Bacchae
Euripides
Euripides. The Tragedies of Euripides. Vol. I. Buckley, Theodore Alois, translator. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1850.
- Do you perform the rites by night or by day?
- Mostly by night; darkness conveys awe.
- This is treacherous towards women, and unsound.
- Even during the day someone may devise what is shameful.
- You must pay the penalty for your evil contrivances.
- And you for your ignorance and impiety toward the god.
- How bold the Bacchant is, and not unpracticed in speaking!
- Tell me what I must suffer; what harm will you do to me?
- First I will cut off your delicate hair.
- My hair is sacred. I am growing it for the god.
- Next give me this thyrsos from your hands.
- Take it from me yourself. I bear it as the ensign of Dionysus.
- We will guard your body within, in prison.
- The god himself will release me, whenever I want.
- Yes, when you call him, standing among the Bacchae.
- Even now he see my sufferings from close by.
- Where is he? He is not visible to my eyes.
- Near me; but you, being impious, do not see him.
- To attendants Seize him; he insults me and Thebes!
- I warn you not to bind me, since I am in my senses and you are not.