Recking nought of Pentheus: so from forth his halls I come to you.
But, methinks,—for there within the house a footfall's sound there is,—
He shall straightway come without. Ha, what shall he say unto this?
Lightly shall I bear his bluster, whatsoe'er his fury's stress; 640
For it is the wise man's part to rein his wrath in soberness.
Enter Pentheus.
Pentheus.
Foul outrage this!—the stranger hath escaped,
Though bound but now in fetters fast as fate.
Ha!
There is the man! What means this? How hast thou 645
Won forth to stand before my very halls?
Dionysus.
Stay there, and let thy fury softly tread.
Pentheus.
How hast thou 'scaped thy bonds and comest forth?
Dionysus.
Said I not—or didst hear not?—"One will free me?" 650
Pentheus.
Who?—Strange and ever strange thine answers are.
Dionysus.
He who makes grow for men the clustered vine.
