[Enter PENTHEUS, clad like a Bacchanal, and strangely excited, a spirit of Bacchic madness overshadowing him.
Thy shape, methinks, is like to one Of Cadmus' royal maids!
PENTHEUS.
Yea; and mine eye Is bright! Yon sun shines twofold in the sky, Thebes twofold and the Wall of Seven Gates. . . . And is it a Wild Bull this, that walks and waits Before me? There are horns upon thy brow! What art thou, man or beast? For surely now The Bull is on thee!
DIONYSUS.
He who erst was wrath, Goes with us now in gentleness. He hath Unsealed thine eyes to see what thou shouldst see.
PENTHEUS.
Say; stand I not as Ino stands, or she Who bore me?
DIONYSUS.
When I look on thee, it seems I see their very selves!--But stay; why streams That lock abroad, not where I laid it, crossed Under the coif?
PENTHEUS.
I did it, as I tossed My head in dancing, to and fro, and cried His holy music!
DIONYSUS (tending him).
It shall soon be tied Aright. 'Tis mine to tend thee. . . . Nay, but stand With head straight.
PENTHEUS.
In the hollow of thy hand I lay me. Deck me as thou wilt.
DIONYSUS.
Thy zone Is loosened likewise; and the folded gown Not evenly falling to the feet.
PENTHEUS.
'Tis so, By the right foot. But here, methinks, they flow In one straight line to the heel.
DIONYSUS (while tending him).
And if thou prove Their madness true, aye, more than true, what love And thanks hast thou for me?
PENTHEUS (not listening to him).
In my right hand Is it, or thus, that I should bear the wand, To be most like to them?
DIONYSUS.