Stasimon 1
[Choral 1]
Holiness, queen of the gods, Holiness, who bear your golden wings along the earth, do you hear these words from Pentheus? Do you hear his unholy
370
Chorus
insolence against Bromius, the child of Semele, the first deity of the gods at the banquets where guests wear beautiful garlands? He holds this office, to join in dances,
375
to laugh with the flute, and to bring an end to cares, whenever the delight of the grape comes at the feasts of the gods, and in ivy-bearing banquets
380
the goblet sheds sleep over men.
385
Misfortune is the result of unbridled mouths and lawless folly; but the life of quiet
and wisdom remain unshaken and hold houses together. Though they dwell far off in the heavens the gods see the deeds of mortals.
390
But cleverness is not wisdom, nor is thinking on things unfit for mortals. Life is short, and on this account the one who pursues great things does not achieve that which is present. In my opinion,
395
these are the ways of mad and ill-advised men.
400
[Choral 2]
Would that I could go to Cyprus, the island of Aphrodite, where the Loves, who soothe
Chorus
mortals’ hearts, dwell, and to Paphos, fertilized without rain by the streams of a foreign river flowing with a hundred mouths. Lead me there, Bromius, Bromius, god of joy who leads the Bacchae,
405
to Pieria, beautiful seat of the Muses, the holy slope of Olympus. There are the Graces, there is Desire; there it is
410
lawful for the Bacchae to celebrate their rites.
415
The god, the son of Zeus, delights in banquets, and loves Peace, giver of riches,
goddess who nourishes youths. To the blessed and to the less fortunate, he gives an equal pleasure from wine that banishes grief. He hates the one who does not care about this:
420
to lead a happy life by day and friendly Because the Dionysiac ἱερά take place νύκτωρ τὰ πολλά (486) Dodds, ad loc. night and to keep his wise mind and intellect away from over-curious men.
425
What the common people think and adopt, that would I accept.
430