Page:Tragedies of Euripides (Way 1898) v3.djvu/467



fragments, given below, of the lost portion of the Bacchæ have been collected, chiefly from the Christus Patiens, "a wretchedly stupid drama, falsely attributed to Gregory Nazianzenus, giving an account of the circumstances leading up to the Passion of Christ, and consisting of a cento of verses taken chiefly from the Bacchæ, Rhesus, and Troades" (Tyrrell, Introduction to his edition of the Bacchæ).

The lines marked A. may be taken as from the speech of Agavê; those marked D., as from that of Dionysus.

A. To find a doom of rending midst the rocks

How shall I press him—woe's me!—tenderly

Unto my breast?—in what wise wail o'er him?

For, had mine hands received not mine own curse

To rend to utter fragments every limb

Kissing the shreds of flesh which once I nursed

Come, ancient, this thrice-hapless wretch's head

Compose we reverently, and all the frame

Lay we together, far as in us lies.

O best-belovèd face, O youthful cheek

Lo, with this vesture do I veil thine head,

And these thy blood-bedabbled, furrow-scarred

Limbs