No More Learning

_Strength. _ Why, if I wept, it were no remedy;
And do not _thou_ spend labour on the air
To bootless uses.

_Hephaestus. _ Cursed handicraft!
I curse and hate thee, O my craft!

_Strength. _ Why hate
Thy craft most plainly innocent of all
These pending ills?

_Hephaestus. _ I would some other hand
Were here to work it!

_Strength. _ All work hath its pain,
Except to rule the gods. There is none free
Except King Zeus.

_Hephaestus. _ I know it very well:
I argue not against it.

_Strength.
_ Why not, then,
Make haste and lock the fetters over HIM
Lest Zeus behold thee lagging?

_Hephaestus. _ Here be chains.
Zeus may behold these.

_Strength. _ Seize him: strike amain:
Strike with the hammer on each side his hands--
Rivet him to the rock.

_Hephaestus. _ The work is done,
And thoroughly done.

_Strength. _ Still faster grapple him;
Wedge him in deeper: leave no inch to stir.
He's terrible for finding a way out
From the irremediable.

_Hephaestus. _ Here's an arm, at least,
Grappled past freeing.

_Strength. _ Now then, buckle me
The other securely. Let this wise one learn
He's duller than our Zeus.