THE BACCHÆ.[1]
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Euripides and Buckley, Theodore Alois
PEN. Is Jove then one who begets new Gods?
BAC. No, but having married Semele here,—
PEN. Did he compel you by night, or in your sight [by day]?
BAC. Seeing me who saw him; and he gave me orgies.
PEN. And what appearance have these orgies?
BAC. It is unlawful for the uninitiated among mortals to know.
PEN. And have they any profit to those who sacrifice?
BAC. It is not lawful for you to hear, but they are worth knowing.
PEN. You have well coined this story, that I may wish to hear.
BAC. The orgies of the God hate him who works impiety.
PEN. For you say, forsooth, that you saw the God clearly what he was like?
BAC. As he chose; I did not order this.
PEN. This too you have well contrived, saying mere nonsense.
BAC. One may seem, speaking wisely to one ignorant, not to be wise.
PEN. And did you come hither first, bringing the God?
BAC. Every one of the barbarians celebrates these orgies.
PEN. [Ay,] for they are much less wise than Greeks.
BAC. In these things they are wiser, but their laws are different.
PEN. Do you practice these rites at night, or by day?
BAG. Most of them at night;[29] darkness conveys awe.
PEN. This is treacherous toward women, and unsound.
BAC. Even by day some may devise base things.
PEN. You must pay the penalty of your evil devices.
BAC. And you of your ignorance, being impious to the God.
PEN. How bold is Bacchus, and not unpracticed in speech.
BAC. Say what I must suffer, what ill wilt thou do me?
PEN. First I will cut off your delicate hair.
BAC. The hair is sacred, I cherish it for the God.[30]
PEN. Next yield up this thyrsus out of your hands.
BAC. Take it from me yourself, I bear it as the ensign of Bacchus.
PEN. And we will guard your body within in prison.
BAC. The God himself will release me when I wish.[31]
PEN. Ay, when you call him, standing among the Bacchæ.
BAC. Even now, being near, he sees what I suffer.
PEN. And where is he? for at least he is not apparent to my eyes.
BAC. Near me, but you being impious, see him not.
PEN. Seize him, he insults me and Thebes!
BAC. I warn you not to bind me: I in my senses command you not in your senses.
PEN. And I bid them to bind you, as being mightier than you.
BAC. You know not why you live, nor what you do, nor who you are.