Rest thou in peace. Bromius will never brook

Ye drive his Maenads from their mountain haunts.

PENTHEUS

Wilt teach me? Better fly and save thyself,

Ere yet I wreak stern justice upon thee.

DIONYSUS

Rather do sacrifice, than in thy wrath

Kick ’gainst the pricks — a mortal ’gainst a god.

PENTHEUS

I’ll sacrifice, and in Cithaeron’s glens,

As they deserve, a hecatomb of women.

DIONYSUS

Soon will ye fly. ’Twere shame that shields of brass

Before the Bacchic thyrsi turn in rout.

PENTHEUS

I am bewildered by this dubious stranger;

Doing or suffering, he holds not his peace.

DIONYSUS

My friend! Thou still mayest bring this to good end.

PENTHEUS

How So? By being the slave of mine own slaves?

DIONYSUS

These women — without force of arms, I’ll bring them.

PENTHEUS

Alas! he is plotting now some wile against me!

DIONYSUS

But what if I could save thee by mine arts?

PENTHEUS

Ye are all in league, that ye may hold your orgies.

DIONYSUS

I am in a league ’tis true, but with the god!

PENTHEUS

Bring out mine armour! Thou, have done thy speech!

DIONYSUS

Ha! wouldst thou see them seated on the mountains?

PENTHEUS

Ay! for the sight give thousand weight of gold.

DIONYSUS

Why hast thou fallen upon this strange desire?

PENTHEUS

’Twere grief to see them in their drunkenness.

DIONYSUS

Yet gladly wouldst thou see, what see would grieve thee.

PENTHEUS

Mark well! in silence seated ’neath the ash-trees.

DIONYSUS

But if thou goest in secret they will scent thee.

PENTHEUS

Best openly, in this thou hast said well.

DIONYSUS

But if we lead thee, wilt thou dare the way?

PENTHEUS

Lead on, and swiftly! Let no time be lost!

DIONYSUS

But first enwrap thee in these linen robes.

PENTHEUS

What, will he of a man make me a woman!

DIONYSUS

Lest they should kill thee, seeing thee as a man.

PENTHEUS

Well dost thou speak; so spake the wise of old.

DIONYSUS

Dionysus hath instructed me in this.

PENTHEUS

How then can we best do what thou advisest?

DIONYSUS

I’ll enter in the house, and there array thee.

PENTHEUS

What dress? A woman’s? I am ashamed to wear it.

DIONYSUS

Art thou not eager to behold the Maenads?

PENTHEUS

And what dress sayst thou I must wrap around me?

DIONYSUS

I’ll smooth thine hair down lightly on thy brow.

PENTHEUS

What is the second portion of my dress?

DIONYSUS

Robes to thy feet, a bonnet on thine head.

PENTHEUS

Wilt thou array me then in more than this?

DIONYSUS

A thyrsus in thy hand, a dappled fawn-skin.

PENTHEUS

I cannot clothe me in a woman’s dress.

DIONYSUS

Thou wilt have bloodshed, warring on the Mænads.

PENTHEUS

’Tis right, I must go first survey the field.

DIONYSUS

’Twere wiser than to hunt evil with evil.

PENTHEUS

How pass the city, unseen of the Thebans?

DIONYSUS

We’ll go by lone byways; I’ll lead thee safe.

PENTHEUS

Aught better than be mocked by these loose Bacchanals.