No More Learning

_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.