Stasimon 5
[Choral 1]
God of many names, glory of the
Cadmeian bride and offspring of loud-thundering Zeus, you who watch over
far-famed Italy and
reign
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Chorus
in the valleys of
Eleusinian Deo where all find welcome! O Bacchus, denizen of Thebes, the mother-city of your
Bacchants, dweller by the wet stream of Ismenus on the soil
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of the sowing of the savage dragon’s teeth!
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The smoky glare of torches sees
you above the cliffs of the twin peaks, where the Corycian nymphs move
inspired by your godhead,
and Castalia’s stream sees you, too. The ivy-mantled
slopes of Nysa’s hills and
the shore green with many-clustered vines send you, when accompanied
by the cries of your divine words,
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you visit the
avenues of Thebes.
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[Choral 2]
Thebes of all cities you hold foremost in honor,
together with your lightning-struck mother.
Chorus
And now when the whole city is held subject to a
violent plague, come, we ask, with purifying feet over steep Parnassus,
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or over the groaning straits!
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O Leader of the chorus of the
stars whose breath is fire, overseer of the chants in the night, son
begotten of Zeus,
appear, my
king, with your attendant Thyiads, who in night-long frenzy dance and
sing you as Iacchus the Giver!
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