Bacchae

• Pentheus, we are here having caught this prey, against whom you sent us and have not left something unfinished. This wild animal was gentle to us, nor did he take off in flight, but gave his hands not unwillingly. Nor was he pale, nor did he change his wine-flushed cheek, but smiling he incited me to bind him and lead him in, and he stayed, making my task easy. And I, on account of shame, said 'stranger, not willingly do I bring you, but on account of Pentheus who sent me.' Moreover, the bacchants, whom you imprisoned, having seized and bound them in chains to the public prison, those women are gone, released to the meadows where they leap invoking the god Bromios.
• By themselves the chains were loosened from their feet and the bolts opened the doors without any mortal hand. This man full of many wonders has come to this city of Thebes. But the rest must be your concern.
• Pentheus: 'Yet, as to your body, you are not unattractive, stranger, as far as women are concerned, for which reason you are here in Thebes. And you have pale skin, as a result of preparation, not by the rays of the sun but under shade, hunting Aphrodite with beauty.' First, therefore, tell me what race you are.
• Dio: It is no boast at all, but easy to say this. I suppose you know, having heard of Tmolus, full of flowers.

  Pen: Yes, I know it, the one which encircles the city of Sardis.

  Dio: I am from there and Lydia is my native land.
• Pen: How comes it that you brought these rites to Greece?

  Dio: Dionysus himself, son of Zeus, initiated me.
• Pen: Is there some Zeus there who gives birth to new gods?

  Dio: No, he is the same Zeus who coupled with Semele in marriage here.
• Pen: Did he compel you at night, or when you could see him?

  Dio: Seeing each other, he established his rites.
• Pen: These rites, what form do they have, in your opinion?

  Dio: They must not be spoken for those who are not Bacchants to know.
• Pen: Do they have some advantage for those sacrificing?

  Dio: It is not right for you to hear, but they are worth knowing.
• Pen: You have played this trick well, so that I want to hear.

  Dio: The rites of the god abhor the person who practices impiety.
• Pen: The god, since you saw him clearly, what was he like?

  Dio: Whatever he wanted, I did not arrange this.
• Pen: Again, you have side-tracked this, speaking well and saying nothing.

  Dio: To an ignorant person, someone speaking cleverly will not appear to be sensible.
• Pen: And have you come here first bringing the god?

  Dio: Every single one of the foreigners dances to these rites.
• Pen: Yes, for they reason much worse than the Greeks.

  Dio: Rather they reason well in this respect, but their customs are different.
• Pen: Do you perform the ceremonies at night or by day?

  Dio: At night mostly. Darkness has solemnity.
• Pen: This is devious and corrupt as regards women.

  Dio: And yet even during the day, one might discover something shameful.
• Pen: You must be punished for your evil cleverness.

  Dio: And you for your ignorance and lack of reverance to the god.
• Pen: How bold is the bacchant and not untrained in argument.

  Dio: Tell me what I must suffer; what dreadful things will you do to me?
• Pen: Next hand over this thyrsus from your hands.

  Dio: Take it from me yourself; I carry this for Dionysus.
• Pen: Firstly, I will cut your delicate curls.

  Dio: My hair is sacred, and I grow it for the god.
• Pen: Oh yes, whenever, you call him, standing among the bacchants.

  Dio: Even now, he is present, close by, and sees what I suffer.
• Pen: And where is he? For he is not visible at least to my eyes.

  Dio: He is with me. But you do not see him because you lack reverance.
• Pen: We shall guard your person inside a prison.

  Dio: The god himself will free me, whenever I wish.
• Pen: Seize him! This man despises me and Thebes.

  Dio: I, who am of sound mind, tell you, who are not of sound mind, not to bind me.
• Pen: Yet I say bind him, and I have greater authority than you.

  Dio: You do not know what your life is, nor what you do, nor who you are.
• Pen: Pentheus, child of Agave and Echion was my father.

  Dio: Regarding your name, you are apt to be unlucky.
• Pen: I am entangled with this impossible stranger, who will not be silent, either suffering or doing.

  Dio: My dear sir, it is still possible to settle this well.
• Pen: By doing what? Being a slave to my slaves?

  Dio: I shall bring the women here without weapons.
• Pen: Oh no! Already you are devising this as a trick against me.

  Dio: What kind of trick, if I want to save you with my skills?
• Pen: You've made an agreement together about this, so that always you may celebrate the Bacchic rites.

  Dio: Certainly, know that I have made an agreement with the god about this.
• Pen: (to guards) Bring out here my armour, and you stop talking!

  Dio: Ah!
• Dio: Do you want to see them sitting together in the mountains?

  Pen: Most certainly, I would give an immense weight of gold.
• Dio: Why have you fallen so greatly into a desire for this?

  Pen: I would be distressed to see them very drunk.
• Dio: Nevertheless, would you gladly see what is hateful to you?

  Pen: Know it clearly, silently sitting under the pine trees.
• Dio: But they will track you down, even if you go secretly.

  Pen: No, in that case, openly; for you have said this well.
• Dio: Let us take you therefore, and will you make a start on the journey?

  Pen: Take me, as quickly as possible. I grudge you the delay.
• Dio: Then put around your skin a linen dress.

  Pen: What exactly is this? Am I to be classified as a woman instead of a man?
• Dio: Lest they kill you if you are seen there as a man.

  Pen: Again, you have said this well; how clever you are, and have been for a long time now.

  Dio: Dionysus inspired me with these ideas.
• Pen: Therefore, how could this happen well, which you advise me?

  Dio: I shall come into the palace and dress you.
• Pen: In what clothing? Is it really female? But I am ashamed.

  Dio: Are you no longer an eager spectator of the maenads?