HEPHAESTUS
Alas, Prometheus!
Alas, Prometheus!
Aeschylus
STRENGTH
Why curse it thus? In sooth that craft of thine
Standeth assoiled of all that here is wrought.
HEPHAESTUS
Would that some other were endowed therewith!
STRENGTH
All hath its burden, save the rule of Heaven,
And freedom is for Zeus, and Zeus alone.
HEPHAESTUS
I know it; I gainsay no word hereof.
STRENGTH
Up, then, and hasten to do on his bonds,
Lest Zeus behold thee indolent of will!
HEPHAESTUS
Ah well--behold the armlets ready now!
STRENGTH
Then cast them round his arms and with sheer strength
Swing down the hammer, clinch him to the crags.
HEPHAESTUS
Lo, 'tis toward--no weakness in the work!
STRENGTH
Smite harder, wedge it home--no faltering here!
He hath a craft can pass th' impassable!
HEPHAESTUS
This arm is fast, inextricably bound.
STRENGTH
Then shackle safe the other, that he know
His utmost craft is weaker far than Zeus.
HEPHAESTUS
He, but none other, can accuse mine art!
STRENGTH
Now, strong and sheer, drive thro' from breast to back
The adamantine wedge's stubborn fang.
HEPHAESTUS
Alas, Prometheus! I lament thy pain.
STRENGTH
Thou, faltering and weeping sore for those
Whom Zeus abhors! 'ware, lest thou rue thy tears!
HEPHAESTUS
Thou gazest on a scene that poisons sight.
STRENGTH
I gaze on one who suffers his desert.
Now between rib and shoulder shackle him--
HEPHAESTUS
Do it I must--hush thy superfluous charge!
STRENGTH
Urge thee I will--ay, hound thee to the prey.
Step downward now, enring his legs amain!
HEPHAESTUS
Lo, it is done--'twas but a moment's toil.
STRENGTH
Now, strongly strike, drive in the piercing gyves--
Stern is the power that oversees thy task!
HEPHAESTUS
Brutish thy form, thy speech brutality!
STRENGTH
Be gentle, an thou wilt, but blame not me
For this my stubbornness and anger fell!
HEPHAESTUS
Let us go hence; his legs are firmly chained.
STRENGTH (_To_ PROMETHEUS)
Aha! there play the insolent, and steal,
For creatures of a day, the rights of gods!
