Eksodos
Chorus Leader
Now show the citizens, wretched woman, the booty which you have brought in victory.
1200
Agave
You who dwell in this fair-towered city of the Theban land, come to see this prey which we the daughters of Kadmos hunted down,
not with thonged Thessalian javelins, or with nets, but with the fingers of our white arms. And then should huntsmen boast and use in vain the work of spear-makers? But we caught and
1205
tore apart the limbs of this beast with our very own hands. Where is my old father? Let him approach. And where is my son Pentheus? Let him take a ladder and raise its steps against the house so that he can fasten to the triglyphs this
1210
lion’s head which I have captured and brought here.
1215
Kadmos
Follow me, carrying the miserable burden of Pentheus, follow me, slaves, before the house; exhausted from countless searches, I am bringing his body, for I discovered it in the folds of Kithairon,
torn apart; I picked up nothing in the same place, and it was lying in the woods where discovery was difficult. For some one told me of my daughters’ bold deeds, when I had already come within the walls of the city on my return from the Bacchae with old Teiresias.
1220
I turned back to the mountain and now bring here my child who was killed by the Maenads. For I saw Autonoe, who once bore Actaeon to Aristaeus, and Ino with her, still mad in the thicket, wretched creatures.
1225
But some one told me that Agave was coming here with Bacchic foot, and this was correct, for I see her—no happy sight!
1230
Agave
Father, you may make a great boast, that you have born daughters the best by far of all
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,
1235
so 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.
1240
Kadmos
O grief beyond measuring, one which I cannot stand to see,
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,
1245
lord Bromius the god has destroyed us, though he is a member of our own family.
1250
Agave
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 beasts
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?
1255
Kadmos
Alas, alas! When you realize what you have done
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.
1260
Agave
But what of these matters is not right, or what is painful?
Kadmos
First cast your eye up to this sky.
Agave
All right; why do you tell me to look at it?
1265
Kadmos
Is it still the same, or does it appear to have changed?
Agave
It is brighter than before and more translucent.
Kadmos
Is your soul still quivering?
Agave
I don’t understand your words. I have become somehow
sobered, changing from my former state of mind.
1270
Kadmos
Can you hear and respond clearly?
Agave
Yes, for I forget what we said before, father.
Kadmos
To whose house did you come in marriage?
