Specimens of Greek Tragedy | Page 9

And wrest the truncheon that makes earth
to quake, Poseidon's trident, from its wielder's hand. Wrecked on
misfortune's rock, he then shall know How high it is to reign, to serve
how low.

CHORUS.
Thy wish is father to thy prophecy.
PROMETHEUS.
My wish is one with destiny's decree.
CHORUS.
Think'st thou that Zeus will e'er his master find?
PROMETHEUS.
Ay! and a load harder than mine to bear.
CHORUS.
Dost thou not fear to cast such words at Zeus?
PROMETHEUS.
What should I fear when I must never die?
CHORUS.
But Zeus may yet enhance thine agony.
PROMETHEUS.
Prepared for all, his malice I defy.
CHORUS.
'Tis wise to bow to the inevitable.
PROMETHEUS.
Cringe, if thou wilt, sue, bend the knee to power. Little reck I of Zeus.
Then let him work His tyrant will for his allotted span. Not long shall

he be monarch of the gods. But lo! the Almighty's henchman I behold,
That errands bears for this new dynasty; His lacqueyship must some
new fiat bring.
(Enter HERMES.)
HERMES.
Thou of the crafty soul and bitter tongue, Sinner, that did'st betray to
mortal man The attributes of gods, stealer of fire, The Father bids thee
tell what wedlock this That thou dost boast shall hurl him from his
throne. Speak plain, Prometheus, and take heed that I Have not a
second journey, for such shifts, As well thou seest, turn not the heart of
Zeus.
PROMETHEUS.
High are the words and full of majesty For him that runs the errands of
the gods. New are ye, new to rule, and deem your tower Of puissance
proof against calamity. Yet therefrom two lords I have seen cast out; A
third, him that now reigns, cast out shall see Most quickly and most
foully. Think'st thou I Will crouch before these gods of yesterday? Far,
far from me that thought of shame. Do thou The way thou camest
measure back with speed, For to thy question I give answer none.
HERMES.
It was by such self-will before displayed, That thou did'st pluck these
woes upon thy head.
PROMETHEUS.
My woes, how great so e'er, I would not change For servitude like thine;
of that be sure.
HERMES.
Better, thou think'st, be bondsman to this rock Than be the faithful
pursuivant of Zeus.

PROMETHEUS.
'Tis meet the scorner should be met with scorn.
HERMES.
Thou seem'st to revel in thy present lot.
PROMETHEUS.
Revel! I would that I could see my foes Thus revelling, of whom I
count thee one.
HERMES.
Layest thou the blame on me of thy mischance?
PROMETHEUS.
I hate, without exception, all the gods Who my good deeds with injury
requite.
HERMES.
Thy words bespeak no common sickness thine.
PROMETHEUS.
If hating foes be sickness, I am sick.
HERMES.
Thou wert past bearing wert thou prosperous.
PROMETHEUS.
Alas!
HERMES.

Zeus knows not how to say Alas!
PROMETHEUS.
Time in its course can teach us anything.
HERMES.
Yet thee it has not taught to rule thy tongue.
PROMETHEUS..
No, else I had not parleyed with a slave.
HERMES.
It seems thou wilt not tell what Zeus demands.
PROMETHEUS.
Were I his debtor I the debt would pay.
HERMES.
As though I were a child thou twittest me.
PROMETHEUS.
Art thou not sillier than a silly child, To think that I will tell thee what
thou ask'st? No torture does Zeus know, he has no rack By which he
can my secret wrest from me, Till from these cruel bonds I am released.
Let him hurl lightnings with his red right hand, Let him with whirling
snow and earthquake shock, Confound and wreck this universal frame,
Never shall he constrain me to reveal The child of fate that hurls him
from his throne.
HERMES.
Look, will this insolence amend thy lot?

PROMETHEUS.
I have well looked, and fixed is my resolve.
HERMES.
Bow thy proud soul, insensate wretch, and do What wisdom bids in
thine extremity.
PROMETHEUS.
Waste no more words, thou dost but chide the sea; Dream not that I can
be o'erawed by Zeus, That I will from my manhood derogate And sue
to him that from my soul I hate, With womanish uplifting of my hands,
For liberation from these fetters.--Never!
HERMES.
Methinks I spend my eloquence in vain, For all my prayers nor melt
nor move thy heart. Like a raw colt that pulls against the reins, Taking
the bit between his teeth, art thou. And yet thy mettle will but weakness
prove; For dogged resolution by itself, With wisdom unallied, is
impotence. See if thou wilt not to my words give ear, What stormy
billows of resistless woe Will overwhelm thee. First the Almighty Sire
Will with his thunder cleave this beetling rock, And bury thee beneath
its shattered base, Within its stony arms enfolding thee;