The author of such blessings is recognized in
heaven as a god: yet Pentheus puts scorn upon him by the story of the
babe hidden in Jove's thigh. [This is explained away by a play upon
words, as between _ho meeros_, thigh, and _homeeros_, a hostage: Jove
hid the infant god in a cleft of air, a hostage from the wrath of
Here.] Prophecy is ascribed to the wine-god, for phrensy is prophetic;
and he is an ally in war, sending panic on the foe ere lance crosses
lance. He will soon be a god celebrated through all Greece and hold
torchdance on the crags of Delphi. Let Thebes take her place among the
worshippers, fearing nought for the purity of its daughters, who will
be no less holy in the revel than at home.--The Chorus approve, and
Cadmus follows on the same side, urging policy: a splendid falsehood
making Semele the mother of a god will advance their household.
Pentheus shakes off Cadmus's clasp in disgust: bids some of his
servants go and overturn the prophet's place of divination, and others
seek out the stranger who leads the rebels. Exit to the palace, while
Teiresias and Cadmus depart, in horror at his impiety, in the direction
of Cithaeron.
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