Anne Carson

I am something supernatural —
not exactly god, ghost, spirit, angel, principle or element —
There is no term for it in English.
In Greek they say daimo

I don’t believe in despising the gods,
a mere human myself.

Wine is an escape from grief,
a slip into sleep,
a cool forgetting of the hot pains of day.
What better cure for being human?
And when we make libation to the gods we pour the god of wine himself —
it’s how we pray.

when the god enters your body you’re suddenly speaking the future.

Dionysos does not compel women to go mad for sex,
their own natures determine that.

One who speaks folly is a fool.

Good answers are wasted on a fool.

It’s true they enjoy different customs.

Pentheus:
And are your mysteries performed at night or in the day?

Dionysos:
Mostly at night. Darkness is serious.

Pentheus:
Yes it is, seriously corrupting, for women.

Dionysos:
Can’t corruption be found in daylight too?

Pentheus:
Oh stop being clever! There’s a penalty for that!

No matter how hot he blows,
I’ll be my
simple
smiling
self.
A wise man is a well-tempered man.

Dionysos:
You’re the type of person who listens
yet you do not hear.
You’ve used me badly
yet I warn you,
don’t take up arms against a god.
Stay quiet.
Bromios will not endure you driving the Bakkhai from his mountain.