and be as lucky in his hunting, when he goes in quest of game in company with Theban youths! But he can do naught but wage war with gods. Father, ’tis thy duty [and mine, too,] to warn him [against finding pleasure in mischievous conceits.[1] Where is he?] Who will summon him hither to my sight to witness my happiness?
Cad. Alas for you! alas! Terrible will be your grief when ye are conscious of your deeds; could ye remain for ever till life’s close in your present state, ye would not, spite of ruined bliss, appear so cursed with woe.
Aga. Why? what is faulty here? what here for sorrow?
Cad. First let thine eye look up to heaven.
Aga. See! I do so. Why dost thou suggest my looking thereupon?
Cad. Is it still the same, or dost think there’s any change?
Aga. ’Tis brighter than it was, and clearer too.
Cad. Is there still that wild unrest within thy soul?
Aga. I know not what thou sayest now; yet methinks my brain is clearing, and my former frenzy passed away.
Cad. Canst understand, and give distinct replies?
Aga. Father, how completely I forget all we said before!
Cad. To what house wert thou brought with marriage-hymns?
Aga. Thou didst give me to earthborn Echion, as men call him.
Cad. What child was born thy husband in his halls?
Aga. Pentheus, of my union with his father.
Cad. What head is that thou barest in thy arms?
Aga. A lion’s; at least they said so, who hunted it.
Cad. Consider it aright; ’tis no great task to look at it.
Aga. Ah! what do I see? what is this I am carrying in my hands?
- ↑ Line 1257 is almost certainly an interpolation. Nauck’s reading, now generally accepted in 1258 is σοὐστίν, i.e., σοὶ ἐστίν for ποῦ ’στιν.
