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EURIPIDES BACCHAE First production posthumously in 403BCE At City Dionysia 1st Prize Translated by eor!

e Theodoridis " #00$ http%&&bacchicsta!e'(ordpress'com& )))))* Dramatis Personae DIONYSOS[1] +also ,no(n as Bromius- Bacchus- E.ius /see 0ome pa!e1 TEIRESIAS +Prophet o2 Thebes1 AD!OS +Founder and 2ormer ,in! o2 Thebes1 PENTHEUS +3in! o2 Thebes- 3admos4 !randson1 A"A#E +Pentheus4 mother1 !ESSEN"ER SER#ANT TO PENTHEUS T$O SER#ANTS TO AD!OS CHORUS O% EASTERN BACCHANTS THEBAN %O&&O$ERS O% A"A#E "UARDS' ATTENDANTS TO PENTHEUS ))))))))/ The royal palace of Thebes. Two or three steps separate the palace from the ground. Night. Behind the curtains we hear flutes, tambourines and drums playing eastern (Lydian/ ersian! music. The percussion is made by swords banging upon drums, as we"ll see later. #emale shouts of ecstasy and $oyful rage, the signifiers of %ionysiac festi&al. Thunder and 5i!htnin! interrupt the music and the 2esti.e shouts' The 5i!htnin! brie2ly re.eals a tomb at 6ta!e 7i!ht and bac,- close to the palace (all' Dionysos the !od is standin! behind the tomb and is seen throu!h the li!htenin!' 0e has come to Earth in the !uise o2 a human' ' brief silent pause before %awn slowly lights up the stage. (n front of the tomb and with his bac) to the audience, stands %ionysos. The tomb is made of stones and a thin curlicue of smo)e is slowly rising from abo&e it. *e is carefully and re&erently placing some grape &ines upon it and around it.

(n the surrounding ground, we will see shoots of fennel. *e is holding a tall thyrsus+,%ionysos is a young, handsome, gentle man with a boyish (if not effeminate! appearance and with long, soft, blond plaits. .n his head is a garland of i&y, again fashionably and fastidiously placed, and his clothes are brightly coloured (thus showing he"s a foreigner and from the east!. *is beard is red. The i&y garland, ( would ha&e it, forms a long but soft drape that hangs plaited within his hair from the top of the bac) of his head to almost the ground. *e addresses the audience. /ently, softly and with dignity. Dionysos% Loo)s around him, e0amining the land 6o here 8 am9 Thebes9 8 am Dionysos- son o2 :eus' ;y mother (as 6emele and she (as 3admos4 dau!hter' :eus deli.ered me 2rom my mother (ith one o2 his a(esome li!htenin! bolts' (ndicates the tomb behind him' <p there9 8 ha.e le2t my !odly appearance and ta,en on that o2 man and so- here 8 am no((al,in! by the broo,s and cree,s o2 Dir,i- throu!h the (aters o2 8sminos' =es- 8 ha.e ta,en the !uise o2 a common man- me the !od- Dionysos' 'gain turns and points at the tomb. 8 can see my mother4s tomb bac, there- near the royal palace' 6truc, dead by :eus4 2lame> and there9 The smo,e still raises 2rom the ruins o2 her house- a potent si!n that 0era4s sa.a!e an!er to(ards my mother (ill ne.er be ?uenched' 8 than, and admire old 3admos 2or turnin! this into a sacred monument in honour o2 his dau!hter' @2 course- it (as 8 (ho shaded the tomb (ith .ines- 2ull o2 !rapes' 84.e le2t behind me the !old/rich 2arms o2 5ydia and Fry!ia' 8 (ent throu!h the stony (alls o2 Aa,tria- and the (ild and 2reezin! lands o2 the ;edes- the sun/(ashed 2ields o2 Persia- the (hole o2 blessed Arabia and the rest o2 Asia' A land- spread 2ar alon!side the sea (ith cities 2ull o2 sublime tall to(ers- 2ull o2 ree,s and Barbarians all pleasantly min!led to!ether' And in all these lands 8 ha.e sho(n my mysteries- tau!ht my dances and established mysel2 as a !od' This is the 2irst ree, city 84.e .isited- the 2irst one 84.e come to introduce mysel2 and my rites' () Firstly- 84.e stirred these Theban (omen- dressed them in 2a(n s,ins and armed them (ith the thyrsus and its i.y cro(n' 3admos4 dau!hters- you see- (ould not accept that my 2ather (as :eus' They should ha.e ,no(n better than to beha.e li,e that to(ards my mother' They (ere accusin! her o2 ha.in! slept (ith some mortal or other and then blamed :eus 2or my birth' Typical 3admos4 tric,ery% protect the dau!hter4s honour and you protect your o(n' But the sisters ,ept spreadin! the rumour that my mother had slept (ith a human and that she had blamed a !od 2or her BimproperC pre!nancy and that4s (hythey say- that od had ,illed her' 6o- to these Theban (omen- 84.e deli.ered a little bit o2 madness' ;ade them lea.e their house and rush o22 all in a ra!e to the mountains (here they no( li.e' 84.e made them (ear the dress o2 my rites and ceremonies and tore the lo!ic out o2 their minds' The (hole 2emale population o2 Thebes' Then- 84.e sent them o22 to the mountains to li.e (ith 3admos4 dau!hters- my mother4s sisters- amon! the (ild

beasts- in a (ild 2orest- beneath the (ild 2irs and roc,s- (ithout roo2 nor shelter o.er their heads' This city must learn one (ay or another- (hether it li,es it or not- that it can4t stay uninitiated and i!norant o2 my rites9 This city must learn- one (ay or another- (hether it li,es it not that my mother (as innocent and this city must apolo!ise to her9 This city must learn- one (ay or another- (hether it li,es it not that 8 am here to re.eal to the (hole (orld that 8 am her son- 6emele4s son and the son o2 :eus9 *( @ld man 3admos has no( le2t his cro(n to his dau!hter4s son- Pentheus' Do( that4s a man (ho habitually 2i!hts (ith !ods and lea.es me out o2 all his libations and prayers' 6o- 8 shall sho( him and all his Thebans that 8 am truly a !od' A2ter thata2ter 84.e settled e.erythin! here and !ot them all to ,no( me- 8 shall !o else(here in the (orld- teachin! the people about my stren!th as a !od' 82 the people o2 Thebes decide to ta,e arms a!ainst my Bacchants and pursue them 2rom their mountain- 84ll stand at the head o2 my ;aenads and enter the battle (ith them' This is (hy 84.e ta,en on the !uise o2 a man' #rom both sides of the stage we hear the tambourines and ecstatic sounds of women. (t is that of the chorus of maenads (%ionysos" followers! and, after a short pause they enter dancing wildly, fren1ied+2-, noisily. They are foreigners, .rientals. Dionysos% (continued! Ah9 ;y darlin! !roup o2 2ollo(ers9 0ere you are9 Come- come in- my darlin!s9 =ou(ho ha.e 2ollo(ed me here- all the (ay 2rom Tmolos- 5ydia4s stron!hold- that land inhabited by barbarians' Come- my tra.ellin! mates- my 2riends- play your Phry!ian instruments- your drums and tambourines- the instruments that mother 7ea and 8 disco.ered' Play around here- around 3in! Pentheus4 palace and let 3admos4 city hear us' 84m o22 to .isit the other Bacchants- the Thebans- those (hom 8 made li.e in the cra!spea,s and .alleys o2 3itheron' 8 shall Eoin them in their dances there' 30it %ionysos The 4horus of 5aenads plays for a few moments before one begins to spea). +* Chorus% 84.e le2t the Asian land- the (holly mount o2 Tmolos and (or,ed my (ay here8n speed and hard labour9 8n speed And 8n s(eet labourFith a Eoyous eGhaustion Chorus% 84.e come to you- sin!in! ecstatic son!s 2or Dionysos- the !od (ho bello(s thunders' Fho * (ho4s thereH Fho * (ho4s in the roadH Fho * (ho4s outside their houseH 5et them all shut themsel.es inside their homes9 5et them all shut their mouths 8n holy silence9

,Chorus% @- my 5ord- Dionysos9 ;y .oice (ill al(ays sin! your praise9 Blessed is he (ho ,no(s the sacraments and sacred rites o2 the !ods And per2orms Dionysos4 cleansin! rituals hi!h on the mountains0is soul in unison Fith the !od4s band o2 2ollo(ers / For he li.es a li2e pure9 Chorus% And blessed is he- too- (ho has 2aith in the mysteries o2 our reat ;other- Cybele And (ears the !arland o2 i.yAnd (a.es a Bacchic sta22 And bo(s to Dionysos 0e- too- is blessed indeed9 Chorus% Come- Bacchants9 Bacchants Come9 5et4s brin! bac, Dionysos the !od (ho bello(s thunders stron!9 A !od born o2 !od9 Chorus% Brin! him bac, 2rom the mountains o2 Phry!ia9 Brin! him bac,- BacchantsTo the streets o2 reece Brin! bac, Dionysos9 .. Chorus% A lon! (hile a!o- at the time (hen his mother4s stomach Fas 2ull (ith him and (ith pain:eus sent his bolt o2 burnin! li!ht at her7elie.in! her o2 the child- o2 the pain and o2 her li2e<ntimely all- all done be2ore time9 And immediately- :eus snatched the child And ;ade a (omb out o2 his 0oly thi!h- then ?uic,ly so(ed the (ound (ith !olden needles5est his Fi2e- 0era- sni22ed out the act9 1-Chorus% Then- (hen the Fates (ea.ed (hole his time in the (omb- :eus brou!ht 2orth Bull/ horned Dionysos and placed a !arland o2 (rithin! sna,es amidst his tresses- a cause 2or Beast/eatin! ;aenads to do the same (ith their (ild hair' A !arland o2 sna,es upon the head o2 a !od A !arland o2 sna,es upon the heads o2 his ;aenads9 1-/ Chorus% @ Thebes9 arland yoursel2 (ith i.y9

Thebes9 =ou (ho nurtured 6emeleAdorn yoursel.es richly (ith branches o2 bryony And dance (ildly (ith branches o2 2ir and oa,9 111 Chorus% Put on the dappled 2a(n s,ins on your bac, and cro(n your heads (ith so2t curls o2 (hite (ool' Frap holy i.y around the rebellious (and o2 our !od and hold it (ith re.erence / And (hen our !od- Dionysos- the !od (ho bello(s thunders- arri.es (ith his ecstatic band *there- hi!h upon the mountain- <pon the mountain- to (here the (omen ha.e escaped 2rom their loom and their shuttlecoc,/ all those (omen- made (ild by the 2renzy Dionysos sent them- that4s (hen the (hole o2 Thebes shall dance- shall dance (ildly- ecstatically9 Fhen Dionysos arri.es upon the mountain' Chorus% 1(0ome o2 the 3ouretes9 most sacred land o2 :eus9 Crete4s deepest .alley9 There the three crested Corybantes in.ented this drum9 A piece o2 s,in ti!htly dra(n o.er a circleFhich (hen in 2renzy they brin! to!ether its loud beat (ith that o2 the so2t breath o2 the Phry!ian Flutes' This drum they4.e put in mother 7hea4s hands 2or her to accompany the (ild cries o2 the Bacchants' 1)Chorus% Ah- but the sly 6atyrs stole it 2rom her hands and strai!hta(ay united it (ith the crazy dances o2 Dionysos that come e.ery second year' A splendid Eoy 2or the !od' 0appy is that 6atyr (ho runs 2reely in the .alley- dressed in the so2t- holy s,in o2 a deer- see,in! the blood o2 a slau!htered sta! and the Eoy o2 eatin! ra( 2lesh as he char!es deep into the mountains o2 the Phry!ians and the 5ydians' 1*Chorus% First amon! the blessin!s- Thunderous Dionysos9 8n the .alley 2lo(s the mil, and the s(eet (ine' 8n the .alley the nectar 2rom the bees runs 2reely and so do the smo,y smells that are li,e 6yrian incense' And There the !od- holdin! a 2ennel torch- lit hi!h- Eumps and runs- Eumps and runs until he ur!es his maenads into the mystic dance and (ith his cries ma,es them (ild' 5oo, there ho( he lets his curly tresses loose to the (hims o2 the (ind4s breath' And Then- triumphantly he shouts% Chorus% Blessin!s- blessin!s9 6in! 2or Dionysos (ith the hea.y sounds o2 the drum' Blessin!s- blessin!s to the blessed od- (ith Phry!ian shouts and cries- (hen the s(eet/.oiced sacred 2lute plays loud son!s in harmony as they tra.el up the

mountain- that mountain' Ioy2ully then- li,e the 2illy 2ollo(s her mare- the maenad ,ic,s her le!s hi!h' 3nter Teiresias, a blind seer, holding the hand of a boy6guide with one hand and a thyrsus with the other. 'lmost totally bald and with a thin long grey beard. The i&y garland around his bald head, precariously situated and as)ew, ma)e him a comical figure. *e is wearing a fawn6s)in $ac)et. *is body is bent by his many years. 1,Teiresias% Fho ,eeps the !ateH The boy goes and )noc)s at the door. Call 3admos out here' 3admos- A!inorus4 son- (ho le2t the city o2 6idon and came here to build this to(erin! city- Thebes' 5et someone !o in and tell him that 8- Teiresias is loo,in! 2or him' 0e ,no(s (hy 84m here and (hat (e4.e a!reed on' An old man- me- (ith an e.en older man- him' Fe4ll li!ht up 2ennel reeds and dress in so2t deer leather' Fe4ll co.er our heads (ith !arlands o2 i.y' The boy goes through the gate to inform 7admos. *e does not come bac). 8mall ause 3nter 7admos, already dressed in fawn s)in and i&y garland and carrying a long thyrsus. *e is older then Teiresias and loo)s much li)e him, though we see a bit more e&idence of $oie de &i&re about his demeanour and beha&iour. 9e need to show this e0tra bit of $o&ial beha&iour so that we can create a sharper contrast with his demeanour towards the end of the play. *is i&y garland is well placed and he"s often running his hand o&er it, ta)ing care that it"s not out of place. *e greets Teiresias with enthusiasm. 3admos% @- my 2riend9 Fhat Eoy the sound o2 your .oice !i.es me' 8 heard it inside the palace and thou!ht- no(- there4s a (ise .oice 2rom a (ise man9 0ere 8 am- Teiresias- dressed the (ay the !od (ants us to dress' Fe must obey e.eryone o2 Dionysos4 (ishes- in e.ery (ay possible' 0e is my dau!hter4s son and he pro.ed to all the mortals that he is indeed a !od 5et4s sho( him our respect as much as (e can' 0e hops about eGcitedly and chec,s out his Bdancin!C 2eet' 8 ha.e no idea (here (e should dance- (here (e should place our 2oot- (here (e should bend our a!ed head' 1./ uide me- old Teiresias- me a poor old man' At least you are a (ise man' 84ll be thrashin! the earth (ith this thyrsus' Fhat a !reat thin! it is- eyH Fe4.e 2or!otten our years (ith all this happiness' Teiresias% =ou 2eel eGactly as 8 2eel- my 2riend- because 8- too- 2eel youn! and 8- too- shall ha.e a !o at this mystic dancin!' 3admos% Fell then- shall (e ta,e a carria!e to the mountainH Teiresias% Do9 Do- no- no9 This is not ho( one sho(s re.erence to a !od9

3admos% Fell then- here (e are% 8- an old man (ill !uide you- another old man' Teiresias% Dothin! to (orry about' The !od (ill !uide us both there (ithout the sli!htest e22ort on our part' Do 2ati!ue (hatsoe.er- 3admos9 10/ 3admos% Loo)s around him with some concern. 0ey- TeiresiasH Are (e !oin! to be the only t(o doin! Dionysos4 holy danceH They begin a &ery slow ad&ance towards e0it 8L. They stop near the curtain when they sense entheus coming from the other end. Teiresias% =es- 3admos because (e are the only ones (ho can thin, strai!ht' The rest o2 themH They are all (ron!9 3admos Come on- old man' Fe4ll be late' 0old onto my hand- no(' Teiresias% 0ere you are' rab my hand' 3admos% A mortal should ne.er treat the !ods (ith disdain' Teiresias% Do point in playin! around (ith subtle (ords' All our traditions- all those thin!s handed do(n to us by our ancestors 2rom many years bac, (ill not be dislod!ed- no matter ho( subtle the thin,in!' @- 8 can hear them say- Baren4t you ashamed o2 your yearsH oin! dancin! at your a!e- your head (rapped in i.yHC Do- 8 am not ashamed' od sho(s no preEudice in a!e' 0e (ants re.erence 2rom all> he is not interested in numbers' (13admos% Loo)ing deep into behind the curtains 8: Teiresias- old 2riend- seein! that the sun4s rays don4t help your eyesi!ht 84ll tell you (hat 8 see (ith mine' 8 can see Pentheus comin! to(ards the palace' Ehion4s son' 84.e handedThebes4 throne to him' 0e loo,s ?uite disturbed' 8 (onder (hat ne(s he4s about to brin! us' They hide behind the tomb 3nter entheus 8:. with two armed guards. *e is a young man, full of anger. *e wears a short tunic and a sword. *is hair is long but tied neatly in a pony tail *e enters the stage not ha&ing noticed the two men and addresses his guards. (1/ Pentheus% All 84.e done is to !o a(ay 2rom Thebes 2or Eust a short (hile and (hat happensH ;y ears are buzzin! (ith dread2ul and bizarre disasters- hittin! my belo.ed country' 8 heard that our (omen ha.e le2t their homes and !one o22 to the mountains dancin! the Bacchic dances9 6ome ne(- youn! !od9 <tter rubbish9 There they are- placin! !reat tubs 2ull o2 (ine in the centre o2 their !roup- in the middle o2 no(here and o22 they !o- one here- another there- rollin! around (ith any man they come across and !i.in! the eGcuse that they are maenadsJ but (hat are they doin!H ((/ 6er.in! DionysosH Do (ay9 They4re ser.in! Aphrodite9 84.e cau!ht some o2 them- tied their hands and loc,ed them up in .arious public buildin!s' The rest- those (ho escaped- 84ll catch 2rom the mountains' 8no- 2or eGample and A!a.e- she (ho (ith Ehion !a.e birth to me- as (ell as A,taion4s

mother- 8 mean A2tonoe' 84ll shut them up behind bars as (ell so that 8 can stop this scoundrel4s bacchic rites' 84m told that he is some youn! 2orei!n smooth tal,er- some ma!ician 2rom some(here in 5ydia- (ith blond and scented plaits- and they say also that one can see in his (ine/coloured eyes the charms o2 Aphrodite' And this man han!s around all the youn! !irls and o22ers them entry to the Bmystic rites9C 82 8 !et to catch this croo, any(here near this palace 84ll ma,e sure 84ll stop his thyrsus/thrashin! and his hair/(a.in! once and 2or all- by separatin! his torso 2rom his head' (*1 0a9 Apparently- this 2ool says that Dionysos is a true !od' 0e says that Dionysos (as so(n up inside :eus4 thi!h9 0o( stupid9 The true 2act o2 the matter (as that :eus burned him- alon! (ith his mother (ith 2lamin! li!htnin!' Fell- (hen some stran!er comes and !i.es you all these lies and insolence- (hat do you doH 8sn4t all this stu22 (orthy o2 the han!man4s ropeH *e notices Teiresias and 7admos 0a9 @- my od9 Do( there4s a real si!ht to behold9 8s this some sort o2 madman4s apparitionH @ur !ood old prophet- Teiresias- the seer o2 the !uts o2 beasts9 There he is- dressed (ith deli!ht2ul s,ins o2 deer and- (ith him- my mother4s 2ather *(hat a lau!h/ o22 2or his bit o2 bacchic re.elry (ith his o(n thyrsus at the ready' Do- no- no- !rand2ather- seein! you li,e this- 8 Eust can4t belie.e that your old a!e has 2illed your head (ith (isdom' <n(ind that i.y 2rom your thyrsus- relie.e your hands o2 them !rand2ather' They do not suit you' Did you persuade him to do this- TeiresiasH 8s it you (ho (ants to brin! to our city this ne( !od only so that you can ma,e more money (ith more ne( (a22ly oracles 2rom birds and 2iresH =our !rey hair sa.ed you old man' @ther(ise- 84d tie you up and place you in the .ery centre o2 these (ild (omen' That (ould teach you to brin! to our !ood city treacherous ne( rites' 84m tellin! you both- no !ood comes out o2 drun, (omen' Fine (isdom and or!ies are dan!erous' (+) Chorus% To entheus (8hoc)ed! @- (hat disrespect9 Fhat a(2ul disrespect you sho( to our !ods- 2riend9 Dot e.en to(ards 3admos (ho so(ed here the earth/born seed 2rom (hich your race o2 men (as born and you- Ehion4s son9 0o( can you shame you o(n race li,e thisH Teiresias% Fhen a (ise man is !i.en the opportunity to spea,- it4s no bi! problem to spea, the truth' =ou- Pentheus- you are- o2 course an articulate man- or so you thin,- but your (ords lac, lo!ic' Audacity- stren!th and elo?uence all on their o(n- ma,e 2or a bad citizen * a stupid one' This ne( !od- (hom you moc,> 8 can4t tell ho( stron! he is here in reece but there are t(o thin!s- youn! man that are most important to people% 8t is' !oddess Demetre +call her by (hate.er other name you (ant1 (ho 2eeds the 2ol, on Earth and (ho 86 EarthJ and her counterpart- Dionysos- the son o2 6emele- this !od- the !od (ho disco.ered the Euice o2 the !rape and (hich he brou!ht to us mortals' (.This li?uid holds bac, the pain o2 the tortured soul- !i.es so2t sleep to 2ol, and lets them 2or!et their daily su22erin!' There4s truly no better medicine 2or pain or 2ati!ue' 0e is truly a !od and he is re.ered as much as the other !ods so that mortals may enEoy his o22erin!s'

=ou lau!h at the 2act that he (as so(n into :eus4 thi!hH Fell- let me sho( you eGactly ho( that happened' =ou see- as soon as :eus !rabbed the ne(born Dionysos 2rom the 2ire o2 the li!htnin! bolt- he too, him to ;t @lympus and presented him to all the !ods there as another !od' 0era- ho(e.er- his (i2e- (ould ha.e none o2 this and (anted him thro(n out o2 the 0ea.ens- so :eus- the !reat !od that he is- thou!ht o2 this cle.er idea to protect the child' 0e opened up a small poc,et in the s,y- in the ether- that surrounds our earth and placed him in there' This- it seems calmed 0era4s an!er and he too- (as able to a.oid 0era4s constant (hinin!' 8n time- the (ords- BetherC and Bthi!hC (ere min!led in the minds o2 men and so the myth has been spun ho( Dionysos (as so(n in :eus4 thi!h' (0/ ;oreo.er- this !od is also a teller o2 oracles' 0e4s a prophet' =ou see- the Bacchic rites and the ecstasy (hich comes (ith it- ha.e a potent prophetic stren!th because (hen the !od ta,es o.er the body o2 his 2ollo(ers completely and utterly- (hen he enters himsel2 in their body- and therein he blossoms to his 2ull- those luc,y people are !i.en the abilities o2 the prophets' 8t4s called Prophecy throu!h 2renzy' =et- he also possesses much o2 Ares4 art o2 (ar- as (ell' =ou can .isualise a (hole army- standin! in line- ready 2or attac,- spears- shields and bo(s at the ready' 6uddenly- e.en be2ore a spear has been thro(n- a panic- an incomprehensible 2renzy ta,es o.er the (hole army' This 2renzy is the (or, o2 Dionysos' =ou4ll also see him around Delphi- Eumpin! about its stones- o.er the t(o/pea,ed mountains o2 pine- sha,in! the hu!e Bacchic branches' Dionysos is a !reat !od- lo.ed and re.ered throu!hout the (hole o2 reece9 )1But belie.e me- youn! Pentheus9 Don4t e.er thin, that !reat authority o.er men- li,e the one you hold- means !reat stren!th9 Don4t be too proud o2 such a throne' Dor be proud o2 a 2aulty opinion' There4s no (isdom in pride o2 such thin!s' Thin, a little better and accept this !od on earth- participate in his rites and put the i.y !arland around your head' 8t4s not Dionysos (ho 2orces (omen to submit to lust' Fisdom is all thin!s natural' A (ise (oman (ill not abuse her chastity e.en durin! the Bacchic rites' This you ha.e to see' )(=ou ,no( ho( you enEoy it (hen there are many people at these !ates and Pentheus4 name is eGalted throu!hout ThebesH Fell- 8 thin, that that4s ho( Dionysos 2eels also (hen (e re.ere him' =ou lau!h at poor 3admos here- your ,ind !rand2ather but he and 8- (ith the i.y on our heads (ill !o dancin! the Bacchic dances9 =ou see our !rey hair and you thin, (e must be mad but (e shall dance9 Fe shall dance9 ()ic)s his heels high!' Fe4re not !oin! to stand here and ar!ue theolo!y (ith you and use your type o2 sacrile!ious (ords' Pentheus- you4re incurably insane9 There4s no medicine 2or that and no matter (hich medicine you ta,e- you4ll still be mad9 Chorus% @ld man- Teiresias- your (ords certainly don4t o22end Apollo' By respectin! the Bello(in! Dionysos you sho( yoursel2 a (ise indi.idual' ))3admos%

Come- my child' Teiresias is ri!ht' Belie.e as (e do' Don4t try and mo.e a(ay 2rom our 5a(s' =our mind is a bit> 2li!hty at the moment and so- no matter (hat you put your mind to- you comprehend nothin!' E.en i2 by your calculation- Dionysos is no !od so (hatH 8t (ould be best 2or you to lie' 5ie so that 6emele belie.es that she !a.e birth to a !od' That (ay- e.en (e and our (hole race- (ould recei.e honours' =ou sa( A,taion4s !ruesome death' Torn to shreds by 2lesh/eatin! hounds- the .ery ones he (as nurturin!' That4s the Fate that .isited him (hen he boasted that he (as a better hunter than Artemis' Don4t let the same happen to you' Come- let me ma,e you an i.y cro(n and pay your respects to the !od as (e do' )*) Pentheus% For!et it9 Do- don4t come near me9 @22 you !o9 o on- o22 to your Bacchic rites you !o9 Don4t try and corrupt me (ith your idiocy' 84ll ha.e this teacher o2 yours- this teacher o2 madness and 2renzy- arrested' To his attendants @ne o2 you !o ?uic,ly to this !od4s Bthrone-C (here he does all his prophesyin! and (ith iron pic,s toss e.erythin! upside/do(n- brea, do(n (alls- thro( all the !arlands to the 2our (inds' Toss them all to the storms' This ou!ht to hurt him a bit' And let some others search the city 2or this e22eminate stran!er- this idiot (ho brou!ht this ne( sic,ness to our (omen and has polluted their bed' And (hen you catch him- tie him up and brin! him here to me' Then he4ll see a merciless trial' 0e4ll see a bitter celebration o2 his reli!ion here in Thebes' 30it guards hurriedly 8L. 30it entheus angrily into the palace, centre gate. )/. Teiresias% 8rrational- impetuous youth9 Fire in the head9 0e can4t see (here his (ords are leadin! him' @ut o2 his (its one moment- thorou!hly insane the neGt9 Come- 3admos- come- my old 2riend' 5et4s !o' At least (e can pray to the !od 2or him' 0e4s a madman that !randson o2 yours and 8 (ouldn4t be at all surprised i2 he brou!ht some ne( disaster to Thebes' 7i!ht- no( you 2ollo( me (ith your thyrsus and 84ll try and ,eep my body strai!ht' =ou do the same (ith yours' 8t4d be a !reat shame 2or t(o old men to tumble o.er' Come on- (e ha.e to hurry' Dionysos- :eus4 son is (aitin!' Do you thin, ;ister ;ourn2ul in there (indicating entheus! (ill brin! into your palace somethin! to really mourn about- 3admosH 84m not !i.in! you a prophesy no(thou!h 8 am a seerJ 84m Eust tal,in!% hollo( (ords 2rom a hollo(/headed old man' 30it both ),Chorus% ;ost re.ered o2 all !ods- holy !oddess9 0oly !oddess (ho !ently ho.ers o.er earth (ith her !olden (in!s9 Do you see (hat Pentheus is up toH Chorus% Can you 2eel the unholy insult he sent to our Dionysos- 6emele4s son- the !od (ho4s 2irst amon! the blessed !ods- the !ods (hose (reaths are most brilliant- the !ods o2 EoyH This our !od4s domain% 7ites (ith dancin!- rites that unite our lau!hter (ith the sounds o2 the 2lute- rites that allo( us to 2or!et our e.eryday cares'

Chorus% Ah9 And that4s (hen the shiny !rape * (hen (e4re ha.in! our supper amon! the !ods * that4s (hen the shiny !rape- 8 say- lets the !arlanded- hearty men be o.erta,en by sleep' Chorus% The 2ol, (hose mouths are unreined- unla(2ul and un(ise come to a bad end' Calm li2e and circumspection are the unassailable 2oundations o2 a !ood home because the inhabitants o2 the hea.ens loo, do(n and inspect our (or, 2rom abo.e' Chorus% The (ise are not (ise i2 they don4t consider a human4s lot' 5i2e is short' 0e (ho constantly pursues !reat achie.ements in this li2e- (on4t ha.e time to enEoy those he already has achie.ed' *-Chorus% 6o 2ar as 8 can tell- these are the doin!s o2 madmen and e.il minds' 0o( 84d lo.e to be in Cyprus- Aphrodite4s island (here sublime lo.e is spread e.enly amon! the 2ol,' Ta,e me to Pa2os- Dionysos- Bello(in! !od- ta,e me to Pa2os(here one hundred 2ountains ra!e in the barbarous torrent o2 a ri.er- thou!h it ne.er rainsJ and to Pieria (here the beauti2ully cro(ned seat o2 the ;uses is and the re.ered chambers o2 @lympus9 uide me there- !od- leader o2 the Bacchants' There the races- there the Passion- there the Bacchants usually hold their celebrations' Dionysos- :eus4 son enEoys the (earin! o2 2lo(ers' *(Chorus% 0e lo.es Peace- the !oddess (ho !i.es Eoy and 2eeds children' 0e !a.e e?ually to rich and poor the happiness o2 his (ine- the li?uid that sends a(ay all sadness' 0e despises those (ho hate this Eoy- those (ho do not enEoy their li.es sittin! (ith 2riends by the li!ht o2 the ni!ht s,y' Chorus% FisdomH 8t is (ise 2or men to distance themsel.es 2rom illo!ical- 2ar 2etched emotions and 2ruitless thou!hts' i.e me the thou!hts and deeds o2 the common 2ol,' Do( those- 84ll accept 2ar easier' 3nter the guards who entheus has sent earlier, with %ionysos in chains. %ionysos is carrying his thyrsus. .ne of the guards wal)s o&er to the palace and bangs at the gate with his spear. The gate opens and entheus enters. *)) uard 1% Pentheus- my 5ord- here (e are (ith the prey you4.e as,ed us to hunt 2or' Fe4.e sat and (e4.e (aited and- true enou!h- (e4.e cau!ht him' @ur (atch (as not (asted' Do( this> BbeastC (as ?uite tame (ith me- my 5ord ' De.er shoo, his le!s or anythin!- tryin! to escape- li,e- but !a.e his hands to me (ithout the sli!htest hesitation' 0e didn4t become pale or lose the deep blush o2 his chee,s' 0e Eust let himsel2 be ta,en easily- lau!hed e.en and (ondered (here (e4d be ta,in! him' To(ards me- in any case- this man (as a proper !entleman and 8 2elt a bit ashamed about tyin! him up- see- so 8 said to him- B6tran!er-C 8 said- B8 ain4t doin4 this out o2 my o(n accord- it4s Kcause o2 Pentheus4 orders' 0e sent us to do it-C 8 said'

uard #% And as 2or all them (omen- me 5ord- them that 2ollo( that !od- my 5ord- the Bacchants- those (hom you !rabbed and loc,ed up (ith chains and all in all the city4s buildin!s- (ell- sir- they4re all loose- sir' 7unnin! about all o.er the countryside- sir- all ready 2or their or!iasums sir- and they4re all callin! out 2or their Bello(in! od- Dionysos' All their chains 2ell apart all by themsel.es- lettin! their le!s 2ree' 6o did all the padloc,s o2 the !ates' They4.e all !one and opened themsel.es ri!ht up (ithout e.en one human hand touchin! them9 This man here has a !reat many tric,s up his snea,y slee.es' 8t4s your call no(- my 5ord' */1 Pentheus% ;o.e a(ay 2rom him' 0e4s no bother (hile he4s chained li,e that' 0e4s not that 2ast that he4ll escape me' *e e0amines %ionysos thoroughly. 0mmm' Physically- you4re not unattracti.e- stran!er' Iust li,e the (omen 2or (hom you came here- in Thebes' Dice- lon! plaits- hair that hasn4t 2elt hard (or,- and- 2or a !reater seGual e22ect- it4s spilled all around your beard' =our s,in is lo.ely and (hite because you ta,e !ood care o2 it- 8 see' =ou don4t eGpose it to the sun4s rays and you stay in the shade all day- huntin! Aphrodite4s beauty' But 2irst- tell me- (hat is your raceH Fhere are you 2romH *+1 Dionysos% That4s an easy ?uestion to ans(er' =ou4.e heard o2 Tmolos o2 the many bloomsH Pentheus% =es- 84.e heard o2 Tmolos' That4s the place that surrounds 6ardis' Dionysos% That4s (here 84m 2rom' 5ydia is my home' Pentheus% Fhere did you !et all these BmysteriesC 2romH Dionysos% Dionysos- :eus4 son- initiated me into them' Pentheus% 8s there a :eus in 5ydia (ho !i.es birth to ne( !odsH Dionysos% Do- Eust the one here- (ho slept in marria!e (ith 6emele Pentheus% Did he initiate you in dar,ness or in li!htH Dionysos% Face/to/2ace' 8n the li!ht o2 day' *,Pentheus% Fhat are these mysteriesH Fhat is your .ie( o2 themH Dionysos% They are secret to the uninitiated mortals' Pentheus% 8s there some bene2it 2or those (ho participate in these mysteries o2 yoursH Dionysos% 8t is not ri!ht 2or you to ,no( this but it (ould be !ood 2or you to see those mysteries'

Pentheus% =ou4re ma,in! them sound !reat so that 8 can be persuaded to !o on listenin! to you' Dionysos%

0e (ho practices disrespect to the !ods earns their (rath'


Pentheus% Tell me clearly (hat your !od loo,s li,e *i2 you e.er sa( him9 Dionysos% 0e loo,ed as he pleased' That (as not somethin! (hich 8 could determine' Pentheus% All the (ords that came out o2 your mouth so 2ar meant nothin! to me' *.Dionysos% 8t is not (ise 2or someone to say anythin! (ise to the i!norant' Pentheus% =ou came here- to Thebes- to introduce this !od o2 yours 2irstH Dionysos% The rest o2 the (orld dances to these dances' Pentheus% That4s (hy (hen it comes to (isdom- they4re 2ar (orse than the ree,s' Dionysos% 8n that too- they are betterJ it4s Eust that their la(s are di22erent' Pentheus% These> holy or!ies o2 yours> do you per2orm them durin! the day or in the ni!htH Dionysos% ;ost o2 them durin! the ni!ht' Dar,ness adds a certain modesty' Pentheus% That4s ?uite a dubious thin! 2or the (omen> and rather lecherous- 84d say' Dionysos% 6hame- o2 course can be seen durin! the day- too- i2 it eGists and i2 one (ere to loo, 2or it' Pentheus% Fe must ta,e you to court 2or your e.il philosophies' *0Dionysos% And you- too- 2or your i!norance and your disrespect 2or the !od' Pentheus% 0o( bold this Bacchic initiate is9 0is ton!ue is not at all trained in speech' Dionysos% 6ho( me- then (hat terrible 2ate you ha.e in store 2or me' Fhat am 8 about to su22erH Pentheus% First- 84ll chop o22 this lon! plait o2 yours' Dionysos% The plait is sacred' 8 nurture it 2or the !od' Pentheus% Then your Thyrsus' i.e it to me9 Dionysos% =ou come and ta,e it a(ay 2rom me yoursel2' 84m holdin! it 2or Dionysos'

Pentheus% And then (e4ll be !uardin! your body in Eail day and ni!ht' Dionysos% od himsel2 (ill 2ree me (hen 8 as, him' Pentheus% @2 course- you4ll be prayin! to him only (hen you4re amon! all those (omen 2ollo(ers o2 yours- all those Bacchants' =ou4d all be (or,in! to!ether to accomplish your escape' /-Dionysos% od is present e.en no(- neGt to me and he sees all that 84m !oin! throu!h' Pentheus% Fhere is heH 8 can4t see him' Dot (ith my eyes' Dionysos% 0e4s ri!ht beside me but you couldn4t possibly see him because you are disrespect2ul o2 him' Pentheus% To his guards uards- arrest this stran!er9 0e moc,s me as (ell as Thebes9 Dionysos% 5et me tell you calmly% you don4t ,no( (hat you4re doin! /don4t tie me9 Pentheus% But- you see- 8 must- because 8 ha.e the !reater po(er o2 us t(o' Dionysos% =ou don4t e.en ,no( that you4re ali.e- nor (hat it is you4re doin!- Pentheus- let alone (ho you are9 Pentheus% Fho meH 8 am Pentheus- A!a.e4s and Ehion4s son' Dionysos% Pentheus9 =our name means !rie2' Aery (ell ?uali2ied to brin! it upon yoursel29 Iust as your name su!!ests' Pentheus% @22 you !o9 uards- loc, him up in the stables- near the horses4 stalls' 5et him enEoy the dar,ness in there' Dance in there all you li,e' As 2or all those (omen you4.e brou!ht (ith you- your partners in crime- either (e4ll sell them all or 84ll be puttin! an end to their drum/beatin! by holdin! them here- to be my prisoners and to (or, my looms Dionysos% 84m !oin!J e.en thou!h 8 cannot be 2orced- nor do 8 ha.e to su22er any pain' For al these uncalled 2or insults and 2or sayin! he does not eGist- Dionysos himsel2 (ill eGtract his o(n punishment' By bein! disrespect2ul to us- you in.o,e his an!er' 30it %ionysos, guards and entheus /10 Chorus% racious .ir!in- Dir,e- Aheloo4s dau!hter- you (ho once recei.ed into your clear (aters :eus4 child (hen the !reat !od snatched it 2rom the immortal 2ire and so(n it into his thi!h' And (hen the ri!ht time came :eus shouted- to you- BCome- child9 Come- you (ho has ,noc,ed at the door o2 birth t(ice- come into my deep- male (omb9 0ere 84ll present you to the (orld and say that- here in Thebes they4ll call youDionysos9C

/)Chorus% =et you- blessed Dir,e- no( send a(ay the !arlanded band o2 dancers (hich 84.e brou!ht 2or you' FhyH Fhy do you 2i!ht me stillH Fhy e.ade meH =our turn (ill come thou!h (hen you4ll thin, about Dionysos' 8 s(ear by the Eoy o2 the 2ull/!rape (ine that the time (ill come (hen you4ll thin, most respect2ully o2 this bello(in! !od' Chorus% @ (hat an!er- (hat an!er the earthly race and Pentheus has sho(n to(ards us9 0e (as the child o2 a serpent (hich Ehion has so(n into the soil' The dra!on (ho bore a human 2orm- a murderous !iant- enemy to the !ods' Chorus% This here Pentheus (ill send us to the !allo(s- us Dionysos4 2ollo(ers and Dionysos himsel2- our leader- he (ants to loc, him in some hidden room- in some dar, Eail' Chorus% Can you see all this- DionysosH Can you see ho( they torture your prophetsH Come to us' Come- sha,e your !olden thyrsus hi!h to(ards @lympus and stop the rain o2 insult sent by this murderer' Chorus% 8 (onder (here you are- Dionysos' Are you at the pea,s o2 Dyssa (here the (ild animals !raze- (ith your thyrsus leadin! your trusty bandsH @r are you at the t(in 3ory,ian pea,sH /+Chorus% 6oon you4ll come to the bushy ca.erns o2 @lympus- (here once @rpheus (ith his lyre used to !ather the ;uses and the (ild animals beneath the trees' Chorus% @- blessed !reens o2 Pieria- Dionysos adores you and he4ll come to dance leadin! his s(i2t/2ooted ;aenads' They4ll pass the rushin! (aters o2 the ri.er AGios and then they4ll pass the 2ather o2 all ri.ers- the ri.er 5ydias- that (ith his spar,lin! (aters!i.es the Eoy o2 com2ort in li.in! to all the mortals and ?uenches the thirst o2 the (onder2ul horses and o2 their land' #rom within the palace we hear the crashing and smashing of a building and the &oice of %ionysos calling his followers. Dionysos% 8o9 8o9 0ear my .oice9 0ear my .oice- my 2ollo(ers9 Bacchants9 Bacchants9 Chorus% Fho4s thereH Fho4s thereH 8 heard the .oice o2 Dionysos' Fhere did he call me 2romH /.Dionysos% 8o9 8o9 8 call a!ain9 8t is 8- the son o2 :eus and 6emele' Chorus% 8o9 8o9 ;y 5ord9 ;y 5ord9 Come to us- Dionysos- my 5ord9 Dionysos% ;o.e Earth- mo.e9 6ha,e- our belo.ed Earth9 5ore collapsing of the building Chorus% Luic,9 Pentheus4 palace is bein! turned into ruins' Dionysos is in those ruins9 Pray 2or him9 Ahhhh9 84m prayin! 2or Dionysos9

5oo,- the stone pillars and those lo!s9 6ee ho( they rolled out o2 their position9 Dionysos is callin! out 2rom in there some(here- under the palace4s roo2' Dionysos% 5i!htnin! stri,e9 5i!ht up your burnin! torches9 Put Pentheus4 chambers to the torch9 The light on 8emele"s tomb shoots up for a second. Chorus% Ah9 Did you see the 2lame on 6emele4s holy tombH @nce the 2lame o2 li!htnin! eGtin!uished it (ith :eus4 thunder' Thro( your sha,en bodies to the !round- maenads9 Thro( them9 The chorus falls around the tomb in supplication. 'fter a short pause; The palace door opens and %ionysos enters, barely touched by the disaster inside. Dionysos% ;y dear 5ydians- are you so 2ri!htened that you 2ell prostrate to the !roundH 5oo,s li,e you realised that Dionysos has destroyed Pentheus4 house' Come on- !et up no( and sho( some coura!e' 6hed a(ay your body4s terror' Chorus% 0o( bri!ht is the li!ht o2 our Eoy9 0o( happy (e are to see you9 Fe despair no lon!er9 Chorus% Fe are no lon!er unprotected9 +1Dionysos% Fere you saddened (hen they too, me and thre( me in Pentheus4 dar, Eails- my dearsH Chorus% 0o( could (e not be sadH Fho (ould be our protector i2 you 2ell into some terrible mis2ortuneH But ho( did you mana!e to 2ree yoursel2 2rom the !rips o2 that irre.erent manH Dionysos% Easily' 8 2reed mysel2 (ith ease' Chorus% But didn4t he ha.e your hands tied up (ith thic, ,notted ropesH Dionysos% And that4s eGactly (here 8 sho(ed him ho( 2oolish he is' 0is mind (as 2ull o2 hope instead o2 reality and so- in his delusion- he thou!ht that he had tied me up but- the 2ool- he had neither touched me nor hurt me in the sli!htest' 0e too, me to the stall o2 a bull and instead o2 tyin! the ropes around my hands he tied them around the bull4s ,nees and hoo.es- all the (hile 2umin! (ith ra!e- his body co.ered in s(eat and bitin! at his lips' 8 (atched him 2rom nearby in utter com2ort' 8t (as then that Dionysos came and lit the 2lame on my mother4s tomb' As soon as he sa( that he thou!ht that the palace (as burnin! and so he (as Eumpin! all around the place- shoutin! 2or someone to brin! Aheloos in there' All the sla.es !ot do(n to (or, but * all in .ain9 8 le2t then and he- too- !a.e up on tryin! to sa.e the palace- 2ound his blac, s(ord and rushed out into all the rooms' +)-

But 8 thin, that Dionysos created an apparition in the court and Pentheus char!ed at it- 2i!htin! it as i2 he (as 2i!htin! me' ;ore than that- Dionysos- seein! my a(2ul 2etters- !a.e Pentheus somethin! else to thin, about% 0e shoo, the palace 2rom the 2oundations up- smashed e.erythin!9 6tupid boy- he (as so eGhausted no(- he dropped his s(ord and !a.e up' 8rrational man9 A mortal tryin! to 2i!ht it out (ith a !od9 6o- 8 ?uietly !ot out o2 the palace- 2or!ot about the 2ool and- here 8 am- amon! you9 8ounds of hea&y footsteps from within. Ah9 8 thin, 8 can hear the hea.y 2ootsteps o2 army boots' 84m sure he is comin! out here' 8 (onder (hat he4ll say about all this' This (ill be an easy Eob 2or me' 5et him be as 2urious as he (ants' 8 shall meet him calmly because that is ho( (ise people (or,- calmly' +*3nter entheus with his guards. *e is furiously wa&ing his blac) sword Pentheus% Fhat terrible thin!s 84.e su22ered9 The 2orei!ner has escaped me e.en thou!h not lon! a!o he (as a ti!htly secured prisoner' A9 There he is9 There4s that man9 Fhat is all thisH 0o( did you escape and came out hereH Dionysos% 0old it9 Calm do(n9 Pentheus% 0o( did you mana!e to escape the ropesH 0o( did you !et outH Dionysos% Did 8 not tell you that someone (ould untie meH @r had you not heard meH +/Pentheus% FhoH =ou4re al(ays comin! out (ith some ne( eGcuse' Dionysos% 0e (ho nurtures the .ine 2or the mortals9 Pentheus% And (ho is thatH 6ome .ine !od (ho !i.es up on e.ery la( o2 order amon!st the mortalsH Dionysos% =ou moc, those thin!s that Dionysos does 2or the !ood o2 the people' Pentheus% To his guards uards- !i.e e.eryone my orders to surround the palace9 The guards run off. Dionysos% FhatH Do you thin, that (alls can hinder !odsH Pentheus% @- you4re a (ise man- all ri!ht9 Fise only about the thin!s that suit you9 Dionysos% Precisely' 8 am (ise about all the thin!s that matter in the (orld' But do listen to the (ords o2 him (ho is comin! do(n 2rom the mountains' 0e has somethin! to announce to you' Don4t (orry- (e4ll stay here (ith you' Fe (on4t be escapin!' 3nter *erald (*e is a herdsman and holds a rough, wooden shepherd"s croo)!

++0erald% 5ord Pentheus- 8 le2t ;ount 3itheron /the place (hich is 2ore.er spar,lin! (ith the constant 2all o2 sno(2la,es/ to come to you- ruler o2 our Thebes' Pentheus% ((mpatiently! =es- yes- you came- and (hat ne( disaster has your comin! brou!ht to usH 0erald% 5ord- 8 sa( the 2renzied Bacchants up on the mountain- rushin! out o2 their house as i2 stun! hard by a !ad 2ly' They (ere rushin! (ildly up to(ards the mountainsho(in! their (hite thi!hs as they did' 6eein! all this 8 immediately came to tell you about itJ but 8 sa( them doin! a(2ul thin!s in the city- too- 5ord' 6hould 8 tell you 2reely (hat 8 sa(- my 5ord or should 8 (atch my (ordsH 8 (ouldn4t (ant to cop the (ron! end o2 your (rath- my 5ord because 8 ,no( you can be a bit sharp (ith it and you do ha.e the royal po(er' Pentheus% 6pea,9 =ou4re eGcused o2 e.erythin! you4re about to say' Fe ha.e no ri!ht to be an!ry at the Eust' 8n any case the more a(2ul thin!s you can tell us about the Bacchants- the more 84d be able condemn their instructor' +,, 0erald% Iust a short (hile a!o- (hen the sun4s rays (ere brea,in! out and !ettin! ready to (arm the earth- 8 too, my herd o2 youn! cattle to !raze o.er to the mountain side' Iust then- 8 sa( three !roups o2 dancin! (omen' The leader o2 the 2irst (as A2tinoethen your mother- A!a.e- o2 the second and o2 the third !roup (as 8no' Their bodies loo,ed relaGed- asleep and some (ere rested (ith their bac,s a!ainst the pine trees- others rested on 2ir lea.es- their heads bo(ed modestly to(ards the !round- to all intents and purposes loo,in! as i2 they (ere one (ith DatureJ not the (ay you said- my 5ord- drun, (ith (ine and (ith the s(eet sounds o2 2lutes- chasin! lust in the dar, solitude o2 the ni!ht' Fhen my horned herd neared them and made their usual bello(in! noises- your mother (o,e up- Eumped into the centre o2 the other Bacchants and yelled loudly' The others- too- thre( the s(eet sleep 2rom their eyes and stood up strai!ht9 Fhat a si!ht 2or sore eyes- my 5ord9 Aery pleasant indeed9 =oun! .ir!ins- older (omenyoun! (omen- married or unmarried9 First they let their hair 2all to their shoulders- 2iGed all the clasps and pins o2 their 2a(n s,in dresses that ha.e become loose and then tied around their (aist sna,es (hose heads came up and lic,ed their beauti2ul chee,s' @thers- (ho had babies bac, home and their breasts (ere burstin! (ith mil, held !ently in their arms youn! deer or youn! (ild (ol.es (hich they suc,led (ith their o(n (hite mil,' ,-@thers (ere ma,in! !arlands o2 i.y- 2ir branches and bryony' @ne o2 them hit a roc, (ith her thyrsus and the roc, became a sprin! o2 !ushin! clear (ater' Another di!s her reed into the !round and ri!ht on that spot the !od opens up a sprin! 2rom (here (ine rushes out' Those (ho (anted a drin, o2 mil,- all they had to do is scratch the !round (ith their 2in!ernails and out it (ould come- all bubbly and (hite' 6(eet honey dripped 2rom the i.y around their thyrsus' 6o- my 5ord- i2 you (ere there Eust at that .ery minute and sa( all them thin!s- you4d be praisin! the !od (ho you no( condemn' Fell- (e herdsmen !athered to!ether and be!an to ar!ue about (hat them (omen

(ere doin!' 6ome o2 that stu22 (as damned a(esome- horrible9 ,(Then one o2 us- a tra.eller 2rom the city and !ood (ith his (ords- says to the rest o2 us- B0ey- you 2ol, (ho li.e alon! the !entle mountain slopes- (ould you li,e us to !rab A!a.e- Pentheus4 mother- out o2 all this mystic Bacchic stu22 and ta,e her to the 3in!H 0e4ll be .ery pleased (ith us'C Fe all thou!ht it (as a !ood idea- so (e hid behind shrubs- ready 2or the ambush' But- 8 can tell you- 5ord- (e (as also 2earin! 2or our li.es' The (omen- thou!hsuddenly be!an to sha,e their thyrsus as i2 they (ere enterin! into a bacchic ceremony and- at the same time- all o2 them (ith one .oice- be!an to cry out 2or :eus4 son- Dionysos' E.erythin! around them Eoined in the ceremony- the mountain- the beasts- e.erythin! s(ayed in its spot' A!a.e (as also doin! li,e the others and she (as headin! in my direction' 6uddenly- 8 leapt out o2 my hidin! place and Eumped at her- hopin! to catch her' ,)But Eust then she shouted- B0ey- my speedy bitches- there are some men here (ho are huntin! us' They (ant our submission' Come- run (ith me' Arm yoursel.es (ith your thyrsus and come (ith me9 5et4s !et themC Fe Eust mana!ed to run a(ay and escape the slau!hter but they thre( themsel.es(ith no spear nor s(ord- at the cal.es that (ere ?uietly !razin! nearby' @ne o2 those (omen tore a poor- tiny cal2 a(ay 2rom its mother4s udder and others ripped cal.es to bloody pieces (ith their bare hands and then they be!an eatin! them ra(' ;y 5ord- you could see bits o2 2lesh stre(n all around the place' Fhole sides o2 animals- le!s- other chun,s o2 animal 2lesh han!in! 2rom the 2ir trees- drippin! blood' 0u!e bulls- my 5ord (hich only a 2e( minutes earlier stood tall and proudthe sort that i2 one !ot them an!ry they4d tear e.erythin! apart (ith their massi.e horns- (ell- no( they dropped their bodies to the !round and strai!hta(ay countless !irls dra!!ed them about (ith their bare hands and> and by the time you blin,ed your royal eye- my 5ord- they4d ha.e the s,in torn o22 those massi.e carcasses o2 them bulls' And then they (ent 2lyin! about li,e the (ild birds that ruin the proud (heat stal,s o2 Thebes- the ones that 2ly lo( neGt to the rushin! (aters o2 Asopos ri.er' Then o22 them (omen rushed to the .illa!es o2 Erythres- near =sies- at the 2oot o2 ;ount 3itheron and Eust li,e an in.adin! army they turned e.erythin! upside do(n- rippin! children out o2 their houses and ta,in! all sorts o2 !oods 2rom there- (hich they Eust thre( carelessly o.er their shoulder (ithout tyin! anythin! to!etherJ still nothin! 2ell to the dar, soil- not e.en bronze or iron- my 5ord9 And- o- my 5ord Pentheus- around their hair there (as this brilliant 2ire that had no e22ect on them' Didn4t burn them one bit' Then all the men came out 2umin! (ith an!er and 2ully armed- (antin! to brin! these Bacchants into submission- but then- my 5ord- i2 only you could ha.e seen this most a(esome thin!9 ;ost terrible thin! to see' ,+@ur sharp spears and arro(s dre( no blood 2rom them yet they thre( their thyrsus at us and (ound us so (e ?uic,ly turned and ran o22' Do( 84m certain- my 5ord that that lot had some !od helpin! them' Then they (ent bac, to the pea, o2 the mountain (here their !od produced sprin!s o2 clear (ater 2or them 2rom the earth' 6na,es rose up to their chee,s and (ith their ton!ues (ashed a(ay the blood until their s,in once a!ain became bri!ht (hite'

,,;y 5ord- you4d better let this !od- (hoe.er he is come into the city because he has many other !reat po(ers' They also say /and 8 a!ree (ith this mesel2/ that he4s the !od (ho brou!ht the (ine to the mortals' reat stu22 that' 8t stops all sadness' Truth is- my 5ord- (hen the (ine is missin! so does lo.e and then> (ell- there4s nothin! s(eet le2t 2or us mortals then' Chorus% 84m reluctant to utter my (ords openly to the ,in! but they must be uttered' Dionysos is lesser to no od' 30it *erald 3nter guards running and puffed out, returning from the first command. Pentheus% This stran!er is so close that the 2ire o2 these outra!eous Bacchants is touchin! us' 8t is a !reat shame 2or all the ree,s' There is no time to (aste' To his guards ;en- run ?uic,ly to the Ele,tran !ates' Call to!ether all the shieldsmen- all the riders o2 our 2ast horses- all the catapult dri.ers and all the sharp arro( shooters' Tell them (e must prepare 2or an attac, a!ainst the Bacchants' This matter must end' Fancy su22erin! all this in the hands o2 mere (omen9 /uards run off again. Dionysos% ;y (ords ha.e con.inced you o2 nothin!- Pentheus' 6till- e.en thou!h you4.e treated me badly- 8 as, you to calm do(n' =ou mustn4t raise arms a!ainst the !od' Dionysos (ill not ta,e ,indly to you sendin! his Bacchants a(ay 2rom the mountains (here they hold their rites' ,0( Pentheus% 84m not here to recei.e your ad.ice' =ou4.e escaped the 2etters- isn4t that enou!hH @r should 8 repeat the punishmentH Dionysos% 82 8 (ere you 84d do (hat all 2ol, do to !ods% o22er a sacri2ice- instead o2 !ettin! an!ry' 8t4s li,e ,ic,in! at thorns' Pentheus% 0a9 For him- 84ll sacri2ice a lot o2 (omen' That (ill teach them- disturbin! all the .alleys o2 3itheron' Dionysos% =ou4ll all be chased a(ayJ and (hat a shame2ul si!ht that (ould be9 All these bri!ht bronze shields turned to 2li!ht by the thyrsuses o2 the Bacchants9 .-Pentheus% 0o( on earth ha.e 8 !ot miGed up (ith this stran!erH Fhether tied up or loose he (on4t shut up9 Dionysos% There4s still time- Pentheus9 There4s still time 2or you to ma,e thin!s ri!ht a!ain' Pentheus% 0o(H By becomin! a sla.e to my (omen sla.esH Dionysos% 84ll brin! all the (omen here 2or you> usin! no (eapons at all' Pentheus% @- sure9 Fhat a nice little trap that (ould be 2or me- eyH Aery cle.er9

Dionysos% Fhat (ould be the point o2 such a trapH To sa.e you (ith my cle.ernessH Pentheus% =ou4.e had all this arran!ed (ith them earlier so that you can con.ert the (hole city into belie.in! in your !od' 3nter the guards again< puffing Dionysos% =es9 =ou4re ?uite ri!ht- Pentheus9 =ou4re ?uite ri!ht9 84.e discussed it (ith Dionysos' =ou4re absolutely ri!ht' That4s (hat happened' Pentheus% To the guards Brin! my (eapons out here * and you (%ionysos! shut your mouth9 /uards rush off again, this time into the palace. .1Dionysos% *e has $ust thought of something 0old on9 Pentheus- (ould you li,e to see them yoursel2- up on the mountains- all o2 those> (omen to!etherH Pentheus% 3nthusiastically 6ure' @2 course- o2 course9 84d !i.e an a(2ul lot o2 !old 2or the pri.ile!e' Dionysos% @h- yesH Fhy so ea!erH Pentheus% 8 (ant to see these poor- (retched (omen drun,' Dionysos% But these thin!s (ould be hard 2or your eye' Fhat sort o2 pleasure (ould you !ain 2rom itH Pentheus% Absolute9 84d be sittin! ?uietly beneath the 2ir trees> Dionysos% A- but e.en i2 you !o there ?uietly- they4ll still ,no( you4re there' Pentheus% 0mm' =ou4re ri!ht' Then 84ll !o ?uite openly' Dionysos% All ri!ht then- let4s !o> Fill you really try to do this eGerciseH .(Pentheus% et me there- ?uic,ly' 84d hate to lose any more time because o2 you' Dionysos% =ou4ll ha.e to chan!e your clothes 2irst- Pentheus' =ou need to (ear 2ine linen' Pentheus% Fhat4s all thisH =ou (ant to dress me up as a (omanH Dionysos% Because i2 you sho( yoursel2 there as a man- they4ll ,ill you' Pentheus% =ou4re ri!ht a!ain' 8 can see you4re an old hand at this sort o2 tric,ery' Dionysos% The !od Dionysos tau!ht us all this' Pentheus% Fell- then- my (ise counsellor- ho( do (e do all thisH Dionysos% 5et4s !o into the palace and 84ll dress you up'

Pentheus% Dress me up (ith (hatH Fomen4s clothesH Dionysos% Don4t you (ant to (atch the ;aenads thenH .)Pentheus% Fell> tell me e.erythin! you4re !oin! to do to me' Dionysos% 84ll let your hair 2all all o.er your bac,' Pentheus% All ri!ht' ThenH Dionysos% Then 84ll dress you up (ith lon! robes- ri!ht do(n to your 2eet and on your head you4ll (ear a ribbon' Pentheus% And a2ter all thisH Dionysos% =ou4ll carry a thyrsus in one hand and you4ll (ear a dappled 2a(n s,in around your body' Pentheus% Do- no- no9 8 Eust can4t (ear (omen4s clothes' 8 Eust can4t do it9 Dionysos% Fell then- i2 you end up in a 2i!ht (ith the Bacchants it4ll be your blood on the !round- not mine9 Pentheus% Thin)s for a minute, then =es9 7i!ht9 Fhen (e !et there (e must 2irst spy on them' Dionysos% 8t4s 2ar (iser to hunt the dan!erous (ithout puttin! yoursel2 in dan!er' Pentheus% 0o( (ill 8 be able to (al, throu!h the street (ithout bein! seen by all the 3admeiansH .*Dionysos% Fe4ll ta,e the deserted roads' Don4t (orry- 84ll !uide you' Pentheus% Fe must do (hat4s necessary so that the Bacchants don4t !et a (hi22 o2 all o2 this' 84m !oin! inside to thin, about it all' The guards come out of the palace bearing weapons for the )ing. Dionysos% 6ure' o- 84m ready to help you (ith e.erythin!' Pentheus% 84m !oin! and 84ll either ta,e up my (eapons or 84ll ta,e up your ad.ice' /uards and entheus e0it into the palace, guards despondent. Dionysos% Fomen- (e ha.e trapped our man9 0e (ill !o to the Bacchants and- (ith his deathEustice (ill be achie.ed' Dionysos- it is up to you no( to !et re.en!e' =ou are not .ery 2ar' First o2 all- ta,e a(ay his mind' ./i.e him a sli!ht dose o2 madness- enou!h 2or him to (ear (omen4s clothesJ other(ise- i2 his mind is clear he (on4t (ear them' Then 84.e !ot to ma,e a 2ool o2

him- paradin! him throu!h Thebes- dressed as a (oman' That (ill teach him to ma,e those dread2ul threats o2 his' 84m o22 no(- to dress him up in his 2uneral clothes' The clothes (ith (hich he (ill be meetin! 0ades- once his mother slau!hters him (ith her bare hands' @nly then (ill he learn that the son o2 :eus- Dionysos- is a !od o2 peace 2or the !ood 2ol, but he is also a 2earsome !od (ho those (ho don4t respect him' .+( Chorus% 8 (ish9 8 (ish that one day 84d be able to ta,e part in the Bacchic dances- those all ni!ht dances o2 Eoy9 8 (ish that one day 84d be able to see my (hite 2eet ,ic, hi!h to the rhythm o2 those dances9 Chorus% And 8 (ish that one day 8 could rush (ith my 2a(n s,in throu!h the cool breeze li,e a 2a(n does- li,e a 2a(n that (hile playin! in the so2t !rass is chased by a hunter and Eumps o.er his cle.er traps and 2ences (hile the hunter blo(s his (histle to ?uic,en the pace o2 his hounds' Chorus% Pantin! hard no(- 8 see the little deer turnin! to(ards the ri.er beds and .alleyss(i2t as the hi!h (ind- happy to ha.e escaped the men and happy to be amon! the lush !ro(th o2 the 2orest' Chorus% Fhat better- (hat (iser !i2t a !od could !i.e to men than to hold their hand hi!h abo.e their head as a si!n o2 .ictory o.er their enemyH ..Chorus% 8 al(ays admire the !ood' Chorus% od4s Eustice mi!ht be late arri.in! but it does arri.e and it does punish those (hobecause o2 their stupidity and madness- don4t bo( their heads to the !ods' Chorus% The !ods (ait' They (ait and hide in many (ays (ithin Time4s hu!e steps and (ithin those steps they hunt the irre.erent man' Chorus% Do man can be more po(er2ul than od4s la(s' ;an must study them (ell and ,no( them 2ully' Chorus% 8t is a (aste o2 time to search 2or the ans(er o2 the ?uestion B(hat is !od-C since that ans(er has been established a lon! time a!o' od (as there Eust as Dature (as2rom the be!innin!' Chorus% Fhat is (isdomH Fhat is !ood ad.iceH Fhat is !oodH Fhat is more (onder2ul than a !od li2tin! your hand hi!h as a si!n o2 .ictory o.er your enemyH 8 lo.e the beauti2ul' Al(ays9

Chorus% 0appy is the man (ho has escaped the storms o2 li2e4s an!ry seas and 2ound a harbourJ and happy is the man (ho ha.e endured those storms' Chorus% ;en are in2inite in number and their hopes ha.e no end and some o2 these hopes brin! Eoy to some and nothin! to others' Chorus% 8 say blessed is the man (hose li2e has been happy * so 2ar' These are use2ul pieces o2 ad.ice' True (isdom' %irecting the following to entheus who is still inside the palace. =ou- Pentheus9 8t is you- 8 mean' =ou (ho4s anGious to see thin!s you really don4t need to see- it is enou!h 2or you to loo, to 2ind (hat can be 2ound' 8houting Pentheus9 Come out o2 the palace' 5et me see you dressed in your ne( clothes as a ;aenad- a Bacchant' =ou (ho4s anGious to spy on your mother and on the Bacchic rituals' 3nter entheus and his ser&ant. entheus is dressed as a Bacchant. Long curls, long white robe, garlands, thyrsus. *e en$oys his new get up and enthusiastically accepts %ionysos" suggestions. *e is in a da1e. 01. Pentheus% 8> 8 thin, 8 can see t(o suns> and our city o2 se.en !ates- Thebes> there are t(o o2 them also' And you- stran!er- you act as my !uide- 8 see you4.e turned into a !reat bull and t(o hu!e horns ha.e sprouted out o2 your head9 Fere you e.er be2ore a beastH Dionysos% Ah- yes9 =our eyes ha.e been restored no(- Pentheus' Do( you can see properly' =ou seeH od is (ith us no(- not li,e be2ore (hen he 2ou!ht us' Pentheus% 6o- ho( do 8 loo,H 5oo, at my 2ace' 8s it more similar to my mother4s A!a.e4s or to 8no4sH Dionysos% 0mm> to tell you the truth- (hen 8 loo, at you care2ully> 8 thin, 8 can see both o2 them in you' @- loo, at this curl- you4.e messed it up' Dot at all li,e 8 did it inside' Pentheus% =es- 8 had a bit o2 a dance inside and as 8 (hirled my head around a bit- li,e the Bacchants- 8 thre( it out o2 its place' Dionysos% 0ere- let me 2iG it 2or you' 5i2t your head a bit' Pentheus% Come- 84m in your hands' Tidy me up a bit' Dionysos% 5oo, here9 =our !irdle is .ery loose and the 2olds o2 your robe don4t 2all strai!ht- all the (ay to your an,les' 0)+ Pentheus% =es- 8 thou!ht so9 8t4s all ri!ht (ith the le2t le! thou!h- isn4t itH

Dionysos% =ou4ll see- Pentheus' 84ll be your best 2riend once you see ho( (ise and properly beha.ed the Bacchants are' Pentheus% 0o( do 8 hold the thyrsus so that 8 can loo, more li,e a BacchantH 7i!ht hand or le2tH Dionysos% =ou hold it (ith your ri!ht hand and mo.e your ri!ht 2oot 2or(ard at the same time' 84m !lad you4.e chan!ed your mind about all this' Pentheus% Do you thin, 84d be able to li2t the (hole mountain- its .alleys and all the Bacchants on my bac,H Dionysos% @2 course you (ill9 Do( that you ha.e your mind bac,- you can do (hate.er you li,e' Dot li,e be2ore' Pentheus% Fell- should 8 brin! !reat le.ers and pulleys 2or the Eob or could 8 do it (ith my bare hands- arms and shouldersH 8 mean tear up the (hole mountain' 0/Dionysos% =ou4d ha.e to be care2ul not to destroy the Bacchants4 haunts and the dens o2 Pan9 =ou ,no( ho( Pan lo.es to play his pipes around there' Pentheus% Luite ri!ht- ?uite ri!ht' 8t4s not proper to use my stren!th to de2eat mere (omen' 84ll hide amon! the 2ir trees' Dionysos% Absolutely9 =ou must hide yoursel2 (ell- since you4re !oin! there secretly- to spy upon them' Pentheus% 0e- he9 8 thin, 84ll be catchin! these (omen as one catches the little birds% inside their little lo.e nests' Dionysos% Fell- that4s (hat you4re !oin! there 2or- to spy on them and catch them> that is> i2 they don4t catch you 2irst9 0+Pentheus% Ta,e me ri!ht throu!h the centre o2 Thebes- stran!er9 Because 8 (ant to sho( them that 84m the only one amon! them (ho dares do such a thin!' Dionysos% =ou are the only one (ho cares 2or your city- enou!h to under!o such trialsPentheus' The trails are (orthy o2 Eust such a bra.e man as you' Follo( me' 84ll be your !uide and your sa.iour' @nce (e4re there- others (ill ta,e o.er 2rom me> Pentheus% ;y mother- yes' Dionysos% =ou4re a re.ered symbol to them all- Pentheus' Pentheus% That4s (hy 84m comin!'

Dionysos% >ta,e you 2rom me and deli.er you to> Pentheus% Ta,e me 2rom you> li,e a spoilt child- you meanH Dionysos% >your mother' Pentheus% =ou are !i.in! me such a bi! head (ith all your compliments' Dionysos% And (hat a bi! head9 0,Pentheus% 8 do deser.e it- o2 course9 9hile entheus is absorbed in his clothes. Dionysos% =ou4re a mi!hty man- Pentheus9 ;i!htier than the mi!hty and there are mi!hty battles (aitin! 2or you- mi!hty enou!h 2or your !lory to reach the hea.ens9 @h- A!a.e and all o2 you- dau!hters o2 3admos- open your arms- !et ready 2or the man 84m brin!in! you' 7ecei.e him and o22er him this mi!hty battle * a battle o2 (hich 84ll be the (inner' 8 and Dionysos' The battle (ill disclose (hate.er else is necessary' 30it entheus, %ionysos and entheus" ser&ant. 0,, Chorus% 7un- 2renzied bitches- run to the mountain (here 3admos4 dau!hters are !athered 2or their rites9 7aise them all9 7aise those (omen a!ainst this man (ho4s put on (omen4s clothes and has !one to spy on the ;aenads' Chorus% 0is mother (ill see him 2irst- either 2rom a hi!h cra! or 2rom behind a (oody hidin! place' 6he (ill see him and she (ill shout- BFho is that (ho4s come to spy upon 3admos4 mountain/lo.in! dau!htersH Fho is his motherH Because surely- a (oman4s blood has not !i.en birth to him- rather some lioness or some !or!on 2rom 5ibya has !i.en him li2e'C Chorus% 5et Iustice come- let Iustice appear- let Iustice carry a s(ord- slashin! the heathen4s throat 2rom end to end- Ehion4s son- the unEust- the mortal (ho treats our la(s (ith disdain' Chorus% 0e comes to you- Dionysos- (ith e.il intent- (ith an unEust mind- there he comes to your mystic rites and to those o2 your mother' Chorus% Fith a madness in the heart And a madness in the mind1--Chorus% To con?uer the uncon?uerable (ith mi!ht but no mind' Death (ill put his mind on a strai!ht path' The (ise minds are the minds that obey the !ods and stay (ithin the bounds o2 their mortality and so lon! as they li.e- they4ll 2eel no sorro('

Chorus% 8 2eel no en.y 2or the (ise' Chorus% 8 lo.e to hunt other !reat thin!s- !reat and ob.ious and 8 lead a li2e (ith re.erencesheddin! unEust .ie(s and- day and ni!ht- (ith Eoy 8 honour the mortals' Chorus% 5et Iustice come- let Iustice appear- let Iustice carry a s(ord- slashin! the heathen4s throat 2rom end to end- Ehion4s son- the unEust- the mortal- (ho treats our la(s (ith disdain' Chorus% Come- Dionysos- appear- li,e a bull or li,e a many/headed dra!on- or li,e a lion 2ull o2 2lame and 2ire9 Chorus% Come- Dionysos- come and smile and entan!le the (ild hunter o2 the maenads in your nets- (hile he4s 2allen in the 2atal hands o2 the Bacchants' 8hort pause of utter silence. 3nter entheus" ser&ant. *orrified. 6er.ant% lorious palace o2 old 6idon- the man (ho had so(n the sna,e4s teeth into the !round and har.ested earthly bein!9 ;ost eGcellent palace in the (hole o2 reece' 0o( deep a hurt 8 2eel 2or you e.en thou!h 8 am but a mere sla.e here' Chorus% Fhat4s upH Are you brin!in! us some bad ne(s 2rom the BacchantsH 1-)6er.ant% Pentheus- Ehion4s son is dead' Chorus% 30uberantly. @ 5ord Dionysos9 =ou are indeed a !reat !od9 6er.ant% FhatH Fhat did you sayH Fhat did you say- (omanH =ou are happy (ith our 5ord4s mis2ortuneH Chorus% 0a9 84m a 2orei!ner9 8 shout (ith Eoy (ith a 2orei!ner4s .oice' There4s no need 2or me to co(er 2rom the 2ear that they4ll loc, me up' 6er.ant% Do you thin, the Thebans are such co(ardsH Chorus% 8 !et my orders 2rom Dionysos- not 2rom the Thebans' 6er.ant% 8 don4t be!rud!e you that but it4s not ri!ht 2or you to reEoice o.er these sad e.ents' Chorus% Tell me- ho( did this unEust man (ho lo.ed inEustice dieH 1-*) 6er.ant% 8 (as 2ollo(in! my master and the stran!er and- a2ter (e (al,ed past all the Theban houses- (e (ent throu!h the mur,y (aters o2 Asepos and the three o2 us climbed the pea,s o2 3itheron' The stran!er (as 2irst- then my master and 2inally me' The stran!er (as leadin! us to the place (here (e could see the mystic rites per2ormed by the Bacchants' Fe (al,ed and tal,ed so2tly so that (e could see them but they couldn4t see us'

Fe e.entually came to a !rassy spot and there (e spread oursel.es 2lat on the !round' All around us (ere deep cra!s and precipices and the ri.er4s (aters rushed mi!htily and the pine trees (ith their hu!e shades cooled us' The maenads (ere sittin! nearby and enEoyed themsel.es (ith pleasant deeds2iGin! the i.y that 2ell o22 their thyrsus or- Eust li,e the happy youn! 2illies that had Eust been released 2rom their cart4s handsome yo,e- san! sacred son!s to each other' Poor Pentheus could sense the presence o2 the cro(d o2 ;aenads but he couldn4t see them so he said to the stran!er- Bstran!er- my eyes can4t see these rotten Bacchants 2rom here' 5et me climb hi!h up onto the tip o2 that 2ir tree so that 8 can see better their lecherous deeds'C And it4s 2rom that moment on that 8 truly sa( the stran!er4s miracles' 0e !rabs a branch (hich (as .ery hi!h up on the tree- bends it and brin!s it do(n all the (ay to the blac, soil' All the (ay do(n 2rom the depths o2 the s,y' The branch made a per2ect and beauti2ul circle- li,e the rin! o2 a (heel- dra(n and made by a compass' 6omethin! no mortal could ha.e done' Then he places Pentheus onto the branch and slo(ly- care2ully- lets it rise- so that he (on4t 2all do(n' The ,in! then sat on that branch and (aited' 6uddenly thou!h- the ;aenads sa( him better than he sa( them himsel2' 1-,/ Do one could see the stran!er any more and it (as only a minute later that Dionysos *84m sure it (as he/ called out loudly% B;aenads9 84.e brou!ht you the man (ho moc,s you and moc,s my rites also' Come- he4s yours- punish him9C And (ith these (ords- hea.en and earth (ere 2illed (ith sacred 2ires' Then a !reat silence 2illed the air' A silence (hich bound all the trees o2 the .alley- all the shrubs and one could not hear the .oices o2 the beasts' The (omen didn4t seem to ha.e heard Dionysos4 .oice so they stood and- aloo2 and (ith their eyes (ide open they (aited' Dionysos yelled a!ain and this time 3admos4 dau!hters reco!nised Dionysos4 .oice and rushed ?uic,ly and li,e do.es attac,ed' A!a.e- his mother- his sisters and all the other Bacchants- (ild (ith the !od4s spiritEumped o.er hu!e torrents o2 .alleys and ca.es and (hen they sa( the ,in! sittin! on the 2ir tree- 2irst they be!an thro(in! roc,s at him' Then they climbed a roc, and 2rom there thre( at him lon! branches o2 2ir- made li,e spears' @thers a!ain sent their thyrsus 2lyin! at poor Pentheus but they too- ,ept missin! him' 11-That4s because he (as 2ar too hi!h 2or them' The poor ,in! sat there not ,no(in! (hat to do' The ;aenads then tore !reat bi! branches 2rom the tree- made (ooden le.ers out o2 them and then tried to rip out Pentheus4 tree 2rom the roots' Those e22orts also amounted to nothin!' Then A!a.e shouted- BCome- ;aenads- come stand around it- !rab the branches o2 the tree (ith your hands and climb up to the beast' 3ill it so he (on4t re.eal our mystic rites to the (orld'C The ;aenads surrounded the tree and (ith a thousand hands tore the 2ir 2rom its roots' Do(n came Pentheus- crashin! to the !round- the 2ear cuttin! his breath' 0e ,ne( he (as near his death' First it (as his mother- Dionysos4 priestess' 6he started the slau!hter' 6he Eumped upon him (ith an!er and he too, the ribbon 2rom his head so that his mother (ould reco!nise him and spare him and patted her chee, so2tly' B8t4s me- mother-C he saidByour son- Pentheus' =ou !a.e birth to me- mother- in Ehion4s palace9 0a.e pity on me- mother9 Don4t ,ill me- don4t ,ill your son Eust because he4s made a mista,e'C

11(But he couldn4t con.ince her' 6he (as 2rothin! at the mouth and her eyes rolled (ildly in their soc,ets' Dionysos4 spirit had made her crazy' ;ad' 6eized by the spirit o2 her !od' 6he then !rabbed her son4s arm- stepped on his shoulder blade and ripped his arm clean o22 his body' The stren!th (as not her o(n but her !od4s' @n the other side 8no (as doin! her part- tearin! his 2lesh' 6o did A2tinoe' The (hole population o2 ;aenads stopped and !azed at the spectacle' The (hole place echoed (ith screams and he (as !roanin! (ith pain (hile he (as still ali.e' Then the ;aenads be!an a (ar cry and each carried some part o2 Pentheus4 body' @ne carried a hand another a 2oot (ith its shoe still attached on it- others tore at his ribs sho(in! them bare and others (ith bloody hands tossed parts o2 his 2lesh to each other' Bits o2 his 2lesh (ere stre(n about e.ery(here' 6ome up a!ainst the rou!h roc,s others so deep in the shrubs o2 the 2orest that it (as impossible to 2ind them all' And his poor head9 0is mother happened to ta,e a hold o2 it' 6he stuc, it at the end o2 her thyrsus and no( carries it around the mountain4s paths- yellin!- Bit4s the head o2 a mountain lion9 8t4s the head o2 a mountain lion'C 6he le2t behind her sisters and the rest o2 the ;aenads and she is headin! this (ay proudly carryin! the poor prey- callin! Dionysos her B2ello( hunterC and Bpartner in the huntC and Bmost .ictorious'C Fith this .ictory- A!a.e !ained only a blac, tear' 8 don4t (ant to (itness her misery (hen she comes to the palace so- 84ll lea.e no( in case (e4re both here at the same time' Fisdom and respect 2or the !ods is a !reat .irtue and a possession most (orthy 2or the mortals to ha.e' 30it entheus" ser&ant. 11/) Chorus% =oyful Ah- let us reEoice the .ictory o2 our 5ord- Dionysos and let us mourn the death o2 dra!on/born Pentheus- (ho put on (omen4s clothes and loo,in! 2or a reason to dietoo, a (ei!hty thyrsus (ith him' A bull !uided him to his death' Chorus% Fomen o2 3admos- you4.e turned a !lorious .ictory into a lament 2ull o2 tears' Fhat a deli!ht2ul .ictory it is- really- holdin! in your arms your child4s blood/drippin! hand' Chorus% 0a9 8 can see Pentheus4 mother A!a.e rushin! to(ards the palace' Fhat a dread2ul si!ht9 0o( (ild her eyes9 7ecei.e her- recei.e her you !roup o2 Dionysos4 2ollo(ers9 3nter 'ga&e, wild, bloodstained, with entheus" head stuc) on her thyrsus. 3cstatic. 8he is followed by two or three other blood stained Bacchants. 11+. A!a.e% Bacchants o2 Asia9 Chorus% @- ho( 8 shudder (hen 8 loo, at you9 A!a.e% 5oo,9 8 brin! 2rom the mountain a branch- 2reshly cut- a Ee(el to my thyrsus' 8t4s 2or the palace' @h- (hat stunnin! hunt9

Chorus% 8 see it- A!a.e and 8 shall accept it' Fe (ill celebrate to!ether' A!a.e% 8 cau!ht it (ith my o(n hands' 8 cau!ht this lion (ith my o(n hands- no trapsnothin!' Come9 Come and loo,9 8he shows them the head but they withdraw in fear Chorus% Fhere did you catch itH A!a.e% At 3itheron' Chorus% Fhat4s 3itheronH A!a.e% A mountain' That4s (here (e ,illed this lion' Chorus% Fhich o2 you struc, 2irstH A!a.e% 8 (as honoured to be the 2irst' 8 am honoured and 2amous also 2or my dancin!' Chorus% Fho (as neGtH A!a.e% 3admos4> Chorus% =esH 3admos4 (hatH A!a.e% 3admos4 dau!hters neGt' They thre( themsel.es at the beast strai!ht a2ter me' @(hat a happy hunt9 Chorus% >' (Te0t lost! A!a.e% Come- Eoin the celebrations9 Chorus% 0o( can 8- poor (omanH 'ga&e pets entheus" head A!a.e% Fhat a deli!ht2ul little lamb9 0o( sil,y and thic, the da(n on his chee,' 6o2t and barely .isible beneath his hair' Chorus% 8t loo,s li,e the mane o2 a (ild beast that li.es deep in the 2orest' A!a.e% Dionysos is (ise and (ise (as his act to thro( his maenads at this hunt' Chorus% Dionysos is an eGcellent hunter' A!a.e% An eGcellent hunter- yes' Chorus% EGcellent- indeed9 A!a.e% The Thebans- too (ill praise me9

Chorus% =our son- too- Pentheus' A!a.e% E.eryone (ill praise me 2or catchin! this lo.ely lion' Fhat a !reat catch9 110+ Chorus% A rich re(ard9 A!a.e% 7ichly re(arded Chorus% And you4re happy thenH A!a.e% Am 8 happyH 8 am happy and totally elated- because 8 achie.ed !reat- (ondrous thin!s throu!h this hunt' Chorus% A!a.e- !o and sho( your catch to the locals' 6ho( them all (hat a !ood hunter you are' A!a.e% To the audience Come near- people o2 this land- this Thebes (ith her splendid to(ers' Come and see the catch (e- 3admos4 dau!hters cau!ht (ithout traps or nets or (ith Thessalian spears but (ith our o(n bare hands' Do need 2or people to try so hard (ith their Ea.elins' 0ere (e are- (ith these bare hands alone (e cau!ht and tore the beast to shreds' Fhere is my old 2atherH Fhere is that old manH 6omeone tell him to come out here' Pentheus- too- my son' Fhere is heH 5et him ta,e the hi!h ladder and puttin! it sa2ely a!ainst the palace (all- let him nail onto the sculptures this lion4s head (hich 8- yes 8- hunted and cau!ht' 8he runs enthusiastically behind the curtain, 8L. 3nter 7admos in mourning. *e is followed by two ser&ants who are carrying the remainder of entheus" body on a bier. 1(1+ 3admos% Come- ser.ants- 2ollo( me (ith your most melancholy burden' Follo( me to the palace (ith Pentheus4 corpse' 8 had to search 2or it all o.er the cra!s o2 3itheron' ;iserable Fate' ;iserable (or, to 2ind all his body in slau!htered and bloody pieceslyin! here and there- amon! the shrubs- impossible to 2ind' 8 (as returnin! 2rom the rites (ith old Teiresias (hen 8 o.erheard one o2 my dau!hters tal,in! about their incredible and dire deeds- so 8 ?uic,ly turned bac, to 2ind the child the ;aenads ,illed' And here he is' 8 met A2tonoe (ho- to!ether (ith Aristaios !a.e birth to A,taion' 8no (as (ith her' 8 sa( them runnin! (ildly- hal2 crazed all around the 2orests' They told me that A!a.e (as headin! this (ay- her step crazy as her mind> 0ere she is' 8 see she4s loo,in! sad' 3nter 'ga&e still carrying the head of entheus and still full of blood. *er friends are still with her, as before. A!a.e% Father- be proud o2 your dau!hters' =ou- more than all the other mortals !a.e birth to the best o2 them' @2 course- they4re not only tal,in! about me but about all o2 usbut more so about me because 84.e le2t my shuttle coc, neGt to my loom and too, up

the !reater deeds' Do( 8 hunt beasts (hich 8 catch (ith my bare hands and brin! here in my arms' This one 2or eGample- this trophy you see here is to be hun! onto the palace (alls' Come- 2ather' 0old it yoursel2' 0old it proudly- 2ather- it4s a (orthy catch' 8n.ite your 2riends and ha.e a 2east because my achie.ements ma,e you happy' 3admos% @- (hat a blac,- blac,- immeasurable- intolerable- misery this is 2or an old man4s eyes9 Fhat a(2ul murder you ha.e done (ith your bare hands9 Fhat a beauti2ul sacri2ice you ha.e o22ered to the !ods- A!a.e9 @- A!a.e9 And you (ant to in.ite Thebes and me to 2easts9 @- (hat an ill Fate- 2irst 2or you and then 2or me' 0o( utterly Dionysos has destroyed us' 0e (as ri!ht in doin! so- o2 course but he (as so hard9 A true !od o2 our race' A!a.e% 0o( Eoyless old a!e ma,es people9 0o( miserable it turns their 2ace' 8 (ish my son (ill be as !ood a hunter as his mother (hen he4ll be !oin! o22 on hunts (ith the rest o2 Thebes4 youth9 But he only ,no(s ho( to do one thin! only and that is ho( to 2i!ht a!ainst the !ods9 Counsel him 2ather' 0e listens to you' 8s there no one (ho can !o and brin! him here to see me so ecstaticH 3admos% @- un2ortunate (oman9 0o( terribly you (ill su22er (hen you4.e disco.ered (hat you4.e actually done9 8 hope you stay as you are- i!norant o2 the deed' =ou mi!ht not be the happiest o2 human bein!s but you4ll also be 2ree o2 su22erin!9 A!a.e% Father- (hat is it that you see and don4t li,eH Fhat ma,es you so sadH 3admos% Dau!hter- turn your eyes to this part o2 the hea.ens' A!a.e% obeys 0ere you are' Fhat4s there that you thin, 8 should be seein!H 3admos% 8s it the same s,y or do you thin, it has chan!ed in some (ayH A!a.e% 8t4s more> translucent> bri!hter9 3admos% Do( loo, into your soul' 8s it as turbulent as be2oreH A!a.e% 8> don4t ,no( ho( this happened but 8> 8 2eel di22erent- as i2 84m comin! toreco.erin! 2rom somethin!> my old thou!hts ha.e been replaced' 3admos% A!a.e- i2 you can understand me ans(er my ?uestions' A!a.e% But> 8 2or!ot (hat (e (ere tal,in! about- 2ather' 3admos% Tell me- dau!hter' Fith (hom did you enter the (eddin! chamberH A!a.e% =ou !a.e me to the Bso(n one-C the one (ho- they say- sprun! out o2 the dra!on4s seed' Ehion' 3admos% And (hat child sprun! 2rom your union in that houseH

A!a.e% Pentheus' 8 am his mother and Ehion his 2ather' 3admos% Do( loo,- dau!hter- loo, into your arms' Fhose head are you holdin!H A!a.e% answers without loo)ing The lion4s- o2 course' Iust li,e the huntresses said> 3admos% Thin, no(- A!a.e' 8t4s a small e22ort to loo, at it' 1(.A!a.e% Ahhhh9 Fhat is thisH Fhat do 8 seeH Fhat is this in my armsH 3admos% Concentrate- dau!hter' 5oo, more closely' A!a.e% Ahhh9 8 can see the !reatest o2 pains9 @h- my darlin!9 @- miserable Fate9 3admos% Does it loo, li,e the head o2 a lion to you any moreH A!a.e% Do- no9 8t4s the head o2 my Pentheus 84m holdin! in my arms9 Pentheus9 3admos% =es> mourned by me- A!a.e- be2ore you reco!nised it9 A!a.e% Fho ,illed himH 0o( did he come to be in my handsH 3admos% @ bitter truth9 0o( belated you come9 A!a.e% Tell me' 8 can4t (ait any more' ;y heart is brea,in!' 3admos% =ou and your sisters ha.e ,illed him- A!a.e' 1(0A!a.e% But (here did it happenH 0ere in the palace or else(hereH 3admos% At the same place (here the (ild bitches once ,illed A,taion' A!a.e% But (hy did Pentheus come to 3itheron- the poor boyH 3admos% 0e came to moc, Dionysos and your Bacchic rites' A!a.e% But ho( did (e !et up thereH 3admos% =ou (ere dri.en by the Bacchic Frenzy9 The (hole city (as at it' A!a.e% Do( 8 understand' Dionysos has destroyed us' 3admos% @2 course he did and ?uite ri!htly too' 0e (as insulted most arro!antlyJ you had no respect 2or this !od' A!a.e% Father- (here is my beauti2ul son4s bodyH

3admos% *e points at the bier. 84.e loo,ed all around the 2orest and slo(ly !athered the pieces' A!a.e% 0a.e you Eoined all the pieces to!ether (ellH 3admos% >> (Te0t missing! A!a.e% But (hat role did Pentheus play in our disrespect 2or the !odH 3admos% 0e had become Eust li,e you' 0e didn4t respect Dionysos either' The !od thre( us all into a common disaster% you- Pentheus and me' ;y household is utterly destroyed' Fhat a horrible shame- (hat a dread2ul mis2ortune to see the only male 2ruit o2 your (omb dead9 8 ha.e no other heir9 %irecting his words to entheus" head in 'ga&e"s arms @- Pentheus9 =ou (ere the pride o2 the palace- son o2 my son- stren!th o2 our city' =our proud stature (ould 2ri!hten anyone (ho dared to hurt me- an old man' 0e4d !et his Eust re(ards i2 he had tried anythin! a!ainst me' Do(- 8- 8 the !reat 3admos- (ho has so(n the !reat race o2 Thebans and too, the !reat har.est- 8 must be thro(n out o2 this palace (ith no honour' ;y only son9 E.en dead 8 (ill lo.e you more than all the men on earth' =ou4ll ne.er a!ain run your hands throu!h my beard- nor (ill you e.er call me your mother4s 2ather e.er a!ain' =ou used to say- BFho4s bein! unEust to you- (ho hurts your honourH Fho hurt your heart- !rand/2ather and made you 2eel so bitterH Iust tell me- !rand/2ather and 84ll put him strai!ht9C All this is !one no(- my child' Fretched am 8 and you are dead' =our poor- hapless mother- our (hole race doomed' To the other Bacchants (friends of 'ga&e! 82 there4s anyone (ho insults the !ods let him turn his eyes to this and let him belie.e' Chorus% 8 too- 2eel your pain- 3admos but your !randson (as punished Eustly' A!a.e% Ah- 2ather9 5oo, at me and ho( 84.e chan!ed9 (Loo)ing at the corpse of entheus! Fhat is this corpse 84m holdin! in my hands- and ho( can 8- a piti2ul (oman- hold him ti!htly- lo.in!ly into my chestH @h- child9 0o( can 8 possibly mourn and 2are(ell all these man!led parts o2 yoursmy sonH 8 used to adore and ,iss your (hole body once * 8 raised it (ith my o(n t(o hands' @ld man- brin! here the head o2 this un2ortunate child' 5et4s try and brin! it as close to the rest o2 his po(er2ul body as (e can' (7admos obeys! @h- my belo.ed 2ace- chee,s o2 youth9 5oo,- my son- (ith this cloth 8 co.er your head and the other blood/drenched parts o2 your body' Fith (hat shroud should 8 co.er youH Fhich hands (ill bury you my sonH %ionysos appears at the parapet of the palace. 1))Dionysos%

This man has 2allen into the traps o2 the Theban ;aenads because he moc,ed me' As 2or them- they must lea.e this city because (ith e?ual arro!ance they committed his murder' They must ne.er see their country a!ain because it is a sacrile!e 2or murderers to stay around the tombs o2 their .ictims' =ou- no( 3admus9 =ou (ill ta,e the shape o2 a sna,e and so (ill your (i2e- Armonia (ill also become a sna,e because you- a mortal- dared to marry Ares4 dau!hter' :eus4 oracle has said it and you (ill obey it% =ou and your (i2e (ill yo,e a cattle cart and (ith it lead an army o2 2orei!ners' =our army (ould be countless and (ith it you4ll con?uer many cities but a2ter you4.e destroyed Apollo4s shrine- you and your armies (ill ha.e a terrible homecomin!' =ou- ho(e.er- and Armonia (ill be sa.ed by Ares and he (ill dictate that you should li.e in the land o2 the blessed' These are my (ords- the (ords not o2 a mortal but o2 the son o2 :eus- Dionysos' 82instead o2 re2usin! me you had accepted this 2act- you4d no( be .ery happy- indeed and you4d ha.e me as your ally' 3admus% For!i.e us- Dionysos9 For!i.e us' Fe ha.e treated you unEustly' 1)*/ Dionysos% This you4.e understood 2ar too late and not (hen it (as important' 3admos% =es- (e ha.e only Eust understood this but your punishment is harsh' Dionysos% 8- too- thou!h a !od- 2elt the insults' 3admos% ods should not be the same as the mortals in their an!er' Dionysos% These are thin!s (hich :eus- my 2ather has declared a lon! time a!o' A!a.e% Piti2ul bein!s- 2ather- our eGile is our Fate' Dionysos% Fhy then delay the thin!s that cannot be chan!edH 30it %ionysos 3admos% Fhat a blac, calamity (e all 2ell into- my dau!hter9 A dismal luc, to you and to your sisters- your son and your 2ather9 A heart bro,en man- an old man- 8 must no( !o and li.e amon! 2orei!ners' And the despair continues' @nce there 8 must lead an army o2 those 2orei!ners a!ainst my o(n reece' And then ho( can 8- (ith Armonia- Are4s dau!hter- my (i2e- sna,es both o2 us- allo( such an army o2 spearmen cra(l all o.er the tombs and altars o2 reeceH And my dismal Fate (on4t end there and 8 (on4t rest e.en a2ter 8 cross the streams o2 Aheron' A!a.e% And 8- too- 2ather- (ill lea.e you' 8 too- (ill !o to eGile' 0o( 8 (ill miss you9 3admos% Because my darlin! child- (hen you hu! me- (hen you hu! this old manJ (hen you thro( your arms around me- around this (retched and disabled man (ith his hair all !rey- 8 2eel as i2 a s(an is co.erin! me'

1)++ A!a.e% Fhere should 8 turn to no(- 2atherH Thro(n out o2 my o(n country li,e thisH 3admos% 8 don4t ,no(- child' 8 Eust don4t ,no(' 0o( little can be the help that a parent can o22er to his child9 A!a.e% 'ddressing the palace Fare(ell palace' Fare(ell land o2 my parents' Desolate and thrice cursed- 84m eGiled 2rom the house 8 entered as a bride' 3admos% o to the house o2 Aristaios my child- A2tonoe4s husband' Perhaps there you4ll 2ind your sisters also' A!a.e% Father- 8 (ill miss you9 3admos% And 8 you- my dau!hter' 8 cry 2or you and 2or your sisters' A!a.e% 0o( cruel is this !od- 3in! Dionysos' Fhat brutal punishment to send you 2rom your palace9 Chorus% People all o.er Thebes de2ied this !od' A!a.e% 84m lea.in! no(- 2ather' ood bye9 3admos% ood bye my s(eet dau!hter' ;ay !ood only come your (ay' A!a.e% To the Theban Bacchants Come- let4s !o my 2riends' 5et4s !o and 2ind my !rie2/stric,en sisters (ho le2t be2ore us' 5et us !o to a place so 2ar 2rom 3itheron that neither it can loo, upon me nor 8 upon it- lest the memory o2 the thyrsus is called upon a!ain' 5et other Bacchants loo, a2ter such thin!s 2rom no( on' 30it 'ga&e and the Theban Bacchants 1).. Chorus% The Fates ha.e many !uises and the !ods brin! about many thin!s uneGpected by mortals' Those thin!s (e eGpect do not necessarily happen' 6o ends this play' 30it 'll En1 o2 E3ri4i1es Ba556ae M1N To a.oid con2usion 84.e used only the name Dionysos' M#N A tall sta22 or spear +emblem o2 Dionysos and his 2ollo(ers1 (rapped round (ith i.y and .ine branches and o2ten (ith a pine cone at the top M3N The (ords- B2renzyC and BmaniaC are interchan!eable in meanin! 2or the purposes o2 this translation'

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