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 thine 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 Up let it swing In the right hand, timed with the right foot's spring.... 'Tis well thy heart is changed! PENTHEUS (_more wildly_) What strength is this! Kithaeron's steeps and all that in them is-- How say'st thou?--Could my shoulders lift the whole? DIONYSUS Surely thou canst, and if thou wilt! Thy soul, Being once so sick, now stands as it should stand. PENTHEUS Shall it be bars of iron? Or this bare hand And shoulder to the crags, to wrench them down? DIONYSUS Wouldst wreck the Nymphs' wild temples, and the brown Rocks, where Pan pipes at noonday? PENTHEUS Nay; not I! Force is not well with women. I will lie Hid in the pine-brake. DIONYSUS Even as fits a spy On holy and fearful things, so shalt thou lie! PENTHEUS (_with a laugh_) They lie there now, methinks--the wild birds, caught By love among the leaves, and fluttering not! DIONYSUS It may be. That is what thou goest to see, Aye, and to trap them--so they trap not thee! PENTHEUS Forth through the Thebans' town! I am their king, Aye, their one Man, seeing I dare this thing! DIONYSUS Yea, thou shalt bear their burden, thou alone; Therefore thy trial awaiteth thee!--But on; With me into thine ambush shalt thou come Unscathed; then let another bear thee home! PENTHEUS The Queen, my mother. DIONYSUS Marked of every eye. PENTHEUS For that I go! DIONYSUS Thou shalt be borne on high! PENTHEUS That were like pride! DIONYSUS Thy mother's hands shall share Thy carrying. PENTHEUS Nay; I need not such soft care! DIONYSUS So soft? PENTHEUS Whate'er it be, I have earned it well! [_Exit_ PENTHEUS _towards the Mountain._]