Blasted those men and quelled them, and they fled Dizzily. Sure some God was in these things! And the holy women back to those strange springs Returned, that God had sent them when the day Dawned, on the upper heights; and washed away The stain of battle. And those girdling snakes Hissed out to lap the waterdrops from cheeks And hair and breast. Therefore I counsel thee O King, receive this Spirit, whoe'er he be, To Thebes in glory. Greatness manifold Is all about him; and the tale is told That this is he who first to man did give The grief-assuaging vine. Oh, let him live; For if he die, then Love herself is slain, And nothing joyous in the world again! LEADER Albeit I tremble, and scarce may speak my thought To a king's face, yet will I hide it not. Dionyse is God, no God more true nor higher! PENTHEUS It bursts hard by us, like a smothered fire, This frenzy of Bacchic women! All my land Is made their mock.--This needs an iron hand! Ho, Captain! Quick to the Electran Gate; Bid gather all my men-at-arms thereat; Call all that spur the charger, all who know To wield the orbèd targe or bend the bow; We march to war--'Fore God, shall women dare Such deeds against us? 'Tis too much to bear! DIONYSUS Thou mark'st me not, O King, and holdest light My solemn words; yet, in thine own despite, I warn thee still. Lift thou not up thy spear Against a God, but hold thy peace, and fear His wrath! He will not brook it, if thou fright His Chosen from the hills of their delight. PENTHEUS Peace, thou! And if for once thou hast slipped chain, Give thanks!--Or shall I knot thine arms again? DIONYSUS Better to yield him prayer and sacrifice Than kick against the pricks, since Dionyse Is God, and thou but mortal. PENTHEUS That will I! Yea, sacrifice of women's blood, to cry His name through all Kithaeron! DIONYSUS Ye shall fly, All, and abase your shields of bronzen rim Before their wands. PENTHEUS There is no way with him, This stranger that so dogs us! Well or ill I may entreat him, he must babble still! DIONYSUS Wait, good my friend! These crooked matters may Even yet be straightened. [PENTHEUS _has started as though to seek his army at the gate._] PENTHEUS Aye, if I obey Mine own slaves' will; how else? DIONYSUS Myself will lead The damsels hither, without sword or steed. PENTHEUS How now?--This is some plot against me! DIONYSUS What Dost fear? Only to save thee do I plot. PENTHEUS It is some compact ye have made, whereby To dance these hills for ever! DIONYSUS Verily, That is my compact, plighted with my Lord!