Who struck him?AgaveThe honor is mine first. I am called blessed Agave in the revels.ChorusWho else?AgaveKadmos’—ChorusKadmos’ what?AgaveHis other offspring took hold of this beast after me, after me. This is a lucky catch!Chorus

AgaveShare in the feast then.ChorusWhat? I share in the feast, wretched woman?AgaveThe bull is young; his cheek is just growing downy under his soft-haired crest.ChorusYes, his hair looks like a wild beast’s.AgaveBacchus, a wise huntsman, wisely set the Maenads against this beast.ChorusOur lord is a hunter.AgaveDo you praise me?ChorusI praise you.AgaveSoon the Kadmeans—ChorusAnd your son Pentheus, too—AgaveWill praise his mother who has caught this lion-like prey.ChorusExtraordinary.AgaveAnd extraordinarily caught.ChorusAre you proud?AgaveI am delighted, for I have performed great—yes, great—and notable deeds on this hunt.

Chorus LeaderNow show the citizens, wretched woman, the booty which you have brought in victory.AgaveYou who dwell in this fair-towered city of the Theban land, come to see this prey which we the daughters of Kadmos hunted down, not with thonged Thessalian javelins, or with nets, but with the fingers of our white arms. And then should huntsmen boast and use in vain the work of spear-makers? But we caught and tore apart the limbs of this beast with our very own hands. Where is my old father? Let him approach. And where is my son Pentheus? Let him take a ladder and raise its steps against the house so that he can fasten to the triglyphs this lion’s head which I have captured and brought here.Enter Kadmos and his servants, carrying the remains of Pentheus’ bodyKadmosFollow me, carrying the miserable burden of Pentheus, follow me, slaves, before the house; exhausted from countless searches, I am bringing his body, for I discovered it in the folds of Kithairon,