Page:The Plays of Euripides Vol. 2- Edward P. Coleridge (1913).djvu/128

. Well said! Women must not be mastered by brute force; amid the pines will I conceal myself.

. Thou shalt hide thee in the place that fate appoints, coming by stealth to spy upon the Bacchanals.

. Why, methinks they are already caught in the pleasant snares of dalliance, like birds amid the brakes.

. Set out with watchful heed then for this very purpose; maybe thou wilt catch them, if thou be not first caught thyself.

. Conduct me through the very heart of Thebes, for I am the only man among them bold enough to do this deed.

. Thou alone bearest thy country’s burden, thou and none other; wherefore there await thee such struggles as needs must. Follow me, for I will guide thee safely thither; another shall bring thee thence.

. My mother maybe. . For every eye to see.

. My very purpose in going.

. Thou shalt be carried back,

. What luxury!

. In thy mother’s arms.

. Thou wilt e’en force me into luxury.

. Yes, to luxury such as this.

. Truly, the task I am undertaking deserves it. [Exit. . Strange, ah! strange is thy career, leading to scenes of woe so strange, that thou shalt achieve a fame that towers to heaven. Stretch forth thy hands, Agave, and ye her sisters, daughters of Cadmus; mighty is the strife to which I am bringing the youthful king, and the victory shall rest with me and Bromius; all else the event will show. [Exit. . To the hills! to the hills! fleet hounds of madness,