No More Learning

why not cast myself
Down headlong from this miserable rock,
That, dashed against the flats, I may redeem
My soul from sorrow? Better once to die
Than day by day to suffer.

_Prometheus. _ Verily,
It would be hard for thee to bear my woe
For whom it is appointed not to die.
Death frees from woe: but I before me see
In all my far prevision not a bound
To all I suffer, ere that Zeus shall fall
From being a king.

_Io. _ And can it ever be
That Zeus shall fall from empire?

_Prometheus. _ _Thou_, methinks,
Wouldst take some joy to see it.

_Io. _ Could I choose?
_I_ who endure such pangs now, by that god!

_Prometheus. _ Learn from me, therefore, that the event shall be.

_Io.
_ By whom shall his imperial sceptred hand
Be emptied so?

_Prometheus. _ Himself shall spoil himself,
Through his idiotic counsels.

_Io. _ How? declare:
Unless the word bring evil.

_Prometheus. _ He shall wed;
And in the marriage-bond be joined to grief.

_Io. _ A heavenly bride--or human? Speak it out
If it be utterable.

_Prometheus. _ Why should I say which?
It ought not to be uttered, verily.

_Io. _ Then
It is his wife shall tear him from his throne?