IDYL XXVI. THE BACCHE. ARGUMENT. Pentheus, who was an unbeliever in the divinity of Dionysus, from curiosity became a spectator of the orgies of the women who were possessed with frenzy by the influence of that god. The women, and among them his own mother and aunts, on discovering hunted him as huntsmen the hare, and mercilessly tore him in pieces. This is the subject of one of the finest plays of Euripides. IDYL XXVI. THE BACCHE. THREE troops three sisters to the mountain led; The bloom of apple; and in wildest mood They stript oak-leaves and ivy green as well, In a pure lawn with these twelve altars placed; And, as their god had taught them and approved, Hid in a native mastic's sheltering shade, Them from a steep rock Pentheus then surveyed. Him perched aloft Autonöa first discerned, And dreadful shrieked, and spurning overturned Which none profane may ever look upon. She maddened, maddened all: scared Pentheus fled. His mother clutched his head, whilst Ino rending Name Dionysus as hereby defiled,— Nor though he harsher used some curious child. May I my life to holy courses give, Dear to the holy who reproachless live! This omen, sent from ægis-bearing Jove, Shows what he hates, and what his thoughts approve ; Blest are the children of the godly-ever ; Blest are the children of the godless-never. |