DIONYSUS.

No glory is therein, nor yet disgrace.

Thou hast heard of Tmolus, the bright hill of flowers?

PENTHEUS.

Surely; the ridge that winds by Sardis' towers

DIONYSUS.

Thence am I; Lydia was my fatherland.

PENTHEUS.

And whence these revelations, that thy band Spreadeth in h.e.l.las?

DIONYSUS.

Their intent and use Dionysus oped to me, the Child of Zeus.

PENTHEUS (_brutally_).

Is there a Zeus there, that can still beget Young G.o.ds?

DIONYSUS.

Nay, only He whose seal was set Here in thy Thebes on Semele.

PENTHEUS.

What way Descended he upon thee? In full day Or vision of night?

DIONYSUS.

Most clear he stood, and scanned My soul, and gave his emblems to mine hand.

PENTHEUS.

What like be they, these emblems?

DIONYSUS.

That may none Reveal, nor know, save his Elect alone.

PENTHEUS.

And what good bring they to the worshipper?

DIONYSUS.

Good beyond price, but not for thee to hear.

PENTHEUS.

Thou trickster! Thou wouldst p.r.i.c.k me on the more To seek them out!

DIONYSUS.

His mysteries abhor The touch of sin-lovers.

PENTHEUS.

And so thine eyes Saw this G.o.d plain; what guise had he?

DIONYSUS.

What guise It liked him. 'Twas not I ordained his shape.

PENTHEUS.

Aye, deftly turned again. An idle j.a.pe, And nothing answered!

DIONYSUS.

Wise words being brought To blinded eyes will seem as things of nought.

PENTHEUS.

And comest thou first to Thebes, to have thy G.o.d Established?

DIONYSUS.

Nay; all Barbary hath trod His dance ere this.

PENTHEUS.

A low blind folk, I ween, Beside our h.e.l.lenes!

DIONYSUS.

Higher and more keen In this thing, though their ways are not thy way.

PENTHEUS.

How is thy worship held, by night or day?

DIONYSUS.