whirling Maenads, leaving Lydias, giver of wealth to mortals, the father who they say fertilizes the land of beautiful horses with fairest streams.

Dionysuswithin Io! Hear my voice, hear it, Io Bacchae, Io Bacchae!ChorusWho is here, who? From what quarter did the voice of the Joyful one summon me?DionysusIo! Io! I say again; it is I, the child of Zeus and Semele.ChorusIo! Io! Master, master! Come now to our company, Bromius.DionysusShake the world’s plain, lady Earthquake!ChorusOh! Oh! Soon the palace of Pentheus will be shaken in ruin. The following lines are probably delivered by individual chorus members. —Dionysus is in the halls. Revere him. —We revere him! —Did you see these stone lintels on the pillars falling apart? Bromius cries out in victory indoors.DionysusLight the fiery lamp of lightning! Burn, burn Pentheus’ home!ChorusOh! Oh! Do you not see the the fire, do you not perceive, about the sacred tomb of Semele, the flame that Zeus’ thunderbolt left? Cast on the ground your trembling bodies, Maenads, cast them down, for our lord, Zeus’ son, is coming against this palace, turning everything upside down. Enter DionysusDionysusBarbarian women, have you fallen on the ground so stricken with fear? You have, so it seems, felt Bacchus shaking the house of Pentheus. But get up and take courage, putting a stop to your trembling.Chorus LeaderOh greatest light for us in our joyful revelry, how happy I am to see you—I who was alone and desolate before.DionysusDid you despair when I was sent to fall into Pentheus’ dark dungeon?Chorus LeaderHow not? Who was my guardian, if you met with misfortune? But how were you freed, having met with an impious man?DionysusBy myself I saved myself easily, without trouble.Chorus LeaderDid he not tie your hands in binding knots?