Bacchae

Euripides

Euripides. The Tragedies of Euripides. Vol. I. Buckley, Theodore Alois, translator. London: Henry G. Bohn, 1850.

  1. Dionysus taught me these things fully.
Pentheus
  1. How can your advice to me be well carried out?
Dionysus
  1. I will go inside and dress you.
Pentheus
  1. In what clothing? Female? But shame holds me back.
Dionysus
  1. Are you no longer eager to view the maenads?
Pentheus
  1. What clothing do you bid me to put on my body?
Dionysus
  1. I will spread out hair at length on your head.
Pentheus
  1. What is the second part of my outfit?
Dionysus
  1. A robe down to your feet. And you will wear a headband.
Pentheus
  1. And what else will you add to this for me?
Dionysus
  1. A thyrsos in your hand, and a dappled fawn-skin.
Pentheus
  1. I could not put on a woman’s dress.
Dionysus
  1. But you will shed blood if you join battle with the Bacchae.
Pentheus
  1. True. We must go first and spy.
Dionysus
  1. This is at any rate wiser than hunting trouble with trouble.
Pentheus
  1. And how will I go through the city without being seen by the Thebans?
Dionysus
  1. We will go on deserted roads. I will lead you.
Pentheus
  1. Anything is better than to be mocked by the Bacchae. We two will go into the house . . . and I will consider what seems best.
Dionysus
  1. It will be so; in any case I am ready.
Pentheus
  1. I will go in. For either I will go bearing arms, or I will obey your counsels.