THE PROMETHEUS BOUND OF

ÆSCHYLUS

PERSONS OF THE DRAMA

Kratos and Bia (Strength and Force).

Hephaistus (Vulcan).

Prometheus.

Chorus Of Ocean Nymphs.

Oceanus.

Io, Daughter of Inachus.

Hermes.

Kratos and Bia, Hephaistus, Prometheus.

Kr. We are come to the far-bounding plain

of earth,

To the Scythian way, to the unapproached solitude.

Hephaistus, orders must have thy attention, Which the Father has enjoined on thee, this bold one

To the high-hanging rocks to bind

In indissoluble fetters of adamantine bonds.
For thy flower, the splendor of fire useful in all

arts,

Stealing, he bestowed on mortals; and for such A crime 't is fit he should give satisfaction to the gods;

That he may learn the tyranny of Zeus
To love, and cease from his man-loving ways.
Heph. Kratos and Bia, your charge from
Zeus

Already has its end, and nothing further in the

way;

But I cannot endure to bind

A kindred god by force to a bleak precipice, Yet absolutely there's necessity that I have courage for these things;

For it is hard the Father's words to banish. High-plotting son of the right - counseling Themis,

Unwilling thee unwilling in brazen fetters hard to be loosed

I am about to nail to this inhuman hill,
Where neither voice [you'll hear], nor form of
any mortal

See, but, scorched by the sun's clear flame,
Will change your color's bloom; and to you glad
The various-robed night will conceal the light,
And sun disperse the morning frost again;
And always the burden of the present ill
Will wear you; for he that will relieve you has
not yet been born.

Such fruits you've reaped from your man-loving ways,

For a god, not shrinking from the wrath of

gods,

You have bestowed honors on mortals more than just,

For which this pleasureless rock you 'll sentinel, Standing erect, sleepless, not bending a knee; And many sighs and lamentations to no purpose Will you utter; for the mind of Zeus is hard to be changed;

And he is wholly rugged who may newly rule. Kr. Well, why dost thou delay and pity in vain?

Why not hate the god most hostile to gods,
Who has betrayed thy prize to mortals?

Heph. The affinity indeed is appalling, and the familiarity.

Kr. I agree, but to disobey the Father's words

How is it possible? Fear you not this more? Heph. Ay, you are always without pity, and

full of confidence.

Kr. For 't is no remedy to bewail this one; Cherish not vainly troubles which avail naught. Heph. O much hated handicraft!

Kr. Why hatest it? for in simple truth, for these misfortunes

Which are present now Art 's not to blame. Heph. Yet I would 't had fallen to another's lot.

Kr. All things were done but to rule the gods, For none is free but Zeus.

Heph. I knew it, and have naught to say against these things.

Kr. Will you not haste then to put the bonds about him,

That the Father may not observe you loitering? Heph. Already at hand the shackles you may

see.

Kr. Taking them, about his hands with firm

strength

Strike with the hammer, and nail him to the rocks.

Heph. 'T is done, and not in vain this work. Kr. Strike harder, tighten, nowhere relax, For he is skillful to find out ways e'en from the impracticable.

He

Heph. Ay, but this arm is fixed inextricably. Kr. And this now clasp securely, that

may learn he is a duller schemer than is Zeus.

Heph. Except him would none justly blame

me.

Kr. Now with an adamantine wedge's stubborn fang

Through the breasts nail strongly.

Heph. Alas! alas! Prometheus, I groan for thy afflictions.

Kr. And do you hesitate? for Zeus' enemies Do you groan? Beware lest one day you yourself will pity.

Heph. You see a spectacle hard for eyes to behold.

Kr. I see him meeting his deserts; But round his sides put straps.

Heph. To do this is necessity, insist not much. Kr. Surely I will insist and urge beside; Go downward, and the thighs surround with force.

Heph. Already it is done, the work, with no long labor.

Kr. Strongly now drive the fetters, through and through,

For the critic of the works is difficult.

Heph. Like your form your tongue speaks.
Kr. Be thou softened, but for my stubborn-

ness

Of temper and harshness reproach me not. Heph. Let us withdraw, for he has a net about his limbs.

Kr. There now insult, and the shares of gods Plundering on ephemerals bestow; what thee "Can mortals in these ills relieve?

Falsely thee the divinities Prometheus
Call; for you yourself need one foreseeing
In what manner you will escape this fortune.

Prometheus, alone.

O divine ether, and ye swift-winged winds,
Fountains of rivers, and countless smilings