Epeisodion 3
Dionysus
he ran here and there, calling to the slaves to bring water, and every servant was at work, toiling in vain.
Then he let this labor drop, as I had escaped, and snatching a dark sword rushed into the house. Then Bromius, so it seems to me—I speak my opinion—
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created a phantom in the courtyard. Pentheus rushed at it headlong, stabbing at the shining air, as though slaughtering me. Besides this, Bacchus inflicted other damage on him: he knocked his house to the ground, and everything was shattered into pieces, while he saw my bitter chains. From fatigue,
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dropping his sword, he is exhausted. For he, a man, dared to join battle with a god. Now I have quietly left the house and come to you, with no thought of Pentheus.
But I think—at any rate I hear the tramping of feet inside—he will soon come to the front of the house. What will he say after this?
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I shall easily bear him, even if he comes boasting greatly. For it is the part of a wise man to practice restrained good temper.
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Pentheus
I have suffered terrible things; the stranger, who was recently constrained in bonds, has escaped me. Ah!
Here is the man. What is this? How do you appear in front of my house, having come out?
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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
Who? You are always introducing strange explanations.
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Dionysus
He who produces the rich-clustering vine for mortals.
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
You are wise, wise at least in all save what you should be wise in.
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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
Pentheus, ruler of this land of Thebes, I have come from Kithairon, where the bright flakes of white snow never melt.
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Pentheus
What important news do you come to bring?
Messenger
Having seen the holy Bacchae, who
