Thou shalt be changed into a serpent; and thy wife Harmonia, Ares'
child, whom thou in thy human life didst wed, shall change her nature for a snake's, and take its form.With her shalt thou, as leader of barbarian tribes, drive thy team of steers, so saith an oracle of Zeus; and many a city shalt thou sack with an army numberless; but in the day they plunder the oracle of Loxias, shall they rue their homeward march; but thee and Harmonia will Ares rescue, and set thee to live henceforth in the land of the blessed.This do I declare, I Dionysus, son of no mortal father but of Zeus.Had ye learnt wisdom when ye would not, ye would now be happy with the son of Zeus for your ally.
AGAVE
O Dionysus! we have sinned; thy pardon we implore.
DIONYSUS
Too late have ye learnt to know me; ye knew me not at the proper time.
AGAVE
We recognize our error; but thou art too revengeful.
DIONYSUS
Yea, for I, though a god, was slighted by you.
AGAVE
Gods should not let their passion sink to man's level.
DIONYSUS
Long ago my father Zeus ordained it thus.
AGAVE
Alas! my aged sire, our doom is fixed; 'tis woful exile.
DIONYSUS
Why then delay the inevitable? Exit.
CADMUS
Daughter, to what an awful pass are we now come, thou too, poor child, and thy sisters, while I alas! in my old age must seek barbarian shores, to sojourn there; but the oracle declares that Ishall yet lead an army, half-barbarian, half-Hellene, to Hellas; and in serpent's shape shall I carry my wife Harmonia, the daughter of Ares, transformed like me to a savage snake, against the altars and tombs of Hellas at the head of my troops; nor shall I ever cease from my woes, ah me! nor ever cross the downward stream of Acheron and be at rest.