| στείχειν Ἀγαύην, οὐδʼ ἄκραντʼ ἠκούσαμεν· | But some one told me that Agave was coming here with Bacchic foot, and this was correct, for I see her—no happy sight! Agave |
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| λεύσσω γὰρ αὐτήν, ὄψιν οὐκ εὐδαίμονα. Ἀγαύη | But some one told me that Agave was coming here with Bacchic foot, and this was correct, for I see her—no happy sight! Agave |
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| πάτερ, μέγιστον κομπάσαι πάρεστί σοι | Father, you may make a great boast, that you have born daughters the best by far of all |
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| πάντων ἀρίστας θυγατέρας σπεῖραι μακρῷ | Father, you may make a great boast, that you have born daughters the best by far of all |
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| θνητῶν· ἁπάσας εἶπον, ἐξόχως δʼ ἐμέ | mortals. I mean all of us, but myself especially, who have left my shuttle at the loom and gone on to greater things, to catch wild animals with my two hands. And having taken him, I carry these spoils of honor in my arms, as you see |
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| ἣ τὰς παρʼ ἱστοῖς ἐκλιποῦσα κερκίδας | mortals. I mean all of us, but myself especially, who have left my shuttle at the loom and gone on to greater things, to catch wild animals with my two hands. And having taken him, I carry these spoils of honor in my arms, as you see |
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| ἐς μείζονʼ ἥκω, θῆρας ἀγρεύειν χεροῖν. | mortals. I mean all of us, but myself especially, who have left my shuttle at the loom and gone on to greater things, to catch wild animals with my two hands. And having taken him, I carry these spoils of honor in my arms, as you see |
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| φέρω δʼ ἐν ὠλέναισιν, ὡς ὁρᾷς, τάδε | mortals. I mean all of us, but myself especially, who have left my shuttle at the loom and gone on to greater things, to catch wild animals with my two hands. And having taken him, I carry these spoils of honor in my arms, as you see |
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| λαβοῦσα τἀριστεῖα, σοῖσι πρὸς δόμοις | mortals. I mean all of us, but myself especially, who have left my shuttle at the loom and gone on to greater things, to catch wild animals with my two hands. And having taken him, I carry these spoils of honor in my arms, as you see |
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| ὡς ἀγκρεμασθῇ· σὺ δέ, πάτερ, δέξαι χεροῖν· | o that they may hang from your house. You father, receive them in your hands. Preening yourself in my catch, call your friends to a feast. For you are blessed, blessed, now that we have performed these deeds. Kadmo |
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| γαυρούμενος δὲ τοῖς ἐμοῖς ἀγρεύμασιν | o that they may hang from your house. You father, receive them in your hands. Preening yourself in my catch, call your friends to a feast. For you are blessed, blessed, now that we have performed these deeds. Kadmo |
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| κάλει φίλους ἐς δαῖτα· μακάριος γὰρ εἶ | o that they may hang from your house. You father, receive them in your hands. Preening yourself in my catch, call your friends to a feast. For you are blessed, blessed, now that we have performed these deeds. Kadmo |
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| μακάριος, ἡμῶν τοιάδʼ ἐξειργασμένων. Κάδμος | o that they may hang from your house. You father, receive them in your hands. Preening yourself in my catch, call your friends to a feast. For you are blessed, blessed, now that we have performed these deeds. Kadmo |
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| ὦ πένθος οὐ μετρητὸν οὐδʼ οἷόν τʼ ἰδεῖν | CADMUS: O grief that has no bounds, too cruel for mortal eye! 'tis murder ye have done with your hapless hands. Fair is the victim thou hast offered to the gods, inviting me and my Thebans to the feast Ah, woe is me first for thy sorrows, then for mine. What ruin the god, the Bromian king, hath brought on us, just maybe, but too severe, seeing he is our kinsman! AGAVE: How peevish old age makes men! what sullen looks! Oh, may my son follow in his mother's footsteps and be as lucky in his hunting, when he goes quest of game in company with Theban youths! But he can do naught but wage war with gods. Father, 'tis thy duty to warn him. Who will summon him hither to my sight to witness my happiness? CADMUS: Alas for you! alas! Terrible will be your grief when ye are conscious of your deeds; could ye re. for ever till life's close in your present state, ye would not, spite of ruined bliss, appear so cursed with woe. AGAVE: Why? what is faulty bere? what here for sorrow? CADMUS: First let thine eye look up to heaven. AGAVE: See! I do so. Why dost thou suggest my looking thereupon? CADMUS: Is it still the same, or dost think there's any change? AGAVE: 'Tis brighter than it was, and dearer too. CADMUS: Is there still that wild unrest within thy soul? AGAVE: I know not what thou sayest now; yet methinks my brain is clearing, and my former frenzy passed away. |
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| ὦ πένθος οὐ μετρητὸν οὐδʼ οἷόν τʼ ἰδεῖν | O grief beyond measuring, one which I cannot stand to see |
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| φόνον ταλαίναις χερσὶν ἐξειργασμένων. | that you have performed murder with miserable hands. Having cast down a fine sacrificial victim to the gods, you invite Thebes and me to a banquet. Alas, first for your troubles, then for my own. How justly, yet too severely |
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| καλὸν τὸ θῦμα καταβαλοῦσα δαίμοσιν | that you have performed murder with miserable hands. Having cast down a fine sacrificial victim to the gods, you invite Thebes and me to a banquet. Alas, first for your troubles, then for my own. How justly, yet too severely |
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| ἐπὶ δαῖτα Θήβας τάσδε κἀμὲ παρακαλεῖς. | that you have performed murder with miserable hands. Having cast down a fine sacrificial victim to the gods, you invite Thebes and me to a banquet. Alas, first for your troubles, then for my own. How justly, yet too severely |
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| οἴμοι κακῶν μὲν πρῶτα σῶν, ἔπειτʼ ἐμῶν· | that you have performed murder with miserable hands. Having cast down a fine sacrificial victim to the gods, you invite Thebes and me to a banquet. Alas, first for your troubles, then for my own. How justly, yet too severely |
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| ὡς ὁ θεὸς ἡμᾶς ἐνδίκως μέν, ἀλλʼ ἄγαν | that you have performed murder with miserable hands. Having cast down a fine sacrificial victim to the gods, you invite Thebes and me to a banquet. Alas, first for your troubles, then for my own. How justly, yet too severely |
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| Βρόμιος ἄναξ ἀπώλεσʼ οἰκεῖος γεγώς. Ἀγαύη | lord Bromius the god has destroyed us, though he is a member of our own family. Agave |
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| ὡς δύσκολον τὸ γῆρας ἀνθρώποις ἔφυ | How morose and sullen in its countenance is man’s old age! I hope that my son is a good hunter, taking after his mother’s ways, when he goes after wild beast |
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| ἔν τʼ ὄμμασι σκυθρωπόν. εἴθε παῖς ἐμὸς | How morose and sullen in its countenance is man’s old age! I hope that my son is a good hunter, taking after his mother’s ways, when he goes after wild beast |
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| εὔθηρος εἴη, μητρὸς εἰκασθεὶς τρόποις | How morose and sullen in its countenance is man’s old age! I hope that my son is a good hunter, taking after his mother’s ways, when he goes after wild beast |
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| ὅτʼ ἐν νεανίαισι Θηβαίοις ἅμα | How morose and sullen in its countenance is man’s old age! I hope that my son is a good hunter, taking after his mother’s ways, when he goes after wild beast |
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| θηρῶν ὀριγνῷτʼ· ἀλλὰ θεομαχεῖν μόνον | together with the young men of Thebes . But all he can do is fight with the gods. You must admonish him, father. Who will call him here to my sight, so that he may see how lucky I am? Kadmo |
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| οἷός τʼ ἐκεῖνος. νουθετητέος, πάτερ | together with the young men of Thebes . But all he can do is fight with the gods. You must admonish him, father. Who will call him here to my sight, so that he may see how lucky I am? Kadmo |
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| σοὐστίν. τίς αὐτὸν δεῦρʼ ἂν ὄψιν εἰς ἐμὴν | together with the young men of Thebes . But all he can do is fight with the gods. You must admonish him, father. Who will call him here to my sight, so that he may see how lucky I am? Kadmo |
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| καλέσειεν, ὡς ἴδῃ με τὴν εὐδαίμονα; Κάδμος | together with the young men of Thebes . But all he can do is fight with the gods. You must admonish him, father. Who will call him here to my sight, so that he may see how lucky I am? Kadmo |
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| φεῦ φεῦ· φρονήσασαι μὲν οἷʼ ἐδράσατε | Alas, alas! When you realize what you have done |
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| ἀλγήσετʼ ἄλγος δεινόν· εἰ δὲ διὰ τέλους | you will suffer a terrible pain. But if you remain forever in the state you are in now, though hardly fortunate, you will not imagine that you are unfortunate. Agave |
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| ἐν τῷδʼ ἀεὶ μενεῖτʼ ἐν ᾧ καθέστατε | you will suffer a terrible pain. But if you remain forever in the state you are in now, though hardly fortunate, you will not imagine that you are unfortunate. Agave |
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| οὐκ εὐτυχοῦσαι δόξετʼ οὐχὶ δυστυχεῖν. Ἀγαύη | you will suffer a terrible pain. But if you remain forever in the state you are in now, though hardly fortunate, you will not imagine that you are unfortunate. Agave |
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| τί δʼ οὐ καλῶς τῶνδʼ ἢ τί λυπηρῶς ἔχει; Κάδμος | But what of these matters is not right, or what is painful? Kadmo |
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| πρῶτον μὲν ἐς τόνδʼ αἰθέρʼ ὄμμα σὸν μέθες. Ἀγαύη | First cast your eye up to this sky. Agave |
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| ἰδού· τί μοι τόνδʼ ἐξυπεῖπας εἰσορᾶν; Κάδμος | All right; why do you tell me to look at it? Kadmo |
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| ἔθʼ αὑτὸς ἤ σοι μεταβολὰς ἔχειν δοκεῖ; Ἀγαύη | Is it still the same, or does it appear to have changed? Agave |
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| λαμπρότερος ἢ πρὶν καὶ διειπετέστερος. Κάδμος | It is brighter than before and more translucent. Kadmo |
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| τὸ δὲ πτοηθὲν τόδʼ ἔτι σῇ ψυχῇ πάρα; Ἀγαύη | Is your soul still quivering? Agave |
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| οὐκ οἶδα τοὔπος τοῦτο. γίγνομαι δέ πως | I don’t understand your words. I have become somehow |
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| ἔννους, μετασταθεῖσα τῶν πάρος φρενῶν. Κάδμος | obered, changing from my former state of mind. Kadmo |
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| κλύοις ἂν οὖν τι κἀποκρίναιʼ ἂν σαφῶς; Ἀγαύη | Can you hear and respond clearly? Agave |
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| ὡς ἐκλέλησμαί γʼ ἃ πάρος εἴπομεν, πάτερ. Κάδμος | CADMUS: Canst understand, and give distinct replies? AGAVE: Father, how completely I forget all we said before! CADMUS: To what house wert thou brought with marriage-hymns? AGAVE: Thou didst give me to earthborn Echion, as men call him. CADMUS: What child was born thy husband in his halls? AGAVE: Pentheus, of my union with his father. CADMUS: What head is that thou barest in thy arms? AGAVE: A lion's; at least they said so, who hunted it. CADMUS: Consider it aright; 'tis no great task to look at it. AGAVE: Ah! what do I see? what is this I am carrying in my hands? |
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| ὡς ἐκλέλησμαί γʼ ἃ πάρος εἴπομεν, πάτερ. Κάδμος | Yes, for I forget what we said before, father. Kadmo |
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| ἐς ποῖον ἦλθες οἶκον ὑμεναίων μέτα; Ἀγαύη | To whose house did you come in marriage? Agave |
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| Σπαρτῷ μʼ ἔδωκας, ὡς λέγουσʼ, Ἐχίονι. Κάδμος | You gave me, as they say, to Echion, the sown man. Kadmo |
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| τίς οὖν ἐν οἴκοις παῖς ἐγένετο σῷ πόσει; Ἀγαύη | What son did you bear to your husband in the house? Agave |
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| Πενθεύς, ἐμῇ τε καὶ πατρὸς κοινωνίᾳ. Κάδμος | Pentheus, from my union with his father. Kadmo |
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| τίνος πρόσωπον δῆτʼ ἐν ἀγκάλαις ἔχεις; Ἀγαύη | Whose head do you hold in your hands? Agave |
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| λέοντος, ὥς γʼ ἔφασκον αἱ θηρώμεναι. Κάδμος | A lion’s, as they who hunted him down said. Kadmo |
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| σκέψαι νυν ὀρθῶς· βραχὺς ὁ μόχθος εἰσιδεῖν. Ἀγαύη | Examine it correctly then; it takes but little effort to see. Agave |
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| ἔα, τί λεύσσω; τί φέρομαι τόδʼ ἐν χεροῖν; Κάδμος | Ah! What do I see? What is this that I carry in my hands? Kadmo |
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| ἄθρησον αὐτὸ καὶ σαφέστερον μάθε. Ἀγαύη | CADMUS: Look closely at it; make thy knowledge more certain. AGAVE: Ah, 'woe is me! O sight of awful sorrow! CADMUS: Dost think it like a lion's head? AGAVE: Ah no! 'tis Pentheus' head which I his unhappy mother hold. CADMUS: Bemoaned by me, or ever thou didst recognize him. AGAVE: Who slew him? How came he into my hands? CADMUS: O piteous truth! how ill-timed thy presence here! AGAVE: Speak; my bosom throbs at this suspense. CADMUS: 'Twas thou didst slay him, thou and thy sisters. AGAVE: Where died he? in the house or where? |
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| ἄθρησον αὐτὸ καὶ σαφέστερον μάθε. Ἀγαύη | Look at it and learn more clearly. Agave |
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| ὁρῶ μέγιστον ἄλγος ἡ τάλαινʼ ἐγώ. Κάδμος | I see the greatest grief, wretched that I am. Kadmo |
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| μῶν σοι λέοντι φαίνεται προσεικέναι; Ἀγαύη | Does it seem to you to be like a lion? Agave |
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| οὔκ, ἀλλὰ Πενθέως ἡ τάλαινʼ ἔχω κάρα. Κάδμος | No, but I, wretched, hold the head of Pentheus. Kadmo |
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| ᾠμωγμένον γε πρόσθεν ἢ σὲ γνωρίσαι. Ἀγαύη | Yes, much lamented before you recognized him. Agave |
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| τίς ἔκτανέν νιν;—πῶς ἐμὰς ἦλθεν χέρας; Κάδμος | Who killed him? How did he come into my hands? Kadmo |
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| δύστηνʼ ἀλήθειʼ, ὡς ἐν οὐ καιρῷ πάρει. Ἀγαύη | Miserable truth, how inopportunely you arrive! Agave |
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| λέγʼ, ὡς τὸ μέλλον καρδία πήδημʼ ἔχει. Κάδμος | Tell me. My heart leaps at what is to come. Kadmo |
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| σύ νιν κατέκτας καὶ κασίγνηται σέθεν. Ἀγαύη | You and your sisters killed him. Agave |
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| ποῦ δʼ ὤλετʼ; ἦ κατʼ οἶκον; ἢ ποίοις τόποις; Κάδμος | Where did he die? Was it here at home, or in what place? Kadmo |
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| οὗπερ πρὶν Ἀκτέωνα διέλαχον κύνες. Ἀγαύη | CADMUS: On the very spot where hounds of yore rent Actaeon in pieces. AGAVE: Why went he, wretched youth! to Cithaeron? CADMUS: He would go and mock the god and thy Bacchic rites. AGAVE: But how was it we had journeyed thither? CADMUS: Ye were distraught; the whole city had the Bacchic frenzy. AGAVE: 'Twas Dionysus proved our ruin; now I see it all. CADMUS: CADMUS Yes, for the slight he suffered; ye would not believe in his godhead. AGAVE: Father, where is my dear child's corpse? CADMUS: With toil I searched it out and am bringing it myself. AGAVE: Is it all fitted limb to limb in seemly wise? |
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| οὗπερ πρὶν Ἀκτέωνα διέλαχον κύνες. Ἀγαύη | Where formerly dogs divided Actaeon among themselves. Agave |
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| τί δʼ ἐς Κιθαιρῶνʼ ἦλθε δυσδαίμων ὅδε; Κάδμος | And why did this ill-fated man go to Kithairon? Kadmo |
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| ἐκερτόμει θεὸν σάς τε βακχείας μολών. Ἀγαύη | He went to mock the god and your revelry. Agave |
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| ἡμεῖς δʼ ἐκεῖσε τίνι τρόπῳ κατήραμεν; Κάδμος | But in what way did we go there? Kadmo |
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| ἐμάνητε, πᾶσά τʼ ἐξεβακχεύθη πόλις. Ἀγαύη | You were mad, and the whole city was frantic with Bacchus. Agave |
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| Διόνυσος ἡμᾶς ὤλεσʼ, ἄρτι μανθάνω. Κάδμος | Dionysus destroyed us—now I understand. Kadmo |
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| ὕβριν γʼ ὑβρισθείς· θεὸν γὰρ οὐχ ἡγεῖσθέ νιν. Ἀγαύη | Being insulted with insolence, for you did not consider him a god. Agave |
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| τὸ φίλτατον δὲ σῶμα ποῦ παιδός, πάτερ; Κάδμος | And where is the body of my dearest child, father? Kadmo |
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| ἐγὼ μόλις τόδʼ ἐξερευνήσας φέρω. Ἀγαύη | I have traced it with difficulty and brought it back. Agave |
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| ἦ πᾶν ἐν ἄρθροις συγκεκλῃμένον καλῶς; Κάδμος | Are its joints laid properly together? Kadmo |
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| Ἀγαύη | Are its joints laid properly together? Kadmo |
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| Πενθεῖ δὲ τί μέρος ἀφροσύνης προσῆκʼ ἐμῆς; Κάδμος | What part did Pentheus have in my folly? Kadmo |
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| ὑμῖν ἐγένεθʼ ὅμοιος, οὐ σέβων θεόν. | CADMUS (, One line, or maybe more, is missing) AGAVE: But what had Pentheus to do with folly of mine? CADMUS: He was like you in refusing homage to the god, who, therefore, hath involved you all in one common ruin, you and him alike, to destroy this house and me, forasmuch as I, that had no sons, behold this youth, the fruit of thy womb, unhappy mother! foully and most shamefully slain. To thee, my child, our house looked up, to thee my daughter's son, the stay of my palace, inspiring the city with awe; none caring to flout the old king when he saw thee by, for he would get his deserts. But now shall I be cast out dishonoured from my halls, Cadmus the great, who sowed the crop of Theban seed and reaped that goodly harvest. O beloved child! dead though thou art, thou still shalt be counted by me amongst my own dear children; no more wilt thou lay thy hand upon my chin in fond embrace, my child, and calling on thy mother's sire demand, "Who wrongs thee or dishonours thee, old sire? who vexes thy heart, a thorn within thy side? Speak, that I may punish thy oppressor, father mine!" But now am I in sorrow plunged, and woe is thee, and woe thy mother and her suffering sisters too! Ah! if there be any man that scorns the gods, let him well mark this prince's death and then believe in them. CHORUS Cadmus, I am sorry for thy fate; for though thy daughter's child hath met but his deserts, 'tis bitter grief to thee. AGAVE: O father, thou seest how sadly my fortune is changed.(, After this a very large lacuna occurs in the MS.) DIONYSUS: Thou shalt be changed into a serpent; and thy wife Harmonia, Ares' child, whom thou in thy human life didst wed, shall change her nature for a snake's, and take its form. With her shalt thou, as leader of barbarian tribes, drive thy team of steers, so saith an oracle of Zeus; and many a city shalt thou sack with an army numberless; but in the day they plunder the oracle of Loxias, shall they rue their homeward march; but thee and Harmonia will Ares rescue, and set thee to live henceforth in the land of the blessed. This do I declare, I Dionysus, son of no mortal father but of Zeus. Had ye learnt wisdom when ye would not, ye would now be happy with the son of Zeus for your ally. AGAVE: O Dionysus! we have sinned; thy pardon we implore. DIONYSUS: Too late have ye learnt to know me; ye knew me not at the proper time. AGAVE: We recognize our error; but thou art too revengeful. DIONYSUS: Yea, for I, though a god, was slighted by you. |
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| ὑμῖν ἐγένεθʼ ὅμοιος, οὐ σέβων θεόν. | He, like you, did not revere the god, who therefore joined all in one ruin, both you and this one here, and thus destroyed the house and me |
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| τοιγὰρ συνῆψε πάντας ἐς μίαν βλάβην | He, like you, did not revere the god, who therefore joined all in one ruin, both you and this one here, and thus destroyed the house and me |
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| ὑμᾶς τε τόνδε θʼ, ὥστε διολέσαι δόμους | He, like you, did not revere the god, who therefore joined all in one ruin, both you and this one here, and thus destroyed the house and me |
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| κἄμʼ, ὅστις ἄτεκνος ἀρσένων παίδων γεγὼς | who am bereft of my male children and see this offspring of your womb, wretched woman, most miserably and shamefully slain. He was the hope of our line—you, child, who supported the house, son of my daughter |
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| τῆς σῆς τόδʼ ἔρνος, ὦ τάλαινα, νηδύος | who am bereft of my male children and see this offspring of your womb, wretched woman, most miserably and shamefully slain. He was the hope of our line—you, child, who supported the house, son of my daughter |
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| αἴσχιστα καὶ κάκιστα κατθανόνθʼ ὁρῶ | who am bereft of my male children and see this offspring of your womb, wretched woman, most miserably and shamefully slain. He was the hope of our line—you, child, who supported the house, son of my daughter |
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| ᾧ δῶμʼ ἀνέβλεφʼ—ὃς συνεῖχες, ὦ τέκνον | who am bereft of my male children and see this offspring of your womb, wretched woman, most miserably and shamefully slain. He was the hope of our line—you, child, who supported the house, son of my daughter |
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| τοὐμὸν μέλαθρον, παιδὸς ἐξ ἐμῆς γεγώς | who am bereft of my male children and see this offspring of your womb, wretched woman, most miserably and shamefully slain. He was the hope of our line—you, child, who supported the house, son of my daughter |
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| πόλει τε τάρβος ἦσθα· τὸν γέροντα δὲ | an object of fear to the city; seeing you, no one wished to insult the old man, for you would have given a worthy punishment. But now I, great Kadmos, who sowed and reaped |
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| οὐδεὶς ὑβρίζειν ἤθελʼ εἰσορῶν τὸ σὸν | an object of fear to the city; seeing you, no one wished to insult the old man, for you would have given a worthy punishment. But now I, great Kadmos, who sowed and reaped |
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| κάρα· δίκην γὰρ ἀξίαν ἐλάμβανες. | an object of fear to the city; seeing you, no one wished to insult the old man, for you would have given a worthy punishment. But now I, great Kadmos, who sowed and reaped |
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| νῦν δʼ ἐκ δόμων ἄτιμος ἐκβεβλήσομαι | an object of fear to the city; seeing you, no one wished to insult the old man, for you would have given a worthy punishment. But now I, great Kadmos, who sowed and reaped |
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| ὁ Κάδμος ὁ μέγας, ὃς τὸ Θηβαίων γένος | an object of fear to the city; seeing you, no one wished to insult the old man, for you would have given a worthy punishment. But now I, great Kadmos, who sowed and reaped |
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| ἔσπειρα κἀξήμησα κάλλιστον θέρος. | a most glorious crop, the Theban people, will be banished from the house without honor. Dearest of men—for though you are dead I still count you among my dearest, child—no longer will you embrace me, calling me grandfather, touching my chin with your hand, child, and |
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| ὦ φίλτατʼ ἀνδρῶν—καὶ γὰρ οὐκέτʼ ὢν ὅμως | a most glorious crop, the Theban people, will be banished from the house without honor. Dearest of men—for though you are dead I still count you among my dearest, child—no longer will you embrace me, calling me grandfather, touching my chin with your hand, child, and |
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| τῶν φιλτάτων ἔμοιγʼ ἀριθμήσῃ, τέκνον— | a most glorious crop, the Theban people, will be banished from the house without honor. Dearest of men—for though you are dead I still count you among my dearest, child—no longer will you embrace me, calling me grandfather, touching my chin with your hand, child, and |
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| οὐκέτι γενείου τοῦδε θιγγάνων χερί | a most glorious crop, the Theban people, will be banished from the house without honor. Dearest of men—for though you are dead I still count you among my dearest, child—no longer will you embrace me, calling me grandfather, touching my chin with your hand, child, and |
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| τὸν μητρὸς αὐδῶν πατέρα προσπτύξῃ, τέκνον | a most glorious crop, the Theban people, will be banished from the house without honor. Dearest of men—for though you are dead I still count you among my dearest, child—no longer will you embrace me, calling me grandfather, touching my chin with your hand, child, and |
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| λέγων· Τίς ἀδικεῖ, τίς σʼ ἀτιμάζει, γέρον; | aying: Who wrongs you, old man, who dishonors you? Who vexes and troubles your heart? Tell me, father, so that I can punish the one who does you wrong. But now I am miserable, while you are wretched, your mother is pitiful, and wretched too are your relatives. |
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| τίς σὴν ταράσσει καρδίαν λυπηρὸς ὤν; | aying: Who wrongs you, old man, who dishonors you? Who vexes and troubles your heart? Tell me, father, so that I can punish the one who does you wrong. But now I am miserable, while you are wretched, your mother is pitiful, and wretched too are your relatives. |
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| λέγʼ, ὡς κολάζω τὸν ἀδικοῦντά σʼ, ὦ πάτερ. | aying: Who wrongs you, old man, who dishonors you? Who vexes and troubles your heart? Tell me, father, so that I can punish the one who does you wrong. But now I am miserable, while you are wretched, your mother is pitiful, and wretched too are your relatives. |
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| νῦν δʼ ἄθλιος μέν εἰμʼ ἐγώ, τλήμων δὲ σύ. | aying: Who wrongs you, old man, who dishonors you? Who vexes and troubles your heart? Tell me, father, so that I can punish the one who does you wrong. But now I am miserable, while you are wretched, your mother is pitiful, and wretched too are your relatives. |
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| οἰκτρὰ δὲ μήτηρ, τλήμονες δὲ σύγγονοι. | aying: Who wrongs you, old man, who dishonors you? Who vexes and troubles your heart? Tell me, father, so that I can punish the one who does you wrong. But now I am miserable, while you are wretched, your mother is pitiful, and wretched too are your relatives. |
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| εἰ δʼ ἔστιν ὅστις δαιμόνων ὑπερφρονεῖ | If anyone scorns the gods, let him look to the death of this man and acknowledge them. Chorus Leader |
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| ἐς τοῦδʼ ἀθρήσας θάνατον ἡγείσθω θεούς. Χορός | If anyone scorns the gods, let him look to the death of this man and acknowledge them. Chorus Leader |
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| τὸ μὲν σὸν ἀλγῶ, Κάδμε· σὸς δʼ ἔχει δίκην | I grieve for you, Kadmos. Your daughter’s child has a punishment deserved indeed, but grievous to you. Agave |
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| παῖς παιδὸς ἀξίαν μέν, ἀλγεινὴν δὲ σοί. Ἀγαύη | I grieve for you, Kadmos. Your daughter’s child has a punishment deserved indeed, but grievous to you. Agave |
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| ὦ πάτερ, ὁρᾷς γὰρ τἄμʼ ὅσῳ μετεστράφη | Father, for you see how much my situation has changed ... To Kadmos Dionysu |
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| Διονυσος | Father, for you see how much my situation has changed ... To Kadmos Dionysu |
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| δράκων γενήσῃ μεταβαλών, δάμαρ τε σὴ | . . . changing your form, you will become a dragon, and your wife, Harmonia, Ares’ daughter, whom you though mortal held in marriage, will be turned into a beast, and will receive in exchange the form of a serpent. And as the oracle of Zeus says, you will drive along with your wife a chariot of heifers, ruling over barbarians. |
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| ἐκθηριωθεῖσʼ ὄφεος ἀλλάξει τύπον | . . . changing your form, you will become a dragon, and your wife, Harmonia, Ares’ daughter, whom you though mortal held in marriage, will be turned into a beast, and will receive in exchange the form of a serpent. And as the oracle of Zeus says, you will drive along with your wife a chariot of heifers, ruling over barbarians. |
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| ἣν Ἄρεος ἔσχες Ἁρμονίαν θνητὸς γεγώς. | . . . changing your form, you will become a dragon, and your wife, Harmonia, Ares’ daughter, whom you though mortal held in marriage, will be turned into a beast, and will receive in exchange the form of a serpent. And as the oracle of Zeus says, you will drive along with your wife a chariot of heifers, ruling over barbarians. |
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| ὄχον δὲ μόσχων, χρησμὸς ὡς λέγει Διός | . . . changing your form, you will become a dragon, and your wife, Harmonia, Ares’ daughter, whom you though mortal held in marriage, will be turned into a beast, and will receive in exchange the form of a serpent. And as the oracle of Zeus says, you will drive along with your wife a chariot of heifers, ruling over barbarians. |
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| ἐλᾷς μετʼ ἀλόχου, βαρβάρων ἡγούμενος. | . . . changing your form, you will become a dragon, and your wife, Harmonia, Ares’ daughter, whom you though mortal held in marriage, will be turned into a beast, and will receive in exchange the form of a serpent. And as the oracle of Zeus says, you will drive along with your wife a chariot of heifers, ruling over barbarians. |
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| πολλὰς δὲ πέρσεις ἀναρίθμῳ στρατεύματι | You will sack many cities with a force of countless numbers. And when they plunder the oracle of Apollo, they will have a miserable return, but Ares will protect you and Harmonia and will settle your life in the land of the blessed. |
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| πόλεις· ὅταν δὲ Λοξίου χρηστήριον | You will sack many cities with a force of countless numbers. And when they plunder the oracle of Apollo, they will have a miserable return, but Ares will protect you and Harmonia and will settle your life in the land of the blessed. |
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| διαρπάσωσι, νόστον ἄθλιον πάλιν | You will sack many cities with a force of countless numbers. And when they plunder the oracle of Apollo, they will have a miserable return, but Ares will protect you and Harmonia and will settle your life in the land of the blessed. |
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| σχήσουσι· σὲ δʼ Ἄρης Ἁρμονίαν τε ῥύσεται | You will sack many cities with a force of countless numbers. And when they plunder the oracle of Apollo, they will have a miserable return, but Ares will protect you and Harmonia and will settle your life in the land of the blessed. |
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| μακάρων τʼ ἐς αἶαν σὸν καθιδρύσει βίον. | You will sack many cities with a force of countless numbers. And when they plunder the oracle of Apollo, they will have a miserable return, but Ares will protect you and Harmonia and will settle your life in the land of the blessed. |
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| nan | That is what I, Dionysus, born not from a mortal father, but from Zeus, say. And if you had known how to be wise when you did not wish to be, you would have acquired Zeus’ son as an ally, and would now be happy. Kadmo |
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| Διόνυσος, ἀλλὰ Ζηνός· εἰ δὲ σωφρονεῖν | That is what I, Dionysus, born not from a mortal father, but from Zeus, say. And if you had known how to be wise when you did not wish to be, you would have acquired Zeus’ son as an ally, and would now be happy. Kadmo |
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| ἔγνωθʼ, ὅτʼ οὐκ ἠθέλετε, τὸν Διὸς γόνον | That is what I, Dionysus, born not from a mortal father, but from Zeus, say. And if you had known how to be wise when you did not wish to be, you would have acquired Zeus’ son as an ally, and would now be happy. Kadmo |
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| εὐδαιμονεῖτʼ ἂν σύμμαχον κεκτημένοι. Κάδμος | That is what I, Dionysus, born not from a mortal father, but from Zeus, say. And if you had known how to be wise when you did not wish to be, you would have acquired Zeus’ son as an ally, and would now be happy. Kadmo |
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| Διόνυσε, λισσόμεσθά σʼ, ἠδικήκαμεν. Διόνυσος | Dionysus, we beseech you, we have acted injustly. Dionysu |
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| ὄψʼ ἐμάθεθʼ ἡμᾶς, ὅτε δὲ χρῆν, οὐκ ᾔδετε. Κάδμος | You have learned it too late; you did not know it when you should have. Kadmo |
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| ἐγνώκαμεν ταῦτʼ· ἀλλʼ ἐπεξέρχῃ λίαν. Διόνυσος | Now we know, but you go too far against us. Dionysu |
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| καὶ γὰρ πρὸς ὑμῶν θεὸς γεγὼς ὑβριζόμην. Κάδμος | Yes, for I, a god by birth, was insulted by you. Kadmo |
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| ὀργὰς πρέπει θεοὺς οὐχ ὁμοιοῦσθαι βροτοῖς. Διόνυσος | AGAVE Gods should not let their passion sink to man's level. DIONYSUS: Long ago my father Zeus ordained it thus. AGAVE: Alas! my aged sire, our doom is fixed; 'tis woeful exile. DIONYSUS: Why then delay the inevitable? Exit. CADMUS: Daughter, to what an awful pass are we now come, thou too, poor child, and thy sisters, while I alas! in my old age must seek barbarian shores, to sojourn there; but the oracle declares that I shall yet lead an army, half-barbarian, half-Hellene, to Hellas; and in serpent's shape shall I carry my wife Harmonia, the daughter of Ares, transformed like me to a savage snake, against the altars and tombs of Hellas at the head of my troops; nor shall I ever cease from my woes, ah me! nor ever cross the downward stream of Acheron and be at rest. AGAVE: Father, I shall be parted from thee and exiled. CADMUS: Alas! my child, why fling thy arms around me, as a snowy cygnet folds its wings about the frail old swan? AGAVE: Whither can I turn, an exile from my country? CADMUS: I know not, my daughter; small help is thy father now. AGAVE: Farewell, my home! farewell, my native city! with sorrow I am leaving thee, an exile from my bridal bower. |
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| ὀργὰς πρέπει θεοὺς οὐχ ὁμοιοῦσθαι βροτοῖς. Διόνυσος | Gods should not resemble mortals in their anger. Dionysu |
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| πάλαι τάδε Ζεὺς οὑμὸς ἐπένευσεν πατήρ. Ἀγαύη | My father Zeus approved this long ago. Agave |
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| αἰαῖ, δέδοκται, πρέσβυ, τλήμονες φυγαί. Διόνυσος | Alas! A miserable exile has been decreed for us, old man. Dionysu |
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