No More Learning

IO

Zeus hurled from pride of place! Can such things be?

PROMETHEUS

Thou wert full fain, methinks, to see that sight!

IO

Even so--his overthrow who wrought my pain.

PROMETHEUS

Then may'st thou know thereof; such fall shall be.

IO

And who shall wrench the sceptre from his hand?

PROMETHEUS

By his own mindless counsels shall he fall.

IO

And how? unless the telling harm, say on!

PROMETHEUS

Wooing a bride, his ruin he shall win.

IO

Goddess, or mortal? tell me, if thou may'st.

PROMETHEUS

No matter which--more must not be revealed.

IO

Doth then a consort thrust him from his throne?

PROMETHEUS

The child she bears him shall o'ercome his sire.
IO

And hath he no avoidance of this doom?

PROMETHEUS

None, surely--till that I, released from bonds--

IO

Who can release thee, but by will of Zeus?

PROMETHEUS

Fate gives this duty to a child of thine!

IO

How? Shall a child of mine undo thy woes?

PROMETHEUS

Yea, of thy lineage, thirteen times removed.

IO

Dark beyond guessing grows thine oracle.

PROMETHEUS

Yea--seek not therefore to foreknow thy woes.

IO

As thou didst proffer hope, withdraw it not.

PROMETHEUS

Two tales I have--choose! for I grant thee one.

IO

And which be they? reveal, and leave me choice.

PROMETHEUS

I grant it: shall I in all clearness show
Thy future woes, or my deliverance?

CHORUS

Nay! of the two, vouchsafe her wish to her
And mine to me, deigning a truth to each--
To her, reveal her future wanderings--
To me, thy future saviour, as I crave!