Pen. Well said! Women must not be mastered by brute force; amid the pines will I conceal myself.
Dio. Thou shalt hide thee in the place that fate appoints, coming by stealth to spy upon the Bacchanals.
Pen. Why, methinks they are already caught in the pleasant snares of dalliance, like birds amid the brakes.
Dio. Set out with watchful heed then for this very purpose; maybe thou wilt catch them, if thou be not first caught thyself.
Pen. Conduct me through the very heart of Thebes, for I am the only man among them bold enough to do this deed.
Dio. Thou alone bearest thy country’s burden, thou and none other; wherefore there await thee such struggles as needs must. Follow me, for I will guide thee safely thither; another shall bring thee thence.
Pen. My mother maybe.
Dio. For every eye to see.
Pen. My very purpose in going.
Dio. Thou shalt be carried back,
Pen. What luxury!
Dio. In thy mother’s arms.
Pen. Thou wilt e’en force me into luxury.
Dio. Yes, to luxury such as this.
Pen. Truly,[1] the task I am undertaking deserves it.
[Exit Pentheus.
Dio. Strange, ah! strange is thy career, leading to scenes of woe so strange, that thou shalt achieve a fame that towers to heaven. Stretch forth thy hands, Agave, and ye her sisters, daughters of Cadmus; mighty is the strife to which I am bringing the youthful king, and the victory shall rest with me and Bromius; all else the event will show.
[Exit Dionysus.
Cho. To the hills! to the hills! fleet hounds of madness,
- ↑ Hermann thinks γὰρ should here take the place of μὲν.
