Thence we sailed on , grieved at heart , and we came to the land of the Cyclopes , an overweening and lawless folk , who , trusting in the immortal gods , plant nothing with their hands nor plough ; but all these things spring up for them without sowing or ploughing , wheat , and barley , and vines , which bear the rich clusters of wine , and the rain of Zeus gives them increase . Neither assemblies nor council have they , nor appointed laws , but they dwell on the peaks of lofty mountains in hollow caves , and each one is lawgiver to his children and his wives , and they reck nothing one of another .

ἔνθεν δὲ προτέρω πλέομεν ἀκαχήμενοι ἦτορ :
Κυκλώπων δ᾽ ἐς γαῖαν ὑπερφιάλων ἀθεμίστων
ἱκόμεθ᾽ , οἵ ῥα θεοῖσι πεποιθότες ἀθανάτοισιν
οὔτε φυτεύουσιν χερσὶν φυτὸν οὔτ᾽ ἀρόωσιν ,
ἀλλὰ τά γ᾽ ἄσπαρτα καὶ ἀνήροτα πάντα φύονται ,
110πυροὶ καὶ κριθαὶ ἠδ᾽ ἄμπελοι , αἵ τε φέρουσιν
οἶνον ἐριστάφυλον , καί σφιν Διὸς ὄμβρος ἀέξει .
τοῖσιν δ᾽ οὔτ᾽ ἀγοραὶ βουληφόροι οὔτε θέμιστες ,
ἀλλ᾽ οἵ γ᾽ ὑψηλῶν ὀρέων ναίουσι κάρηνα
ἐν σπέσσι γλαφυροῖσι , θεμιστεύει δὲ ἕκαστος
115παίδων ἠδ᾽ ἀλόχων , οὐδ᾽ ἀλλήλων ἀλέγουσιν .

We sailed on , our morale sinking ,
And we came to the land of the Cyclopes ,
Lawless savages who leave everything
Up to the gods . These people neither plow nor plant ,
But everything grows for them unsown :
Wheat , barley , and vines that bear
Clusters of grapes , watered by rain from Zeus .
They have no assemblies or laws but live
In high mountain caves , ruling their own
Children and wives and ignoring each other .

Andromache stood by him weeping and taking his hand in her own . " Dear husband , " said she , " your valor will bring you to destruction ; think on your infant son , and on my hapless self who ere long shall be your widow - for the Achaeans will set upon you in a body and kill you . It would be better for me , should I lose you , to lie dead and buried , for I shall have nothing left to comfort me when you are gone , save only sorrow . I have neither father nor mother now . Achilles slew my father when he sacked Thebe the goodly city of the Cilicians . He slew him , but did not for very shame despoil him ; when he had burned him in his wondrous armor , he raised a barrow over his ashes and the mountain nymphs , daughters of aegis-bearing Zeus , planted a grove of elms about his tomb .

Ἀνδρομάχη δέ οἱ ἄγχι παρίστατο δάκρυ χέουσα ,
ἔν τʼ ἄρα οἱ φῦ χειρὶ ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε ·
δαιμόνιε φθίσει σε τὸ σὸν μένος , οὐδʼ ἐλεαίρεις
παῖδά τε νηπίαχον καὶ ἔμʼ ἄμμορον , ἣ τάχα χήρη
σεῦ ἔσομαι · τάχα γάρ σε κατακτανέουσιν Ἀχαιοὶ
πάντες ἐφορμηθέντες · ἐμοὶ δέ κε κέρδιον εἴη
σεῦ ἀφαμαρτούσῃ χθόνα δύμεναι · οὐ γὰρ ἔτʼ ἄλλη
ἔσται θαλπωρὴ ἐπεὶ ἂν σύ γε πότμον ἐπίσπῃς
ἀλλʼ ἄχεʼ · οὐδέ μοι ἔστι πατὴρ καὶ πότνια μήτηρ .
ἤτοι γὰρ πατέρʼ ἁμὸν ἀπέκτανε δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς ,
ἐκ δὲ πόλιν πέρσεν Κιλίκων εὖ ναιετάουσαν
Θήβην ὑψίπυλον · κατὰ δʼ ἔκτανεν Ἠετίωνα ,
οὐδέ μιν ἐξενάριξε , σεβάσσατο γὰρ τό γε θυμῷ ,
ἀλλʼ ἄρα μιν κατέκηε σὺν ἔντεσι δαιδαλέοισιν
ἠδʼ ἐπὶ σῆμʼ ἔχεεν · περὶ δὲ πτελέας ἐφύτευσαν
νύμφαι ὀρεστιάδες κοῦραι Διὸς αἰγιόχοιο .

Andromache came close to his side weeping , and clasped his hand and spake to him , saying : Ah , my husband , this prowess of thine will be thy doom , neither hast thou any pity for thine infant child nor for hapless me that soon shall be thy widow ; for soon will the Achaeans all set upon thee and slay thee . But for me it were better to go down to the grave if I lose thee , for nevermore shall any comfort be mine , when thou hast met thy fate , but only woes . Neither father have I nor queenly mother . My father verily goodly Achilles slew , for utterly laid he waste the well-peopled city of the Cilicians , even Thebe of lofty gates . He slew Eëtion , yet he despoiled him not , for his soul had awe of that ; but he burnt him in his armour , richly dight , and heaped over him a barrow ; and all about were elm-trees planted by nymphs of the mountain , daughters of Zeus that beareth the aegis .

[ 1 ] Now it happened in those days , that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled . [ 2 ] This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria . [ 3 ] All went to enroll themselves , everyone to his own city .

[ 4 ] Joseph also went up from Galilee , out of the city of Nazareth , into Judea , to the city of David , which is called Bethlehem , because he was of the house and family of David ; [ 5 ] to enroll himself with Mary , who was pledged to be married to him as wife , being great with child . [ 6 ] It happened , while they were there , that the day had come that she should give birth . [ 7 ] She brought forth her firstborn son , and she wrapped him in bands of cloth , and laid him in a feeding trough , because there was no room for them in the inn .

[ 8 ] There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field , and keeping watch by night over their flock . [ 9 ] Behold , an angel of the Lord stood by them , and the glory of the Lord shone around them , and they were terrified . [ 10 ] The angel said to them , " Don ' t be afraid , for behold , I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people . [ 11 ] For there is born to you , this day , in the city of David , a Savior , who is Christ the Lord . [ 12 ] This is the sign to you : you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth , lying in a feeding trough . "

[ 13 ] Suddenly , there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God , and saying , [ 14 ] " Glory to God in the highest , On earth peace , good will toward men . "

[ 15 ] It happened , when the angels went away from them into the sky , that the shepherds said one to another , " Let ' s go to Bethlehem , now , and see this thing that has happened , which the Lord has made known to us . " [ 16 ] They came with haste , and found both Mary and Joseph , and the baby lying in the feeding trough . [ 17 ] When they saw it , they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child .

[ 18 ] All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds . [ 19 ] But Mary kept all these sayings , pondering them in her heart .

[ 1 ] Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἐξῆλθεν δόγμα παρὰ Καίσαρος Αὐγούστου ἀπογράφεσθαι πᾶσαν τὴν οἰκουμένην : [ 2 ] （αὕτη ἀπογραφὴ πρώτη ἐγένετο ἡγεμονεύοντος τῆς Συρίας Κυρηνίου : ） [ 3 ] καὶ ἐπορεύοντο πάντες ἀπογράφεσθαι , ἔκαστος εἰς τὴν ἑαυτοῦ πόλιν .

[ 4 ] Ἀνέβη δὲ καὶ Ἰωσὴφ ἀπὸ τῆς Γαλιλαίας ἐκ πόλεως Ναζαρὲτ εἰς τὴν Ἰουδαίαν εἰς πόλιν Δαυεὶδ ἥτις καλεῖται Βηθλεἐμ , διὰ τὸ εἶναι αὐτὸν ἐξ οἴκου καὶ πατριᾶς Δαυείδ , [ 5 ] ἀπογράψασθαι σὺν Μαριὰμ τῇ ἐμνηστευμένῃ αὐτῷ , οὔσῃ ἐνκύῳ . [ 6 ] Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ εἶναι αὐτοὺς ἐκεῖ ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ τεκεῖν αὐτήν , [ 7 ] καὶ ἔτεκεν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον , καὶ ἐσπαργάνωσεν αὐτὸν καὶ ἀνέκλινεν αὐτὸν ἐν φάτνῃ , διότι οὐκ ἦν αὐτοῖς τόπος ἐν τῷ καταλύματι .

[ 8 ] Καὶ ποιμένες ἦσαν ἐν τῇ χώρᾳ τῇ αὐτῇ ἀγραυλοῦντες καὶ φυλάσσοντες φυλακὰς τῆς νυκτὸς ἐπὶ τὴν ποίμνην αὐτῶν . [ 9 ] καὶ ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐπέστη αὐτοῖς καὶ δόξα Κυρίου περιέλαμψεν αὐτούς , καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν φόβον μέγαν : [ 10 ] καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ὁ ἄγγελος Μὴ φοβεῖσθε , ἰδοὺ γὰρ εὐαγγελίζομαι ὑμῖν χαρὰν μεγάλην ἥτις ἔσται παντὶ τῷ λαῷ , [ 11 ] ὅτι ἐτέχθη ὑμῖν σήμερον σωτὴρ ὅς ἐστιν χριστὸς κύριος ἐν πόλει Δαυείδ : [ 12 ] καὶ τοῦτο ὑμῖν σημεῖον , εὑρήσετε βρέφος ἐσπαργανωμένον καὶ κείμενον ἐν φάτνῃ .

[ 13 ] καὶ ἐξέφνης ἐγένετο σὺν τῷ ἀγγέλῳ πλῆθος στρατιᾶς οὐρανίου αἰνούντων τὸν θεὸν καὶ λεγόντων [ 14 ] " Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις θεῷ καὶ ἐπὶ γῆς εἰρήνη ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκίας . "

[ 15 ] Καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἀπῆλθον ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν οἱ ἄγγελοι , οἱ ποιμένες ἐλάλουν πρὸς ἀλλήλους Διέλθωμεν δὴ ἕως Βηθλεὲμ καὶ ἴδωμεν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο τὸ γεγονὸς ὃ ὁ κύριος ἐγνώρισεν ἡμῖν . [ 16 ] καὶ ἦλθαν σπεύσαντες καὶ ἀνεῦραν τήν τε Μαριὰμ καὶ τὸν Ἰωσὴφ καὶ τὸ βρέφος κείμενον ἐν τῇ φάτνῃ : [ 17 ] ἰδόντες δὲ ἐγνώρισαν περὶ τοῦ ῥήματος τοῦ λαληθέντος αὐτοῖς περὶ τοῦ παιδίου τούτου .

[ 18 ] καὶ πάντες οἱ ἀκούσαντες ἐθαύμασαν περὶ τῶν λαληθέντων ὑπὸ τῶν ποιμένων πρὸς αὐτούς , [ 19 ] ἡ δὲ Μαρία πάντα συνετήρει τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα συνβάλλουσα ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτῆς .

[ 1 ] And it came to pass in those days , that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed . [ 2 ] ( And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria . ) [ 3 ] And all went to be taxed , every one into his own city .

[ 4 ] And Joseph also went up from Galilee , out of the city of Nazareth , into Judaea , unto the city of David , which is called Bethlehem ; ( because he was of the house and lineage of David : ) [ 5 ] To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife , being great with child . [ 6 ] And so it was , that , while they were there , the days were accomplished that she should be delivered . [ 7 ] And she brought forth her firstborn son , and wrapped him in swaddling clothes , and laid him in a manger ; because there was no room for them in the inn .

[ 8 ] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field , keeping watch over their flock by night . [ 9 ] And , lo , the angel of the Lord came upon them , and the glory of the Lord shone round about them : and they were sore afraid . [ 10 ] And the angel said unto them , Fear not : for , behold , I bring you good tidings of great joy , which shall be to all people . [ 11 ] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour , which is Christ the Lord . [ 12 ] And this shall be a sign unto you ; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes , lying in a manger .

[ 13 ] And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God , and saying , [ 14 ] Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace , good will toward men .

[ 15 ] And it came to pass , as the angels were gone away from them into heaven , the shepherds said one to another , Let us now go even unto Bethlehem , and see this thing which is come to pass , which the Lord hath made known unto us . [ 16 ] And they came with haste , and found Mary , and Joseph , and the babe lying in a manger . [ 17 ] And when they had seen it , they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child .

[ 18 ] And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds . [ 19 ] But Mary kept all these things , and pondered them in her heart .

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 . [ 455 ] 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 . [ 460 ] 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
[ 465 ] 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
[ 470 ] 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
[ 475 ] 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
[ 480 ] 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
[ 485 ] 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
[ 490 ] 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
[ 495 ] 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
[ 500 ] 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
To attendants
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
[ 505 ] 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 . 1

Pentheus
Go .

To attendants
Shut him up near the horse [ 510 ] stable , so that he may see only darkness .

To Dionysus
Dance there ; and as for these women whom you have led here as accomplices to your crimes , we will either sell them or , stopping their hands from this noise and beating of skins , I will keep them as slaves at the loom .

Dionysus
[ 515 ] I will go , for I need not suffer that which is not necessary . But Dionysus , who you claim does not exist , will pursue you for these insults . For in injuring us , you put him in bonds .

Πενθεύς
μέθεσθε χειρῶν τοῦδʼ · ἐν ἄρκυσιν γὰρ ὢν οὐκ ἔστιν οὕτως ὠκὺς ὥστε μʼ ἐκφυγεῖν . ἀτὰρ τὸ μὲν σῶμʼ οὐκ ἄμορφος εἶ , ξένε , ὡς ἐς γυναῖκας , ἐφʼ ὅπερ ἐς Θήβας πάρει · πλόκαμός τε γάρ σου ταναός , οὐ πάλης ὕπο , γένυν παρʼ αὐτὴν κεχυμένος , πόθου πλέως · λευκὴν δὲ χροιὰν ἐκ παρασκευῆς ἔχεις , οὐχ ἡλίου βολαῖσιν , ἀλλʼ ὑπὸ σκιᾶς , τὴν Ἀφροδίτην καλλονῇ θηρώμενος . πρῶτον μὲν οὖν μοι λέξον ὅστις εἶ γένος .

Διόνυσος
οὐ κόμπος οὐδείς · ῥᾴδιον δʼ εἰπεῖν τόδε . τὸν ἀνθεμώδη Τμῶλον οἶσθά που κλύων .

Πενθεύς
οἶδʼ , ὃς τὸ Σάρδεων ἄστυ περιβάλλει κύκλῳ .

Διόνυσος
ἐντεῦθέν εἰμι , Λυδία δέ μοι πατρίς .

Πενθεύς
πόθεν δὲ τελετὰς τάσδʼ ἄγεις ἐς Ἑλλάδα ;

Διόνυσος
Διόνυσος ἡμᾶς εἰσέβησʼ , ὁ τοῦ Διός .

Πενθεύς
Ζεὺς δʼ ἔστʼ ἐκεῖ τις , ὃς νέους τίκτει θεούς ;

Διόνυσος
οὔκ , ἀλλʼ ὁ Σεμέλην ἐνθάδε ζεύξας γάμοις .

Πενθεύς
πότερα δὲ νύκτωρ σʼ ἢ κατʼ ὄμμʼ ἠνάγκασεν ;

Διόνυσος
ὁρῶν ὁρῶντα , καὶ δίδωσιν ὄργια .

Πενθεύς
τὰ δʼ ὄργιʼ ἐστὶ τίνʼ ἰδέαν ἔχοντά σοι ;

Διόνυσος
ἄρρητʼ ἀβακχεύτοισιν εἰδέναι βροτῶν .

Πενθεύς
ἔχει δʼ ὄνησιν τοῖσι θύουσιν τίνα ;

Διόνυσος
οὐ θέμις ἀκοῦσαί σʼ , ἔστι δʼ ἄξιʼ εἰδέναι .

Πενθεύς
εὖ τοῦτʼ ἐκιβδήλευσας , ἵνʼ ἀκοῦσαι θέλω .

Διόνυσος
ἀσέβειαν ἀσκοῦντʼ ὄργιʼ ἐχθαίρει θεοῦ .

Πενθεύς
τὸν θεὸν ὁρᾶν γὰρ φῂς σαφῶς , ποῖός τις ἦν ;

Διόνυσος
ὁποῖος ἤθελʼ · οὐκ ἐγὼ ʼτασσον τόδε .

Πενθεύς
τοῦτʼ αὖ παρωχέτευσας εὖ κοὐδὲν λέγων .

Διόνυσος
δόξει τις ἀμαθεῖ σοφὰ λέγων οὐκ εὖ φρονεῖν .

Πενθεύς
ἦλθες δὲ πρῶτα δεῦρʼ ἄγων τὸν δαίμονα ;

Διόνυσος
πᾶς ἀναχορεύει βαρβάρων τάδʼ ὄργια .

Πενθεύς
φρονοῦσι γὰρ κάκιον Ἑλλήνων πολύ .

Διόνυσος
τάδʼ εὖ γε μᾶλλον · οἱ νόμοι δὲ διάφοροι .

Πενθεύς
τὰ δʼ ἱερὰ νύκτωρ ἢ μεθʼ ἡμέραν τελεῖς ;

Διόνυσος
νύκτωρ τὰ πολλά · σεμνότητʼ ἔχει σκότος .

Πενθεύς
τοῦτʼ ἐς γυναῖκας δόλιόν ἐστι καὶ σαθρόν .

Διόνυσος
κἀν ἡμέρᾳ τό γʼ αἰσχρὸν ἐξεύροι τις ἄν .

Πενθεύς
δίκην σε δοῦναι δεῖ σοφισμάτων κακῶν .

Διόνυσος
σὲ δʼ ἀμαθίας γε κἀσεβοῦντʼ ἐς τὸν θεόν .

Πενθεύς
ὡς θρασὺς ὁ βάκχος κοὐκ ἀγύμναστος λόγων .

Διόνυσος
εἴφʼ ὅ τι παθεῖν δεῖ · τί με τὸ δεινὸν ἐργάσῃ ;

Πενθεύς
πρῶτον μὲν ἁβρὸν βόστρυχον τεμῶ σέθεν .

Διόνυσος
ἱερὸς ὁ πλόκαμος · τῷ θεῷ δʼ αὐτὸν τρέφω .

Πενθεύς
ἔπειτα θύρσον τόνδε παράδος ἐκ χεροῖν .

Διόνυσος
αὐτός μʼ ἀφαιροῦ · τόνδε Διονύσου φορῶ .

Πενθεύς
εἱρκταῖσί τʼ ἔνδον σῶμα σὸν φυλάξομεν .

Διόνυσος
λύσει μʼ ὁ δαίμων αὐτός , ὅταν ἐγὼ θέλω .

Πενθεύς
ὅταν γε καλέσῃς αὐτὸν ἐν βάκχαις σταθείς .

Διόνυσος
καὶ νῦν ἃ πάσχω πλησίον παρὼν ὁρᾷ .

Πενθεύς
καὶ ποῦ ʼστιν ; οὐ γὰρ φανερὸς ὄμμασίν γʼ ἐμοῖς .

Διόνυσος
παρʼ ἐμοί · σὺ δʼ ἀσεβὴς αὐτὸς ὢν οὐκ εἰσορᾷς .

Πενθεύς
λάζυσθε · καταφρονεῖ με καὶ Θήβας ὅδε .

Διόνυσος
αὐδῶ με μὴ δεῖν σωφρονῶν οὐ σώφροσιν .

Πενθεύς
ἐγὼ δὲ δεῖν γε , κυριώτερος σέθεν .

Διόνυσος
οὐκ οἶσθʼ ὅ τι ζῇς , οὐδʼ ὃ δρᾷς , οὐδʼ ὅστις εἶ .

Πενθεύς
Πενθεύς , Ἀγαύης παῖς , πατρὸς δʼ Ἐχίονος .

Διόνυσος
ἐνδυστυχῆσαι τοὔνομʼ ἐπιτήδειος εἶ .

Πενθεύς
χώρει · καθείρξατʼ αὐτὸν ἱππικαῖς πέλας φάτναισιν , ὡς ἂν σκότιον εἰσορᾷ κνέφας . ἐκεῖ χόρευε · τάσδε δʼ ἃς ἄγων πάρει κακῶν συνεργοὺς ἢ διεμπολήσομεν ἢ χεῖρα δούπου τοῦδε καὶ βύρσης κτύπου παύσας , ἐφʼ ἱστοῖς δμωίδας κεκτήσομαι .

Διόνυσος
στείχοιμʼ ἄν · ὅ τι γὰρ μὴ χρεών , οὔτοι χρεὼν παθεῖν . ἀτάρ τοι τῶνδʼ ἄποινʼ ὑβρισμάτων μέτεισι Διόνυσός σʼ , ὃν οὐκ εἶναι λέγεις · ἡμᾶς γὰρ ἀδικῶν κεῖνον εἰς δεσμοὺς ἄγεις .

PENTHEUS
Loose his hands ; for now that I have him in the net he is scarce swift enough to elude me . So , sir stranger , thou art not ill-favoured from a woman ' s point of view , which was thy real object in coming to Thebes ; thy hair is long because thou hast never been a wrestler , flowing right down thy cheeks most wantonly ; thy skin is white to help thee gain thy end , not tanned by ray of sun , but kept within the shade , as thou goest in quest of love with beauty ' s bait . Come , tell me first of thy race .

DIONYSUS
That needs no braggart ' s tongue , ' tis easily told ; maybe thou knowest Tmolus by hearsay .

PENTHEUS
I know it , the range that rings the city of Sardis round .

DIONYSUS
Thence I come , Lydia is my native home .

PENTHEUS
What makes thee bring these mysteries to Hellas ?

DIONYSUS
Dionysus , the son of Zeus , initiated me .

PENTHEUS
Is there a Zeus in Lydia , who begets new gods ?

DIONYSUS
No , but Zeus who married Semele in Hellas .

PENTHEUS
Was it by night or in the face of day that he constrained thee ?

DIONYSUS
' Twas face to face he intrusted his mysteries to me .

PENTHEUS
Pray , what special feature stamps thy rites ?

DIONYSUS
That is a secret to be hidden from the uninitiated .

PENTHEUS
What profit bring they to their votaries ?

DIONYSUS
Thou must not be told , though ' tis well worth knowing .

PENTHEUS
A pretty piece of trickery , to excite my curiosity !

DIONYSUS
A man of godless life is an abomination to the rites of the god .

PENTHEUS
Thou sayest thou didst see the god clearly ; what was he like ?

DIONYSUS
What his fancy chose ; I was not there to order this .

PENTHEUS
Another clever twist and turn of thine , without a word of answer .

DIONYSUS
He were a fool , methinks , who would utter wisdom to a fool .

PENTHEUS
Hast thou come hither first with this deity ?

DIONYSUS
All foreigners already celebrate these mysteries with dances .

PENTHEUS
The reason being , they are far behind Hellenes in wisdom .

DIONYSUS
In this at least far in advance , though their customs differ .

PENTHEUS
Is it by night or day thou performest these devotions ?

DIONYSUS
By night mostly ; darkness lends solemnity .

PENTHEUS
Calculated to entrap and corrupt women .

DIONYSUS
Day too for that matter may discover shame .

PENTHEUS
This vile quibbling settles thy punishment .

DIONYSUS
Brutish ignorance and godlessness will settle thine .

PENTHEUS
How bold our Bacchanal is growing ! a very master in this wordy strife !

DIONYSUS
Tell me what I am to suffer ; what is the grievous doom thou wilt inflict upon me ?

PENTHEUS
First will I shear off thy dainty tresses .

DIONYSUS
My locks are sacred ; for the god I let them grow .

PENTHEUS
Next surrender that thyrsus .

DIONYSUS
Take it from me thyself ; ' tis the wand of Dionysus I am bearing .

PENTHEUS
In dungeon deep thy body will I guard .

DIONYSUS
The god himself will set me free , whene ' er I list .

PENTHEUS
Perhaps he may , when thou standest amid thy Bacchanals and callest on his name .

DIONYSUS
Even now he is near me and witnesses my treatment .

PENTHEUS
Why , where is he ? To my eyes he is invisible .

DIONYSUS
He is by my side ; thou art a godless man and therefore dost not see him .

PENTHEUS
Seize him ! the fellow scorns me and Thebes too .

DIONYSUS
I bid you bind me not , reason addressing madness .

PENTHEUS
But I say " bind ! " with better right than thou .

DIONYSUS
Thou hast no knowledge of the life thou art leading ; thy very existence is now a mystery to thee .

PENTHEUS
I am Pentheus , son of Agave and Echion .

DIONYSUS
Well-named to be misfortune ' s mate !

PENTHEUS
Avaunt ! Ho ! shut him up within the horses ' stalls hard by , that for light he may have pitchy gloom . Do thy dancing there , and these women whom thou bringest with thee to share thy villainies I will either sell as slaves or make their hands cease from this noisy beating of drums , and set them to work at the loom as servants of my own .

DIONYSUS
I will go ; for that which fate forbids , can never befall me . For this thy mockery be sure Dionysus will exact a recompense of thee-even the god whose existence thou deniest ; for thou art injuring him by haling me to prison .