Hippolytus; The Bacchae Part 15

The village folk in wrath took spear and sword, And turned upon the Bacchae. Then, dread Lord, The wonder was. For spear nor barbed brand Could scathe nor touch the damsels; but the Wand, The soft and wreathed wand their white hands sped, Blasted those men and quelled them, and they fled Dizzily. Sure some G.o.d was in these things!

And the holy women back to those strange springs Returned, that G.o.d had sent them when the day Dawned, on the upper heights; and washed away The stain of battle. And those girdling snakes Hissed out to lap the waterdrops from cheeks And hair and breast.

Therefore I counsel thee O King, receive this Spirit, whoe'er he be, To Thebes in glory. Greatness manifold Is all about him; and the tale is told That this is he who first to man did give The grief-a.s.suaging vine. Oh, let him live; For if he die, then Love herself is slain, And nothing joyous in the world again!

LEADER Albeit I tremble, and scarce may speak my thought To a king's face, yet will I hide it not.

Dionyse is G.o.d, no G.o.d more true nor higher!

PENTHEUS It bursts hard by us, like a smothered fire, This frenzy of Bacchic women! All my land Is made their mock.--This needs an iron hand!

Ho, Captain! Quick to the Electran Gate; Bid gather all my men-at-arms thereat; Call all that spur the charger, all who know To wield the orbed targe or bend the bow; We march to war--'Fore G.o.d, shall women dare Such deeds against us? 'Tis too much to bear!

DIONYSUS Thou mark'st me not, O King, and holdest light My solemn words; yet, in thine own despite, I warn thee still. Lift thou not up thy spear Against a G.o.d, but hold thy peace, and fear His wrath! He will not brook it, if thou fright His Chosen from the hills of their delight.

PENTHEUS Peace, thou! And if for once thou hast slipped chain, Give thanks!--Or shall I knot thine arms again?

DIONYSUS Better to yield him prayer and sacrifice Than kick against the p.r.i.c.ks, since Dionyse Is G.o.d, and thou but mortal.

PENTHEUS That will I!

Yea, sacrifice of women's blood, to cry His name through all Kithaeron!

DIONYSUS Ye shall fly, All, and abase your s.h.i.+elds of bronzen rim Before their wands.

PENTHEUS There is no way with him, This stranger that so dogs us! Well or ill I may entreat him, he must babble still!

DIONYSUS Wait, good my friend! These crooked matters may Even yet be straightened.

[PENTHEUS _has started as though to seek his army at the gate._]

PENTHEUS Aye, if I obey Mine own slaves' will; how else?

DIONYSUS Myself will lead The damsels. .h.i.ther, without sword or steed.

PENTHEUS How now?--This is some plot against me!

DIONYSUS What Dost fear? Only to save thee do I plot.

PENTHEUS It is some compact ye have made, whereby To dance these hills for ever!

DIONYSUS Verily, That is my compact, plighted with my Lord!

PENTHEUS (_turning from him_) Ho, armourers! Bring forth my s.h.i.+eld and sword!-- And thou, be silent!

DIONYSUS (_after regarding him fixedly, speaks with resignation_) Ah!--Have then thy will!

[_He fixes his eyes upon_ PENTHEUS _again, while the armourers bring out his armour; then speaks in a tone of command._]

Man, thou wouldst fain behold them on the hill Praying!

PENTHEUS (_who during the rest of this scene, with a few exceptions, simply speaks the thoughts that_ DIONYSUS _puts into him, losing power over his own mind_) That would I, though it cost me all The gold of Thebes!

DIONYSUS So much? Thou art quick to fall To such great longing.

PENTHEUS (_somewhat bewildered at what he has said_) Aye; 'twould grieve me much To see them flown with wine.

DIONYSUS Yet cravest thou such A sight as would much grieve thee?

PENTHEUS Yes; I fain Would watch, ambushed among the pines.

DIONYSUS 'Twere vain To hide. They soon will track thee out.

PENTHEUS Well said!

'Twere best done openly.

DIONYSUS Wilt thou be led By me, and try the venture?

PENTHEUS Aye, indeed!

Lead on. Why should we tarry?

DIONYSUS First we need A rich and trailing robe of fine-linen To gird thee.

PENTHEUS Nay; am I a woman, then, And no man more.

DIONYSUS Wouldst have them slay thee dead?

No man may see their mysteries.

PENTHEUS Well said'-- I marked thy subtle temper long ere now.

DIONYSUS 'Tis Dionyse that prompteth me.

PENTHEUS And how Mean'st thou the further plan?

DIONYSUS First take thy way Within. I will array thee.

PENTHEUS What array!

The woman's? Nay, I will not.

DIONYSUS Doth it change So soon, all thy desire to see this strange Adoring?

PENTHEUS Wait! What garb wilt thou bestow About me?

DIONYSUS First a long tress dangling low Beneath thy shoulders.

PENTHEUS Aye, and next?

DIONYSUS The same red Robe, falling to thy feet; and on thine head A snood.

PENTHEUS And after? Hast thou aught beyond?

DIONYSUS Surely; the dappled fawn-skin and the wand.

PENTHEUS (_after a struggle with himself_) Enough! I cannot wear a robe and snood.

DIONYSUS Wouldst liefer draw the sword and spill men's blood?