Dionysus.
Why then delay the fate that needs must be? [Exit.
Kadmus.
Daughter, to what dread misery are we come,
Thou—woe is thee!—thy sisters, and thy son!
I must in sorrow visit alien men,
A grey-haired sojourner. I am doomed withal 1355
On Greeks to lead a mingled alien host;
And Ares' child, Harmonia my wife,
In serpent form shall I, a serpent, lead
Against our Hellas' altars and her tombs,
Captaining spears. And I shall find no rest 1360
From woes, alas! nor that down-rushing stream
Of Acheron shall I cross and be at peace!
Agave.
Robbed of thee, father, exiled shall I be!
Kadmus.
Why cast thine arms about me, hapless child?
Like white swan cherishing its helpless sire? 1365
Agave.
Whither can I turn, outcast from my land?
Kadmus.
I know not, child. Small help thy father is.
Agave.
Farewell, mine home; farewell, ye city-towers
Of fatherland! In anguish of despair
I pass an exile from my bridal bowers. 1370
