Euripides, Bacchae
T. A. Buckley, Ed.

Enter Pentheus

Pentheus
I have suffered terrible things; the stranger, who was recently constrained in bonds, has escaped me. Ah! [645] Here is the man. What is this? How do you appear in front of my house, having come out?

Dionysus
Stop, and put a stop to your anger.

Pentheus
How have you escaped your chains and come outside?

Dionysus
Did I not say—or did you not hear—that some one would deliver me?

Pentheus
[650] Who? You are always introducing strange explanations.

Dionysus
He who produces the rich-clustering vine for mortals.

Pentheus
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Dionysus
You reproach Dionysus for what is his glory.

Pentheus
I order you to close up all the towers around.

Dionysus
Why? Do gods not pass over walls too?

Pentheus
[655] You are wise, wise at least in all save what you should be wise in.

Dionysus
I was born wise in all that I should be.

Enter a messenger
Listen first to the words of this man, who has come from the mountain to bring you some message. I will await you, I will not try to escape.

Messenger
[660] Pentheus, ruler of this land of Thebes, I have come from Kithairon, where the bright flakes of white snow never melt.

Pentheus
What important news do you come to bring?

Messenger
Having seen the holy Bacchae, who [665] goaded to madness have darted from this land with their fair feet, I have come to tell you and the city, lord, that they are doing terrible things, beyond marvel. I wish to hear whether I should tell you in free speech the situation there or whether I should repress my report, [670] for I fear, lord, the quickness of your mood, your keen temper and your too imperious disposition.

Pentheus
Speak, as you will have immunity from me in any case. For it is not right to be angry with the just. The more you tell me terrible things about the Bacchae, [675] the more I will punish this one here who taught the women these tricks.