Part 44 (1/2)

Thou s.n.a.t.c.h the thyrsus! Thou this oak-tree rive!

Cast down this doeskin and that hide!

We'll wreak our fury on the knave!

Yea, he shall feel our wrath, the knave!

He shall yield up his hide Riven as woodmen fir-trees rive!

No power his life can save; Since women he hath dared deride!

Ho! To him, sisters! Ho! Alive!

[ORPHEUS _is chased off the scene and slain: the_ MAENADS _then return._

A MAENAD.

Ho! Bacchus! Ho! I yield thee thanks for this!

Through all the woodland we the wretch have borne: So that each root is slaked with blood of his: Yea, limb from limb his body have we torn Through the wild forest with a fearful bliss: His gore hath bathed the earth by ash and thorn!-- Go then! thy blame on lawful wedlock fling!

Ho! Bacchus! take the victim that we bring!

CHORUS OF MAENADS.

Bacchus! we all must follow thee!

Bacchus! Bacchus! Ohe! Ohe!

With ivy coronals, bunch and berry, Crown we our heads to wors.h.i.+p thee!

Thou hast bidden us to make merry Day and night with jollity!

Drink then! Bacchus is here! Drink free, And hand ye the drinking-cup to me!

Bacchus! we all must follow thee!

Bacchus! Bacchus! Ohe! Ohe!

See, I have emptied my horn already: Stretch hither your beaker to me, I pray: Are the hills and the lawns where we roam unsteady?

Or is it my brain that reels away?

Let every one run to and fro through the hay, As ye see me run! Ho! after me!

Bacchus! we all must follow thee!

Bacchus! Bacchus! Ohe! Ohe!

Methinks I am dropping in swoon or slumber: Am I drunken or sober, yes or no?

What are these weights my feet enc.u.mber?

You too are tipsy, well I know!

Let every one do as ye see me do, Let every one drink and quaff like me!

Bacchus! we all must follow thee!

Bacchus! Bacchus! Ohe! Ohe!

Cry Bacchus! Cry Bacchus! Be blithe and merry, Tossing wine down your throats away!