And all because thou, who art fearless now,
With Zeus above,
Dost overflow, for mankind below,
With a free-souled, reverent love.
O friend, behold and see!
What's all the beauty of humanity?
Can it be fair?
What's all the strength?—is it strong?
And what hope can they bear,
These dying livers—living one day long?
And seest thou not, my friend,
How feeble and slow,
And like a dream, doth go
This poor blind manhood, drifted from its end?
And how no mortal wranglings can confuse
The harmony of Zeus?
Prometheus. I have learnt these things,
From the sorrow in thy face!
Another song did drop its wings
Upon my lips in other days,—
When round the bath, and round the bed,
The hymeneal chant instead,
I sang for thee, and smiled,—
And thou didst lead, with gifts, and vows,
Hesione, my father's child,
To be thy wedded spouse.
Io enters.
Io. What land is this? what people is here?
And who is he, who writhes, I see,
In the rock-hung chain?
