Pentheus.
Pentheus—Agavê's and Echion's son.
Dionysus.
Yea, fitly named to be in misery pent.
Pentheus.
Away! Enjail him in the horses' stalls
Hard by, that he may see but murky gloom. 510
There dance! These women thou hast brought with thee,
Thy crimes' co-workers, I will sell for slaves,
Or make my weaving-damsels, and so hush
Their hands from cymbal-clang and smitten drum.
Dionysus.
I go. The fate that Fate forbids can ne'er 515
Touch me. On thee Dionysus shall requite
These insults—he whose being thou hast denied.
Outraging me, thou halest him to bonds.
Chorus.
(Str.)
All hail, Acheloüs' Daughter,[1]
Dirkê the maiden, majestic and blest!—in thy cool-welling water 520
Thou receivedst in old time the offspring of Zeus 'neath thy silvery plashing,
- ↑ The river Acheloüs was in legend the Father of all Greek streams. Dirkê, the sacred fountain of Thebes, is addressed as representing that city.
