger ! Because I want to show them that I’m the only one among them who dares do such a thing .
Dionysos
You are the only one who cares for your city , enough to undergo such trials , Pentheus . The trails are worthy of just such a brave man as you . Follow me . I’ll be your guide and your saviour . Once we’re there , others will take over from me …
Pentheus
My mother , yes .
Dionysos
You’re a revered symbol to them all , Pentheus .
Pentheus
That’s why I’m coming .
Dionysos
… take you from me and deliver you to …
Pentheus
Take me from you … like a spoilt child , you mean ?
Dionysos
… your mother .
Pentheus
You are giving me such a big head with all your compliments .
Dionysos
And what a big head !
Pentheus
I do deserve it , of course !
Dionysos
You’re a mighty man , Pentheus ! Mightier than the mighty and there are mighty battles waiting for you , mighty enough for your glory to reach the heavens ! Oh , Agave and all of you , daughters of Kadmos , open your arms , get ready for the man I’m bringing you . Receive him and offer him this mighty battle – a battle of which I’ll be the winner . I and Dionysos . The battle will disclose whatever else is necessary .