BAC.  In this too I mocked him; for, thinking to bind me, he neither touched nor handled me, but fed on hope; and finding a bull in the stable, where having taken me, he confined me, he cast halters round the knees of that, and the hoofs of its feet;[36] breathing out fury, stilling sweat from his body, gnashing his teeth in his lips.  But I, being near, sitting quietly, looked on; and, in the mean time, Bacchus coming, shook the house, and kindled flame on the tomb of his mother; and he, when he saw it, thinking the house was burning, rushed to and fro, calling to the servants to bring water,[37] and every servant was at work toiling in vain; and letting go this labor, I having escaped, seizing a dark sword he rushes into the house, and then Bromius, as it seems to me, I speak my opinion, made an appearance in the palace, and he rushing toward it, rushed on and stabbed at the bright air,[38] as if slaying me; and besides this, Bacchus afflicts him with these other things; and threw down his house to the ground, and every thing was shivered in pieces, while he beheld my bitter chains; and from fatigue dropping his sword, he falls exhausted—­for he being a man, dared to join battle with a God:  and I quietly getting out of the house am come to you, not regarding Pentheus.  But, as it seems to me, a shoe sounds in the house; he will soon come out in front of the house.  What will he say after this?  I shall easily bear him, even if he comes vaunting greatly, for it is the part of a wise man to practice prudent moderation.

PEN.  I have suffered terrible things, the stranger has escaped me, who was lately coerced in bonds.  Hollo! here is the man; what is this? how do you appear near my house, having come out?

BAC.  Stay your foot; and substitute calm steps for anger.

PEN.  How come you out, having escaped your chains?

BAC.  Did I not say, or did you not hear, that some one would deliver me?

PEN.  Who? for you are always introducing strange things.

BAC.  He who produces the rich-clustering vine for mortals.

PEN.  This is a fine reproach you charge on Bacchus; I order ye to close every tower all round.

BAC.  Why? do not Gods pass over walls too?

PEN.  You are wise, wise at least in all save what you should be wise in.

BAC.  In what I most ought, in that I was born wise; but first learn, hearing his words who is come from the mountain to bring a message to you; but we will await you, we will not fly.

MESSENGER.  Pentheus, ruler o’er this Theban land, I come, having left
Cithaeron, where never have the brilliant flakes of white snow fallen.[39]

PEN.  But bringing what important news are you come?

MESS.  Having seen the holy Bacchae, who driven by madness have darted their fair feet from this land, have I come, wishing to tell you and the city, O king, what awful things they do, things beyond marvel; and I wish to hear whether in freedom of speech I shall tell you the matters there, or whether I shall repress my report, for I fear, O king, the hastiness of thy mind, and your keen temper, and too imperious disposition.[40]