Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/143

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
113
HEADERTEXT
113

PROMETHEUS BOUND 113

And callest, too, by name the curse that came

From Here unaware, To waste and pierce me with its maddening goad ?

Ah, ah, I leap With the pang of the hungry ; I bound on the road ; I am driven by my doom ; vw

I am overcome By the wrath of an enemy strong and deep ! Are any of those who have tasted pain,

Alas ! as wretched as I ? 705

Now tell me plain, doth aught remain For my soul to endure beneath the sky ? Is there any help to be holpen by ? If knowledge be in thee, let it be said !

Cry aloud — cry 710

To the wandering, woful maid.

Prometheus. Whatever thou wouldst learn, I will declare ; No riddle upon my lips, but such straight words As friends should use to each other when they talk. Thou seest Prometheus, who gave mortals fire. 715

lo. Ο common help of all men, known of all, Ο miserable Prometheus, for what cause Dost thou endure thus ?

Prometheus. I have done with wail

For my own griefs but lately.

lo. Wilt thou not

Vouchsafe the boon to me ?

Prometheus. Say what thou wilt, 720

For I vouchsafe all.

lo. Speak, then, and reveal

Who shut thee in this chasm.

Prometheus. The will of Zeus,

The hand of his Hephaestus.