章节正文
raise it against the house to nail up on the gables this lion's
head, my booty from the chase.
Enter CADMUS.
CADMUS
Follow me, servants to the palace-front, with your sad burden in
your arms, ay, follow, with the corpse of Pentheus, which after long
weary search I found, as ye see it, torn to pieces amid Cithaeron's
glens, and am bringing hither; no two pieces did I find together, as
they lay scattered through the trackless wood. For I heard what
awful deeds one of my daughters had done, just as I entered the
city-walls with old Teiresias returning from the Bacchanals; so I
turned again unto the and bring from thence my son who was slain by
Maenads. There I saw Autonoe, that bare Actaeon on a day to Aristaeus,
and Ino with her, still ranging the oak-groves in their unhappy
frenzy; but one told me that that Agave, was rushing wildly hither,
nor was it idly said, for there I see her, sight of woe!
AGAVE
Father, loudly mayst thou boast, that the daughters thou hast
begotten are far the best of mortal race; of one and all I speak,
though chiefly of myself, who left my shuttle at the loom for nobler
enterprise, even to hunt savage beasts with my hands; and in my arms I
bring my prize, as thou seest, that it may be nailed up on thy
palace-wall; take it, father, in thy had and proud of my hunting, call
thy friends to a banquet; for blest art thou, ah! doubly blest in
these our gallant exploits.
CADMUS
O grief that has no bounds, too cruel for mortal eye! 'tis
murder ye have done with your hapless hands. Fair is the victim thou
hast offered to the gods, inviting me and my Thebans to the feast
Ah, woe is me first for thy sorrows, then for mine. What ruin the god,
the Bromian king, hath brought on us, just maybe, but too severe,
seeing he is our kinsman!
AGAVE
How peevish old age makes men! what sullen looks! Oh, may my son
follow in his mother's footsteps and be as lucky in his hunting,
when he goes quest of game in company with Theban youthsl But he can
do naught but wage war with gods. Father, 'tis thy duty to warn him.
Who will summon him hither to my sight to witness my happiness?
CADMUS
Alas for you! alas! Terrible will be your grief when ye are
conscious of your deeds; could ye re. for ever till life's close in
your present state, ye would not, spite of ruined bliss, appear so
cursed with woe.
AGAVE
Why? what is faulty bere? what here for sorrow?
CADMUS
First let thine eye look up to heaven.
AGAVE
See! I do so. Why dost thou suggest my looking thereupon?
CADMUS
Is it still the same, or dost think there's any change?
AGAVE
'Tis brighter than it was, and dearer too.
CADMUS
Is there still that wild unrest within thy soul?
AGAVE
I know not what thou sayest now; yet methinks my brain is
clearing, and my former frenzy passed away.
CADMUS
Canst understand, and give distinct replies?
AGAVE
Father, how completely I forget all we said before!
CADMUS
To what house wert thou brought with marriage-hymns?
AGAVE
Thou didst give me to earthborn Echion, as men call him.
CADMUS
What child was born thy husband in his halls?
AGAVE
Pentheus, of my union with his father.
CADMUS
What head is that thou barest in thy arms?
AGAVE
A lion's; at least they said so, who hunted it.
CADMUS
Consider it aright; 'tis no great task to look at it.
AGAVE
Ah! what do I see? what is this I am carrying in my hands?
CADMUS
Look closely at it; make thy knowledge more certain.
AGAVE
Ah, 'woe is me! O sight of awful sorrow!
CADMUS
Dost think it like a lion's head?
AGAVE
Ah no! 'tis Pentheus' head which I his unhappy mother hold.
CADMUS
Bemoaned by me, or ever thou didst recognize him.
AGAVE
Who slew him? How came he into my hands?
CADMUS
O piteous truth! how ill-timed thy presence here!
AGAVE
Speak; my bosom throbs at this suspense.
CADMUS
'Twas thou didst slay him, thou and thy sisters.
AGAVE
Where died he? in the house or where?
CADMUS
On the very spot where hounds of yore rent Actaeon in pieces.
AGAVE
Why went he, wretched youth! to Cithaeron?
CADMUS
He would go and mock the god and thy Bacchic rites.
AGAVE
But how was it we had journeyed thither?
CADMUS
Ye were distraught; the whole city had the Bacchic frenzy.
AGAVE
'Twas Dionysus proved our ruin; now I see it all.
CADMUS
Yes, for the slight he suffered; ye would not believe in his
godhead.
AGAVE
Father, where is my dear child's corpse?
CADMUS
With toil I searched it out and am bringing it myself.
AGAVE
Is it all fitted limb to limb in seemly wise?
CADMUS [*]
[* One line, or maybe more, is missing]
AGAVE
But what had Pentheus to do with folly of mine?
CADMUS
He was like you in refusing homage to the god, who, therefore,
hath involved you all in one common ruin, you and him alike, to
destroy this house and me, forasmuch as I, that had no sons, behold
this youth, the fruit of thy womb, unhappy mother! foully and most
shamefully slain. To thee, my child, our house looked up, to thee my
daughter's son, the stay of my palace, inspiring the city with awe;
none caring to flout the old king when he saw thee by, for he would
get his deserts. But now shall I be cast out dishonoured from my
halls, Cadmus the great, who sowed the crop of Theban seed and
reaped that goodlyharvest. O beloved child! dead though thou art,
thou still shalt be counted by me amongst my own dear children; no
more wilt thou lay thy hand upon my chin in fond embrace, my child,
and calling on thy mother's sire demand, "Who wrongs thee or
dishonours thee, old sire? who vexes thy heart, a thorn within thy
side? Speak, that I may punish thy oppressor, father mine!"
But now am I in sorrow plunged, and woe is thee, and woe thy
mother and her suffering sisters too! Ah! if there be any man that
scorns the gods, let him well mark this prince's death and then
believe in them.
CHORUS
Cadmus, I am sorry for thy fate; for though thy daughter's child
hath met but his deserts, 'tis bitter grief to thee.
AGAVE
O father, thou seest how sadly my fortune is changed.[*]
[* After this a very large lacuna occurs in the MS.]
DIONYSUS
Thou shalt be changed into a serpent; and thy wife Harmonia, Ares'
child, whom thou in thy human life didst wed, shall change her
nature for a snake's, and take its form. With her shalt thou, as
leader of barbarian tribes, drive thy team of steers, so saith an
oracle of Zeus; and many a city shalt thou sack with an army
numberless; but in the day they plunder the oracle of Loxias, shall
they rue their homeward march; but thee and Harmonia will Ares rescue,
and set thee to live henceforth in the land of the blessed. This do
I declare, I Dionysus, son of no mortal father but of Zeus. Had ye
learntwisdom when ye would not, ye would now be happy with the son of
Zeus for your ally.
AGAVE
O Dionysus! we have sinned; thy pardon we implore.
DIONYSUS
Too late have ye learnt to know me; ye knew me not at the proper
time.
AGAVE
We recognize our error; but thou art too revengeful.
DIONYSUS
Yea, for I, though a god, was slighted by you.
AGAVE
Gods should not let their passion sink to man's level.
DIONYSUS
Long ago my father Zeus ordained it thus.
AGAVE
Alas! my aged sire, our doom is fixed; 'tis woful exile.
DIONYSUS
Why then delay the inevitable? Exit.
CADMUS
Daughter, to what an awful pass are we now come, thou too, poor
child, and thy sisters, while I alas! in my old age must seek
barbarian shores, to sojourn there; but the oracle declares that I
shall yet lead an army, half-barbarian, half-Hellene, to Hellas; and
in serpent's shape shall I carry my wife Harmonia, the daughter of
Ares, transformed like me to a savage snake, against the altars and
tombs of Hellas at the head of my troops; nor shall I ever cease
from my woes, ah me! nor ever cross the downwardstream of Acheron and
be at rest.
AGAVE
Father, I shall be parted from thee and exiled.
CADMUS
Alas! my child, why fling thy arms around me, as a snowy cygnet
folds its wings about the frail old swan?
AGAVE
Whither can I turn, an exile from my country?
CADMUS
I know not, my daughter; small help is thy father now.
AGAVE
Farewell, my home! farewell, my native city! with sorrow I am
leaving thee, an exile from my bridal bower.
CADMUS
head, my booty from the chase.
Enter CADMUS.
CADMUS
Follow me, servants to the palace-front, with your sad burden in
your arms, ay, follow, with the corpse of Pentheus, which after long
weary search I found, as ye see it, torn to pieces amid Cithaeron's
glens, and am bringing hither; no two pieces did I find together, as
they lay scattered through the trackless wood. For I heard what
awful deeds one of my daughters had done, just as I entered the
city-walls with old Teiresias returning from the Bacchanals; so I
turned again unto the and bring from thence my son who was slain by
Maenads. There I saw Autonoe, that bare Actaeon on a day to Aristaeus,
and Ino with her, still ranging the oak-groves in their unhappy
frenzy; but one told me that that Agave, was rushing wildly hither,
nor was it idly said, for there I see her, sight of woe!
AGAVE
Father, loudly mayst thou boast, that the daughters thou hast
begotten are far the best of mortal race; of one and all I speak,
though chiefly of myself, who left my shuttle at the loom for nobler
enterprise, even to hunt savage beasts with my hands; and in my arms I
bring my prize, as thou seest, that it may be nailed up on thy
palace-wall; take it, father, in thy had and proud of my hunting, call
thy friends to a banquet; for blest art thou, ah! doubly blest in
these our gallant exploits.
CADMUS
O grief that has no bounds, too cruel for mortal eye! 'tis
murder ye have done with your hapless hands. Fair is the victim thou
hast offered to the gods, inviting me and my Thebans to the feast
Ah, woe is me first for thy sorrows, then for mine. What ruin the god,
the Bromian king, hath brought on us, just maybe, but too severe,
seeing he is our kinsman!
AGAVE
How peevish old age makes men! what sullen looks! Oh, may my son
follow in his mother's footsteps and be as lucky in his hunting,
when he goes quest of game in company with Theban youthsl But he can
do naught but wage war with gods. Father, 'tis thy duty to warn him.
Who will summon him hither to my sight to witness my happiness?
CADMUS
Alas for you! alas! Terrible will be your grief when ye are
conscious of your deeds; could ye re. for ever till life's close in
your present state, ye would not, spite of ruined bliss, appear so
cursed with woe.
AGAVE
Why? what is faulty bere? what here for sorrow?
CADMUS
First let thine eye look up to heaven.
AGAVE
See! I do so. Why dost thou suggest my looking thereupon?
CADMUS
Is it still the same, or dost think there's any change?
AGAVE
'Tis brighter than it was, and dearer too.
CADMUS
Is there still that wild unrest within thy soul?
AGAVE
I know not what thou sayest now; yet methinks my brain is
clearing, and my former frenzy passed away.
CADMUS
Canst understand, and give distinct replies?
AGAVE
Father, how completely I forget all we said before!
CADMUS
To what house wert thou brought with marriage-hymns?
AGAVE
Thou didst give me to earthborn Echion, as men call him.
CADMUS
What child was born thy husband in his halls?
AGAVE
Pentheus, of my union with his father.
CADMUS
What head is that thou barest in thy arms?
AGAVE
A lion's; at least they said so, who hunted it.
CADMUS
Consider it aright; 'tis no great task to look at it.
AGAVE
Ah! what do I see? what is this I am carrying in my hands?
CADMUS
Look closely at it; make thy knowledge more certain.
AGAVE
Ah, 'woe is me! O sight of awful sorrow!
CADMUS
Dost think it like a lion's head?
AGAVE
Ah no! 'tis Pentheus' head which I his unhappy mother hold.
CADMUS
Bemoaned by me, or ever thou didst recognize him.
AGAVE
Who slew him? How came he into my hands?
CADMUS
O piteous truth! how ill-timed thy presence here!
AGAVE
Speak; my bosom throbs at this suspense.
CADMUS
'Twas thou didst slay him, thou and thy sisters.
AGAVE
Where died he? in the house or where?
CADMUS
On the very spot where hounds of yore rent Actaeon in pieces.
AGAVE
Why went he, wretched youth! to Cithaeron?
CADMUS
He would go and mock the god and thy Bacchic rites.
AGAVE
But how was it we had journeyed thither?
CADMUS
Ye were distraught; the whole city had the Bacchic frenzy.
AGAVE
'Twas Dionysus proved our ruin; now I see it all.
CADMUS
Yes, for the slight he suffered; ye would not believe in his
godhead.
AGAVE
Father, where is my dear child's corpse?
CADMUS
With toil I searched it out and am bringing it myself.
AGAVE
Is it all fitted limb to limb in seemly wise?
CADMUS [*]
[* One line, or maybe more, is missing]
AGAVE
But what had Pentheus to do with folly of mine?
CADMUS
He was like you in refusing homage to the god, who, therefore,
hath involved you all in one common ruin, you and him alike, to
destroy this house and me, forasmuch as I, that had no sons, behold
this youth, the fruit of thy womb, unhappy mother! foully and most
shamefully slain. To thee, my child, our house looked up, to thee my
daughter's son, the stay of my palace, inspiring the city with awe;
none caring to flout the old king when he saw thee by, for he would
get his deserts. But now shall I be cast out dishonoured from my
halls, Cadmus the great, who sowed the crop of Theban seed and
reaped that goodlyharvest. O beloved child! dead though thou art,
thou still shalt be counted by me amongst my own dear children; no
more wilt thou lay thy hand upon my chin in fond embrace, my child,
and calling on thy mother's sire demand, "Who wrongs thee or
dishonours thee, old sire? who vexes thy heart, a thorn within thy
side? Speak, that I may punish thy oppressor, father mine!"
But now am I in sorrow plunged, and woe is thee, and woe thy
mother and her suffering sisters too! Ah! if there be any man that
scorns the gods, let him well mark this prince's death and then
believe in them.
CHORUS
Cadmus, I am sorry for thy fate; for though thy daughter's child
hath met but his deserts, 'tis bitter grief to thee.
AGAVE
O father, thou seest how sadly my fortune is changed.[*]
[* After this a very large lacuna occurs in the MS.]
DIONYSUS
Thou shalt be changed into a serpent; and thy wife Harmonia, Ares'
child, whom thou in thy human life didst wed, shall change her
nature for a snake's, and take its form. With her shalt thou, as
leader of barbarian tribes, drive thy team of steers, so saith an
oracle of Zeus; and many a city shalt thou sack with an army
numberless; but in the day they plunder the oracle of Loxias, shall
they rue their homeward march; but thee and Harmonia will Ares rescue,
and set thee to live henceforth in the land of the blessed. This do
I declare, I Dionysus, son of no mortal father but of Zeus. Had ye
learntwisdom when ye would not, ye would now be happy with the son of
Zeus for your ally.
AGAVE
O Dionysus! we have sinned; thy pardon we implore.
DIONYSUS
Too late have ye learnt to know me; ye knew me not at the proper
time.
AGAVE
We recognize our error; but thou art too revengeful.
DIONYSUS
Yea, for I, though a god, was slighted by you.
AGAVE
Gods should not let their passion sink to man's level.
DIONYSUS
Long ago my father Zeus ordained it thus.
AGAVE
Alas! my aged sire, our doom is fixed; 'tis woful exile.
DIONYSUS
Why then delay the inevitable? Exit.
CADMUS
Daughter, to what an awful pass are we now come, thou too, poor
child, and thy sisters, while I alas! in my old age must seek
barbarian shores, to sojourn there; but the oracle declares that I
shall yet lead an army, half-barbarian, half-Hellene, to Hellas; and
in serpent's shape shall I carry my wife Harmonia, the daughter of
Ares, transformed like me to a savage snake, against the altars and
tombs of Hellas at the head of my troops; nor shall I ever cease
from my woes, ah me! nor ever cross the downwardstream of Acheron and
be at rest.
AGAVE
Father, I shall be parted from thee and exiled.
CADMUS
Alas! my child, why fling thy arms around me, as a snowy cygnet
folds its wings about the frail old swan?
AGAVE
Whither can I turn, an exile from my country?
CADMUS
I know not, my daughter; small help is thy father now.
AGAVE
Farewell, my home! farewell, my native city! with sorrow I am
leaving thee, an exile from my bridal bower.
CADMUS
- hither [´hiðə]
ad.到此处 (初中英语单词) - thence [ðens] ad.从那里；因此 (初中英语单词)
- chiefly [´tʃi:fli] ad.主要地；尤其 (初中英语单词)
- savage [´sævidʒ] a.野蛮的 n.蛮人 (初中英语单词)
- gallant [´gælənt, gə´lænt] a.英勇的；华丽的 (初中英语单词)
- victim [´viktim] n.牺牲者；受害者 (初中英语单词)
- witness [´witnis] n.见证人 vt.目击 (初中英语单词)
- distinct [di´stiŋkt] a.清楚的；独特的 (初中英语单词)
- unhappy [ʌn´hæpi] a.不幸的；不快乐的 (初中英语单词)
- wretched [´retʃid] a.可怜的；倒霉的 (初中英语单词)
- harvest [´hɑ:vist] n.&v.收获；收割 (初中英语单词)
- beloved [bi´lʌvd] a.为....所爱的 n.爱人 (初中英语单词)
- embrace [im´breis] vt.&n.拥抱；采纳；信奉 (初中英语单词)
- punish [´pʌniʃ] vt.(惩)罚；痛击；折磨 (初中英语单词)
- suffering [´sʌfəriŋ] n.痛苦；灾害 (初中英语单词)
- henceforth [´hens´fɔ:θ] ad.今后；从今以后 (初中英语单词)
- wisdom [´wizdəm] n.智慧，聪明，才智 (初中英语单词)
- pardon [´pɑ:dən] n.&vt.原谅；饶恕；赦免 (初中英语单词)
- learnt [lə:nt] learn 的过去式(分词) (初中英语单词)
- passion [´pæʃən] n.激情；激怒；恋爱 (初中英语单词)
- stream [stri:m] n.河 vi.流出；飘扬 (初中英语单词)
- farewell [feə´wel] int.再见 n.&a.告别 (初中英语单词)
- mortal [´mɔ:tl] a.致命的 n.凡人 (高中英语单词)
- banquet [´bæŋkwit] n.宴会，盛宴 (高中英语单词)
- sullen [´sʌlən] a.不高兴的 (高中英语单词)
- naught [nɔ:t] n.无；零 (高中英语单词)
- summon [´sʌmən] vt.召集；号召 (高中英语单词)
- methinks [mi´θiŋks] vi.据我看来 (高中英语单词)
- homage [´hɔmidʒ] n.敬意，尊敬 (高中英语单词)
- goodly [´gudli] a.适意的；漂亮的 (高中英语单词)
- amongst [ə´mʌŋst] prep.其中之一 =among (高中英语单词)
- serpent [´sə:pənt] n.大毒蛇；阴险的人 (高中英语单词)
- plunder [´plʌndə] v.&n.掠夺；盗窃 (高中英语单词)
- oracle [´ɔrəkl] n.预言(者)；圣理名言 (高中英语单词)
- homeward [´həumwəd] ad.&a.回家(的) (高中英语单词)
- inevitable [i´nevitəbəl] a.不可避免的 (高中英语单词)
- downward [´daunwəd] a.下降的，向下的 (高中英语单词)
- corpse [kɔ:ps] n.尸体 (英语四级单词)
- unrest [ʌn´rest] n.不安；不稳；动乱 (英语四级单词)
- frenzy [´frenzi] n.&vt.(使)狂乱 (英语四级单词)
- barbarian [bɑ:´beəriən] a.&n.野蛮(人)的 (英语四级单词)
- blessed [´blesid] a.享福的；神圣的 (英语四级单词)
- sojourn [´sɔdʒə:n] vi.&n.旅居；逗留 (英语四级单词)
- bridal [´braidl] a.&n.婚礼(的) (英语四级单词)
- hunting [´hʌntiŋ] n.打猎 (英语六级单词)
- doubly [´dʌbli] ad.加倍地，双重地 (英语六级单词)
- hapless [´hæpləs] a.不幸的；倒楣的 (英语六级单词)
- inviting [in´vaitiŋ] a.动人的 (英语六级单词)
- faulty [´fɔ:lti] a.有毛病的；有故障的 (英语六级单词)
- calling [´kɔ:liŋ] n.点名；职业；欲望 (英语六级单词)
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章节正文
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